Automatic Transmission Control Module problems of the 2019 Ford Expedition

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 NHTSA review this condition and determine whether further investigation or additional safety action is warranted.

2019 Ford Expedition max with the 10r80 transmission experienced severe shifting issues shortly after pcm recall 24e13 was performed. The recall involves pcm/tcm updates and adaptive shift strategy reset. After the recall, the vehicle developed shuddering, harsh shifting, flaring between gears, and delayed engagement. Dealer diagnosis found internal transmission damage including cdf hub sleeve axial movement and no. 3 sun gear shell seal failure, along with diagnostic code p07e6. These failures are known on the 10r80, but the issue escalated immediately after the recall update. Transmission required a full overhaul. Concern that the recall calibration and adaptive strategy reset may accelerate internal wear or exacerbate pre-existing vulnerabilities in the 10r80 transmission.

I purchased my 2019 Ford Expedition max limited on may 24th, 2025. When we purchase the vehicle we signed a notice that we would have the recalls completed within a reasonable time. I took my vehicle for the recall to feyer Ford in edenton, north carolina on may 30th. Prior to the recall I was having no issues at all with the vehicle. Once I pick the vehicle up on may 30th and started my traveling home. Within 10 minutes of leaving, the vehicle made a loud screeching noise. The wrench light came on, and the vehicle seemed to not accelerate forward. I was able to pull off the road and turn the vehicle off. I called feyer Ford to make them aware of the problem and they told me that it was because the pcm had been reprogrammed and would need to relearn how I drive. I had the same issue happen again further down the road, this is a very serious safety hazard that my vehicle suddenly stopped moving forward in traffic. I called feyer Ford once again and was told that I had to drive the vehicle 1,000 miles before the pcm would relearn my driving patterns. I took the vehicle in on June 4th to have it checked out and was told that I would need a valve body replacement and torque converter replacement. That essentially my transmission was bad. Since that date the vehicle has gone into reverse numerous times when I put it in drive, it will also get stuck in 4th 7th or 10th gear when you are trying to drive it in a parking lot or going slow on the road. When it gets stuck in those gears the vehicle will not go forward it will only allow you to go backwards. My car has been at feyer Ford since July 29 trying to have the warranty cover the fix, but it was denied for warranty coverage because they stated the vehicle was broken by the recall. We were told we could pick up our un-fixed vehicle on Aug 27. We got the key and proceeded to leave only to find the car not put back together from a different seat belt recall. It is still at feyer Ford today, September 6th 2025.

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Expedition. The contact stated when the vehicle was started in the morning, the engine was idling rough while making an abnormal rattling sound. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent, but the rattling sound became worse and more frequent. The contact stated that there were no warning lights illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the cam phasers needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to customer satisfaction program: 21n03 (engine and engine cooling) for cam phaser replacement. The contact questioned the dealer and was informed that the vehicle was not covered under the program. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was recently repaired under customer satisfaction program: 24e13 for an ignition and tcm (power train) software update. The contact stated that following the software update, the transmission was slipping out of gear and was hesitating while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was returned to same dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the transmission shift cable bushing had failed, and the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 69,401.

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that the vehicle was making an abnormal rattling sound on cold starts. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the powertrain control module(pcm) reflash was performed under Ford campaign number : 21n03; however, the failure recurred. The dealer was contacted and advised the contact that she would need to leave the vehicle at their location for three weeks for the cam phasers replacement; however, the contact declined because the dealer did not offer vehicle rental assistance. The contact stated that the failure progressively worsened. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and depressing the accelerator pedal, the engine misfired. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was no longer covered under warranty. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.

When trying to pass a vehicle on a two lane road I accelerated about 50-60% when I it clunked hard and dropped from 8th gear to neutral and left me coasting down the interstate for 30 seconds until the car reengaged. I had to get back behind the car I was pasing as there was no longer a safe distance with oncoming traffic. My kids were in the car with me. This has happened on more then one occurrence. I feel that this is a very unsafe issue that should be fixed by Ford since it could put me and my family and others in danger and pose a safety risk driving this vehicle. I have brought the vehicle into Ford and they say the pcm module need to be reprogrammed to relearn the gears. This did not make it better. We then took it in again after a reprogram and they said that my transmission needs replaced and quoted 7700 dollars. We ran into a similar problem with the engine and had to replae that as Ford also said it was not an issue and ultimatle we had to pay for the engine. Ford knows these are problems and safety issues and have fixed them in later models but has done nothing for these models. Pleae investigate and make Ford fix this.

In June 2024, my 2019 Ford Expedition experienced serious transmission and powertrain problems. Diagnostic testing identified catalyst efficiency codes (p0430), and I was given a repair estimate that included catalytic converter replacement. The vehicle also displayed repeated “service engine soon” and “powertrain malfunction/reduced power” warnings. Because the vehicle became undrivable and the repair costs were unaffordable, I was forced to release it to auction in June 2024, resulting in a significant financial loss. In April 2025, Ford issued recall 24e13 acknowledging that pcm programming errors could falsely trigger catalyst efficiency codes (such as p0430), potentially leading to unnecessary catalytic converter replacements, exactly the condition my vehicle experienced. This recall defect directly contributed to the loss I suffered, as I still owed about $11,000 on the vehicle when I could no longer use it. I have already opened a case with Ford (case #cxh05645573c2w6r6), but I have not received meaningful assistance. When I contacted Ford customer service, I was not offered escalation or resolution. I was only told to call another phone number, which left my case unresolved. I respectfully request that NHTSA review Ford’s handling of this defect, including the financial impact on owners like myself who incurred substantial losses before the recall was announced.

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, there was a rattling sound coming from the engine. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the cam phaser and the timing chain needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The contact related the failure to customer satisfaction program: 21b10 (powertrain control module reprogram for cam phaser rattle). The failure mileage was 121,000.

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Expedition. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle, the engine emitted abnormal loud rattling sounds. There was no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated while driving at 60 mph, the vehicle would not shift from one gear to the other automatically. The contact was able to continue driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who informed the contact that the transmission control module (tcm) needed to be reprogrammed. However, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA. The contact referenced Ford customer satisfaction program numbers: 21b10 21n03 and 21n08. The failure mileage was approximately 29,000.

The contact owns a 2019 Ford Expedition. The contact stated a rattling sound was heard coming from the engine compartment after starting the vehicle. The contact stated no warning lights were illuminated. The independent mechanic was called and stated that the failure was related to the cam phaser, which needed replacement. The independent mechanic stated that the part was on backorder. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed of a recall which the vehicle was included in regarding the cam phaser. The contact stated she received notice of the customer satisfaction program for the cam phaser however, the part was on backorder. The contact was advised of a pcm upgrade to correct the issue however, the failure continued. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and was advised to contact NHTSA for assistance. The customer service representative at Ford looked up the VIN and told the contact to call NHTSA as there was nothing they could do. The failure mileage was 67,000.