A red or pink puddle under the middle of your car, hard or delayed shifting, or a burnt smell - those are the warning signs of a transmission leak. Driving low on transmission fluid can destroy a $3,000+ component fast. Here's how to spot it early and what to do.
The most common transmission leak. The gasket between the pan and the transmission body dries out and seeps. You'll see drips from the lowest point of the transmission. Repair: $150-400.
Diagnose My Leak →These seals keep fluid in where the driveshaft or axles connect. A failing seal drips at the front (input) or rear (output) of the transmission. $250-600 to replace.
Diagnose My Leak →The two metal lines running from the transmission to the radiator can corrode and leak, especially at the fittings. Easy fix - usually $100-300.
Diagnose My Leak →A leak between the engine and transmission usually means the torque converter seal failed. Major job - the transmission has to come out. $700-1,500.
Diagnose My Leak →Road debris or a hard impact can crack the pan. Visible damage on the underside of the transmission gives this one away. $150-400 to replace.
Diagnose My Leak →Describe what you're seeing and our AI mechanic will tell you what it is, how serious it is, and what it costs to fix - in seconds.
Get My Free Diagnosis →No account needed. First answer is free. Full report is $5.99.
A transmission code may appear when fluid gets low enough to affect operation. The most common is below.
Both are usually red. Location is the giveaway: transmission fluid pools under the middle of the car. Power steering fluid pools near the front, closer to the engine pulleys. Power steering fluid also tends to be slightly thinner.
Short term, yes - if you can keep up. But low fluid burns up the transmission internals fast. You'll spend more on fluid in 6 months than fixing the leak would have cost.
Burnt fluid means the transmission overheated, often from running low on fluid. The clutches inside are damaged. Get to a transmission specialist immediately - the longer you drive, the worse it gets.
Pan gasket: $150-400. Cooler line: $100-300. Output shaft seal: $250-600. Torque converter seal: $700-1,500. A full rebuild from running low on fluid: $2,500-4,500.
Tell our AI what you see under your car. You'll know what it is, whether it's safe to drive, and what the fix costs - in under a minute.
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