i have not had the pinging or the popping noise, but my transmission has had a leak problem that has been (repaired) twice now and told that the seal would have to be ordered once, only to never hear from the dealer again. it also shifts gears rapidly from high to low to high again after coming to a stop and accelerating back into traffic. not every time but enuff for me to question it. by the way my ford is the 2007 sel awd. i know this doesnt help you but maybe someone has the answer for me and these problems.