2021 Ford Expedition Transmission Problems

Which parts fail

• Automatic transmission
  1

Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  526%
• 25k–50k
  211%
• 50k–75k
  316%
• 75k–100k
  737%
• 100k–150k
  211%
• 150k+
  00%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2021 Ford Expedition owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

While towing a rented trailer from Tractor Supply, the trailer detached because it was not properly secured by store staff. The trailer struck the rear bumper of my 2021 Ford Expedition, causing visible body damage and raising concerns about hidden damage to the drivetrain and transmission due to the sudden force of the impact. After the incident, the vehicle was taken to a Ford dealership for inspection. Documentation exists showing that additional drivetrain and transmission evaluation is needed to determine the full extent of damage. The rear-view camera is also under active NHTSA recall (25V048), and its poor image quality complicates safe reversing after the incident. The safety risk is significant: the trailer detachment created a roadway hazard and impact, while the rear camera defect reduces visibility and increases crash risk when backing. …

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while stopped at a red traffic light and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle briefly lost motive power. Additionally, the contact heard an abnormal thumping sound coming from the transmission, and the vehicle experienced a hard shift before returning to normal functionality. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving, nearly causing the vehicle to be rear-ended on several occasions. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where DTC: 10R80 was retrieved, and the vehicle was diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle was not repaired due to cost. The contact stated that the transmission was struggling to shift into the intended gear while driving recently. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. …

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would hesitate upon the depression of the accelerator pedal without warning. During one failure, the contact shifted the vehicle from drive(D) to park(P) and the vehicle began to roll backward as though the vehicle were in neutral(N). The contact then shifted the vehicle back to drive(D) and the vehicle resumed normal operation. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the contact was informed that the only way to diagnose the problem would be to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and the contact was given the same information as the dealer. The contact was then referred to the NHTSA Hotline to file a complaint. The vehicle had yet to be diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 41,000.

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle briefly lost motive power with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was able to accelerate shortly after losing motive power. Additionally, the transmission experienced rough shifting into the intended gear. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with transmission valve body failure and the transmission valve body was replaced. The failure recurred while the contact's wife was driving with the vehicle jerking. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, and the dealer reset the transmission. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 13,722. The contact has stated that the vehicle's issues has caused multiple occurrences that could have resulted in an accident.

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that as his wife had attempted to park the vehicle, she placed the gear shifter into park(P) and let her foot off the brake pedal. Once she released her foot off the brake, the vehicle abruptly accelerated forward and hit a storage shed. The contact depressed the brake pedal multiple times during the failure but the brakes failed to engage. No warning lights appeared on the instrument panel during the failure. The air bags did not deploy upon impact. The police were not called and no medical assistance was needed. The storage shed was destroyed as a result of the impact. The contact called the dealer and made an appointment for a diagnostic. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

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.

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH, the vehicle became stuck in first gear. The driver was able to maneuver the transmission into fourth gear. The contact turned the vehicle on and off, and the transmission was reset. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V197000 (Power Train). The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, and was diagnosed with CDF drum failure, and that the transmission needed to be rebuilt or replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the transmission needed to be rebuilt. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while shifting out of park(P) or reverse(R) there was a popping sound heard while the brake pedal was being depressed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where an unknown part was replaced in the transmission. The contact stated that the failure persisted and the vehicle would hesitate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that no warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the failure was unable to be diagnosed as no failure codes were found. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 13,000.

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and depressing the accelerator pedal or the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The power train system message was displayed. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed and the contact was informed that the clutch hub was damaged. The contact was informed that the transmission and the clutch hub needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.

The contact owns a 2021 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power with a messaging to restart the vehicle being displayed. The contact restarted the vehicle and the vehicle started operating normally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer stated that no failure was found. On another occasion, the contact contacted the dealer and the dealer stated that the failure was a known issue however, there was no recall for the failure. The manufacturer was contacted, and the manufacturer stated that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to file a complaint. The failure mileage was 4,000.

Related recalls

Transmission complaints in other Expedition years