2021 Ford Expedition: harsh or hard shifting

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 28, 2026 · Engine · AZ

I was making a right hand turn and had loss of power and a clunk sound. I also experienced loss of power between 65-75 mph on the freeway. I ran a forscan report and it's pointing to the transmission even though the fluid and a tcm update has been performed. There is about 40k miles on the fluid.

Filed Jul 22, 2026 · Acceleration, Transmission · NM

I am filing this complaint because I truly believe this transmission issue is a safety problem. I was driving my 2021 Ford Expedition and was merging onto a busy highway when I pressed the gas to get up to traffic speed. Instead of accelerating, the engine revved but the transmission would not shift. It felt like the vehicle was stuck between gears or in neutral. My SUV would not accelerate when I needed it to, and I remember thinking, “This is how someone gets hit.” As a mom, it was terrifying. I depend on my vehicle to safely get my family where we need to go. When you press the gas while merging into fast-moving traffic, you expect your vehicle to respond. Mine didn’t. I was left trying to merge while traffic was approaching and my SUV would barely move. Before this happened, I had noticed increasingly harsh shifting and delayed gear changes. The vehicle had been properly maintained, and the transmission had recently been serviced. After the incident, an authorized Ford dealership diagnosed the transmission with a failed CDF drum in the 10-speed transmission. The transmission had to be completely rebuilt. After researching this problem, I found many other Ford owners reporting the exact same failure and the same scary symptoms. This doesn’t seem like normal wear and tear. Losing the ability to accelerate without warning is a serious safety concern, especially when merging onto a highway or crossing an intersection. I hope the federal safety agency investigates this issue before someone isn’t as lucky as I was. I was fortunate to avoid an accident, but I can’t help thinking another family may not be.

Filed Jul 22, 2026 · Fuel system · FL

1) 2021 expedition towing a trailer, 30 MPH on uphill on ramp hathaway bridge panama city, fl. I floor the accelerator pedal to downshift to try to accelerate. I hear a loud clunk from the transmission. The car goes into neutral-nothing, no acceleration. I quickly let off the accelerator pedal and quickly reapply force to the pedal in a smooth manner and transmission re-engages and I pull away. No accident this time. Occurred april 2026. 2) when stopped car will sometimes lurch forward 2-3 feet when 1st shifting transmission from park into drive even though foot is on brake firmly. Occurs intermittently.

Filed Jul 8, 2026 · Brakes · TX

I am filing this complaint because my vehicle is exhibiting the exact failure mode detailed in Ford Recall 26S48 (the federal safety agency Campaign 26V402000), but my VIN is currently excluded from the recall population." A loud, heavy metal-on-metal "CLUNK" or "THUNK" right under the center console or floorboards the exact second I change gears. It feels like the transmission is violently dropping or snapping into gear. I even feel a physical jar or shudder through the shift dial and I brake pedal.

Filed Jul 6, 2026 · Engine · TN

When my transmission is shifting, it almost stalls about 3-4 times everytime you start off. It is a hard shift that makes it fee like the car suddenly stops then goes back. I have had it happen 3 times that I thought my car died after stopping, making weird noises, then took off like normal. I am waiting for my car to just die as I am driving. The Ford dealership said I need a new transmission. The recall is out there for other vehicles like mine, yet mine is not listed. When you read what Ford says will happen- EXACTLY what my car does!!!!! My 2021 Ford Expedition Max has 70,000 miles on it now, but when it started had about 67,000

Filed Jun 23, 2026 · Transmission · TX

I have taken my car to the shop for constant transmission clunking, loss of power, random shifting causing a safety issue. It is currently in the shop for the 6th time at 69k I bought it new and have taken it in 5 other times for the same or similar issues with the transmission.

Filed Jun 23, 2026 · Transmission · OH

The transmission seems to be sluggish. When making a rolling left turn around 25 to 30 mph after no power to the transmission, when coming out of the turn the trans seems to spin and then slam into gear. I mean slam where everyone in the vehicle says "what the hell was that" kind of slam. This has been intermittent since I purchased the vehicle 1 1/2 years ago at 79,000 miles. I've had the trans fluid changed and that doesn't help. Now at 103,000 it seems to happen more often. I see there are a lot of people in the same boat for multiple years. Shame on Ford. This is my first return to American made since 2 Honda Pilots that ran great until I sold them at 150,000 miles. This is a known issue that is not being resolved by design. Each year their culpability is decreased by the junk yard methodology. Shame on me for buying American.

Filed Jun 16, 2026 · Transmission · FL

Hard Shifting & Slipping: Drivers frequently report clunking, hard shifts (particularly around gears 3-5), and the vehicle lurching forward when accelerating. It does this while driving and is a serious safety issue.we complained to the dealer about a year ago and they told us they checked and it was fine. Now it is worse.

Filed Apr 26, 2026 · AK

Mid shift between 5th and 6th gear it sounded like marbles in my engine(grinding) so I let off the gas. It then switched down to 1st gear shuttered and slowed down and then shifted back to 6th. Was lucky no one was behind me or I would have been rear ended. Then going up my driveway same day. It disengaged(stopped) part way up my driveway. Wouldn’t go into gear and wouldn’t move. I had to shut it off put it in park and start it again. Then when I shifted back to drive it made some clunking noises and didn’t move until I put it in reverse. I rolled down the hill then was able to shift into drive and go up the driveway. I no longer trust it. So it’s been parked ever since.

Filed Apr 23, 2026 · Transmission · KS

The 10r80 transmission went out in it after 80k miles. It would get "stuck" in gears and not want to shift. The lack of shifting would cause the vehicle to stall while driving. Ford was able to reproduce the issue and the transmission is getting replaced by Ford through our extended warranty company. There was a clunking noise when driving prior to the transmission having shifting issues. No, there were not any warning lights when this was happening.

Filed Apr 21, 2026 · NV

The vehicle has jerky and harsh shifting. Almost got into an accident when car would not accelerate on the freeway. Appears this is a known issue with my vehicle. Took it in to be checked and initially they didn’t find anything. Problem persisted so I told them to test drive it for a bit and they said it was the CDF Drum and C clutch circuit which is apparently tied to the transmission issue. I called Ford about coverage due to the recall but they said the recall that is out there for this issue is not yet available for my specific car. This is dangerous and can cause serious accidents. Would like to know what it will take for Ford to include my vehicle in the recall. Would like Ford to take responsibility and pay for fixing this issue.