My 2019 Ford Ranger, VIN 1FTER4FH2KLA63893, experienced a major transmission failure at approximately 35,000 miles. I took the vehicle to a Ford dealership for diagnosis and was advised that the transmission required major repair/replacement, with an estimated cost approaching $9,000. I also obtained an independent transmission repair estimate of approximately $6,700–$7,000. Given the extremely low mileage and the repair cost relative to the vehicle’s value, repairing the truck no longer made financial sense. The transmission failure substantially reduced its trade value and is forcing me to replace a vehicle that I otherwise intended to keep. I estimate the resulting loss of equity at approximately $7,000, in addition to the financial impact of prematurely taking on another vehicle and associated financing. After the failure, I learned of ongoing litigation involving Ford’s 10R80 10-speed transmission, including allegations involving 2019 and 2020 Ford Rangers. I am reporting my experience so this failure is formally documented and can be considered in connection with any investigation, litigation, warranty extension, recall, or other potential remedy involving the 10R80 transmission.
2019 Ford Ranger: complete transmission failure
11 of the 272 complaints about the 2019 Ford Ranger describe complete transmission failure.
- owner complaints
- 11
- of this car's complaints
- 4%
- recalls
- 2
Complete transmission failure by model year
What owners say
The transmission failed prematurely (my point-of-view) at around 115,000 miles. A Ford dealer diagnosed and determined the transmission needed replaced. The vehicle was a 2019 Ford Ranger XL with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The transmission would get stuck in 2 gear, sometimes upshifting and sometimes downshifting. Driving highway speeds the speed needle would also drop to zero even though I was moving. They noted that solenoids were bad but replacement was needed. I had the transmission replaced with a new warrantied transmission but it was very expensive at $9,650. It did come with a 2-year warranty. That is half the value of the truck! This is the fourth Ford truck I have owned. I do use it as a truck and haul a few things around as projects dictate but do little towing, drive it reasonably, and do not take it off-roading. I have never had a transmission fail before. The Ford dealer, and three area shops, noted they see "a lot of 10-speeds" come in for transmission rebuild or replacement. As a now review many Ford forums I see many people with issues surrounding the durability of the 10-speed transmission.
The automatic transmission and related transmission control system malfunctioned. The vehicle experienced improper shifting and loss of gears, including a condition in which 4th gear is disabled due to a failsafe logic triggered by the transmission control module. The vehicle and all affected components are currently available for inspection upon request and are at a Ford-authorized dealership. This malfunction posed a safety risk because the vehicle was unable to shift normally or maintain consistent acceleration. The unpredictable shifting and loss of gears could create hazardous situations when merging, accelerating, or driving at highway speeds, potentially endangering the driver and others. The problem has been reproduced and confirmed by a Ford dealership. After inspection and diagnostic testing, the dealership advised that the transmission requires replacement. The vehicle has been inspected by a Ford-authorized dealer. It has not been inspected by the manufacturer directly, police, or insurance representatives (UNKNOWN). Prior to the failure, warning messages and drivability symptoms were present. Specifically, the transmission control module detected an issue when attempting to shift into 4th gear, triggering a failsafe mode that disabled 4th gear for the remainder of the key cycle. These symptoms appeared before the full transmission failure and progressively worsened over time.
2019 ford ranger, 74,000 miles On way to pick up girlfriends engagement ring…. The truck started jerking, loosing power, no engine light came on. Turned around to go home and drive about 8 miles under 45 mph.Then truck started jerking again , like transmission issue. Engine light and tool wrench came on. As I was pulling in driveway, truck went into “limp” mode. Had it towed to Gullo Ford Conroe. Now they are saying need new transmission due to Internal transmission failure! Shouldn’t Ford. Over this! Only 60,000 mile warranty.
My transmission failed on the highway. I was merging on the highway one day and all of a sudden I felt a sudden reduction in power which was dangerous for the people behind me, and heard an awful grinding/whining noise. I immediately limped it to the dealership and was told several days later the transmission (Ford 10R80) had a catastrophic failure and was lucky to get it to the dealership. This is unacceptable and I know I’m not the only one with issues with these transmissions. The dealership told me it happens all the time. This is a safety issue and unacceptable for the truck that is 5 years old.
Vehicle lurching and loosing power, almost caused accident. Determined DPFE sensor had water in it, replaced sensor. Problem continued with slipping gears and mis-shift. Transmission fluid was burnt and had metal shavings. Repair was complete transmission replacement. Vehicle has 94000 miles.
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle decelerated to 35 MPH. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the transmission was skipping gear, slipping, and shifting hard. The check engine warning light was briefly illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the head gasket was failing. The dealer stated that coolant was intruding into the engine, and there was engine oil was entering into the spark plugs, causing engine failure. The dealer also diagnosed the vehicle with transmission failure. The head gasket and the transmission were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle needed to be drive more often for the vehicle to run properly. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was taken to another dealer, Mountain Grove Ford (11311 Bus Dr #60, Mountain Grove, MO 65711); and the vehicle was diagnosed with a transmission fluid leak and fractured head gasket. The head gasket was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The transmission jerked abnormally when the vehicle was shifted into park on an incline. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The manufacturer opened a case regarding the failures and extended the warranty for the transmission. The manufacturer referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds on several occasions, the vehicle downshifted unexpectedly. An unknown warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
Transmission is shifting extremely rough, lunges forward or completely disengaged in lower gears. Initially started to happen with cold starts but now continues to happen regardless of the amount of drive time. Completely unsafe when merging into traffic because transmission will either exhibit low power, shift roughly or completely disengage. Transmission has disengaged 5 times so far during initial acceleration. Issue has been confirmed by my Ford dealer. Vehicle is currently being serviced for complete transmission replacement. Dealer has told me that this a frequent complaint that they are experiencing with Ford car owners with the 10R80 transmission.
I had expressed transmission issues with the service center for over a year. Paid for transmission servicing, reprogramming, and kept all maintenance up to date. All regular maintenance has been performed, and the truck has about 80% highway miles, and been cared for and never abused. Now, Ford is telling me, the entire transmission needs to be replaced, at a high cost, and the truck has about 80k miles on it.
Tl* the contact owns a 2019 ford ranger. On several occasions, while driving and approaching a stop, the transmission failed to downshift, which made it difficult to stop the vehicle. Angela krause ford (1575 mansell rd, alpharetta, ga 30009, (770) 649-5100) was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The manufacturer was not notified. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 2,000.
Service bulletins that may apply
- For 20172026 vehicles equipped with a 10R transmission, a revision to the Road Testing Vehicle procedure...
- Various vehicles equiped with 10R80/10R80 MHT/10R100/10R140 transmissions may require replacement of the...
- This article supersedes TSB 24-2046 to update the Service Procedure LTIS statement
- Harsh/delayed engagement and/or harsh/delayed shift, an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with...
- Whine noise at idle and/or while driving
- This article supersedes TSB 22-2428 and 23-2176 to update the Issue, Action and Service Procedure
- Shudder/vibration when accelerating
- Harsh/delayed engagement and/or harsh/delayed shift
Related recalls
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Ranger vehicles. The fasteners that attach the transmission shifter cable bracket to the transmission may loosen allowing the transmission to be in a different gear than indicated by the gear shift lever position.
- Risk
- If the gear shift lever position does not match the actual transmission gear, the vehicle may move in an unexpected direction. Additionally, despite selecting 'Park', if the parking brake is not applied before the vehicle is exited, the vehicle may roll. Either scenario increases the risk of crash or injury.
- Remedy
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and tighten the transmission shift cable bracket fasteners as necessary, and verify the proper transmission shift operation, free of charge. The recall began July 1, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S15.
Recall number 19V366000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Ranger vehicles equipped with 10-speed automatic transmissions. In some of these vehicles, the transmission shift lever can be moved from the "Park" position without the key in the starting system and without depressing the brake pedal. As a result, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection."
- Risk
- If the vehicle can be shifted out of Park without the brake applied, the vehicle may unexpectedly move. Unintentional vehicle movement can increase the risk of injury or crash.
- Remedy
- Ford has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and repair the transmission floor shift selector interlock assembly, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 22, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19C02.
Recall number 19V071000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2019 Ford Ranger transmission failure
Is complete transmission failure a common problem on the 2019 Ford Ranger?
11 of 272 owner complaints about the 2019 Ford Ranger (4%) mention complete transmission failure. The model year with the most reports is 2021.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2019 Ford Ranger?
There are 2 recalls and 25 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2019 Ford Ranger
Jerking 25Harsh shifting 22Check engine light 15Loss of power 12Sudden acceleration 12Slipping 11Stalling 11Backup camera 9Hesitation 9Adaptive cruise 8Misfire 8Collision warning 6Engine failure 6Won't shift 6No deployment 5Grinding brakes 5Knocking 5Fire or smoke 5
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