2020 Ford Expedition: hesitation when accelerating

Filed Sep 9, 2026 · Body, Transmission · TX · 1 injury

My name is [XXX] [XXX] and i own a 2020 Ford Expedition Limited Max, there is a recall to inspect transmission recall#26S48/26V402. I contacted Ford dealer and stated there is no fix yet, I asked them what do i do in the meantime, stated i have to wait until Ford figures out the fix. So, in the meantime, we have to continue driving this vehicle with this known issue/safety concern and hope that it does not do it again and cause an accident or god forbid something happen to my family. This is my wife's daily driver with our 4 kids; the vehicle has done this twice where it goes into park while still driving on its own. Luckily both times we were only going about 15MPH, had to turn the vehicle off to be able to turn it back on. This cannot be good for the transmission; the transmission constantly slips i believe as a result now and when i try to accelerate quickly it hesitates. If i wasn't going to be upside down i would trade it in but unfortunately i can not at the moment. I would like to see something done to fix the issues with this vehicle. Aside from this i have had constant AC issues, the center console trim cut my wife's finger, the running boards sometimes come out, it's an ongoing battle with this vehicle. I would for Ford to fix these issues or buy the vehicle back. Please let me know something, rather it be to fix these issues or buy it back, if i don't hear backi will be consulting a lawyer next. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Aug 7, 2026 · Brakes, Transmission · 117,000 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving over 10 MPH with her husband inside the vehicle, while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated, and the brakes independently engaged. No warning light was illuminated. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the battery was replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that a software update for the rearview camera was performed. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact stated that the dealer refused to provide the telephone number for the manufacturer. The contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V402000 (POWER TRAIN); and the VIN was included in the recall. The contact was referred to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 117,000.

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 29, 2026 · Body, Seat belts · 88,476 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Expedition. The contact received notifications of the federal safety agency Campaign Numbers: 26V344000 (Seat Belts), 26V368000 (Structure), 26V402000 (Power Train); however, the parts for the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the transmission started slipping. After releasing the accelerator pedal and slowing down, the engine made a revving sound, and the transmission failure was self-corrected and shifted to the proper gear. While starting the vehicle or while driving at various speeds, the transmission hesitated shifting into the intended gear. There was an unknown warning light flashing on the instrument panel. The contact stated that after purchasing the vehicle in March of 2026, the Carfax report stated that the transmission had been replaced, and the contact purchased the vehicle under the belief that the vehicle was equipped with a new transmission. In May, the vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the valve body had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact emailed the dealer about the diagnostic results and the needed repair. The dealer confirmed the failure. The dealer replaced the valve body, but the failure persisted. The dealer then diagnosed in June that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 88,467.

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 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 Feb 23, 2026 · Transmission · SC

The 10-speed automatic transmission has harsh/ erratic shifting, clunking, hesitation and power loss. We were turning on to a 4-lane highway. The expedition lost power and would not go. A vehicle almost ran into the back of the expedition. When we tried to accelerate the transmission made a clunking/ grinding sound and finally went into a gear. Yes, the problem has been reproduced by the ford dealership. It is scheduled to be inspected this week. There were no warning lamps or messages or other symptoms of the problem. The problem started a week ago.

Filed Feb 17, 2026 · Transmission · FL

I am filing a safety complaint regarding my 2020 Ford Expedition, which is currently subject to Recall (24E13) related to the Powertrain Control Module (PCM)> Despite multiple repair attempts, the vehicle continues to experience dangerous transmission and drivability issues. While driving , the vehicle: Loses gears unexpectedly Engine RPMs rev excessively high before the transmission finally engages Hesitates and has delayed acceleration Randomly makes loud clunking noises during shifting Emits a noticeable burning smell during acceleration These issues create serious safety concerns, particularly when merging into traffic, crossing intersections, or accelerating from a stop. The delayed acceleration and gear loss place me and my passengers at risk of collision. The vehicle has been brought in multiple times for the same recall-related issue, yet the problem persists. The repair attempts have not resolved the unsafe condition. I am requesting immediate corrective action to ensure the vehicle is safe to operate. This ongoing defect presents a clear safety hazard.

Filed Feb 6, 2026 · Transmission · TN

My Ford Expedition (2-wheel drive) is experiencing jerking at variety of speeds, (changing gears, slowing down) and will sometimes get stuck in gear when I press the gas. Today, as I was entering the freeway, I pressed the accelerator and the transmission did not engage—there was no power at all until I released the gas pedal and pressed it again, at which point it finally engaged. This issue happens intermittently and is a serious safety concern, especially because I cannot predict whether the vehicle will hesitate or fail to respond when accelerating.

Filed Jul 14, 2025 · Fuel system, Transmission · AL

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The Powertrain Control Module (PCM), which manages engine-transmission communication and regulates cooling system performance, malfunctioned, resulting in a cascade of related failures: Transmission system: Delayed shifting, hesitation, and eventually a “transmission stuck in park” code. Cooling system: Repeated overheating that led to a ruptured radiator. These issues stem from the faulty PCM referenced in Ford Recall 24E13, issued on April 25, 2025. Yes, the failed components remain in the possession of Harbin Motor Company in Scottsboro, AL, where the vehicle is still located. The vehicle has not been repaired and is available for inspection upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? This vehicle was operated while exhibiting documented powertrain and overheating symptoms—including while transporting children. Harbin Ford repeatedly instructed continued use despite: Diagnostic scans on April 10, 2025 confirming PCM-related failures including “transmission stuck in park” and overheating. A coolant leak that occurred without warning lamps, leading to the radiator bursting. These failures put occupants at serious risk of breakdown or fire, especially in high-traffic or high-temperature driving conditions. Operating a vehicle with a malfunctioning PCM increases the likelihood of gear slippage, sudden deceleration, or complete transmission failure. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes. The issue has been repeatedly confirmed by Harbin Motor Company, an authorized Ford dealer: On April 10, 2025, a scan identified “transmission stuck in park,” overheating, and a third unidentified code. On May 15, 2025, the service manager Craig Davis confirmed the transmission had an internal issue requiring a full rebuild and located a coolant leak. These confirmations were documented via servi

Filed Jun 14, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · SC

The transmission is consistently hesitating to switch gears, very jerky gear shift, and will sometimes completely fall out of gear. You could so easily lose control if this happened on the highway. Thank goodness we weren’t on a busy street. This isn’t the first reporting according to a simple search online and there should be a recall for safety reasons. This could be life or death for someone driving on the highway.