We have and continue to experience severe transmission slipping in our 2018 expedition limited. It can create a dangerous loss of control situation when it slips severely or upshifts or downshifts rough.
2018 Ford Expedition: transmission slipping
19 of the 384 complaints about the 2018 Ford Expedition describe transmission slipping.
- owner complaints
- 19
- of this car's complaints
- 5%
- recalls
- 3
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls and 27 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Transmission slipping by model year
What owners say
my car is a 2018 we bought it used in 2020 we had to had the transmission flushed and coils replaced . that didn't work . we had drum issues and gear slippage . now i. have to put a new transmission in the car
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
The vehicle often feels like it is slipping when it is changing gears at lower speeds. When trying to accelerate quickly getting on the highway, it fails to increase speed. The gas pedal is pressed and the engine revs and it does not increase speed. This has happened more than once and has caused me to nearly be in accidents because I cannot enter the highway as I should. I took it to a dealer initially in 2023 and they repaired the transmission cooler. Was told it was operating as designed after that. Then in 2024 I took it in for the same issue and was told I needed an engine replacement. I paid for an entire engine replacement and was told the issue was fixed. I am now having the same issue and will be taking it back for a 3rd time. My local shop (not the dealer) told me it is the timing belt which is part of the engine. I feel unsafe in my vehicle and do not feel my $16,000 repair fixed the problem.
I have had several issues with this vehicle throughout the years I have owned it. The current issues I am writing about include: transmission failure and replacement, rear passenger door no longer opening and continued issues with the Catalytic convertors. When it comes to the transmission it was unsafe to drive as the gears continued to slip while driving and cause the vehicle to temporarily loose power. This could have resulted in an accident. The vehicle is currently having the transmission replaced at a repair shop where they confirmed the issues. They will also be looking at the other two issues as well. The door not opening poses a huge safety concern as we are only able to use one rear door for entering and exiting.
I cash purchased a 2018 Ford Expedition on [XXX] - I have a 90 day warranty and purchased an extended 2 year warranty. I've taken the vehicle back twice to Auto Nation in Denver Co for transmission issues. The transmissions slips and makes a horrible nose when it shift. I can't drive it due to it being unsafe to drive. I do not feel safe driving the vehicle. Auto Nation continues to declining to repair the vehicle. I've owned the vehicle for 2months and maybe drove it for only 100 miles due to the unsafety. Ford has know issues with these 10speed transmissions. I was never informed by the dealer of these know issues therefore was sold a lemon. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
When driving, the transmission feels like it is slipping and doesn't transfer power to the wheels. The effect is that you have a loss of power, especially when accelerating to enter the highway or to pass someone. The power train on this vehicle has a 5 year warranty, and our vehicle is 6 years old. This vehicle has the 10 speed transmission (10R80) that shows many issues online both before and after this 5 year warranty period. This isn't just a warranty issue, as the loss of power when entering a highway or executing a pass is dangerous. I will indicate an issue date, but this has been a multiple recurring issue for many months.
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the transmission slipped and became stuck in gear. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal was released and depressed, and the transmission shifted to the next gear very rough. The power train warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle started shaking and lost motive power. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal was pumped for the vehicle to accelerate as needed. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road and restarted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic however, the mechanic was unable to replicate the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 41,000.
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.
This vehicle is used as my daily driver, multiple times in the past 3 or so months the 10 speed has lost connection with the car itself, meaning as I am driving the gear will not catch and I am not able to accelerate. I have been on I10 going 70 MPH and go to accelerate and the gear just slips and it does not catch for about 10 seconds. This is extremely dangerous as my car just suddenly starts to slow down and I'm not able to do anything on a major hwy. In addition to this, when I am driving the gear are shifting very hard. I can feel the vehicle jump multiped times during the course of a 15 minute drive.
Transmission is slipping and harshly stopping randomly. Won’t go into park sometimes. Very unsafe. I have heard this is a common thing with the 2018 ford expeditions.
My transmission started slipping in and out of gear or getting stuck in a gear. I was driving down the highway and my car got stuck in 4th gear after I had to slow down for a car in front of me. I was almost rear ended due to this. Not to mention many other times when trying to speed up, it slipped and wouldn't allow me to increase speed correctly. Took it to Ford and apparently it was a known issue with the 10 Speed Transmission and had to replace the CDF drum. I'm also having issues with my Cam phasers apparently even after being told by the dealer in 2021 that the noise was nothing to worry about after they did the reset.
Service bulletins that may apply
- This bulletin supersedes TSB 25-2132
- Various vehicles equiped with 10R80/10R80 MHT/10R100/10R140 transmissions may require replacement of the...
- This article supersedes TSB 24-2046 to update the Service Procedure LTIS statement
- During service and repair requiring removal and replacement of a crankshaft bolt and/or crankshaft damper,...
- Harsh/delayed engagement and/or harsh/delayed shift, an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with...
- This article supersedes TSB 23-2120 to exclude Police Interceptor vehicles with column shift
- Whine noise at idle and/or while driving
- This article supersedes TSB 22-2428 and 23-2176 to update the Issue, Action and Service Procedure
Related recalls
Power train: automatic transmission
- 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 transmission
- 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)
- 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
Questions about the 2018 Ford Expedition slipping
Is transmission slipping a common problem on the 2018 Ford Expedition?
19 of 384 owner complaints about the 2018 Ford Expedition (5%) mention transmission slipping. The model year with the most reports is 2020.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2018 Ford Expedition?
There are 3 recalls and 27 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2018 Ford Expedition
Check engine light 32Jerking 29Transmission failure 27Loss of power 26Harsh shifting 20Stalling 17Knocking 12Headlights 12Won't shift 12Grinding brakes 11Overheating 11Hesitation 9Door locks 8Backup camera 7Engine failure 7Shudder 7Seat belt 6Start-stop 5
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