2018 Ford Expedition: hesitation when accelerating

Filed Apr 14, 2026 · Transmission · TX

The transmission was shifting into neutral while driving, causing hesitation with oncoming traffic approaching, at one point it actually shifted into park or reverse while driving in forward gear. We could easily been stalled or lost forward motion with the intent of thinking we were OK to proceed thru oncoming traffic, which would result in collision or accident, jeopardizing our safety or our grand children in car seats safety. The car was taken to Ford dealership and they said there were no codes on the autos computer and that the car would not reproduce the failure, however up on bringing the vehicle home it continued to slip into neutral while driving. The first failure started in October 2025 and was taken to the Ford dealer for repair in November 2025. I contacted Ford Regional Management and they gave me a case #CXH-07154008-P4F3D0 in February 25, 2026

Filed Jul 7, 2025 · Acceleration, Transmission · NC

Component/System That Failed: The 10R80 automatic transmission is malfunctioning. It causes harsh shifting, delayed acceleration, hesitation, and unpredictable surging. These issues have been confirmed as part of Ford’s internal TSB 23-2250, which directly references this transmission defect. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Safety Risk: This transmission failure poses a serious safety risk. The hesitation and delay in acceleration occur during merging, turning, and highway driving, which can cause near misses and sudden loss of power. The delayed response time compromises my ability to move safely through traffic. Reproduced/Confirmed: Yes. The issue was confirmed by Liberty Ford in Fayetteville, NC, after I paid for a diagnostic. The service department acknowledged the symptoms but refused to cover the diagnosis or repair under warranty since no recall was showing under my VIN. Inspected by Others: The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer directly or by law enforcement or insurance. However, it was diagnosed and documented by an authorized Ford dealership (Liberty Ford in Fayetteville NC). Warning Lamps or Symptoms: There were no warning lamps or error codes. The symptoms began subtly but became consistent over time. The first noticeable event was approximately in “early 2025”, with increased severity since then. I submitted a written complaint to Ford on June 9, 2025, via USPS Priority Mail (Tracking #[XXX]) and also filed a certified safety complaint with the federal safety agency (Tracking #[XXX]) but have received no response. I am requesting formal investigation and recall action. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jun 23, 2025 · Engine · WY

My 2018 Ford Expedition previously underwent a recall repair for a known cam phaser defect at Fremont Ford in Lander, Wyoming. The cam phasers are part of the engine’s variable valve timing system and are critical for proper performance and safety. Despite the initial recall repair, the exact same issue has returned. I am now experiencing rattling noise at startup, reduced engine performance, and engine hesitation—symptoms consistent with the original defect. When I contacted the dealership, they told me that the issue would not be covered again because too much time has passed. This issue clearly indicates a recall repair failure, which poses a potential safety hazard due to timing chain slack and the risk of engine damage or stalling. Cam phasers are essential to the safe and reliable operation of the engine. I am requesting that the federal safety agency investigate whether this recall needs to be expanded or whether Ford should be required to cover failed recall repairs like mine.

Filed Jun 12, 2025 · Engine, Suspension · MN

With only 53500 miles the gears stopped working. The gear shift pulls and hesitates when changing gears. The engine pulls when excelerating even at low speeds while struggling to shift. The Cam is also causing issues with loud start up sounds.

Filed Jul 2, 2024 · Acceleration, Engine · OK

My 2018 expedition has been repaired by Ford dealership three times. The vehicle started with a hesitancy to shift into reverse then eventually a hard jerk into gear. following that, it began to hesitate to accelerate and rattle and shake hard enough to shake the steering wheel. The powertrain loss warning came on ford pass. Ford dealership said it was transmission and rebuilt it. Three weeks following the repair the very same shaking, rattling and crunching sound started again with power loss. It was intermittent and dealership said with no codes they couldn’t recreate the issue and so no help. The following day on the highway, it started again. I was attempting to stop at a red light and with my foot on the brake, the vehicle attempted to lurch forward and try to go despite the brake. Thankfully, the light turned green and the car in front of me moved. As I continued to drive, I was left stranded with the codes showing actuator failure and cam shaft failure. The dealership then said it was the cam shaft and all actuators that needed to be replaced this time. The SAME rattling and shaking and power loss they said was caused by the transmission they rebuilt 3 weeks earlier but now it is caused by the cam shaft. So 2 repairs later and 4 weeks, it did it again and this time it caught on fire and burned a hole in my hood. The dealership called me the day after I had it towed into the dealership smoking staying it was the heater hoses that caused the shaking, rattling and power loss. Said they could have it fixed the next day. It is a disaster. It is a major safety issue and I am still paying payments on this car that ford cannot fix. This car needs to be recalled and they need to refund for cost of vehicle. This car is going to kill someone!

Filed Jun 28, 2024 · TX

Automatic transmission is causing slipped gears, harsh shifting, jerking, and hesitation. I am almost met with accident couple of times with my family. Whie driving car suddenly shift from 10 gear to 5th gear causing erratic behaviour. While waiting in the Signal for Green light, and when we press the accelerator. Car is not moving at all from first gear.erratically shift to 6th gear.

Filed Aug 11, 2023 · Engine · 88,000 miles · WI

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, and occasionally while driving at various speeds, there was a loud rattling sound coming from the front-end of the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated while responding. The contact stated there was coolant leaking from the vehicle and the check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the wrench symbol was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the cam phaser and timing chain had failed, and that coolant was leaking near the radiator. The contact was informed that the cam phaser and timing chain needed to be replaced. The contact related the failure to TSB: 21N03-S4 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the vehicle was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and filed a case. The contact was referred to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 88,000.

Filed Apr 28, 2023 · Transmission · 69,000 miles · WA

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving under 35 MPH, the transmission was shifting hard and hesitating between gear. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the transmission control module (TCM) needed to be replaced; however, no repairs were completed. The vehicle was then taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 69,000.

Filed Mar 13, 2023 · Transmission · 111,000 miles · DE

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated to accelerate while the transmission made abnormal sounds. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the failure was related to Technical Service Bulletin: 22-2145 (Momentary Neutral-Out Condition in Drive) however, the vehicle was not covered under the TSB. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was out of warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 111,000.