Supposedly, Ford knows that the 10-speed transmission has problems and they have done stuff for the F-150 models, but they aren't doing nothing for the Ranger models. Transmission slips and eventually fails causing a very expensive replacement
Ford Ranger slipping problems
47 of the 8,200 owner complaints about the Ford Ranger describe transmission slipping, most of them for the 2019 model year.
- owner complaints
- 47
- worst model year
- 2019
- typical mileage
- 53,000
Is there a fix? There are 7 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Jerking 12Harsh shifting 9Transmission failure 7Check engine light 3Sudden acceleration 2Won't shift 2Stalling 2Shudder 2
Trouble codes mentioned
P0734 1P0733 1
What owners say
Transmission hard shifts in low gear and sometimes slips gears or revs up engine without accelerating then slams into gear lurching forward. Had transmission oil checked by dealer and they said it looked great. Happened 29 July several times and again 5 Aug all throughout the day.
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the transmission was slipping in and out of gear. There was no warning light illuminated. After approximately 3 seconds, the transmission shifted into the correct gear. The failure had occurred while driving through an intersection, placing the contact at risk of being rear-ended. The dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000. The VIN was not available.
Since owning the vehicle, I have experienced a range of serious transmission issues. These include harsh or delayed gear shifts, inconsistent downshifts, and transmission slipping. The vehicle also frequently jerks or lurches during gear changes. Of particular concern is the vehicle’s behavior during downshifting. At times, the transmission downshifts abruptly and causes the vehicle to lunge forward unexpectedly. This unpredictable behavior presents a significant safety concern, particularly in traffic situations where smooth and predictable vehicle response is essential. These transmission issues negatively affect the safety, drivability, and reliability of the vehicle and are not consistent with normal operation.
Transmission slipping and hard down shift and hesitation from 2nd to first , has had rear wheel lock up while moving , dealer is ignoring my issues . Thanks
My 10 speed 10r80 transmission is failing and dangerous. Besides slipping bucking and delaying shifting it now revs up without moving. I've almost been hit more than 6 times. My ford dealer changed the fluid road tested and normal all that I'm complaining about is normal.
Purchased used in 2024 with 44,000 miles. Transmission issues began at 79,000 miles. Hard shifting, slipping and then lurching when it goes in gear. Diagnosed after transmission service ($600) as a factory defect in the 10 speed transmission. Ford has issued Service Bulletins defining and outlining the issue but has offered no assistance in rectifying and repairing. Since so many vehicles are affected there should be a recall. I understand that in Canada a class action lawsuit has been initiated.
I bought my 2020 Ford Ranger preowned with around 64k miles on it. After having owned it for about 6 months or so, I started to notice lots of problems with the transmission. After first noticing it, the problems persisted for a couple more months until I finally decided to address it. The problems were very characteristic of transmission slippage, and they got progressively worse week by week, which it what ultimately prompted me to address it. When accelerating and shifting through the lower gears (15-30 MPHs, approximately), the shift would be delayed and lag a couple seconds. This would often cause stalling in the acceleration, particularly when going from a stop to a start, such as through traffic lights. There were also very rough and aggressive shifts at higher gears when driving on the highway. It would feel like rough jolts that would rock the truck a little. Also transitioning the truck into reverse often caused serious jolts as the transmission shifted very aggressively. Eventually, I took my truck into an AMCO transmission shop for inspection. They confirmed that my transmission was damaged and needed replaced. This was at about 86k miles. I took the truck into a Ford dealership to get a second opinion and they also confirmed my transmission needed replaced. I went ahead and had the transmission replaced at that point. The replacement was done with the truck at 86k miles. The Ford dealership replaced the 10R80 transmission with a re-manufactured 10R80. It has now been about 8k miles and 9 months since the transmission was replaced, and the re-manufactured transmission is starting to experience similar problems. Mostly with a lag when shifting in lower gears and hard jolts when placing it in reverse. The problems are not as bad as the original transmission before I had it replaced, but some still remain. There were no warning lamps or messages with this problem. Ford's 10R80 transmission is notorious for failing and being a safety problem to the public.
2021 Ford Ranger with 10R80 transmission showing following codes P0733 P0734 90,000 miles on truck. jerky and slipping gear change between 3-4 and 5-6 occasionally no drive. have service records showing my truck was maintained properly.
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.
Related recalls
Power train: automatic transmission: fluid/lubricant: valves/valve body
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 F-150, Bronco, 2024 Ranger, 2025 Mustang, Explorer, and Aviator vehicles. The transmission valve body may have been machined incorrectly, which can cause reverse gear failure, or unexpected forward movement in reverse or neutral gear.
- Risk
- Unexpected vehicle movement increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the transmission main control valve body, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 11, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S19.
Recall number 25V164000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Ranger and F-150 vehicles equipped with 10-speed automatic transmissions and certain 2020 Expedition vehicles equipped with a "police" package. The transmission shift cable lock clip may not be fully seated, allowing the transmission to actually be in a different gear than the gear shift position selected by the driver.
- Risk
- If the transmission selection does not match the indicated gear selection, and the parking brake is not applied, unintended vehicle movement can occur, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
- Remedy
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and correct the shift cable locking clip installation, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 27, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S18.
Recall number 20V197000 · Recall details
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
Power train: driveline: differential unit
- What is wrong
- On some manual transmission trucks equipped with the fx4 package, the rear axle differential case could fracture under a high torque event such as when customers accelerate rapidly from a stop or when a spinning tire suddenly gains traction.
- Risk
- Differential fractures could potentially result in wheel lock-up.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the rear axle assembly. Owner notification began march 29, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1‑800‑392‑3673.
Recall number 02V035000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: electric vehicles. The transaxle may have been manufactured with the park detent spring misaligned. If the spring is misaligned, the park mechanism may not engage when the shift lever is placed in the park position.
- Risk
- If the park mechanism does not engage and the vehicle operator has not applied the parking brake, the vehicle could roll free as if in neutral.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the transaxle and any with misaligned park detent springs will be replaced.
Recall number 99V204000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- When the automatic transmission shift lever is placed in the park position, the park pawl does not always abut or engage the park gear.
- Risk
- Driver may believe the vehicle is safely engaged in parkwhen the gear is not truly engaged. This can lead to the vehicle jumping out ofgear unintentionally, vehicle rollaway when parked on a sloped surface, andinadvertent motion when the vehicle is started. All of these conditions canresult in a vehicle accident.
- Remedy
- Repair the transmission with a new park pawl.
Recall number 91V189000 · Recall details
Questions about the Ford Ranger slipping
Which Ford Ranger years have transmission slipping problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2019 (11 complaints), 2021 (8 complaints) and 2020 (6 complaints).
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