2020 Ford Expedition: harsh or hard shifting

Filed Oct 29, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · FL

2020 Ford Expedition 10 speed transmission Numerous times while driving in the [XXX]/[XXX] area we were attempting to merge into traffic. While trying to merge, we pressed the gas in order to merge into traffic and the powertrain seized up with a total loss of power (it was basically like it went into neutral) and the RPM’s jumped to 6000-7000 rpm. When we let off the gas, the transmission finally slammed back into gear with a loud clunk and it finally re-engaged. This shifting situation has happened several times over the past 8-12 months. Just recently (XXX) it happened three times in that day. This is an extremely dangerous issue. The last incident there was had a cement truck coming up on and I could have been run over. I’ve have had the car in the dealership approximately 3-4 times for this issue and each time they state they cannot replicate the problem. If it happens three times to me in one day and Ford can’t replicate the issue???I have had three other family and/or friends with me when this issue has happened so it’s quite real issue. Frankly. I feel like Ford just don’t want to pay the expense to fix the problem. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Oct 1, 2026 · Transmission · CO

In 2025, our 2020 Ford Expedition had harsh, erratic shifting, then would lurch during shifts or lose power. Ford service replaced the valve body plate and reset the transmission software. This did not fix the harsh shifting; it only cleared the warning lights when the harsh shifting occurred. Now in 2026, shifting and gear sticking have continued to get worse, and now Ford says we need a new transmission, but it is now conveniently out of warranty. This is an issue the dealership was not transparent with us about; it is a safety issue when driving, and now the costs are intended to be completely out of pocket for us.

Filed Sep 9, 2026 · Steering, Transmission · GA

Recurring dangerous transmission defect in my 2020 Ford Expedition (3.5L EcoBoost, 10-speed 10R80, ~136,826 mi). It has lost power and shifted violently multiple times, each a crash risk. 1) ~Aug 22, 2026: Accelerating to pass on the highway, the whole vehicle shut down. I lost all power INCLUDING power steering and had to coast off the road. It restarted after stopping. Losing power and steering while passing at speed is extremely dangerous. 2) Weekend of ~Aug 29-31, 2026: Going up a slight residential driveway, the transmission slipped (engine revved, vehicle didn't move) then slammed into gear with a hard jolt. 3) Another time, accelerating to pass, it made an extremely loud bang and violent jolt; I thought the transmission had failed. ONGOING since I bought it used (June 2023): it repeatedly slams/clunks hard into gear, including while just coasting down a slight grade with NO foot on gas or brake, jolting violently as if it dropped into Park. This is not just my vehicle. The 10R80 transmission (2020 Expedition, F-150, etc.) has many complaints for the same thing (sudden downshifts, power loss, harsh shifting, slipping) and is subject to a class action (filed 4/2023, MA) covering 2017-present F-150/Expedition/Mustang/Ranger/Navigator, alleging Ford knew since 2018. I raised this repeatedly with Ford and two dealerships and was told there were no recalls and no known issue. Ford's open recall 26S48 (26V402) is only about the PARKING system and does NOT cover this loss-of-power/violent-shift behavior. Please investigate.

Filed Jul 20, 2026 · Transmission · TX

The transmission frequently has harsh and delayed shifting it is concerning that this leads to unsafe conditions while driving as the vehicle is not as responsive as it should be. The transmission has been replaced once and rebuilt three times by the dealer.

Filed Jul 19, 2026 · Seat belts · AL

We recently purchased a certified pre-owned 2020 Ford Expedition Max Limited with approximately 70,000 miles. Since purchasing the vehicle, it has experienced several issues, particularly with the transmission. Before the transmission was replaced, the dealer attempted to repair it twice but was unable to resolve the problem. After the replacement transmission was installed, the same symptoms returned within one to two weeks, including harsh shifting, shuddering, and harsh engagement when shifting into reverse and park. In addition, the front seat belts and the captain’s chair seat belts have locked up multiple times. I also received a recall notice for the replacement transmission that was installed about a month ago, with an estimated repair timeframe of the second quarter of 2027. There is currently no repair available for the seat belt issue either. There have been no warning lights or messages displayed for any of these problems. I am concerned that these ongoing issues put both my safety and my child’s safety and the public at risk while operating or riding in this vehicle.

Filed Jul 3, 2026 · Transmission · CA

My 2020 Ford Expedition has a transmission problem. The vehicle has harsh shifting, slipping, hesitation, jerking/lunging, and abnormal shifting while driving. The problem happens during gear changes and creates a safety concern because the vehicle may hesitate, slip, or shift unexpectedly in traffic. I took the vehicle to the dealer for inspection. The technician diagnosed the issue and recommended replacing the transmission. I believe this may be related to a known Ford 10R80 10-speed automatic transmission defect. I am requesting that the federal safety agency review this complaint and investigate this safety issue.

Filed Jul 1, 2026 · Brakes, Seat belts · TX

The vehicle has experienced repeated critical transmission failures and currently has four active Federal Safety Recalls with no available remedy. The transmission has failed four separate times, requiring four transmission assemblies within approximately 68,795 miles. The latest failure produced DTC P07F7 (Gear 10 Incorrect Ratio) and was confirmed by the Ford dealer and an independent inspector as an internal transmission failure. Symptoms included harsh engagement, delayed shifting, hesitation, slipping, and repeated powertrain malfunction messages. The vehicle was out of service for 26 consecutive days during the most recent repair. A the federal safety agency VIN lookup shows four active unrepaired recalls: a transmission rollaway hazard affecting the parking system (26S48), two seatbelt pretensioner recalls involving inadvertent deployment or failure to retract (25S31 and 26S34), and a chrome trim recall involving sharp edges (26S38). All four recalls currently have no remedy available, with estimated repair dates extending into late 2026 and 2027. These defects affect critical safety systems including the power train, seat belts, and parking system. The rollaway hazard recall indicates the vehicle may move unexpectedly even when shifted into Park, creating a serious risk of injury or collision. The seatbelt pretensioner recalls involve components that may deploy without warning or fail to retract, increasing the risk of injury in a crash. The chrome trim recall involves sharp edges that may injure occupants. Combined with repeated transmission failures, these issues create multiple simultaneous safety risks. The problems have been confirmed by the Ford dealer and an independent inspector. Warning symptoms occurred before each failure, including harsh shifting, slipping, hesitation, and powertrain alerts. The combination of unresolved Federal Safety Recalls and repeated transmission failures makes the vehicle unsafe to operate.

Filed Jun 18, 2026 · Transmission · FL

The transmission (10R80) in the 2018-2022 Ford Expedition and Ford F-150 vehicles are failing at an alarming rate. There are hard shifts, hesitation, and some vehicles, like mine, drop out of gear at highway speeds putting myself and my family at risk of a traffic collision. The repairs are in the many thousands and there are tens of thousands of transmissions that are failing. Something needs to be done to protect the consumer.

Filed Jun 15, 2026 · Transmission · 70,000 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while the transmission was shifting in and out of eighth gear, the vehicle failed to respond as intended. The contact stated that the transmission occasionally failed to shift into eighth gear. While decelerating, the vehicle responded, and the transmission shifted roughly. The failure became persistent over time. There was an abnormal clunking sound coming from the vehicle. The transmission fault message was displayed. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that there were no issues or recalls on the VIN related to the failure. The dealer informed the contact about a diagnostic test to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was taken to a transmission specialist who informed the contact about a transmission replacement and the cost to rebuild the transmission. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

Filed Jun 12, 2026 · Engine · MN

Hard shifting when at high speeds

Filed May 11, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · FL

We have recurring safety issue with our car that has not been fixed despite multiple service visits to both Grieco Ford and Sawgrass Ford. They keep sending it back as “cannot duplicate”. We have contacted Ford Corporate and they also will not assist. We purchased this car used from Sawgrass ford and purchased an extended warranty with the car. The car issues include: Slipping into Neutral: The transmission unexpectedly loses gear engagement while merging or accelerating on the highway. • Hard Shifting/Clunking: Violent gear changes that cause the whole vehicle to jar physically. • Gear Hunting: The car hesitates and shifts up and down erratically instead of holding a gear. • Limp Mode: Sudden, dramatic loss of power where the car refuses to accelerate properly in traffic. These are serious safety hazards that put our family in harm's way. These failures happen consistently with our children in the car, and they have happened to our teenage son while he was driving. We purchased this car used from Sawgrass Ford. The earliest service documentation I currently have readily accessible showing that this vehicle was brought to Ford for transmission-related concerns is from February 2024—less than seven months after we purchased the vehicle from Sawgrass Ford. Since that time, there has been a significant service history related to this recurring issue.

Filed May 5, 2026 · Transmission · CA

SUV jerks when shifting, hard shifts, transmission fails to shift preventing driver to speed up resulting in hazardous driving condition when entering a highway. Metal shards recovered from transmission fluid checks. Occurs consistently when moving to higher speeds, i.e. acceleration from red light to green light. Or entering highways, freeways when acceleration is needed.