2021 Ford Expedition: hesitation when accelerating

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 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 Jul 15, 2025 · Transmission · NC

This vehicle continues to exhibit transmission shuddering, slipping, and hesitation during acceleration—despite two full transmission replacements in two years and multiple dealership service visits. These unresolved issues compromise safe operation, especially during highway merging, rapid acceleration, and lane changes. Both dealerships were unable to permanently address the issue after extensive mechanical intervention. Ford has issued multiple Technical Service Bulletins addressing transmission concerns in the 10R80 unit used in the Expedition. The most recent bulletin, TSB 25-2132, revises procedures for harsh and delayed shifting, shudder, and internal hydraulic leakage tied to the CDF clutch drum—which aligns directly with the findings from my own transmission overhaul documented in June 2023. Previous service entries noted suspected internal leakage around the CDF clutch, RPM flare during shifts, gear hesitation, and recurring drivability issues despite component replacement. These match symptoms targeted in prior TSBs, including: TSB 23-2123: Harsh engagement and shift delays TSB 24-2101: Hydraulic leakage diagnosis linked to clutch cylinder TSB 25-2023: Update to inspection and service steps for gear shift quality While dealerships performed repairs and even full transmission replacements, the lack of lasting resolution and repeat issues reflect a broader mechanical defect addressed reactively rather than proactively through these bulletins. Despite awareness at the manufacturer level, I experienced significant delays, financial burden, and ongoing drivability risks. I respectfully request that the federal safety agency further investigate Ford’s handling of repeated 10R80 transmission failures in the Expedition, particularly concerning the effectiveness of these bulletins in preventing recurrence and mitigating safety impact

Filed Mar 20, 2025 · Transmission · AR

The transmission has started to delay engagement into drive and reverse which causes the ability for the vehicle to unexpectedly roll in either direction. The vehicle also shifts erratically and in a rough manner while driving causing the driver(s) to either hesitate acceleration and or cause a sense of urgency to stop. It was brought to my attention from repair/transmission shops that this is a common problem with this particular transmission and calls for a new replacement or rebuild. The issue is very noticeable when driving as stated by the driver(s) and auto repair mechanics/employees.

Filed Jan 6, 2025 · Transmission · 80,000 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle decelerated, hesitated, and shifted out of gear independently. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was referred to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The contact related the failure to Technical Service Bulletin: 22-2428 (Harsh/Delayed Engagement And/ Or Harsh/Delayed Shift). The failure mileage was 80,000.

Filed Nov 14, 2024 · Transmission · 41,000 miles · MD

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would hesitate upon the depression of the accelerator pedal without warning. During one failure, the contact shifted the vehicle from drive(D) to park(P) and the vehicle began to roll backward as though the vehicle were in neutral(N). The contact then shifted the vehicle back to drive(D) and the vehicle resumed normal operation. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the contact was informed that the only way to diagnose the problem would be to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and the contact was given the same information as the dealer. The contact was then referred to the federal safety agency Hotline to file a complaint. The vehicle had yet to be diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 41,000.

Filed Jul 28, 2023 · Transmission · IN

The 10R80 transmission, even after rebuilt by the dealership continues to shift in unexpected ways (hard shifts, not picking the right gear, hesitation under acceleration). It doesn't happen all the time, and isn't reproduceable at will. When the problem occurs, it is very noticeable. The vehicle will hesitate and not accelerate when pushing on the gas pedal, and then all of a sudden jump forward unexpectedly. The dealership has examined it after the transmission was rebuilt, and states that it is operating normally, but we were unable to duplicate the problem at that time. The next day, it happened again while driving on the highway when merging into traffic. Pressed on the gas pedal, but the car did not accelerate as expected (long hesitation), and then the transmission decided to change gears, and experienced hard shifts to the point the whole car jerks abruptly (this was NOT because of extreme pressing of the gas pedal). Just normal pressure on the gas pedal, and it will randomly decide how it will shift.

Filed Jun 13, 2022 · Transmission · 13,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while shifting out of park(P) or reverse(R) there was a popping sound heard while the brake pedal was being depressed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where an unknown part was replaced in the transmission. The contact stated that the failure persisted and the vehicle would hesitate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that no warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the failure was unable to be diagnosed as no failure codes were found. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 13,000.