2018 Ford Expedition Powertrain & Transmission Problems

Vehicle experienced catastrophic timing system failure causing engine to jump time and stall at idle, creating a safety hazard due to risk of sudden loss of power. This is a repeat issue originally documented under warranty (2020) and again during recall/service program 21N03 (2021), where repair was declined as “not severe enough.” Recall 24E13 (software update intended to prevent timing chain failure) was completed in 2025, but failed to prevent this exact condition. Vehicle is now inoperable and unsafe. This raises concerns about the effectiveness of the recall remedy and prior service handling. We've also submitted a case to Ford: CXH07545978W9W1D2

The CDF drum is starting to fail and it will shift from a low gear to a high gear at certain speeds. It’s definitely not safe and is extremely expensive to repair.

"Verified internal hydraulic cross leak due to CDF drum bushing movement. Transmission has delayed engagement in 4th, 5th, and 6th gears. This is a known manufacturing defect in the 10R80 transmission."

The vehicle often feels like it is slipping when it is changing gears at lower speeds. When trying to accelerate quickly getting on the highway, it fails to increase speed. The gas pedal is pressed and the engine revs and it does not increase speed. This has happened more than once and has caused me to nearly be in accidents because I cannot enter the highway as I should. I took it to a dealer initially in 2023 and they repaired the transmission cooler. Was told it was operating as designed after that. Then in 2024 I took it in for the same issue and was told I needed an engine replacement. I paid for an entire engine replacement and was told the issue was fixed. I am now having the same issue and will be taking it back for a 3rd time. My local shop (not the dealer) told me it is the timing belt which is part of the engine. I feel unsafe in my vehicle and do not feel my $16,000 repair fixed the problem.

While driving at approximately 55 mph, the vehicle intermittently loses throttle response. Pressing the accelerator results in no increase in RPM or vehicle speed, even when the pedal is fully depressed. After 3–5 seconds, power suddenly returns. The issue consistently occurs after the vehicle has been driven for about 20 minutes and is at normal operating temperature. During some events, a “Powertrain Malfunction / Reduced Power” warning with a wrench indicator appears. The vehicle is equipped with the 10R80 10-speed automatic transmission. The failure occurs during steady highway cruising and creates a serious safety concern, as the vehicle will not accelerate when needed for merging or passing. A buzzing noise is heard during the loss of power, and engine RPM remains steady with no response to throttle input. This intermittent loss of power at highway speeds presents a significant safety risk.

When attempting to pass a slow moving vehicle on a 2 lane highway when driving up a hill the transmission failed to properly shift instead making a loud clunking and grinding sound before eventually managing to shift into a gear. This failure to shift properly meant that the vehicle was unexpectedly without power when trying to change lanes leading to a dangerous situation.

My vehicle has started to have problems shifting in some gears(3rd & 7th). I have been doing research, and this seems to be a recurring problem for vehicles with the 10r80 transmission. Where this has caused a big safety risk, is that a few times, the vehicle wouldn't move when pushing on the gas after having the foot on the brake after I had already left and been driving it for 5-10 minutes. This has put me at risk of getting hit by oncoming cars since I couldn't get the vehicle to go as it should to cross a road or intersection. My vehicle shows no dashboard warnings that anything is wrong. I have had all regular maintenance done, don't use the vehicle for towing, and I only have 70k miles on the car. Over the years I have had it where it just feels like the vehicle won't shift, but it has gone away pretty quickly. It's only been since this summer that it is now a persistent issue. I have brought it up over the years to the ford service department, and nothing was shared with me that there was an issue with the vehicle transmission. It is now that it's been consistent(only when the transmission is cold) that this happens on every drive. All Ford wants to do is charge me to rebuild the transmission conveniently now that I am out of warranty!

I was driving down the road at 45 MPH, I pushed the accelerator then my vehicle shifted out of drive to neutral, the RPM increased, the car speed decelerated, then the vehicle put itself back in gear severely downshifted so much that my car lost 20 MPH then the engine returned to normal after a violent shake and loud grinding noise. The car could have caused an accident had there been anyone behind me. Luckily there were no other cars around me. I had the vehicle towed to the dealer. They are unable to duplicate the issue I stated but did indicate a skip in cylinders when they hooked it up. I had the transmission overhauled at 53K when it was not shifting properly. I asked Ford to replace the transmission however they elected to overhaul it. From time to time the transmission would shift odd but nothing of over concern. The incident on Nov 3 was very unusual and safety of travel for me. The vehicle had done something similar earlier that morning but that time it was from a stop and no speed so not nearly as violent as the one later that evening. The vehicle is currently sitting at a dealer needing a transmission replaced, however the vehicle is 500 miles over the 75K ESP. Ford is refusing to discuss the problem.

At approximately 100,500 miles, my 2018 Ford Expedition XLT 3.5L EcoBoost developed loud rattling noises consistent with cam phaser failure. Zeigler Ford confirmed the failed cam phasers on October 20, 2025. These phasers were previously replaced on the vehicle at 51,000 miles on February 10, 2022, at Al Piemonte Ford under the Customer Satisfaction Program 21N03. They used the old phasers HL3Z-6C525-CD which are known to be defective rather than the new updated phasers ML3Z-6C525. Cam phaser failure can cause engine misfires, loss of power, and potential engine damage, creating a serious safety risk, especially at highway speeds. This issue has been reported by multiple Ford Expedition owners, indicating it is not isolated. I request that NHTSA investigate whether this defect warrants a recall or expanded coverage for vehicles like mine that exceed CSP mileage limits. My vehicle has been properly maintained, and the failure is due to a known defect in the 3.5L EcoBoost cam.

The transmission started jerking and downshifting and and like the brakes was coming on and stoping you and I was pulling out onto the road and it wouldn’t go and I was setting in the middle of the road with oncoming traffic and scared for my life, luckily I didn’t have anyone with me and it moved a little and I was finally able to get it out of the road. This is the problem everyone is having FORD you need to recall these transmissions and replace them with new ones that are better this is a shame and bad business. It is hard enough to afford buying vehicles in this day and time and then it need a transmission that is expensive to replace.

The transmission was shifting into neutral while driving, causing hesitation with oncoming traffic approaching, at one point it actually shifted into park or reverse while driving in forward gear. We could easily been stalled or lost forward motion with the intent of thinking we were OK to proceed thru oncoming traffic, which would result in collision or accident, jeopardizing our safety or our grand children in car seats safety. The car was taken to Ford dealership and they said there were no codes on the autos computer and that the car would not reproduce the failure, however up on bringing the vehicle home it continued to slip into neutral while driving. The first failure started in October 2025 and was taken to the Ford dealer for repair in November 2025. I contacted Ford Regional Management and they gave me a case #CXH-07154008-P4F3D0 in February 25, 2026

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving over 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled on two occasions. The contact stated that while driving a roundabout, the vehicle lost motive power. The accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle jerked and was sluggish, and there was no area to pull over to. Upon parking the vehicle, the power train warning light was illuminated. The contact called an independent mechanic who was unable to service the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the vehicle was jerking due to the CS drum and transmission failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted regarding the latest symptoms that the vehicle had displayed. The manufacturer was contacted, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.

Since November 2024 to date the transmission has reduced power when trying to accelerate thus being unsafe when trying to pull out into traffic. It also will not engage reverse thus again impeding when in traffic. It appears randomly. Verified software has been updated. Ford is saying complete transmission replacement is needed on a vehicle that is only 7 years old.

At highway speed the car erratically shifted and lost power most likely due to cdf drum failure in the transmission. It happens randomly due to a known transmission issue. Can you imagine loosing power at hwy speed with a vehicle full of children?

The transmission unexpectedly shifts into neutral while accelerating, particularly between 3rd and 5th gear. This is very dangerous, as the car loses power and stalls. This has led to several close calls, such as when merging into traffic or accelerating from a stoplight, which almost resulted in me being rear-ended or t-boned.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the transmission independently upshifted and then shifted into neutral. The contact stated that the transmission temperature gauge became elevated, and the vehicle shuddered while accelerating. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the transmission was previously replaced twice before owning the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired because the warranty had expired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

As I was driving yesterday, my transmission began making a strange noise and did a hard shift. About 1/2 mile later it made the noise again and downshifted to first and would not shift up. I was able to turn off the main road I was on to a side street where I put the car in park and shut it off to look under and around it. Not seeing anything I got back in and started it. I wanted to try to get it into a nearby parking lot, but after being shut off it began shifting again and I was able to get it home. It has had hard shift issues before and lagging response issues, but this is the first time it has done the downshift and noise. I went to some online forums and found multiple people with a similar issue, one of which suggested reporting it.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended, and the transmission shuddered abnormally and unexpectedly downshifted. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road. The vehicle was then towed to a 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 manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 129,617.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. the contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH uphill, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that the vehicle was sputtering, and the wrench symbol was displayed. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure and referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.

See attached document for complaint.