Ford Expedition sudden acceleration problems

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 Sep 3, 2026 · Transmission · SC

I am submitting this complaint regarding an intermittent transmission and loss-of-motive-power issue with my 2019 Ford Expedition equipped with the 10-speed automatic transmission. When I first start the vehicle and begin driving, I experience an intermittent delay, particularly around the 1st-to-2nd gear transition. I press the accelerator and the engine RPM increases/revs, but the vehicle does not move forward or accelerate as expected. There is approximately a 3–5 second delay before the transmission engages and the vehicle suddenly begins moving. During these events, it feels as though the transmission has temporarily gone into neutral even though the vehicle is in Drive. This is not simply a harsh or uncomfortable gear change. The engine responds to the accelerator, but power is temporarily not being transferred to the wheels. I consider this a significant safety concern because a 3–5 second loss or delay of motive power could leave me unable to accelerate when entering traffic, crossing an intersection, merging, or attempting to avoid another vehicle. The vehicle can suddenly engage after the delay, which could also cause an unexpected surge forward. My vehicle has previously been taken to a Ford dealership for a transmission/PCM-related recall, and I was told that the recall had been corrected. However, I continue to experience this loss/delay of motive power. I am aware that Ford has issued technical service information addressing delayed engagement and delayed shifting in 2018–2021 Ford Expeditions equipped with the 10R80 transmission. I am concerned that my symptoms may be related to the known transmission issues affecting these vehicles and that this condition may represent a broader safety concern. I am requesting that the federal safety agency review this condition and determine whether further investigation or additional safety action is warranted.

Filed Jul 20, 2026 · Body, Seat belts · 50,000 miles · MA

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Expedition. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Numbers: 26V368000 (Structure), 26V402000 (Power Train), 26V344000 (Seat Belts) and 25V197000 (Seat Belts); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while shifting the transmission into park(P) or drive(D), the vehicle lunged forward. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

Filed Apr 7, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · 166,000 miles · MA

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 30 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted, causing the occupants to lunge forward. The tires squealed and the wheels locked up. The vehicle was turned off but failed to restart. No warning light was illuminated. The contact stated the failure was associated with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 16V248000 (Power Train). A tow truck company was contacted, and was able to restart the vehicle, but the failure persisted. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that there was no recall coverage associated with the VIN. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. An attempt was made to contact the manufacturer, but there was no response. The failure mileage was approximately 166,000.

Filed Jan 26, 2026 · Brakes, Driver assistance · WA

While driving at 35mph, downhill with no traffic in front, behind, or oncoming, the dash flashed red and immediately the brakes were instantly applied harshly causing occupants to lunge forward into seat belt restraint. Vehicle deceleration almost to a stop. Brakes then released . Driver continued home and was afraid to continue operating the vehicle. Dealer was called and picked up the vehicle. Dealer inspected vehicle and could not find a problem. Per the service writer no recall or TSB found on this issue. Vehicle has been returned 1/26/2026. Collision avoidance system has been turned off per our request. Mileage 2458. In service date 07/26/2025.

Filed Jan 20, 2026 · Transmission · WY

10R80 Transmission issues. Hard shifting, lunging forward, irradic shifting on highway, hard shifting between 3rd and 4th gear which causes the vehicle to lunge forward. Near full transmission failure on highway. Excessive loss of power and erratic shifting. Had to pull over in the highway. Mechanic states a new transmission is needed.

Filed May 6, 2025 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · AZ

We are driving cross country. Three times the adaptive cruise control has accelerated and showed a new speed going as much as from 74 mph to 107 the third time. The second it went 75 to 88. I can’t remember the first but I know we had a sudden acceleration and quickly disengaged as we did all three sessions. Now we are finishing our trip to our summer home in Maryland without engaging because we don’t trust the system.

Filed Jul 27, 2024 · Brakes, Fuel system · TX

Applied brakes and instead of braking, vehicle accelerated on its own. Please note, when brake applied, felt resistance and simultaneously vehicle accelerated into lane of traffic. Rate of speed was very low, as I was coming to a stop in a parking lot. No warning lights on dash, dealership confirmed it was not the floor mats, there are no loose items in vehicle. My safety was put at risk as well as anyone walking/crossing the walk area and any vehicles that may have been in the lane of traffic. I immediately contacted dealership and was told to bring it in. The dealership has the vehicle currently, information provided to me by dealership. The vehicle was running self tests. Now the Tech has opened a Ford Hotline report, have not been able to duplicate issue and now awaiting response from Ford as to how proceed in diagnosing vehicle. Incident occurred July 25, 2024.

Filed May 10, 2024 · Transmission · CA

As I was merging into traffic, I began accelerating to get to the same speed as the flow of traffic. My transmission shifted, seemed to search for a gear, and was unable to engage. The transmission slammed in and out of gear and I was unable to gain any speed beyond the 45 MPH I was going and was almost rear ended getting into the I-5 as I could not get up to speed with normal traffic. I had to pull on to the side of the road for the safety of my family due to this continued issue. The ‘wrench’/check manual light came on. After sitting for a couple minutes I began driving again, it was very jerky shifting through the gears and very delayed between shifts. The vehicle consistently seems confused on what gear it is trying to shift into, then will lose all power and responsiveness for up to 30 seconds before finally placing itself in a gear and resuming normal operations. This happens almost every time we drive the vehicle now, searching for gears, delayed shifting, sometimes it will even catch when the engine is at a higher RPM and lunge forward. This has become a huge safety concern for my family, to the point where the Expedition is parked and only driven by me alone, if it HAS to be. I will not have my wife and family driving in this car until Ford does some sort of recall on this 10R80 transmission. The CDF Drum has a faulty drum sleeve that slides out of place and covers some of the holes the transmission fluid flows through causing a plethora of issues. If it wasn’t a known issue, Ford would not have created a TSB for the KNOWN issue.

Filed Feb 10, 2024 · Acceleration · MN · crash

At approximately 13:12 CST on [XXX], I exited the car wash at a gas station in Rochester, MN. I drove around to the front of the gas station to park so I could go inside to replenish the car wash card. At approximately 13:13 CST, as I was turning right, pulling into the parking space near the entrance, the truck accelerated unexpectedly and collided with a cement parking pilon (sp?). I am unsure how this occurred. I believe the vehicle may have accelerated on its own. Holding my foot hard on the brake, I shifted into reverse, then backed the truck up about 2 feet from the pilon, turned off the vehicle and went outside to assess the damage. There was front end passenger side damage to the vehicle and the pilon casing was ripped and the top was pushed halfway off. Thank God that pilon was there to stop the vehicle and avoid hitting the building or pedestrians. At the time I was parking I am sure I was driving less than 5 mph, but I am unsure how fast the vehicle got to in that 15-20 foot acceleration. When the vehicle hit the pilon it was very jarring. The impact threw my glasses off my face, flung my backpack from the passenger seat to the front passenger floor, and caused my cases of soda pop and bags of groceries in the trunk area to shift forward and to rip the paper grocery bags. My right thumb and the right side of my neck were sore that evening and I had a minor headache as well. This Ford Expedition Max has approximately 35K miles on it. It is a well maintained company fleet vehicle. There were no warning lights prior. I wonder if water from the carwash got into something electrical or if there is some other defect that caused a sudden acceleration? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)