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2018 Ford Expedition transmission problems

150 complaints (39% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 88,992. 2 crashes reported.

owner complaints
150
of this car's complaints
39%
typical mileage
88,992
crashes
2
recalls
3

Which part fails

  • Automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
    2
  • Automatic transmission
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Ford Expedition transmission problems in other years

1997200020052010201520202025

Specific symptoms reported on the 2018 Ford Expedition transmission

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Jerking 29Transmission failure 27Harsh shifting 20Slipping 19Won't shift 12Hesitation 9Shudder 7

Related recalls

Power train: automatic transmissionReported June 24, 2026 · 741,195 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Navigator, Expedition, 2020-2021 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2021 F-150 vehicles. The transmission park pawl may engage while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in park system damage.
Risk
Park system damage may result in a vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, and inspect and replace any damaged transmission components as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 10, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in April 2027. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S48. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on on June 26, 2026.

Recall number 26V402000 · Recall details

Power train: automatic transmissionReported April 4, 2018 · 142 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ford F-150 and 2018 Ford Expedition and Mustang and Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with 10-speed automatic transmissions. A roll pin may not have been installed in the transmission, potentially causing a loss of the "Park" function.
Risk
Despite the transmission shift lever being placed in 'Park' and the instrument panel display indicating 'Park,' the vehicle may roll away after it has been exited if the parking brake has not been applied, increasing the risk of injury or a crash.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmission to make sure it has the roll pin, installing one if it is missing, free of charge. The recall began on April 13, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S09.

Recall number 18V213000 · Recall details

Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)Reported April 4, 2018 · 292,909 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 F-650 and F-750 vehicles equipped with 6-speed automatic transmissions and 2018 Ford F-150 and Expedition vehicles equipped with 10-speed automatic transmissions (excluding Expedition vehicles with a Rotary Gear Shift Dial on the console). The gear shift cable clip may not be properly seated, allowing the transmission to be in a different gear than indicated by the gear shift lever position.
Risk
If the gear shift cable clip becomes unseated or dislodged, the gear shift lever position may indicate that the transmission is in 'Park' when it may be in a different gear. Additionally, despite selecting 'Park', if the parking brake is not applied before the vehicle is exited, the vehicle may roll. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the shift cable locking clip and properly seat it, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 13, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for the recall is 18S10.

Recall number 18V214000 · Recall details

What 2018 Ford Expedition owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Nov 6, 2026 · Body, Seat belts · 180,000 miles · MO

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. The contact received notifications for the federal safety agency Campaign Numbers: 26V344000 (Seat Belts), 26V368000 (Structure), and 26V402000 (Power Train); however, the parts to complete the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time to provide the recall repairs. The contact stated that the transmission required multiple attempts to shift into park(P), and the failure became more frequent over time. While in park(P) with the parking brake engaged, the vehicle experienced unintended rollaway. The contact re-entered the vehicle and, after multiple attempts, shifted the transmission into park(P) and engaged the parking brake. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that remedy parts were unavailable. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

Filed Oct 26, 2026 · Transmission · FL

Transmission shifting very hard and lost forward momentum while on highway nearly causing accident. The resulting tow and repars totaled close to $5000.00

Filed Oct 14, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · PA

I was traveling on the interstate and went to accelerate to pass a vehicle. My car displayed system fault codes and made a clicking noise and dropped to neutral while my RPMs stayed high. I lost acceleration and had to swerve to avoid a collision. The engine then had a loud clank and jerked into gear. Once I had pulled off enough I turned the car off and on again and resumed driving. This has happened multiple times. Each time when I have contacted Ford they say it’s a known issue with the make of the Clutch drum and realized the issue after the 2022 year and changed the way it was made. However they stated it would cost me over $6500 to repair mine. They do not accept fault only state it is a known issue. When my car goes from 65 to 39 in a span of a few seconds it is a huge safety issue.

Filed Oct 12, 2026 · Electrical, Transmission · GA

TCM component major failure as diagnosed by dealership. Vehicle has inadvertently tried to go into park on multiple occasions when trying to speed up/ overtake. This failure has also caused the transmission to need a complete overhaul.

Filed Sep 11, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · SC

My 2018 Ford Expedition with the 3.5L EcoBoost engine has developed a pronounced rattling/knocking noise at startup. This appears consistent with the well documented cam phaser/VCT problem affecting this engine family. At approximately 118,212 miles, an independent Firestone Complete Auto Care inspected the vehicle and recommended major timing system repairs. Their estimate calls for replacement of the timing chain components and variable timing sprockets/cam phasers, with a total recommended repair cost of $5,232.13. 220782OrderRevisions.Pdf The concern is not simply the noise. The cam phasers and timing system control critical valve timing. If these components continue to deteriorate, there is a risk of improper engine timing, severe drivability problems, loss of power, stalling, or significant internal engine damage. A failure while traveling at highway speeds or in traffic could create a serious safety hazard for the occupants and surrounding motorists. There have not yet been warning lights or dashboard messages associated with the condition. The primary symptom has been the recurring startup rattle/knock, which has now been confirmed by an independent repair facility as requiring substantial timing system repair. The vehicle remains available for inspection. This has been an ongoing issue for the last few months but was first diagnosed on September 12, 2026 during a repair for another unrelated issue. I am especially concerned because this is not an isolated or unusual type of failure on the 3.5L EcoBoost. Ford has previously recognized cam phaser/VCT startup noise on these engines through service guidance. A known timing-related defect requiring more than $5,000 in repairs, with the potential to progress into engine damage or loss of engine performance, represents a significant reliability and potential safety concern.

Filed Aug 20, 2026 · Transmission · 90,000 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. While the contact's wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission independently shifted into park. The check engine warning light illuminated, and the transmission brake error message was displayed. The vehicle was turned off. The vehicle was restarted; however, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the failure reoccurred. The failure was a persistent failure. The dealer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact referenced the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V402000 (Power Train); and the VIN was associated with the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

Filed Aug 20, 2026 · Transmission · 108,000 miles · NM

Transmission that's was replaced approx 3 yrs ago is hard shifting from park to drive and park to reverse on flat level surface.

Filed Jul 25, 2026 · Transmission · FL

Failing Transmission, does not shift into the gear just hear grinding noise, after few seconds of it, transmission makes very hard shift. This takes place in all phases or driving leading to potentially very dangerous situation of the car not moving or stopping while crossing a street with upcoming traffic, crossing intersection or any other phase of driving. Visited few shops and was advised that Ford has a major problem with 10R80 Transmission and failing CDF Drum.

Filed Jul 24, 2026 · Transmission · PA

The heater hose that feeds the front and rear heater cores ruptured while traveling at highway speeds on a main road. The engine coolant directly sprays onto the engine resulting in a steam cloud that can not be seen through, also rapidly overheating that motor. This caused a dangerous scenario where the driver can not see the road correctly through the steam cloud while trying to pull off of the highway with the engine over temp warnings flashing in the screen further adding to the panic.

Filed Jul 23, 2026 · Brakes, Transmission · FL

I am submitting this complaint regarding potential safety issues with my 2018 Ford Expedition Max Platinum. I purchased the vehicle from Sandy Sansing Chevrolet in Pensacola, Florida, and discovered several problems shortly after purchase that I believe may affect the vehicle's safe operation. Within days of purchasing the vehicle, it began displaying an intermittent **low oil pressure warning** while driving. Because a low oil pressure condition can lead to engine damage, loss of power, or engine failure, I believe this presents a potential safety concern. The dealership's inspection report completed before the sale states: **"Has multiple minor oil leaks, wet but not dripping yet."** I had the vehicle independently inspected by Firestone, which determined the oil leak was coming from the timing cover/timing case area and estimated approximately $3,000 in repairs. I am concerned that the documented oil leak and intermittent low oil pressure warning could increase the risk of engine failure while the vehicle is in operation. I have also experienced what I believe is a brake safety concern. Although the dealership's inspection report indicates the brakes and rotors had been serviced, the brake pedal feels unusually soft or spongy and requires more pedal travel and pressure than expected before the brakes engage. While the vehicle currently stops, I am concerned this condition could reduce braking performance or increase stopping distance. Additional issues include intermittent operation of the power running boards, a non-functioning rear window washer, and a detached rear window defroster electrical connection. I am submitting this complaint so the federal safety agency can determine whether these issues are isolated to my vehicle or may indicate a broader safety-related defect affecting other 2018 Ford Expedition vehicles. I can provide the dealership inspection report, Firestone inspection and repair estimate, photographs, and other supporting documentation upon request.

Questions about the 2018 Ford Expedition transmission

Does the 2018 Ford Expedition have transmission problems?

Owners have filed 150 complaints about the transmission of the 2018 Ford Expedition, 39% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.

At what mileage do 2018 Ford Expedition transmission problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 88,992 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2018 Ford Expedition transmission?

Yes, 3 recalls: 26V402000, 18V213000, 18V214000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Ford Expedition have bad transmission?

The Ford Expedition model years with the most transmission complaints are 2020 (270 complaints), 2019 (224 complaints) and 2018 (150 complaints).

Other 2018 Ford Expedition problems

Engine 120Electrical 34Suspension 26Lights 25Acceleration 15Brakes 15Seat belts 15Body 14Fuel system 9Visibility 9Wheels 9Airbags 5Locks 4Steering 4Driver assistance 2Seats 1

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