NHTSA Complaint #11521090 — 2021 FORD ECOSPORT

According to the dealership, the axle seal tore and leaked transmission fluid. No lights, warnings or messages ever appeared in the days leading up to or following the incident. I noticed a mechanical whining sound about 24hrs prior to the incident (what the dealership later explained was transmission pump) however my car still drove normally otherwise. On my way to work, in a busy intersection with a steep hill, I heard a loud mechanical grinding sound when I tried to accelerate. After which, my card jerked backward and started to drive in reverse instead of forward despite being in drive. I was able to break before hitting oncoming cars. Luckily no one was injured by my moving in the wrong direction or suddenly stopping in an intersection. I was scared to drive my car and took it to the dealership the following Monday. They diagnosed the torn axle seal several days later. I have approximately 13,000 miles on this vehicle and have meticulously maintained it at the dealership of purchase.