2021 Ford Expedition: complete transmission failure

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 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 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 Jul 28, 2026 · Acceleration, Transmission · MS

On my expedition I started having issues with my transmission staying in gear while driving. I will be going up a hill and all of a sudden boom it starts down shifting or not accelerating at all. I had a few times when me and my wife will be driving, and we would be going through a intersection or a area where you don't want to slow down and then the transmission would forget which gear it would be in and lose all power. Keep in mind my expedition only has 83K miles and serviced regularly. $8,900 later it needs a new transmission. This is a huge safety problem that's being ignored.

Filed Jul 15, 2026 · Acceleration, Transmission · MI

I have a 2021 Ford Expedition Max that we purchased new. From the time we first purchased it, it has had an intermittent issue. During these times if I accelerate hard or try to give gas to go up a hill, it will occasionally act like it is losing power- like it drops into neutral and stops accelerating. If I do not let off of the gas immediately, it is followed by a loud metallic rattling/ grinding noise. If I release the accelerator, it recovers quickly and seems to “reset” and I’m able drive like normal. On a few occasions a brief warning has popped onto my dash but it goes away so quickly that I never know exactly what it said. It MAY have said something related to parking but I can’t recall what I’ve seen before it goes away. I’ve learned to adjust my driving, making as few hard accelerations as possible to avoid this. Sometimes they can’t be avoided. It becones scary when I’m trying to merge or have to make a quick turn to get into a break in traffic because when it happens at those times I’m not able to accelerate to avoid the oncoming traffic. It doesn’t do it every time but seems to do it more the more I’ve driven like longer trips and I believe it’s gotten more frequent over time despite my adjustments in driving. Last year a Ford dealership looked at it and we thought the recall they fixed might fix it but it did not. Now they’ve reproduced the issue and diagnosed DTC P07E6 referencing TSB 23-2249 and saying the transmission needs replaced. I am aware of the federal safety agency Recall 26V402 (Ford 26S48) involving similar vehicles with transmission/park system concerns. Although my VIN is not currently included, the similarities prompted me to submit this complaint in case my vehicle represents the same or a related safety issue. I don’t have the official diagnostic report yet as the dealership still has my vehicle but I’ll include a photo of my conversation with the dealership,

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 Jul 5, 2026 · Transmission · OH

COMPONENT: 2021 Ford Expedition Max 10R80 transmission. The CDF clutch cylinder (7H351) sleeve exhibits axial movement, breaking the clutch apply-pressure seal so commanded torque is not transmitted to the wheels. Engine revs while the vehicle fails to accelerate or move forward. Vehicle is available for the federal safety agency inspection and testing. INCIDENTS (7/5/2026, same drive cycle): (1) Highway, after braking from a 60 mph cruise to a 15-20 mph roll over a few hundred feet, the transmission failed to engage any gear on re-acceleration. (2) City, at 35 mph while accelerating to merge lanes, the transmission again failed to engage a gear. Engine 205-220F, Trans 200-210F, Indicated Gears 4th/5th, Odometer 120,217. Second owner; purchased at 115,067 mi. SAFETY: Sudden, unannounced loss of forward propulsion with no dash warning directly endangers my wife, my children, and other motorists during ordinary driving. Merging: stuck at 40-50 mph in 65-80 mph traffic invites a high-differential rear-end impact. Intersections/left turns: a mid-turn stall exposes the passenger side (where my family sits) to a T-bone at posted speed. Evasive maneuvers: failed acceleration converts a near-miss into an unavoidable collision. Grades: the ~7,000-lb SUV can roll backward or stall in-lane on short-sight-line hills. Towing (rated capacity, used regularly) magnifies every risk to trailer and following traffic. Shoulder stranding invites secondary collisions, a known highway-fatality cause. The defect is unpredictable. I cannot pre-empt merges, intersections, hills, or tows. DEALER/INDEPENDENT CONFIRMATION: None. I have not brought the vehicle in for service, to avoid compromising any the federal safety agency inspection or testing. MFR/POLICE/INSURANCE INSPECTION: None; no crash has occurred to this date. PRIOR WARNINGS: None. No lamps, messages, or symptoms preceded these failures, which first occurred 7/5/2026. Ford has documented awareness of the 10R80 CDF clutch cylinder defect and has not issued a recall.

Filed Jul 5, 2026 · Transmission · OH

COMPONENT: 2021 Ford Expedition Max 10R80 transmission. The CDF clutch cylinder (7H351) sleeve exhibits axial movement, breaking the clutch apply-pressure seal so commanded torque is not transmitted to the wheels. Engine revs while the vehicle fails to accelerate or move forward. Vehicle is available for the federal safety agency inspection and testing. INCIDENTS (7/5/2026, same drive cycle): (1) Highway — after braking from a 60 mph cruise to a 15-20 mph roll, the transmission failed to engage any gear on re-acceleration. (2) City — at 35 mph while accelerating to merge lanes, the transmission again failed to engage a gear. Engine 205-220F, Trans 200-210F, Indicated Gears 4th/5th, Odometer 120,217. Second owner; purchased at 115,067 mi. SAFETY: Sudden, unannounced loss of forward propulsion with no dash warning directly endangers my wife, my children, and other motorists during ordinary driving. Merging: stuck at 40-50 mph in 65-80 mph traffic invites a high-differential rear-end impact. Intersections/left turns: a mid-turn stall exposes the passenger side (where my family sits) to a T-bone at posted speed. Evasive maneuvers: failed acceleration converts a near-miss into an unavoidable collision. Grades: the ~7,000-lb SUV can roll backward or stall in-lane on short-sight-line hills. Towing (rated capacity) magnifies every risk to trailer and following traffic. Shoulder stranding invites secondary collisions, a known highway-fatality cause. The defect is unpredictable — I cannot pre-empt merges, intersections, hills, or tows. DEALER/INDEPENDENT CONFIRMATION: None. I have not brought the vehicle in for service, to avoid compromising any the federal safety agency inspection or testing. MFR/POLICE/INSURANCE INSPECTION: None; no crash has occurred to this date. PRIOR WARNINGS: None. No lamps, messages, or symptoms preceded these failures, which first occurred 7/5/2026. Ford has documented awareness of the 10R80 CDF clutch cylinder design defect and has not issued a recall (TSB 23-2250).

Filed Jun 16, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · 62,500 miles · TN

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted and the vehicle jerked abnormally. The contact stated that there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle with the Check Engine warning light illuminated. The failure was persistent. The vehicle was taken to the 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 contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with a recall related to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 62,500.

Filed May 8, 2026 · Transmission · TX

Was traveling on the roadway when my vehicle suddenly lost its ability to change gears. I had to put the transmission into manual mode to be able to pull to the side of the roadway and stop. The vehicle was towed to the repair facility where I was informed the transmission needed to be replaced. I was almost struck from behind by a motorist due to not being able to continue forward. I was informed this is a common defect in the transmission and the cost to replace the transmission is approximately $9000. Due to the low mileage on the vehicle, this is unacceptable and a safety risk.

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 15, 2026 · Transmission · SC

Transmission harsh shifting. Common problem with ford on the 10r80. Was told from ford need new transmission