2021 Ford Expedition Power Train
Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.
Complaint Timeline
Chronological view of owner reports
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 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.
When stopped, the auto start stop comes on and the engine turns off. Suddenly a warning comes on and says that the vehicle has to be put in park and push the start button to start the engine again. It will not start automatically when the brake pedal is released. This has happened a number of times. I have not been to the dealer.
Vehicle loses acceleration. When I attempt to pass someone on the interstate, the vehicle does not accelerate. When I push the gas the engine revs, but does not engage. I have to take my foot off the gas for 10-15 seconds for it to go back into gear. Error reads "stuck in park". It has been to Ford numerous times with the same result, they can't duplicate the problem.
The power train failed to accelerate and completely disengaged. While trying to avoid being t-boned by another car, the vehicle failed to accelerate when required. The RPM gauge showed the acceleration demand but it did not transfer to the power train. Luckily the car running the red light swerved to miss us because we were not able to proactively avoid the collision. Ford first replaced the transmission plate, after recurrence is now offering a transmission rebuild under warranty. Now out of warranty, concerned issues will continue as Ford dealer not forthcoming on the repairs being done stating multiple issues are not related.
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was a grinding sound coming from the transmission while changing gear. The contact stated that the failure had occurred while upshifting from second to third gear and while down shifting from fifth to fourth gear. During the failure the vehicle experienced hard jerking. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 20,000.
The transmission in this vehicle has been consistently needing repair. It is available for inspection. Concerned transmission will fail and leave family stranded. The problem has been reported to the dealer and the manufacturer 8 times over the past two years and they are still unable to fix the transmission. The vehicle has also had error messages about the problem.
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while at a four-way stop, the vehicle failed to move, and downshifted to first gear. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.
Expedition has roughly 33,000 miles on it. I took it into the dealer for service b/c the transmission was acting jumpy. By the time it got to the dealer for service, Pacifico Marple Ford deemed it undrivable and it needs a new transmission. I don't think the transmission should have went that quickly.
When driving at interstate speeds, the transmission locked into 7th gear and refused to change gears with changes in speed. This was especially dangerous when I exited the interstate and had to drive in traffic at city speeds. Starting from a stop in 7th gear was extremely dangerous and made me a hazard to myself and other cars around me.
Transmissions quickly break down. First signs are hard/loud gear shifting followed by slipping gears then eventual inability to accelerate. Regular transmission drains find metal contamination indicating breakdown of gears. Ford Motor Company is aware of this issue and will replace the transmission with the same failing transmission. Their proprietary system makes it difficult to diagnose and repair leading consumers to have to buy a replacement after 60k miles (which just so happens to be the extent of their warranty).
Transmission slams into gear when coming out of park, into drive
The Powertrain control system has detected an internal PCM communications error PCM will invoke failure mode effect management.
Shifting from park to drive on a level surface, the transmission will sporadically slam into gear so hard that the vehicle lurches forward. By the time I got to the dealership, it would not duplicate the problem. This vehicle has had the transmission rebuilt/replaced 4 times for this issue (among other issues), and there is less that 40,000 miles on the vehicle. The transmission also slams into gear on 3rd, 5th, and sometimes 6th (upshift and downshift). It will sporadically downshift when at highway speeds regardless of changes in speed or incline.
I keep getting a hard transmission shift around 8th gear when cresting a hill and letting off the gas. Ford can’t replicate the issue because it’s intermittent.
The transmission is a major issue. I have had it in the shop 3 or 4 times now and still experiencing issues. The vehicle goes in and out of gear, doesn’t always accelerate when giving it gas, jerks when slowing down/downshifting. Makes a loud noise during downshifting at times, and the list goes on. Ford knows there are problems and refuses to address the issue, applies a computer update to bandaid the issue, and sends customers on their way to only be faced with the issue a short time later.
My car has stopped accelerating in the middle of a highway going 75 and wrench light pops up. Ford is looking into it but apparently it needs to be recalled. I hope they extend my warranty. This is so scary. My kids and I almost suffered an accident as our car stopped in the middle of passing on the freeway
I own the 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. While the truck should have down shifted and accelerated, instead the powertrain completely disengaged; a total loss of power. The RPM jumped way up to redline, over revving, but the truck was slowing down. I took my foot of the gas pedal and as the RPM came back down, the transmission slammed back into engagement with a loud audible clunk that jolted the whole vehicle. At this point, I was finally able to accelerate. While this was all happening, I had just moved into the middle lane of traffic, which was bearing down on us. All the vehicles behind us were slamming their brakes and honking their horns. I thought for sure we were going to die. Thank God it wasn’t an 80,000 lbs Peterbilt bearing down on us, or we would be dead, by the grace of God we’re not. Upon returning home I went onto the Ford truck owners website I belonged to. I came to learn this is a known issue with Ford’s 10-speed transmission that Ford has failed to address. That there are pending lawsuits and that the NHTSA is aware of the issue. One of the member suggested that I file a complaint with the NHTSA, that was my impetus for writing you today. This is a dangerous condition that Ford needs to remedy.
The 10R80 transmission, even after rebuilt by the dealership continues to shift in unexpected ways (hard shifts, not picking the right gear, hesitation under acceleration). It doesn't happen all the time, and isn't reproduceable at will. When the problem occurs, it is very noticeable. The vehicle will hesitate and not accelerate when pushing on the gas pedal, and then all of a sudden jump forward unexpectedly. The dealership has examined it after the transmission was rebuilt, and states that it is operating normally, but we were unable to duplicate the problem at that time. The next day, it happened again while driving on the highway when merging into traffic. Pressed on the gas pedal, but the car did not accelerate as expected (long hesitation), and then the transmission decided to change gears, and experienced hard shifts to the point the whole car jerks abruptly (this was NOT because of extreme pressing of the gas pedal). Just normal pressure on the gas pedal, and it will randomly decide how it will shift.
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.
10-Speed transmission frequently shifts hard, and sometimes misses a shift entirely resulting in no power for a few seconds while the transmission tries to "find" the right gear. This has occurred in busy intersections which obviously presents a major safety risk. Awkward shifting started about 2 months ago, complete loss of power has occurred 3 times in that time period. Vehicle is currently sitting in a Ford dealership service department awaiting diagnoses and repair since 5/29/23.
I purchased this 2021 Ford Expedition brand new from Ford of Kirkland in WA and discover there's a hard shift or pause when downshifting especially on an uphill. Often time it made a loud metal snapping sound from under the hood when that happened. I was driving on the freeway one afternoon the vehicle jolted and paused and doesn't engage for about 2-3 seconds causing the vehicle behind me to honk. It finally re-engaged after making the loud metal snapping sound. This vehicle had been in service 3 times for the same complaints but still not fixed and discovered that other people with the same Ford vehicle had the same complaints as me
We just purchased this vehicle and started to notice a hard down shift when slowing down from 6th gear. I drove it Saturday January 21st and when I shifted the vehicle into reverse to back into a parking space it threw the transmission into a fault and had no reverse. Still drove forward. Took the vehicle in for service on 1/25/23. They ordered parts to fix the harsh shift. No comment on the reverse issue. Picked up vehicle evening of 1/25/23. Drove from dealership to gas station close to home, about 15 miles. Shut vehicle off to fuel. When I restarted the vehicle it kept pushing forward against trans pawl and then rolling back repeatedly. After it did this 10 times or so I put the vehicle in Nuetral and it proceeded to drive forward for 20-30 feet uphill. After 20-30 feet of driving forward the wrench light turned on and the vehicle stopped driving forward and rolled backwards down the hill as it should have. After this the vehicle had forward gears but no reverse gears. Wrench light and CEL light both illuminated when driving home from gas station. Will have dealership tow back 1/26/23 due to safety issue of vehicle driving forward while not in gear.
Front differential failed. I was driving to the mountains and when I reached snow level it was about 38 degrees F and I slowed to less than 20 mph and switched to 4A. Within a few moments I heard and felt a grinding sound from the front. I have used 4WD several times over the year or so I've had the vehicle and have never heard this noise before. I thought it was the hubs not engaging completely and so I switched it back to 2wd and while the noise was less it continued. I switched back to 4wd and I confirmed that 4wd was working but the noise persisted. I bought this vehicle specfically for its 4wd and my family's life depends on it working when we are up in the Sierras where it snows 2-3 inches per hour. When we returned I immediately took the vehicle to the dealer who informed me that it was the front differential that failed and parts are on back order. I am still waiting two weeks later. They said this is not common but why are parts on back order if it is not so common?
Severe transmission slippage/failure at all speeds. Gear disengages randomly during acceleration. No Ford dealer wants to take the responsibility to repair or fix it. Per the dealers, the computer doesn’t log the occurrences. Hard to believe that and hard to believe there is a major class action lawsuit in CA regarding this.
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Quick Summary
The 2021 Ford Expedition has 57 Power Train complaints on file. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.