Car barely goes into gear and makes loud THUNK noise when catches gear?

Drove earlier around town and my car decided to rev up when i pished on the gas but BARELY moved, then a loud "thunk" sound happened, as if it just caught the next gear, and kept repeating.had to drive home at a very slow speed because of the high reving and thunking. Any idea on what it could be. I drive a 2015 Ford Escape

If front sway bar links are bad do I also need to replace my front struts and rear shocks? - 1

I have some flat spots and tire noise. I was told I need all new shocks, struts and sway bar links. Really? Everything? I took for 2nd & 3rd opinions and both of them said I only need front sway bar links and an alignment. I'm not having handling problems. When I questioned the $1700 estimate from my original guy they said my tires are taking all the brunt of the bumps because my suspension is bad. They said it's time to change it all anyway because I have 143k miles on my 09 Ford Escape. Both # 2 & #3 said my shocks and struts were fine. Am I just being upselled? I've done business with this guy for 20 yrs and am really upset. They are saying if links are worn then likely the struts and shocks are worn also or will need replacing in the next 6 months. Who do I believe?