TSB 25-2132 - 2018-2021 Expedition/Navigator - Harsh/Delayed Engagement And/Or Harsh/Delayed Shift - Effective 04/16/2025

[HazBeen]

***This is a partial description of TSB 25-2132 -- Please see attached PDF file for full information***

TSB 25-2132 - 2018-2021 Expedition/Navigator - Harsh/Delayed Engagement And/Or Harsh/Delayed Shift - Effective 04/16/2025

This bulletin supersedes 25-2023. Reason for update: update the Part List and Service Procedure

Model:

Ford 2018-2021 Expedition

Lincoln 2018-2021 Navigator

Markets: North American markets only

Issue: Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit at least one of the following conditions:

• Harsh engagement
• Delayed engagement
• Harsh shift
• Delayed shift
• Illuminated MIL with DTCs P0751, P0752, P0756, P0757, P0761, P0762, P0766, P0767, P0771, P0772, P2700, P2701, P2702, P2703, P2704, P2705, P2707, P2708, P0729, P0731, P0732, P0733, P0734, P0735, P0736, P076F, P07D9, P07F6 and/or P07F7 stored in the PCM or TCM.

This may be due to axial movement of the CDF clutch cylinder sleeve causing hydraulic circuit leaks.

NOTE: If internal transmission service is required to address a concern detected with the CDF clutch cylinder following this article, technicians should carefully inspect and replace other transmission components and flush transmission fluid cooler only as necessary to confirm proper function. Add a new line to the repair order to document any additional repairs needed. M-time can be claimed on the additional repair line to cover labor. Refer to Warranty and Policy Manual for additional information. A thorough understanding of transmission description and operation will assist the technician with proper diagnosis, inspection, and successful repair of the customer concern.

NOTE: The Pressure Vacuum Transducer (PVT) Kit (Rotunda 164-R9833) and VCMM Transmission Extension Kit (Rotunda 164-R9534) recommended to perform this article are no longer included with the VCMM Advanced Kit (Rotunda 164-R9823) since July 2023. Supply of the PVT Kit (Rotunda 164-R9833) and VCMM Transmission Extension Kit (Rotunda 164-R9534) have been sold out. Ford has confirmed a high percentage (80%) of Dealers have this equipment available. Alternatively, Ford has tested suitable transmission fluid pressure gauges and developed procedures which reliably enable the capability to perform this article. Refer to Table 1 in the Service Procedure. In addition, VCMM Universal Probe Tip Adapter (Rotunda 164-R9834, or equivalent) is needed to perform this article. The Probe Tip Adapters are included in VCMM Advanced Kit (Rotunda 164-R9823).

Action: For vehicles that meet all of the criteria in the Issue and Model statements, follow the Service Procedure to verify hydraulic circuit leakage and, if instructed, replace the CDF clutch cylinder and the clutch and planetary container cylinder.

(Part List and Service Procedure are omitted from this post)

Warranty Status: Eligible under provisions of New Vehicle Limited Warranty (NVLW)/Service Part Warranty (SPW)/Service Part New Vehicle (SPNV)/Extended Service Plan (ESP) coverage. Limits/policies/prior approvals are not altered by a TSB. NVLW/SPW/SPNV/ESP coverage limits are determined by the identified causal part and verified using the OASIS part coverage tool.

Labor Times

Description	Operation No.	Time
2018-2021 Expedition/Navigator 4X2/4X4: Follow The Service Procedure To Verify Hydraulic Circuit Leakage (Pass) (Do Not Use With Any Other Labor Operations)2018-2021 Expedition/Navigator 4X2/4X4: Follow The Service Procedure To Verify Hydraulic Circuit Leakage (Pass) (Do Not Use With Any Other Labor Operations)	252132A​	1.0 Hrs.​
2018-2021 Expedition 4X2: Follow The Service Procedure To Verify Hydraulic Circuit Leakage (Fail) Replace The CDF Clutch Cylinder (Do Not Use With Any Other Labor Operations)	252132B​	11.5 Hrs.​
2018-2021 Expedition 4X4: Follow The Service Procedure To Verify Hydraulic Circuit Leakage (Fail) Replace The CDF Clutch Cylinder (Do Not Use With Any Other Labor Operations)	252132C​	12.7 Hrs.​
2018-2021 Navigator 4X2: Follow The Service Procedure To Verify Hydraulic Circuit Leakage (Fail) Replace The CDF Clutch Cylinder (Do Not Use With Any Other Labor Operations)	252132D​	11.5 Hrs.​
2018-2021 Navigator 4X4: Follow The Service Procedure To Verify Hydraulic Circuit Leakage (Fail) Replace The CDF Clutch Cylinder (Do Not Use With Any Other Labor Operations)	252132E​	12.7 Hrs.​

 

[KSC 2019 XLT]

Just picked up my Expy for this TSB 25-2132. The service advisor said repair would have cost me $4-5K but I only paid the $100 deductible since I have the extended warranty.

 

[Bmac1955]

2020 xlt in for all symptoms described in the updated TSB. 45k. Trans will be o'hauled with updated parts. ETA 2 weeks. Ford Protect policy will cover the repairs plus rental less $100 deductible. Best $4200 spent for policy.

 

[Bmac1955]

Got my Expedition back that had a Trans o/haul yesterday TSB 25-2132. Replaced CDF DRUM and misc. Parts. O hauled valve body and a few other components. All appears good. Managed to see 2nd gear appear while upshifting to other gears in cycle. So for now all is good. Don't have to be concerned for a Trans service for a while. Ford Protect policy paid off.

 

[JAMADOR]

$4k if outside warranty?
We're just about to roll 70k on ours...

 

[KSC 2019 XLT]

$4k if outside warranty?
We're just about to roll 70k on ours...

My service advisor said cost would have been $4-5k if out of pocket.

One thing I noticed after the repair, the Expy no longer jerks when shifting from park to reverse from a cold start (e.g. first drive after sitting overnight). To prevent that from occurring prior to this TSB repair, I let the rpm go down a bit by letting the engine idle for about 30 seconds after the cold start before shifting out of park. Now, so far, it hasn't happened yet so I'm quite happy.

 

[Mr Big]

Mine is going in for diagnostics Monday. It's had symptoms about 4 to 6 times over the last year. It is still under the Powertrain warranty, so hopefully they find some good codes and rebuild it. I wonder how long it will take?> I'm going to try to get a loaner.

 

[Mr Big]

Mine is going in for diagnostics Monday. It's had symptoms about 4 to 6 times over the last year. It is still under the Powertrain warranty, so hopefully they find some good codes and rebuild it. I wonder how long it will take?> I'm going to try to get a loaner.

Dealership has had it for 3 days now. The last message was it was being diagnosed to determine rebuild or replacement. Then the dealership will submit to Ford corporate for approval of repair and loaner vehicle. I'm hoping to hear something positive today. It's under warranty so I'm not worried about price but rather quality workmanship and time.

 

[Mr Big]

Dealership has had it for 3 days now. The last message was it was being diagnosed to determine rebuild or replacement. Then the dealership will submit to Ford corporate for approval of repair and loaner vehicle. I'm hoping to hear something positive today. It's under warranty so I'm not worried about price but rather quality workmanship and time.

update:
Typical Ford response. Even though my vehicle has all the symptoms, they don't see enough error codes saved to warrant any transmission work. They told me to come get the vehicle.

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

Dealership has had it for 3 days now. The last message was it was being diagnosed to determine rebuild or replacement. Then the dealership will submit to Ford corporate for approval of repair and loaner vehicle. I'm hoping to hear something positive today. It's under warranty so I'm not worried about price but rather quality workmanship and time.

I know a different transmission - but when the transmission on my 2015 Expedition Limited 4x4 began jerking, I took it to my Ford dealer. I bought the vehicle new and the transmission fluid and filter had been changed by the dealership where I had repairs done.

The technician drove the vehicle, then returned - telling me the transmission failed while he was driving it and it had numerous failure codes. I was told the only option was a new transmission. I okayed that with the technician.

Then, later the service advisor told me that I had the Ford Premium ESP (purchased at that dealership) and that a new transmission would not be installed. Instead, Ford required it be removed and torn down, then rebuilt. It took the dealer three months after diagnosis for the repair, due to lack of parts from Ford.

The dealer was quick to tell me the only option was buying a new transmission and paying to have it installed - until they realized I had a Ford ESP (from their dealership). Then, their story changed.

I no longer do business with this dealer as they were deceptive and dishonest.

 

[Bmac1955]

Mr Big...........go to another Ford Dealer. On my vehicle with symptoms a pressure test was done on the Trans inwhich it failed. So Trans was taken down and o'hauled. I don't believe any codes were found on mine said the Service tech when I inquired on the phone telling me it needed to be o'hauled. Somethings not right here with your situation.

 

[sumner2]

update:
Typical Ford response. Even though my vehicle has all the symptoms, they don't see enough error codes saved to warrant any transmission work. They told me to come get the vehicle.

We just went through the same thing last week. We dropped it off on Tuesday and picked it up Saturday. its a 2021 Max with 50000K miles on it. hasn't been abused and little to no towing. Pretty sad really for the cost of it, Ford did pick up all costs. This vehicle has had more issues than any others combined. Like it but not sure if its time to move one with it. Been a Ford owner since 1977.

 

[TheAngryOgre]

2021 Expy XLT. My turn for the transmission. Issues are upshift to 5 & 8, downshift to 3 all around 1500 RPM….a hard drop into those gears (not quite a bang or slam into gear but close).

78K miles and under dealership powertrain/extended warranty. Said they need it for 3 days to diagnose. Dropped off yesterday and got call this AM. Total rebuild due to “line pressure” issues. Service rep said now Ford corporate live monitors all transmission testing and makes the call right there. I got the rebuild, instead of new, due to cost to Ford is less on rebuild.

Will get it back on Thursday. I’ll post update with service invoice details and warranty info.

 

[TheAngryOgre]

Got it back early. In a nutshell, the transmission was cooked. Burnt clutches, metal contamination, planetary and housing damage, valve body failure.

All covered by my extended warranty. $100 deductible and a 2-yr, unlimited miles warranty. Fingers crossed this one lasts a bit longer

 

[F150 Pat]

2019 Expedition 4x4. No towing. Had the valve body replaced around 50k and the software upgrade done last year. Been having every so often some harder downshifting into lower gears as I’m slowing down. Probably 1-2 times a month. When I go into reverse every so often I get a hard clunk going into gear. All the other times smooth s glass. I have the extended warranty. Worth taking it in at this point? I’m thinking I probably should

 

[ExpyBillD]

It is aggravating to see these types of reports for transmission issues for relatively young vehicles. Granted, of the 10's of thousands of 4th generation Expeditions out there, the instances of these issues occurring is relatively small as a percentage of the whole. Additionally, people post when they have issues, people who have no problems, whatsoever, do not post all the time or rarely do.

This is my 3rd Expedition, bought used in August 2025 with 71K. Within a couple weeks, had the start up rattle and off it went to the shop for cam phasers! Fortunately, had the dealer purchase warranty and it was covered. Now at 76K+ and so far so good. As for my other two: a 1997 Eddie Bauer, bought used with 46K and got it to 262K miles; 2007 EL LTD, bought used with 101K, got that to 262K miles. Neither had the issues being reported for the 4th Gen Expeditions. I guess the newer models have too much new engineering which can go wrong!

 

[bmk1]

19 limited with 98k. Have owned for about 25k miles. Never been impressed with the trans but this week it’s really gotten worse. I left the house and went from 3rd to 4th gear and you would have thought i slammed clutch to the floor and nearly redlined before all the sudden finding 4th. The rest of the trip was just very clunky bad shifts including one very hard in the higher gears(6-8ish). Fast forward a couple days to today and it’s really having a hard time finding low gears and going straight to 6-7-8 at like 30mph which doesn’t seem normal. Several jerks when it’s shifting and it does actually find a low gear mainly 3-4. I would say it is 100% “delayed engagement”.


I have an appt next Thursday (lord willing it makes it to then). They said other than just driving it to feel (hopefully it does it with them driving it) there is only a couple option since no code. 1) trans flush 2) reprogram trans and let it learn.

Neither of those options seem viable to me.

Can I just ask them to perform this TSB? Shouldn’t they know about this TSB??

If they perform the TSB ford isn’t going to pay anything correct even if they determine it needs replaced? I do have an extended warranty through Endurance. I have read some horror stories but I have actually had decent luck with them so far on several other repairs. Anybody had a trans replaced under endurance?

 

[Knut]

2019 Expedition 4x4. No towing. Had the valve body replaced around 50k and the software upgrade done last year. Been having every so often some harder downshifting into lower gears as I’m slowing down. Probably 1-2 times a month. When I go into reverse every so often I get a hard clunk going into gear. All the other times smooth s glass. I have the extended warranty. Worth taking it in at this point? I’m thinking I probably should

YES. Take it in.

Mine is also a 2019 XLT Max and it's in the shop now. I had videos of hard shifting when I put it into reverse in the mornings. It also downshifted several times from 8-9 to 3-4 at 60-70 mph when trying to accelerate on the freeway. Last issue was not finding a gear when accelerating onto the road and just limping forward. Its covered under the extended warranty..

 

[bmk1]

I have an appt Thursday for the trans. It is getting worse and worse so I told my wife we needed to park it till then. My question is, although It is shifting absolutely horrible it has yet to throw a code (that I can see) when I take it in will they be able to see some codes or no since there has been nothing shown on my app or any lights on my dash etc.

 

[ExpyBillD]

19 limited with 98k. Have owned for about 25k miles. Never been impressed with the trans but this week it’s really gotten worse. I left the house and went from 3rd to 4th gear and you would have thought i slammed clutch to the floor and nearly redlined before all the sudden finding 4th. The rest of the trip was just very clunky bad shifts including one very hard in the higher gears(6-8ish). Fast forward a couple days to today and it’s really having a hard time finding low gears and going straight to 6-7-8 at like 30mph which doesn’t seem normal. Several jerks when it’s shifting and it does actually find a low gear mainly 3-4. I would say it is 100% “delayed engagement”.


I have an appt next Thursday (lord willing it makes it to then). They said other than just driving it to feel (hopefully it does it with them driving it) there is only a couple option since no code. 1) trans flush 2) reprogram trans and let it learn.

Neither of those options seem viable to me.

Can I just ask them to perform this TSB? Shouldn’t they know about this TSB??

If they perform the TSB ford isn’t going to pay anything correct even if they determine it needs replaced? I do have an extended warranty through Endurance. I have read some horror stories but I have actually had decent luck with them so far on several other repairs. Anybody had a trans replaced under endurance?

Since I purchased my "used" 2019 in August 2025, I've had three instances in which there was hard shifting in the 3 - 5 gear range. After flawless performance since the cam phaser repair in Sept. 2025, the first occurred couple weeks before Christmas, followed by another about 4 weeks later and the most recent happened last week. In each case, I had stopped and started to accelerate. The shifting would miss when I got to either the 3rd or 4th gear, rpm would go sky high with the missed shifting, I'd drop off the acceleration trying to let it get into gear. Finally, it would after about 5 seconds or so, which it would do in a very hard clunk! Once past that sticking point, no other issues nor repeated missed shifting the rest of that day's driving. Obviously, I will take it to the dealer real soon. Fortunately, I do not use the Expy a lot right now. Additionally, Car Fax shows a history of maintenance but no indication this Expedition was taken in for the TSB 25-2132.