2021 Ford Expedition transmission problems

Filed Nov 6, 2026 · Acceleration, Electrical · MA

Vehicle Safety Complaint – 2021 Ford Expedition My 2021 Ford Expedition has experienced longstanding transmission problems, including hesitation during acceleration, becoming stuck between gears, harsh shifting, and rolling backward on hills. Despite numerous dealership visits, the problem was not diagnosed until the vehicle was out of warranty. The transmission was replaced in August 2026, but the vehicle continued to exhibit the same symptoms. Recently, while traveling approximately 20 mph trying to accelerate from left turn out from side street to main road, a dashboard warning appeared referencing "LOW" gear. The vehicle unexpectedly shifted into Park while moving, jolted significantly, and experienced reduced steering capability. I had to repower the vehicle to restore operation. Fortunately, surrounding traffic had stopped, preventing a potential collision. The dealership attributed the incident to Ford recall 26S48 but advised that no remedy is currently available and suggested I continue driving the vehicle. I am extremely concerned about the risk of a serious accident. I am requesting the federal safety agency investigate this incident, particularly given the vehicle's history of transmission failure, recent transmission replacement, and apparent manifestation of the recalled safety defect.

Filed Oct 19, 2026 · Transmission · SC

While driving at highway speeds, specifically during sudden acceleration and lane-change maneuvers, the vehicle experiences a severe dynamic mechanical binding event. The transmission briefly forces a sudden "halt" or engine-braking downshift, causing the vehicle to unexpectedly slow down in active traffic before entering a temporary limp mode. This sudden loss of propulsion and unexpected deceleration creates an immediate rear-end collision hazard on the highway. This happened to my wife while merging onto a highway almost causing an accident. Diagnostic and Mechanical Verification: The vehicle was taken to an authorized Ford dealership for evaluation. The dealership officially scanned, verified, and documented diagnostic trouble code P0786 (Shift Timing Solenoid "A" Range/Performance). Following an advanced diagnostic review, the certified Ford technician officially diagnosed a failed transmission park solenoid (parking pawl solenoid). Direct Relation to Active Safety Recall: The component failure (park solenoid), diagnostic code (P0786), and severe dynamic highway-speed binding symptoms are identical to the safety defects outlined in Ford Safety Recall 26S48 (the federal safety agency Campaign 26V402). Reason for Filing / Manufacturer Action: Despite an authorized Ford dealership verifying the exact failure mechanism of this active federal safety recall, Ford Corporate are currently refusing to cover 100% of the repair costs. They state that my specific VIN has not yet been "activated" in their database due to Ford’s phased tranche rollout schedule extending through 2027. I am being forced to pay out-of-pocket for an active, dealer-verified, federally recognized safety hazard. We cannot drive the vehicle with this significant safety risk. I am paying mostly out of pocket to cover the repair.

Filed Oct 6, 2026 · Transmission · VA

My 2021 Ford Expedition MAX XLT with the 10R80 automatic transmission has experienced repeated momentary “neutral-out” events while driving. The transmission/park-system components are available for inspection upon request. The most serious incident occurred in September 2026 while I was driving at highway speed near Charlottesville, Virginia, with six children in the vehicle. I was not towing or placing the vehicle under unusual load. The vehicle suddenly behaved as though the transmission had shifted into neutral, the RPM/engagement became abnormal, I heard loud thumping, saw smoke or fumes from the rear of the vehicle, and observed a transmission temperature of 261°F. The vehicle later re-engaged. This created a serious safety concern because I temporarily lost normal propulsion/acceleration capability while traveling at highway speed with other traffic. This problem has previously been confirmed by my Ford dealer. In February 2026, I reported that the vehicle would “neutral out and rev up,” hesitate for several seconds, and then go back into gear. The dealer documented that no diagnostic codes were stored but followed Ford TSB 23-2249. During diagnosis, the dealer found physical wear/damage involving the transmission parking pawl area, rear output shaft, and cam. The transmission was removed and disassembled and multiple park-system components were replaced. The neutral-out condition returned after that repair. In July 2026, I again reported that the vehicle would intermittently neutral out for several seconds and then re-engage. The dealer was unable to reproduce it and again found no diagnostic trouble codes. In September 2026, after the 261°F highway incident described above, the dealer again scanned the vehicle and found no codes and was unable to reproduce the condition during approximately 100 miles of testing. There have been no transmission warning lamps, transmission messages, or

Filed Sep 28, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · NC

Vehicle has 84,000 miles at it. It started to jerk when putting it into a gear. I thought it was due to the colder mornings no. I was taking the kids to school and It was skipping gears. I was very leary of driving but had no choice. It would not get up to speed the rpms was suffering. I stopped at a parts store to run the code after the warning popped up. When leaving because I was 30 mins from home it jerked when I placed into gear, I was scared to pull onto the 4 lane due to not being able to get up to speed and being in a high traffice area. Very unsafe. Now the vehicle is at the dealership needing a $7,000 transmission and ford will not assist. I am still financing it through a dealer and there is no Goodwill from Ford. This is known issue that they documented.

Filed Sep 10, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · NV

VIN):[XXX]/Make/Model: 2021 Ford Expedition XLTCurrent Mileage: Approx. 150,000 milesLocation: [XXX] of the Safety Defect:El vehículo presenta un defecto de seguridad crítico y extremo en el tren motriz que pone en riesgo inminente la vida de los ocupantes y de terceros en la vía pública. En dos ocasiones distintas durante los últimos 15 días, el vehículo ha sufrido una pérdida total de comunicación electrónica y un bloqueo mecánico absoluto mientras se encontraba en plena marcha en avenidas de [XXX].Al ocurrir la falla, el tablero activa de inmediato la luz de la llave inglesa (Wrench Light), descontrola la marcha, bloquea la transmisión de 10 velocidades y activa de manera imprevista y automática el freno de emergencia electrónico, deteniendo el vehículo por completo en medio del tráfico.En el primer incidente (ocurrido en sábado), la gravedad del bloqueo mecánico obligó la intervención de los servicios de emergencia en la vía pública, requiriendo la asistencia de la policía y el cuerpo de bomberos para mover el vehículo a una zona segura. El sistema electrónico sufre un colapso total (cortocircuito térmico o fallo de la red CAN Bus) provocado por las temperaturas de la zona; el vehículo se vuelve inoperante y la computadora no responde ni permite el encendido hasta que se deja enfriar por un lapso forzoso de 2 horas.Esta falla mortal se agudizó y se volvió recurrente inmediatamente después de que un concesionario oficial de Ford aplicara la reprogramación de software correspondiente al Recall de emisiones XXX PCM. El concesionario original (Team Ford Lincoln) se niega a diagnosticar la gravedad de este fallo de seguridad sin un cobro de tarifa de diagnóstico de más de $500 dólares, deslindándose del peligro vial provocado tras la ejecución de su propia campaña oficial de servicio. Solicito la intervención de las autoridades federales para que el fabricante asuma la responsabilidad. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Sep 8, 2026 · Transmission · OH

While trying to pull out of a residential neighborhood onto a state highway (45 mph speed limit), the vehicle refused to accelerate. The transmission couldn't engage into gear and the vehicle struggled to gain momentum. After letting off of the accelerator pedal, and then applying the accelerator again, the transmission was able to engage, and the car began to accelerate. No check engine light or other indication of a problem. The Ford dealer told us that the CDF drum of the transmission needed to be replaced. It is a known defect due to poor engineering design. This is very common problem in 2020 and 2021 Expeditions and F150 vehicle.

Filed Aug 30, 2026 · Transmission · FL

My Ford Expedition’s 10-speed automatic transmission experienced repeated slipping and sudden loss of propulsion. While accelerating from a stop and entering the highway, typically around 15–20 MPH, the engine would suddenly rev but the vehicle would stop accelerating, as if the transmission had shifted into neutral. I had to release the accelerator for several seconds and slowly reapply throttle before the transmission would re-engage. This occurred repeatedly and created a serious safety hazard when pulling into or crossing traffic because the vehicle could begin accelerating normally and then unexpectedly lose propulsion with approaching traffic. The transmission also exhibited severe harsh/banging shifts during harder acceleration and produced a rattling noise while slipping until the accelerator was released. CDF drum failure has been confirmed. The vehicle is currently at a reputable independent transmission repair facility undergoing a transmission rebuild due to the CDF failure. The transmission/components are available for inspection during the repair. There were no warning lights or messages that reliably warned of the impending loss of propulsion. This was not simply poor shift quality; the transmission defect caused an actual loss of propulsion while driving. Because this failure can leave a driver unable to accelerate while entering an intersection, pulling onto a highway, or merging into traffic, I believe the CDF failure presents a serious safety risk. I am requesting the federal safety agency investigate CDF-related transmission failures and determine whether a safety recall is warranted. TSB 23-2250

Filed Aug 28, 2026 · Transmission · TX

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact noticed an abnormal sound and the vehicle jerked. No warning lights were illuminated. The failure was persistent. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and to an independent mechanic; however the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was the family's only means of transportation, and the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The contact was advised to contact the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Aug 14, 2026 · Transmission · FL

For the past three years I have complained about the transmission dropping out of gear. It happens most often if I'm towing a trailer. I seems to occur in spurts, happening a couple of times in a few days then not for some time. Very dangerous if you pull around to pass and suddenly you lose power. Originally the dealership said they could find nothing wrong. I have read recently that Ford is having trouble with their transmissions. At my latest service appointment, I restated my problem and was told I need a new transmission.

Filed Aug 5, 2026 · Transmission · NC

Vehicles automatic transmission repeatedly looses its gear, often while accelerating. The transmission tries to shift down, but somehow ends up loosing engagement and will not re-engage. This lead to critical/dangerous situations on Highways due to the sudden loss of power.