2020 Ford Expedition: complete transmission failure

Filed Oct 4, 2026 · Acceleration, Brakes · MO

Was trying to merge into traffic by accelerating but the transmission was not shifting properly or slipping which caused me to almost be in a wreck due to this problem. Took vehicle to dealer and was told the transmission needs replaced due to a cdf drum inside transmission. Said there is a tsb for the issue but no recall. Said it's a known issue but I have to pay for a new transmission. Also have issues with the park brake setting while still moving which will also damage the transmission and there is a recall for that but no remedy yet. Why would I put a new transmission in and pay for it when it still has the park brake issue that will damage the new transmission. Afraid to drive the vehicle with these problems but paid a huge amount of money for it to just sit in the driveway

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 25, 2026 · Transmission · LA

Vehicle regularly shifts harshly, and on multiple occasions has completely lost power/forward movement as if the transmission completely disconnected from the vehicle. The vehicle would then reengage with a harsh lurch. Almost rear-ended a few times with children in car. Ford dealer states transmission needs replacement, but ford motor company refuses to financially assist with repair despite this seeming to be a manufacturer or engineering defect. Although I answered “no” to the question if there was a crash below, it was close.

Filed Aug 5, 2026 · Transmission · OH

I was driving home from vacation on I-77 in Virginia, and felt large jolt and heard several clicking type noises. Two separate service engine lights immediately came on the dashboard, and I was able to safely pull over. I had my vehicle towed to a nearby dealership to be looked at by a mechanic. The mechanic indicated the existence of safety recall notice 26S48/(the federal safety agency 26V402). I spoke with the mechanic who removed the diagnostics lights on the dashboard as prescribed by Ford, and attempted to see if they would be triggered again by driving the vehicle around. I described what had happened and the mechanic immediately said the description of this safety recall seems to be the culprit as to what was experienced. The parking pawl engaged while I was on I-77 traveling 70mph, causing the transmission to inadvertently shift into park causing the jolt and sounds I described. I contacted the dealership where I purchased the vehicle and Ford manufacturer directly regarding this recall, and was told as there is no remedy available. I have several concerns as the remedy is not expected until 5/31/2027 which is way too long of a period to have to wait when my vehicle has clearly been diagnosed with this recall issue, as shifting into park while driving presents a MAJOR safety risk that puts lives in danger. Furthermore, the parking pawl can cause significant damage to the vehicle's transmission and may make me liable for significant repair costs that 100% could be avoided by Ford providing a remedy in a reasonable amount of time. I need my vehicle to either be repaired, repurchased, or provided a loaner car by the dealership while I await this remedy to avoid this situation from happening and resulting in me having to pay for a new transmission or worse potentially causing an accident. This vehicle was inspected by the state of Pennsylvania in 2026.

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 17, 2026 · Airbags, Electrical · IL

2020 Ford Expedition MAX. Ford issued Safety Recall 26S48 / the federal safety agency 26V402 confirming a transmission park pawl defect causing potential rollaway and crash risk. Remedy not available until Q2 2027. Vehicle has experienced the exact defect symptoms since at least November 2025 including stuck-in-park diagnostic codes and shifting anomalies. Prior to November 2025 the transmission failed to execute a commanded shift at approximately 65mph while passing another vehicle on an expressway causing sudden unexpected deceleration with family members present — a near-miss consistent with the park pawl defect Ford now confirms. An authorized Ford dealer visit in June 2026 for computer reprogramming included verbal acknowledgment of transmission concerns but no documentation on the repair order. Eight days later Ford issued Recall 26S48. Separately this vehicle has generated over 1,400 Restraints Indicator Lamp Warnings logged in Ford’s own connected vehicle app since at least April 2023. Restraints warnings began within 30 days of purchase at under 400 miles. Ford issued Recall 26S34 / the federal safety agency 26V344 for Front Seatbelt Retractor inspection on this vehicle. On multiple dealer visits spanning 2021 to 2026 service advisers verbally acknowledged the restraints warning but documented no concern and performed no diagnostic action on repair orders. Ford’s telematics platform received all warnings in real time with no proactive owner notification. Remedy not available for either recall.

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 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 May 26, 2026 · Electrical, Transmission · NC

We purchased a used 2020 Ford Expedition Max Platinum, VIN [XXX] , from Deacon Jones dealership. The vehicle currently has 128,888 miles. At the time of purchase, we were assured the SUV was in “tip-top shape” because it had previously belonged to a manager’s friend and had supposedly been well maintained and serviced. However, within only two weeks of purchasing the vehicle, the transmission began slipping out of gear while accelerating, causing the vehicle to lose power and fail to move properly. This is an extremely dangerous safety issue, especially considering I travel frequently to doctors’ appointments and regularly transport my seven grandchildren in this SUV. In addition to the transmission failure, the main electrical system controlling the dashboard frequently glitches and malfunctions, even after Ford performed a software update. These ongoing electrical problems create additional safety concerns and make the vehicle unreliable. We immediately contacted the dealership after the problems began. Their only offer was $750 toward a transmission replacement that will cost over $5,000. We simply do not have that kind of money, especially while continuing to make monthly payments of $850 on a vehicle that is unsafe to drive. We have also since discovered the vehicle had previously been involved in an accident that was never reported to us before the sale. What is most concerning is that this vehicle appears to have received an inspection sticker despite clearly not undergoing a proper inspection. A transmission that slips out of gear and significant electrical malfunctions should never have passed inspection. This places not only my family at risk, but also everyone else on the road. We have written several letters to Ford regarding the safety concerns surrounding this vehicle and the danger it poses to our family. Unfortunately, Ford responded stating they would not assist us in any way. It is extremely disappointing INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 55

Filed Feb 23, 2026 · Engine · GA

Loss of Use due to unavailability of safety recall parts I am writing to formally express my extreme dissatisfaction and concern regarding the ongoing mechanical failures of our 2020 Ford Expedition Max. To date, this vehicle has undergone two major transmission interventions, yet it remains in an unsafe, undrivable condition due to a recurring powertrain defect and a high-risk safety recall. Our experience with this vehicle has been defined by persistent failures and significant loss of use: •April 2023: The vehicle was admitted to MOGF for transmission repairs, where it remained for three months for a complete teardown and rebuild. •May 2024: The transmission failed again with identical symptoms and required a full replacement. •Current Issue: We have now received a recall notice regarding an internal transmission bearing. The check engine light is currently active, indicating a powertrain fault. We have been informed that the necessary recall parts are unavailable, leaving us with a vehicle that Ford’s own documentation identifies as a "crash risk." The vehicle is currently affected by the federal safety agency Recall 25E-070 (Ford 25SB3) regarding a missing internal transmission bearing, which Ford identifies as a crash risk. Furthermore, the vehicle falls under the expanded the federal safety agency Recall 25V‑628 (Ford 22S36) fire risk, which requires it to be parked away from my home. These cumulative risks make the vehicle unusable and constitute a failure of the manufacturer's duty to provide a safe product

Filed Feb 18, 2026 · Transmission · PA

Component/System Failure: The vehicle is experiencing a catastrophic transmission failure (specifically the 10R80 transmission) beyond what is described in Ford TSB 24-2101. The transmission slips significantly and loses all power transmission while in motion. Safety Risk: My safety and the safety of other motorists are at extreme risk. While driving at highway speeds (approx. 65-70 MPH), the vehicle suddenly loses the ability to maintain speed or accelerate. This causes an immediate, unexpected deceleration in high-speed traffic, nearly resulting in rear-end collisions. The system takes several seconds to "reset" or catch a gear, during which time I have zero control over the vehicle's propulsion. This is an intermittent but recurring failure that makes the vehicle unpredictable and life-threatening to operate in traffic. Confirmation/Inspection: The problem has been confirmed by a Ford dealership service center and a secondary certified independent mechanic. Both confirmed the transmission is failing and cited TSB 24-2101 as the diagnostic path. The Ford dealership inspected the vehicle and confirmed that a full transmission replacement is required, but stated they would not provide financial assistance as the vehicle is just past the default warranty, despite the TSB acknowledging a known manufacturing defect. Symptoms/Warning Lamps: Symptoms began approximately August 2025. There were no warning lamps prior to the first failure, although it flashes lights temporarily when the problem occurs. The primary symptom is a sudden "free-spinning" or rattling engine sensation followed by a complete loss of forward momentum. The issue has grown progressively worse over the last months and as such is not safely drivable.