Ford Expedition transmission and drivetrain problems, 2016–2027
871 of the 2,406 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Ford Expedition 2016–2027 name the transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA’s “Power Train” heading — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading). The loudest years: 2020 (264), 2019 (224), 2018 (148). Filed under the same heading across these years: 6 manufacturer bulletins, 6 recall campaigns. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Ford Expedition transmission and drivetrain problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the transmission and drivetrain | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2026 | 0 | — | — | 4 TSBs | the year → |
| 2025 | 5 | 14% | — | 20 TSBs | the year → |
| 2024 | 5 | 7% | — | 27 TSBs | the year → |
| 2023 | 11 | 17% | — | 34 TSBs · 1 recall | the year → |
| 2022 | 15 | 13% | — | 36 TSBs | the year → |
| 2021 in depth | 111 | 47% | 65k | 42 TSBs · 1 recall | the record → |
| 2020 in depth | 264 | 63% | 65k | 41 TSBs · 2 recalls | the record → |
| 2019 in depth | 224 | 44% | 77k | 40 TSBs · 2 recalls | the record → |
| 2018 in depth | 148 | 39% | 89k | 41 TSBs · 3 recalls | the record → |
| 2017 in depth | 51 | 14% | 65k | 13 TSBs | the record → |
| 2016 | 37 | 17% | 74k | 11 TSBs | the year → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the transmission and drivetrain. Nothing here is a rate.
When the transmission and drivetrain complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2016: 1 · 2017: 4 · 2018: 7 · 2019: 13 · 2020: 17 · 2021: 20 · 2022: 50 · 2023: 151 · 2024: 208 · 2025: 222 · 2026: 178
Across the model years, half of the 222 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the transmission and drivetrain problem between 41,000 and 98,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the transmission and drivetrain, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
I own the above listed 2020 Expedition. We were traveling on Interstate 287 yesterday. I was in the right lane and was stuck behind a slow moving semi truck. I put on my blinker and waited for an opening in traffic to move into the middle lane. When an opening presented itself I pressed down on the gas pedal to accelerate into traffic.
When accellerating in 5th, or6th gear trans slips out hard and car wont accelerate for 1 to 2 seconds. It displays being in 1st while this happens before it goes back into precious gear and starts driving
In April 2021 while driving, the car abruptly when into low power mode. I drove it straight to ford. They pulled the codes and said there was nothing wrong. Ever since then, the car will randomly make a grinding sound, lose power, a wrench flashes and then it goes back to normal.
On multiple occasions while driving at freeway speeds, there have been sudden episodes of power loss and rapid loss of speed associated with harsh transmission downshifts. These events sometimes occurred on slight uphill grades and also on flat highway.
During a routine trip on the highway, as I was trying to overtake a vehicle the SUV shifted from 10th gear to 1st and locked up the wheels. This left my vehicle unable to move for a few seconds while on the highway. I lost all throttle response, the vehicle lit up the wrench icon on the dash.
What is on file about the transmission and drivetrain, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaigns filed under this heading, any model year
- 26V402000 HighJun 24, 2026 · 741,195 vehicles
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Navigator, Expedition, 2020-2021 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2021 F-150 vehicles. The transmission park pawl may engage while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in park system damage.
- 23V128000 CriticalFeb 24, 2023 · 240 vehicles
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 F-150, Expedition, and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The front axle pinion may not have been heat-treated, which can cause it to fracture.
- 20V263000 ModerateMay 8, 2020 · 10,460 vehicles
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Expedition and 2019-2020 Mustang vehicles. The "Transmission Not In Park" warning message and associated chime duration are shorter than intended.
- 20V197000 HighApr 3, 2020 · 55,158 vehicles
- 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.
- 18V213000 CriticalApr 4, 2018 · 142 vehicles
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ford F-150 and 2018 Ford Expedition and Mustang and Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with 10-speed automatic transmissions. A roll pin may not have been installed in the transmission, potentially causing a loss of the "Park" function.
- 18V214000 HighApr 4, 2018 · 292,909 vehicles
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 F-650 and F-750 vehicles equipped with 6-speed automatic transmissions and 2018 Ford F-150 and Expedition vehicles equipped with 10-speed automatic transmissions (excluding Expedition vehicles with a Rotary Gear Shift Dial on the console). The gear shift cable clip may not be properly seated, allowing the transmission to be in a different gear than indicated by the gear shift lever position.
6 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading, any model year
- Sep 22, 2026
- This bulletin supersedes 26-2309. Reason For Update: update the Model section to remove Aviator 10R80, update the Parts list to add 3.3L to W520514-S440, and add L1MZ-7Z490-G valve body separator plate for Aviator. Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit at least one of the following conditions: * Harsh 3-4, 4-5 upshifts * Harsh 5-3, 4-3 downshifts * Harsh reverse enga
- Jul 2, 2026
- This bulletin supersedes 26-2241. Reason For Update: update the parts list to correct the claim quantity of the part number JB3Z-4B496-B from 3 to 6. Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit at least one of the following conditions: * Harsh 3-4, 4-5 upshifts * Harsh 5-3, 4-3 downshifts * Harsh reverse engagements These symptoms may be worse when cold. This may be due to
- Apr 2, 2026
- For 20212026 vehicles equipped with the 10R80 transmission, a new Transmission Clutch Circuit Leak Test has been introduced in the Ford Diagnosis and Repair System (FDRS). This test utilizes the pressure and vacuum transducer (PVT) when available. When referred to a specific clutch (A-F) test by a pinpoint test in Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 307-01 > Diagnosis and Testing, the Clutch Assembl
- Mar 19, 2026
- For 2021-2026 vehicles equipped with the 10R80 transmission, a new Transmission Clutch Circuit Leak Test has been introduced in the Ford Diagnosis and Repair System (FDRS). This test utilizes the pressure and vacuum transducer (PVT) when available. The Workshop Manual (WSM) has been updated under Section 307-01 > Diagnosis and Testing to include this procedure. The new test improves the accurac
- Nov 12, 2025
- Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025. Pinpoint test HK in the Powertrain Control and Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) or in Section 303-14 of the Workshop Manual (WSM) has been updated to address this concern.
- Oct 30, 2025
- This bulletin supersedes TSB 25-2132. Reason for update: update the Part List Description and Labor Times Description Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit at least one of the following conditions: * Harsh engagement * Delayed engagement * Harsh shift * Delayed shift * Illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P0751, P0752, P075
Every one filed under the heading is listed. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Other systems with a record on the Ford Expedition
Source: the same filesEvery system, every model year: Ford Expedition problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Ford Expedition years have the most transmission and drivetrain complaints?
2020, 264; 2019, 224; 2018, 148. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2020 (63%).
Is there a recall for the transmission and drivetrain on the Ford Expedition?
Yes — 6 campaigns are filed under this heading across these model years: 26V402000 (2021), 23V128000 (2023), 20V263000 (2019), 20V197000 (2020). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do transmission and drivetrain problems show up on the Ford Expedition?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 70,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 41,000 and 98,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Power Train" heading cover?
The transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.