Ford Expedition harsh shifting 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 29, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · FL

2020 Ford Expedition 10 speed transmission Numerous times while driving in the [XXX]/[XXX] area we were attempting to merge into traffic. While trying to merge, we pressed the gas in order to merge into traffic and the powertrain seized up with a total loss of power (it was basically like it went into neutral) and the RPM’s jumped to 6000-7000 rpm. When we let off the gas, the transmission finally slammed back into gear with a loud clunk and it finally re-engaged. This shifting situation has happened several times over the past 8-12 months. Just recently (XXX) it happened three times in that day. This is an extremely dangerous issue. The last incident there was had a cement truck coming up on and I could have been run over. I’ve have had the car in the dealership approximately 3-4 times for this issue and each time they state they cannot replicate the problem. If it happens three times to me in one day and Ford can’t replicate the issue???I have had three other family and/or friends with me when this issue has happened so it’s quite real issue. Frankly. I feel like Ford just don’t want to pay the expense to fix the problem. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

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 Oct 27, 2026 · Transmission · IN

When the vehicle sits out in the cold only it does not engage in reverse. There is a definite hesitation then a loud clunk. The vehicle then shoots backwards. We took it to the dealership but they are unable to duplicate. All they did was drive it around in 70 degree weather. Ford rep called us and said if this happens after warranty, we were out of luck. We need to pay for an extended warranty. It has appx 44,000 miles on it. This has happened at least 6 times and it is when the vehicle sits out in cold weather.

Filed Oct 26, 2026 · Transmission · GA

At neighborhood speeds the transmission shifts roughly around 4th gear, making clunking noises and lurching the vehicle. This happens on a daily basis. At interstate speeds, the transmission has popped out of gear when attempting to pass another vehicle, leaving the vehicle decelerating dangerously in a situation where acceleration is needed. This has happened twice in the last year and requires navigating out of traffic to allow the transmission to figure out what is going on and re-engage the proper gear. I have been lucky not to have been in a serious accident. It has not been inspected by a dealer but, when mentioned to a dealer, was told that is just what you get with that 10-speed transmission. In both instances there was some type of warning displayed on the console but I was too busy trying to survive to notice what the message said.

Filed Oct 25, 2026 · Transmission · UT

Since early in purchasing our 2019 Ford Expedition, we were getting powertrain warnings (pictures attached from August 2019). We took the vehicle in to have it diagnosed but the dealer said there were no codes and nothing they could do to troubleshoot. Fast forward to after the warranty expires the car starts behaving erratically when it's changing gears, especially when downshifting. On more than one occasion when towing our boat, I would press on the gas to pass a semi truck and there would be a loud CLUNK that you could feel and then the motor would simply rev indefinitely as if the transmission had switched to neutral. It's very dangerous losing power on a freeway with traffic including semi trucks and towing a boat. It got to the point where it would be very jerky just driving, particularly (it seemed to me) when the car had been sitting. This has happened several times. I did some research and found there were 4 TSB's for this issue and is an issue for all of the Ford 10 speed transmissions for Expedition, F150 and even the Mustang. I reached out to the dealer with these TSB's and they diagnosed that our car did have this troubled transmission and we did have the faulty parts. The dealer has charged us $7,575.35 to 'Repair" this. I think this warrants a recall due to the faulty parts in the transmission. It's very dangerous losing power and torque in a vehicle particularly when towing. Please review the attached pictures (notice the milage from our initial indications there was trouble with the powertrain). This got progressively worse just prior to us taking the car to the dealer. I would say it was at it's worst from December 2024 through our repair at the delaer in June 2026, but there were other random occurences prior to that and of course the very begining as seen in the attached photos.

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 17, 2026 · MD

Due to the recall listed below there has been multiple instances where I am driving on highway (DC area) and my vehicle kicks back and there is no acceleration power causing the vehicle to transmission may suddenly disengage or feel like it is in neutral, causing the engine to rev unexpectedly before slamming back into gear with a loud clunk and a shift system fault error message. This has caused me to lose control of the vehicle movement and basically wait in the middle of exchanging lanes or driving until it shifts back into gear and allows me to accelerate. Took my vehicle to Ford dealership to be inspected and I was informed by the tech that the Parking Pawl code came up on the computer. Also informed as there is no remedy for this issue if he was to further check and issues were found with the parking pawl and transmission I would be financially responsible otherwise he cant do nothing about it as directed by his manager. This is a HIGH SAFETY concern as I almost got into multiple accidents due to this issue and fearing for my safety I would have no other choice but to expect to wait or be without a vehicle until 2nd quarter of 2027 when a remedy comes up! Manufacturer Recall Number26S48 the federal safety agency Recall Number26V402 Recall StatusRecall Incomplete, remedy not yet available Summary ON YOUR VEHICLE, IT MAY BE POSSIBLE YOUR TRANSMISSION MAY BRIEFLY ENGAGE IN PARK WHILE THE VEHICLE IS STILL MOVING. THIS CAN CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE PARKING SYSTEM.

Filed Sep 9, 2026 · Steering, Transmission · GA

Recurring dangerous transmission defect in my 2020 Ford Expedition (3.5L EcoBoost, 10-speed 10R80, ~136,826 mi). It has lost power and shifted violently multiple times, each a crash risk. 1) ~Aug 22, 2026: Accelerating to pass on the highway, the whole vehicle shut down. I lost all power INCLUDING power steering and had to coast off the road. It restarted after stopping. Losing power and steering while passing at speed is extremely dangerous. 2) Weekend of ~Aug 29-31, 2026: Going up a slight residential driveway, the transmission slipped (engine revved, vehicle didn't move) then slammed into gear with a hard jolt. 3) Another time, accelerating to pass, it made an extremely loud bang and violent jolt; I thought the transmission had failed. ONGOING since I bought it used (June 2023): it repeatedly slams/clunks hard into gear, including while just coasting down a slight grade with NO foot on gas or brake, jolting violently as if it dropped into Park. This is not just my vehicle. The 10R80 transmission (2020 Expedition, F-150, etc.) has many complaints for the same thing (sudden downshifts, power loss, harsh shifting, slipping) and is subject to a class action (filed 4/2023, MA) covering 2017-present F-150/Expedition/Mustang/Ranger/Navigator, alleging Ford knew since 2018. I raised this repeatedly with Ford and two dealerships and was told there were no recalls and no known issue. Ford's open recall 26S48 (26V402) is only about the PARKING system and does NOT cover this loss-of-power/violent-shift behavior. Please investigate.

Filed Sep 3, 2026 · Transmission · AL

On 8/6/2026, the transmission/powertrain of my 2019 Ford Expedition malfunctioned, causing a complete loss of propulsion. While traveling on a busy mountainous highway with my three children, I stopped in a center turn lane to merge into fast-moving traffic. When I attempted to accelerate, the vehicle would not move. The transmission display showed 4th gear even though the vehicle was stopped. We were stranded in the center turn lane with traffic approaching from both directions, creating a serious collision risk. No accident occurred. This vehicle has a documented history of recurring transmission problems since 2024, including harsh/delayed shifting, bucking, hesitation and jerking, repeatedly involving 4th gear, and even loss of propulsion with the initial 2024 issue. In Jan. 2025, the dealer documented a delayed upshift and harsh bump/buck into 4th gear. In July 2025, the dealer documented hesitation/jerking that was worse going into 4th. The transmission has been removed/disassembled multiple times and has undergone major repairs including CDF drum/internal transmission work, main control/valve body repairs, and most recently torque converter and additional valve body replacement in early 2026. Previous transmission symptoms have been reproduced and verified by the dealer. After the 8/6/2026 incident, the vehicle was taken to the Lincoln dealer. The current repair record documents "complete loss of propulsion with gear stuck in 4th" and delayed shifting surrounding 4th gear. The dealer attempted to reproduce the failure and obtain diagnostic codes but has not been able to duplicate it and reports no codes at this time. I do not recall any warning lights or messages immediately before the failure. The vehicle is available for inspection. Ford has previously been contacted regarding these recurring transmission failures and provided partial assistance with a prior repair.