Transmission complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5 | 13% | 16,000 miles |
| 2024 | 5 | 6% | — |
| 2023 | 11 | 17% | 140,000 miles |
| 2022 | 15 | 13% | 30,000 miles |
| 2021 | 113 | 47% | 65,000 miles |
| 2020 | 266 | 63% | 66,000 miles |
| 2019 | 222 | 43% | 77,000 miles |
| 2018 | 148 | 39% | 80,000 miles |
| 2017 | 51 | 14% | 65,000 miles |
| 2016 | 36 | 17% | 74,000 miles |
| 2015 | 29 | 18% | 77,000 miles |
| 2014 | 34 | 47% | 124,000 miles |
| 2013 | 43 | 47% | 91,000 miles |
| 2012 | 64 | 54% | 108,000 miles |
| 2011 | 21 | 30% | 50,000 miles |
| 2010 | 10 | 17% | 41,000 miles |
| 2009 | 4 | 14% | 66,000 miles |
| 2008 | 14 | 10% | 41,000 miles |
| 2007 | 27 | 13% | 11,000 miles |
| 2006 | 22 | 7% | 87,000 miles |
| 2005 | 44 | 14% | 81,000 miles |
| 2004 | 27 | 9% | 38,000 miles |
| 2003 | 50 | 8% | 40,000 miles |
| 2002 | 18 | 5% | 55,000 miles |
| 2001 | 40 | 7% | 44,000 miles |
| 2000 | 42 | 5% | 77,000 miles |
| 1999 | 67 | 7% | 82,000 miles |
| 1998 | 70 | 8% | 120,000 miles |
| 1997 | 76 | 9% | 120,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2025 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked with the parking brake activated, the contact's wife returned to the vehicle and became aware that the vehicle had rolled away and crashed into a parked vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated prior to failure. There was no injury sustained. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact mentioned the vehicle was serviced prior to the failure for a tailgate issue, where the vehicle was reprogrammed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 16,000.
I purchased a new 2025 Ford Expedition Max. Since I left the dealer's lot, the vehicle has had a strong vibration at any speed over 60 miles per hour, which makes highway driving and longer distance trips very challenging or impossible. Since I bought the vehicle, I have had to return it for dealership warranty service a total of three times. Despite the three warranty service repairs at Ford authorized dealers, I am still having the strong vibration at any speed over 60 miles per hour in my vehicle at this time. The strong vibration makes the driver feel fatigued, light-headed and dizzy after 30 minutes of highway driving at any speed over 60 mph, impacting driving the vehicle safely, increasing the risk of road accidents and potentially resulting in death or serious bodily injury. The vehicle does not feel safe to drive at highway speed or for longer distances. …
This is a report of a recurring, life-safety defect involving unintended vehicle movement in a 2024 Ford Expedition. The vehicle has experienced two separate incidents where it was placed in 'Park,' remained stationary for 13-30 seconds, and then began driving itself backward without driver intervention or throttle input. Incident 1: Occurred on March 29, 2026 and I have this one on video. Incident 2: Occurred on April 8, 2026. The video clearly shows the vehicle remaining stationary and in 'Park' for 13 seconds before the unintended movement begins. This delay proves the movement is not a 'start-up rocking' sensation or 'normal clutch drag,' but a delayed mechanical or electronic failure of the park actuator or transmission system. I presented the vehicle for service at a Ford dealership on April 17, 2026. …
Components: Engine & Power Train Safety Risk: Momentary loss of power Problem has not been reproduced by dealer or independent service center. Vehicle has been inspected by Ford Dealer Joe Cooper Ford in Oklahoma City, OK There were/are no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem that appear prior to the failure. This has happened 6 or 7 times since vehicle was purchased in October 2024 : Accelerating from stop with Auto Start/Stop either on or off and reach between 35 - 40 mph. Vehicle suddenly dies but immediately started back up like nothing ever happened. Joe Cooper Ford reinstalled the latest update on 4/29/2025 and thought this would fix the problem. [redacted] - Accelerated from start. Auto Start/Stop is on. Reached 38 mph-engine suddenly died then immediately restarted. Drive selector blinking red on console in D. …
The contact owns a 2023 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed a hard shift from the transmission. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact stated that previously, in April 2024, the vehicle experienced the same failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the repair was completed under Technical Service Bulletin: 24-2100. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under new Technical Service Bulletin: 24-2254. The contact was informed that the VIN was not associated with Technical Service Bulletin. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. …
I crunk my 2023 Ford Expedition up yesterday so the AC would run and it wouldn't be so hot. I pressed the break, and the start button and simply crunk it up, I then got the keys out of the vehicle so I could unlock my house. When I walked back outside My truck had rolled backwards and hit my house. The vehicle was in park. Now I have to fix my house and my truck and all of this is something that should have never happened and is extremely scary and dangerous. Thankfully I got into my house before it hit it because I may not have been so lucky considering my vehicle was to my back and could've easily rolled over me if it had started rolling sooner than it did.
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that on several occasions after his wife had reversed and then shifted to drive, the vehicle made a clunking sound and failed to accelerate as intended for several seconds. On another occasion, while stopped at a stop sign, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended for several seconds. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission software needed to be updated. The vehicle was repaired; however, on several occasions, while driving at undisclosed speeds, the contact experienced a failure with an abnormal clunking sound coming from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was sputtering and making a grinding sound while shifting gear. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed and determined that the transmission had failed, and the front differential needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the front deferential was rebuilt; however, the sputtering failure persisted. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 123,000.
Related recalls (7)
Power train › Automatic transmission
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.
Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, and inspect and replace any damaged transmission components as necessary, free of charge.
Power train › Axle assembly
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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front axle pinion gear set. If there is a broken front axle pinion, the entire axle assembly will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (PRNDL)
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.
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.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (PRNDL)
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).
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the shift cable locking clip and properly seat it, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 13, 2018.
Power train › Automatic transmission
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.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmission to make sure it has the roll pin, installing one if it is missing, free of charge. The recall began on April 13, 2018.
Show 2 more recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford F-150 trucks, 2012 Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, and Ford Mustang vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with an automatic transmission that may unexpectedly downshift to first gear, regardless of vehicle speed.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module with updated software, free of charge. The recall began on September 19, 2016.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (PRNDL)
Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and multi-purpose passenger vehicles. If the automatic transmission shift cable assembly was not fully attached to the steering column bracket, the shift cable assembly can come out of the bracket.
Remedy: Dealers will make the proper attachment of the transmission shift control cable to the steering column bracket and add a tie strap to that connection.
NHTSA investigations
Unexpected Transmission Downshift
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an investigation based on consumer allegations of transmissions unexpectedly downshifting to a lower gear without input from the driver on model year (MY) 2011-2013 Ford F-150, Expedition and Navigator vehicles.
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Expedition years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2020 (266), 2019 (222), 2018 (148), 2021 (113) and 1997 (76) model years. Transmission complaints make up 63% of all complaints for the 2020.
Is there a recall for Ford Expedition transmission problems?
Yes — 7 recalls, including 26V-402 (automatic transmission, Jun 24, 2026); 23V-128 (axle assembly, Feb 24, 2023); 20V-197 (gear position indication (prndl), Apr 3, 2020). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ford Expedition transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 74,000 miles; 31% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (214 mentions), followed by the automatic transmission › lever and linkage › column shift (24).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.