general problems of the 2021 Ford Expedition - part 1

My Ford Expedition’s 10-speed automatic transmission experienced repeated slipping and sudden loss of propulsion. While accelerating from a stop and entering the highway, typically around 15–20 mph, the engine would suddenly rev but the vehicle would stop accelerating, as if the transmission had shifted into neutral. I had to release the accelerator for several seconds and slowly reapply throttle before the transmission would re-engage. This occurred repeatedly and created a serious safety hazard when pulling into or crossing traffic because the vehicle could begin accelerating normally and then unexpectedly lose propulsion with approaching traffic. The transmission also exhibited severe harsh/banging shifts during harder acceleration and produced a rattling noise while slipping until the accelerator was released. Cdf drum failure has been confirmed. The vehicle is currently at a reputable independent transmission repair facility undergoing a transmission rebuild due to the cdf failure. The transmission/components are available for inspection during the repair. There were no warning lights or messages that reliably warned of the impending loss of propulsion. This was not simply poor shift quality; the transmission defect caused an actual loss of propulsion while driving. Because this failure can leave a driver unable to accelerate while entering an intersection, pulling onto a highway, or merging into traffic, I believe the cdf failure presents a serious safety risk. I am requesting NHTSA investigate cdf-related transmission failures and determine whether a safety recall is warranted. TSB 23-2250.

Oem transmission had to be replaced 3 years after new purchase. Replacement transmission installed at Ford dealership has failed after less then 2 years. About to have third transmission installed.

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the message "transmission shifter failure" was displayed on the instrument panel, and the vehicle independently accelerated. A dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that a recall for the failure would be available in April 2027. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

The vehicle first experienced severe, violent jerking and slipping when shifting between the 4th & 5th gears. The vehicle was held by a Ford dealership for 21 days for this issue, but the repair failed. Two months after being out of the shop the transmission has rapidly degraded and is now actively experiencing the same severe, violent jerking and failing to engage in every single gear except 10th. The vehicle completely loses acceleration power while driving, creating an immediate crash hazard. Dealerships in my area are refusing to accept the vehicle for 2 to 3 weeks due to scheduling backlogs, leaving me with an active, dangerous powertrain failure under warranty.

Vehicles automatic transmission repeatedly looses its gear, often while accelerating. The transmission tries to shift down, but somehow ends up loosing engagement and will not re-engage. This lead to critical/dangerous situations on highways due to the sudden loss of power.

On several occasions the vehicle will act like it misses a gear when put under load. Example is when you go to pass a vehicle and accelerate the vehicle will just rev up and not speed up. You then have to let the vehicle slow down and sort of get itself back into the right gear and you can go. Another example is taking off from a stop it will also do the same thing causing you to be pulling out into traffic and loosing power. Both of these scenarios are life threating as in both scenarios you could be faced with either on coming traffic or traffic coming at a high rate of speed behind you.

For the past three years I have complained about the transmission dropping out of gear. It happens most often if I'm towing a trailer. I seems to occur in spurts, happening a couple of times in a few days then not for some time. Very dangerous if you pull around to pass and suddenly you lose power. Originally the dealership said they could find nothing wrong. I have read recently that Ford is having trouble with their transmissions. At my latest service appointment, I restated my problem and was told I need a new transmission.

Component: 2021 Ford Expedition max 10r80 transmission. The cdf clutch cylinder (7h351) sleeve exhibits axial movement, breaking the clutch apply-pressure seal so commanded torque is not transmitted to the wheels. Engine revs while the vehicle fails to accelerate or move forward. Vehicle is available for NHTSA inspection and testing. Incidents (7/5/2026, same drive cycle): (1) highway, after braking from a 60 mph cruise to a 15-20 mph roll over a few hundred feet, the transmission failed to engage any gear on re-acceleration. (2) city, at 35 mph while accelerating to merge lanes, the transmission again failed to engage a gear. Engine 205-220f, trans 200-210f, indicated gears 4th/5th, odometer 120,217. Second owner; purchased at 115,067 mi. Safety: sudden, unannounced loss of forward propulsion with no dash warning directly endangers my wife, my children, and other motorists during ordinary driving. Merging: stuck at 40-50 mph in 65-80 mph traffic invites a high-differential rear-end impact. Intersections/left turns: a mid-turn stall exposes the passenger side (where my family sits) to a t-bone at posted speed. Evasive maneuvers: failed acceleration converts a near-miss into an unavoidable collision. Grades: the ~7,000-lb SUV can roll backward or stall in-lane on short-sight-line hills. Towing (rated capacity, used regularly) magnifies every risk to trailer and following traffic. Shoulder stranding invites secondary collisions, a known highway-fatality cause. The defect is unpredictable. I cannot pre-empt merges, intersections, hills, or tows. Dealer/independent confirmation: none. I have not brought the vehicle in for service, to avoid compromising any NHTSA inspection or testing. Mfr/police/insurance inspection: none; no crash has occurred to this date. Prior warnings: none. No lamps, messages, or symptoms preceded these failures, which first occurred 7/5/2026. Ford has documented awareness of the 10r80 cdf clutch cylinder defect and has not issued a recall.

Component: 2021 Ford Expedition max 10r80 transmission. The cdf clutch cylinder (7h351) sleeve exhibits axial movement, breaking the clutch apply-pressure seal so commanded torque is not transmitted to the wheels. Engine revs while the vehicle fails to accelerate or move forward. Vehicle is available for NHTSA inspection and testing. Incidents (7/5/2026, same drive cycle): (1) highway — after braking from a 60 mph cruise to a 15-20 mph roll, the transmission failed to engage any gear on re-acceleration. (2) city — at 35 mph while accelerating to merge lanes, the transmission again failed to engage a gear. Engine 205-220f, trans 200-210f, indicated gears 4th/5th, odometer 120,217. Second owner; purchased at 115,067 mi. Safety: sudden, unannounced loss of forward propulsion with no dash warning directly endangers my wife, my children, and other motorists during ordinary driving. Merging: stuck at 40-50 mph in 65-80 mph traffic invites a high-differential rear-end impact. Intersections/left turns: a mid-turn stall exposes the passenger side (where my family sits) to a t-bone at posted speed. Evasive maneuvers: failed acceleration converts a near-miss into an unavoidable collision. Grades: the ~7,000-lb SUV can roll backward or stall in-lane on short-sight-line hills. Towing (rated capacity) magnifies every risk to trailer and following traffic. Shoulder stranding invites secondary collisions, a known highway-fatality cause. The defect is unpredictable — I cannot pre-empt merges, intersections, hills, or tows. Dealer/independent confirmation: none. I have not brought the vehicle in for service, to avoid compromising any NHTSA inspection or testing. Mfr/police/insurance inspection: none; no crash has occurred to this date. Prior warnings: none. No lamps, messages, or symptoms preceded these failures, which first occurred 7/5/2026. Ford has documented awareness of the 10r80 cdf clutch cylinder design defect and has not issued a recall (TSB 23-2250).

While driving down the highway at 70 miles an hour, the transmission popped out of gear the engine revved, and when the transmission went back into gear, it engaged into second gear and locked up the rear tires on the highway. I believe this is due to the cdf drum bushing, causing line pressure problems. But this has almost caused me in my family to get into an accident.

Hard shifting & slipping: drivers frequently report clunking, hard shifts (particularly around gears 3-5), and the vehicle lurching forward when accelerating. It does this while driving and is a serious safety issue. We complained to the dealer about a year ago and they told us they checked and it was fine. Now it is worse.

Bad parts in the transmission the cdf drum part is not good. While on the highway I was driving and my car lost all power and for about 5-6 seconds lost all power to the car until the transmission kicked into gear. I have has it in for a warranty and they keep saying it nothing then final it went back in and they tell me it the cdf drum in the transmission but this is not a safety concern. It is to me I have 2 kids and if something happens and causes a accident and something happens to my daughter who is replacing my kids no one and Ford will wipe there hands from it. A mandatory recall needs to happen on these transmission and get them fix properly. They did a recall for a piece of trim that cuts when it is lose but they can't do it on this. Unbelievable.

“10r80 transmission slips and loses power during acceleration. Matches Ford TSB 23?2250. Sudden loss of propulsion creates safety risk when merging or crossing intersections. ”.

The transmission shifts erratic and will sometimes just kick out of gear. The car was taken to Ford for repair and they flashed the transmission but, it did not repair it.

I am filing this complaint because I truly believe this transmission issue is a safety problem. I was driving my 2021 Ford Expedition and was merging onto a busy highway when I pressed the gas to get up to traffic speed. Instead of accelerating, the engine revved but the transmission would not shift. It felt like the vehicle was stuck between gears or in neutral. My SUV would not accelerate when I needed it to, and I remember thinking, “this is how someone gets hit. ” as a mom, it was terrifying. I depend on my vehicle to safely get my family where we need to go. When you press the gas while merging into fast-moving traffic, you expect your vehicle to respond. Mine didn’t. I was left trying to merge while traffic was approaching and my SUV would barely move. Before this happened, I had noticed increasingly harsh shifting and delayed gear changes. The vehicle had been properly maintained, and the transmission had recently been serviced. After the incident, an authorized Ford dealership diagnosed the transmission with a failed cdf drum in the 10-speed transmission. The transmission had to be completely rebuilt. After researching this problem, I found many other Ford owners reporting the exact same failure and the same scary symptoms. This doesn’t seem like normal wear and tear. Losing the ability to accelerate without warning is a serious safety concern, especially when merging onto a highway or crossing an intersection. I hope NHTSA investigates this issue before someone isn’t as lucky as I was. I was fortunate to avoid an accident, but I can’t help thinking another family may not be.

I have had issues with the 10 speed transmission on my Expedition. I looked up my year model and type of transmission and there is a NHTSA recall on select model year transmissions within my year range. My vehicle is doing the same thing that is stated in the recall. I spoke to a transmission shop and they are the ones that informed me of the transmission issues and recalls. I reached out to my local Ford dealership and they looked up my vehicle and informed me that my vehicle was not affected. I said it seemed to be doing the exact same thing listed. He said if its not on the list, we won't cover the repair. What needs to happen to have my transmission repaired under the recall?.

Was traveling on the roadway when my vehicle suddenly lost its ability to change gears. I had to put the transmission into manual mode to be able to pull to the side of the roadway and stop. The vehicle was towed to the repair facility where I was informed the transmission needed to be replaced. I was almost struck from behind by a motorist due to not being able to continue forward. I was informed this is a common defect in the transmission and the cost to replace the transmission is approximately $9000. Due to the low mileage on the vehicle, this is unacceptable and a safety risk.

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted and the vehicle jerked abnormally. The contact stated that there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle with the check engine warning light illuminated. The failure was persistent. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with a recall related to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 62,500.

Transmission harsh shifting. Common problem with Ford on the 10r80. Was told from Ford need new transmission.

The 10r80 transmission went out in it after 80k miles. It would get "stuck" in gears and not want to shift. The lack of shifting would cause the vehicle to stall while driving. Ford was able to reproduce the issue and the transmission is getting replaced by Ford through our extended warranty company. There was a clunking noise when driving prior to the transmission having shifting issues. No, there were not any warning lights when this was happening.

When attempting to pass or slowing and then pressing the gas regain speed, transmission disengages, engines revs, transmission down shifts to 1st gear and then attempting to "find" the correct gear. This has happened multiple times and a few of those times has left us susceptible to being struck by another vehicle due to no engine power to the power train to move the vehicle.

The 10r80 transmission of this vehicle failed resulting in erratic shifting, slowing and stopping of the vehicle in traffic, having to pull over in the middle of traffic. Rapid acceleration and deceleration resulting in jolting the people in the vehicle and abrupt speed changes. This has been confirmed by a private mechanic and a rebuilt transmission purchased from local Ford dealership. The broken transmission will be returned to Ford as the core is required to be returned for deposit refund. There were no warning lights or indications of failure other than shifting issues.

Most mornings when I shift the vehicle from park to drive the transmission slams into gear and it feels like the vehicle just hit a wall. Also when shifting from 4th through 8th gear the transmission shudders through the shift sequence and sometimes it completely cuts out, total loss of power and have to coast to a stop on the side of the highway. This happens all the time.

The cdf drum in the 10r80 transmission in 2021 Ford Expedition has failed causing inability to accelerate or decrease speech reliably. For safety during interstate driving, there is a indisputable need for quick and reliable increases and decreases in speed. Being able to clear an intersection quickly is important not only for the driver's safety but the safety of others in an intersection. Dealership has confirmed the problem. Ford released a TSB that has been around since 2023 regarding how this part fails and needs to be repaired. There were no warning lights or messages about the problem. The vehicle was purchased used at only 60,000 miles and dealership made no indication that transmissions had been an issue and could be a safety issue going forward.

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the gear shifter unexpectedly shifted to park(p). No warning light was illuminated. The failure was a recurring failure. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number: 26v402000 (power train). The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and the issue was escalated. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

On my Expedition I started having issues with my transmission staying in gear while driving. I will be going up a hill and all of a sudden boom it starts down shifting or not accelerating at all. I had a few times when me and my wife will be driving, and we would be going through a intersection or a area where you don't want to slow down and then the transmission would forget which gear it would be in and lose all power. Keep in mind my Expedition only has 83k miles and serviced regularly. $8,900 later it needs a new transmission. This is a huge safety problem that's being ignored.

Faulty cdf clutch drum. The vehicle failed to shift properly while driving in mountains which could have lead to a runaway. Problem has been identified by my dealer and is a known issue with 2017-2023 Ford expedtions. Vehicle inspected my fomoco mechanic and found issue with drum. No warnings or prompts before issue occurred.

During highway operation, vehicle transmission makes very loud and angry sound and then loses ability to move , almost caused us to get hit at an intersection. Vehicle often jumps violently when shifting to reverse, and often loses propulsion when going uphill and shifting. No issues have been identified by mechanics but I have found several forums on line with drivers reporting similar occurrences. This is very dangerous and if not addressed will result in loss of life. We purchased this vehicle certified by the dealer with 92000 miles on it and it began doing this less than a week after purchase. We took it in for recall work and reported it and they said nothing was wrong with it. Manufacturer failure to rectify this very common problem is going to cause may citizens to be injured or killed.

Have had jerky shifts and hard down shifts while driving 2021 Ford Expedition. Told dealership and was told it was normal. Then went in for oil change told the dealership about lose of power while shifting and hard shifts they advised to have transmission fluid changed. Not even 3 weeks later while pulling out onto a busy road my vehicles engine revved very high but the transmission never engaged past 2nd gear. I was almost hit by a car coming at me on the 2 lane road. After letting off the gas and then reapplying gas the transmission engaged. I drove to the dealership. Today they informed me that the transmission has multiple failures at the shift point between 1-2 and 7-8 along with hard down shifts between 4 and 3 gears. Was informed that the transmission would need to be replaced. I never got any error or warning codes that anything was wrong. I told the dealership that I felt unsafe driving the vehicle due to the transmission. The first instance happened less than a month ago. My vehicle is at the shop now waiting to have a replacement at my expense when Ford knew what the transmission is like.

While attempting to pass a slower moving vehicle and changing from the right lane to left, I attempted to accelerate past the vehicle when the check manual light appeared on the vehicle display dashboard and I lost all power. I had no acceleration and no power from the gas pedal, after gliding past the slower vehicle and completely taking my foot off the gas pedal, the truck reset itself and power came back to the vehicle and was able to accelerate again, as if nothing happened.

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving at 45 mph, the engine overheated. The message “drive mode inoperable” was displayed. The contact pulled over for 20 minutes, and the vehicle was restarted. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, who confirmed that parts were on back order for NHTSA campaign number: 22v346000 (engine). The vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the failure was due to the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 99,130.

While trying to pull out of a residential neighborhood onto a state highway (45 mph speed limit), the vehicle refused to accelerate. The transmission couldn't engage into gear and the vehicle struggled to gain momentum. After letting off of the accelerator pedal, and then applying the accelerator again, the transmission was able to engage, and the car began to accelerate. No check engine light or other indication of a problem. The Ford dealer told us that the cdf drum of the transmission needed to be replaced. It is a known defect due to poor engineering design. This is very common problem in 2020 and 2021 Expeditions and f150 vehicle.

Nn 9/15/2025 while the car was running but parked, we began to smell burnt plastic/electrical. Upon trying to shut off the vehicle several service lamps came on advising to go immediately to a service center and that there was a powertrain issue. Vehicle would also not shut off. Upon arrival at dealership they diagnosed that the battery box had corroded and would need replaced under the 1time battery junction box replacement campaign (22n19). Upon repair they discovered that the wiring harness was badly melted and would need replace part [xxx] . The problem lies here. This part is backordered with no date for availability. Ford refuses to acknowledge this as a problem, and will not help with rental or loaner assistance, as that repair shouldn't take more then a few hours to complete. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

Automobile falls out of gear randomly losing all forward power to move the car. While pulling out into traffic, this causes the car to not gain speed with traffic endangering those in the car. Dealer currently has the car and has quoted to replace the transmission with a rebuilt unit. No warning lights in the car to tell us anything was wrong. Based on research, I believe Ford knows this transmission is faulty, and will not recall due to cost. Issue has scared my wife and family on multiple occasions before finally getting a scheduled check on the car.

10r80 transmission jerky shifting and failing to engage correctly leading to loss of power and unsafe driving/ jerky acceleration.