Ford Expedition Transmission Problems by Year
By CarWhere Research · Updated
Yes. 1,101 of the 3,212 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008–2025 Ford Expedition (34.3%) name the transmission, 2.7× the median share across the 139 models we track. We have no published sales figures for this model, so there is no per-1,000 rate. The worst years are 2020, 2019 and 2018.
Transmission complaints
1,101
Filed with NHTSA, 2008–2025 models
Per 1,000 sold
No sales data
Not computed without a published sales figure
Share of all complaints
34.3%
of 3,212 complaints for this model
Transmission recalls
8
NHTSA campaigns, all years
Ford Expedition transmission complaints by model year
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA whose component list includes Power Train (transmission, transfer case and driveline). Worst years are highlighted.
| Model year | Transmission complaints | Share of all complaints | Crash / fire / injury | Transmission recalls | Transmission TSBs* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 14 | 9.6% | 6 | — | 8 |
| 2009 | 4 | 14.3% | 0 | — | 8 |
| 2010 | 10 | 17.2% | 5 | — | 10 |
| 2011 | 21 | 29.6% | 2 | — | 10 |
| 2012 | 64 | 53.8% | 2 | 16V24800012V190000 | 19 |
| 2013 | 43 | 46.7% | 0 | — | 18 |
| 2014 | 34 | 47.2% | 1 | — | 10 |
| 2015 | 29 | 17.7% | 2 | — | 12 |
| 2016 | 36 | 16.6% | 4 | — | 11 |
| 2017 | 52 | 14.5% | 2 | — | 13 |
| 2018WORST | 150 | 39.1% | 3 | 26V40200018V21400018V213000 | 41 |
| 2019WORST | 223 | 42.2% | 1 | 26V40200020V263000 | 40 |
| 2020WORST | 270 | 62.8% | 8 | 26V40200020V197000 | 41 |
| 2021 | 114 | 46.9% | 3 | 26V402000 | 42 |
| 2022 | 16 | 13.7% | 0 | — | 34 |
| 2023 | 11 | 16.9% | 1 | 23V128000 | 32 |
| 2024 | 5 | 6.3% | 0 | — | 25 |
| 2025 | 5 | 13.2% | 1 | — | 20 |
- Older model years have had more time on the road to collect complaints, so compare neighboring years, not 2010 against 2024.
- Crash / fire / injury = complaints where the owner reported a crash, a fire or an injury.
- *Technical service bulletins in the year's leading TSB categories that name the transmission.
Common Ford Expedition transmission problems owners describe
We searched the narratives of all 1,101 transmission complaints for symptom keywords. One complaint can mention several, so the shares don't add up to 100%.
Ford Expedition years to avoid for the transmission
2020 Ford Expedition
270 transmission complaints (62.8% of the year's 430). Most often described: jerking, lurching or harsh shifts. Covered by transmission recalls 26V402000, 20V197000.
2019 Ford Expedition
223 transmission complaints (42.2% of the year's 529). Most often described: jerking, lurching or harsh shifts. Covered by transmission recalls 26V402000, 20V263000.
2018 Ford Expedition
150 transmission complaints (39.1% of the year's 384). Most often described: jerking, lurching or harsh shifts. Covered by transmission recalls 26V402000, 18V214000, 18V213000.
Worst years are those with at least 10 transmission complaints and at least 1.5 times the model's median year. For every year's overall verdict, including other systems, see the Ford Expedition years to avoid.
Ford Expedition transmission recalls
NHTSA recall campaigns filed under Power Train for any Ford Expedition model year. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check a specific car by VIN on NHTSA's site.
- 26V402000 · 2026-06-24 · 2018–2021 models
The transmission park pawl may engage while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in park system damage.
- 23V128000 · 2023-02-24 · 2023 models
The front axle pinion may not have been heat-treated, which can cause it to fracture.
- 20V263000 · 2020-05-09 · 2019 models
The "Transmission Not In Park" warning message and associated chime duration are shorter than intended.
- 20V197000 · 2020-04-03 · 2020 models
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.
- 18V214000 · 2018-04-04 · 2018 models
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.
- 18V213000 · 2018-04-04 · 2018 models
A roll pin may not have been installed in the transmission, potentially causing a loss of the "Park" function.
- 16V248000 · 2016-04-27 · 2012 models
The affected vehicles are equipped with an automatic transmission that may unexpectedly downshift to first gear, regardless of vehicle speed.
- 12V190000 · 2012-05-03 · 2012 models
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 FORD F-150, 2012 EXPEDITION AND LINCOLN NAVIGATOR, AND 2012-2013 MUSTANG VEHICLES, FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NOS. 102, "TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER…
Which transmission does the Ford Expedition use?
- Ford 6R80 — 2012–2013
- Ford 10R80 — 2018–2022
Years are as listed for that transmission's applications. Some apply to certain engines only.
Related research
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2020 Ford Expedition have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 270 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2020 Ford Expedition, 62.8% of all 430 complaints for that year. The most common description is "jerking, lurching or harsh shifts" (122 complaints). 2 transmission-related recalls cover it: 26V402000, 20V197000. 8 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Does the 2019 Ford Expedition have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 223 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2019 Ford Expedition, 42.2% of all 529 complaints for that year. The most common description is "jerking, lurching or harsh shifts" (84 complaints). 2 transmission-related recalls cover it: 26V402000, 20V263000. 1 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Does the 2018 Ford Expedition have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 150 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2018 Ford Expedition, 39.1% of all 384 complaints for that year. The most common description is "jerking, lurching or harsh shifts" (46 complaints). 3 transmission-related recalls cover it: 26V402000, 18V214000, 18V213000. 3 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Which Ford Expedition years have the most transmission complaints?
2020 (270), 2019 (223) and 2018 (150), by owner complaints filed with NHTSA that name the transmission. Raw counts favor older and higher-selling years, so treat them as a signal, not a rate.
What are the most common Ford Expedition transmission problems?
In the 1,101 transmission complaints, owners most often describe jerking, lurching or harsh shifts (30.6%), transmission repaired or replaced (16%) and loss of power or limp mode (15.9%). One complaint can mention several symptoms.
Is this a transmission failure rate?
No. These are complaints owners chose to file with NHTSA. Many failures are never reported, and one complaint is not a confirmed defect. Without sales figures, a high count can simply mean a high-selling model.
How we count
Counts are unique owner complaints (by NHTSA ODI number) filed with NHTSA for each Ford Expedition model year, from NHTSA's public complaints data fetched July 2026 to November 2026. A complaint counts as a transmission complaint when NHTSA's component list for it includes Power Train (transmission, transfer case and driveline).
Per 1,000 sold divides complaints by published U.S. calendar-year sales for that year. A year needs at least 5,000 sales to get a rate, and a model needs at least 3 such years for its overall rate. The comparison median covers every model with at least 50 transmission complaints that clears those floors.
These are complaint rates, not failure rates. Owners report some problems more than others, and a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Sources
- NHTSA complaints by vehicle (owner complaints API) — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Report a vehicle safety problem — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration