2020 Transmission issues

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JT in PA

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I have a 2020 Limited with 50,000 miles on it. We love the SUV, however, it has been in the dealership 3 times for "rough" downshift and acceleration. They rebuilt the transmission the last time, however, we are still experiencing issues. Any thoughts or advice. thx
 

JONWIC

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Inglewood Transmission can fix it. Won't be cheap but it will be fixed. No problem with our 2020 since we had them rebuild the transmission.
 

99WhiteC5Coupe

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I have a 2020 Limited with 50,000 miles on it. We love the SUV, however, it has been in the dealership 3 times for "rough" downshift and acceleration. They rebuilt the transmission the last time, however, we are still experiencing issues. Any thoughts or advice. thx


Are you still covered under Ford’s no-deductible, powertrain warranty (60,000 miles or 5 years)?

I would return to the repairing dealer and speak with the service manager. They should be required to repair the transmission properly.

I doubt if another Ford dealer would agree to repair the transmission, due to three prior attempts by one dealership to repair it. You could try?

You may want to contact Ford customer service, but I suspect they will simply refer you to the repairing dealer.

Good luck.
 

Ugh_J

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They rebuilt mine at ~54k. When I took it back in at 59k, they just put a new transmission in it. As long as the problem is repeatable, it shouldn't be an issue. They might try to "reprogram the TCM" sometimes called "reloading shift strategy," "clearing transmission learning tables," etc. before they'll rebuild/replace it again. I would make sure even if they do that and it seems better, listen for what sounds like the old power-steering-pump-low-fluid whine. If shifts aren't buttery smooth, keep a mental (or physical) note of which gearshifts seem to be the worst. Usually it will be 1-3, 3-5 and sometimes 3-4 in my experience. Then go back again and give them a laundry list of complaints, clearly written down, and in great detail. Assume the techs don't know you, don't have the same hearing or sense of touch that you do, and need to be explained to in small words -- not because the techs are stupid, but because people make assumptions about what someone knows or doesn't know. "You know, THE THING!" Like, "my car makes a funny noise" is not the same thing as "my car is making a noise that sounds like pump whine, especially under moderate acceleration through gears 1-5." Pretend this is an exam, and if you fail to communicate clearly and completely, it's going to cost you $5k-10k.
 

Gaquinoax

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We had the same issue. Entire transmission being replaced. It will be harder to sell the vehicle at the value if it didn’t have this problem. When might it be considered a lemon and for manufacturer to replace vehicle?
 

LazSlate

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They rebuilt mine at ~54k. When I took it back in at 59k, they just put a new transmission in it. As long as the problem is repeatable, it shouldn't be an issue. They might try to "reprogram the TCM" sometimes called "reloading shift strategy," "clearing transmission learning tables," etc. before they'll rebuild/replace it again. I would make sure even if they do that and it seems better, listen for what sounds like the old power-steering-pump-low-fluid whine. If shifts aren't buttery smooth, keep a mental (or physical) note of which gearshifts seem to be the worst. Usually it will be 1-3, 3-5 and sometimes 3-4 in my experience. Then go back again and give them a laundry list of complaints, clearly written down, and in great detail. Assume the techs don't know you, don't have the same hearing or sense of touch that you do, and need to be explained to in small words -- not because the techs are stupid, but because people make assumptions about what someone knows or doesn't know. "You know, THE THING!" Like, "my car makes a funny noise" is not the same thing as "my car is making a noise that sounds like pump whine, especially under moderate acceleration through gears 1-5." Pretend this is an exam, and if you fail to communicate clearly and completely, it's going to cost you $5k-10k.
I second this. Had a rough downshift and even clunks on my 20k trans. Did a forscan and cleared the learning tables. Been great ever since.
 

Ugh_J

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I second this. Had a rough downshift and even clunks on my 20k trans. Did a forscan and cleared the learning tables. Been great ever since.
I've been contemplating doing this and also disabling the trans adaptive learning I've seen others talk about.
 

bb37

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When might it be considered a lemon and for manufacturer to replace vehicle?
Lemon laws vary from state to state. If you think you might have a lemon law claim, you should probably hire a consumer protection attorney licensed to practice in your state.
 

Jettix2

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They rebuilt mine at ~54k. When I took it back in at 59k, they just put a new transmission in it. As long as the problem is repeatable, it shouldn't be an issue. They might try to "reprogram the TCM" sometimes called "reloading shift strategy," "clearing transmission learning tables," etc. before they'll rebuild/replace it again. I would make sure even if they do that and it seems better, listen for what sounds like the old power-steering-pump-low-fluid whine. If shifts aren't buttery smooth, keep a mental (or physical) note of which gearshifts seem to be the worst. Usually it will be 1-3, 3-5 and sometimes 3-4 in my experience. Then go back again and give them a laundry list of complaints, clearly written down, and in great detail. Assume the techs don't know you, don't have the same hearing or sense of touch that you do, and need to be explained to in small words -- not because the techs are stupid, but because people make assumptions about what someone knows or doesn't know. "You know, THE THING!" Like, "my car makes a funny noise" is not the same thing as "my car is making a noise that sounds like pump whine, especially under moderate acceleration through gears 1-5." Pretend this is an exam, and if you fail to communicate clearly and completely, it's going to cost you $5k-10k.
My original was rebuilt with new CDF drum at 42k. Was decent for about 8 months. Harsh shifts came back, reflash didn’t help, so they installed a new crate trans last month. 2,000 miles later and we still have some clunking downshifts (mostly 5–>3).
 

Hellwig

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My original was rebuilt with new CDF drum at 42k. Was decent for about 8 months. Harsh shifts came back, reflash didn’t help, so they installed a new crate trans last month. 2,000 miles later and we still have some clunking downshifts (mostly 5–>3).

I am sure you got the new transmission this time. My 2024 xlt has the exactly same clunk from 5 to 3 on normal driving mode. If you want to mitigate this clunk, you may brake hard (much harder) once the transmission hits 5.
 

20EBXLT

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Just ensure if you take it to ford that they are REBUILDING it for sure (confirm this), and not just removing and replacing it. I would think by now they've probably burned through their stockpile of new old stock 10R80 transmissions that are new sitting around that dont have the fixes applied to them and are using the newly fixed updated versions, but you never know.
 

Jettix2

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I am sure you got the new transmission this time. My 2024 xlt has the exactly same clunk from 5 to 3 on normal driving mode. If you want to mitigate this clunk, you may brake hard (much harder) once the transmission hits 5.
Yes I’ve read from several people that even the new trucks shift like mine does now, with occasional harsh downshifts. It’s just dumb. I’ve had 30+ cars in my lifetime, and never a single one that shifted this poorly. My ‘18 Cummins with the much maligned 68rfe has shifted sloppy since new, but still better than this.
 

Ugh_J

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I'm curious: do any of you that still have the clunky downshifts have transmission adapter learning disabled?
 

Hellwig

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I'm curious: do any of you that still have the clunky downshifts have transmission adapter learning disabled?

I tried this method a couple of times. And I was still able to feel the clunk from 5 to 3. So, I just turned it back on. What actually affects the clunk is transmission temperature. Before it hits 170F, the transmission does downshift smoothly between the same gears.
 
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Ugh_J

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What actually affects the clunk is transmission temperature. Before it hits 170F, the transmission does downshift smoothly between the same gears.
Hmm. I guess I really need to start driving mine more. Here lately with temps in DFW finally getting down into the 40s, mine rarely hits 180F engine, 150F trans before I get back home.
 

bmpcamry09

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If your rebuilt with all the updated Ford parts (CDF drum and the F clutch drum AKA the trash can) and your still having issues, its time to cough up $500-$1000 and have the transmission tuned. Gearhead, ZFG, or MPT will get that thing feeling good again. Or I can tune it for you if you get an HP Tuners device. Ford's factory downshift scheduling paired with the torque converter scheduling is what makes these shift like crap if you've had all the internals replaced.
 

Rednecked

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If your rebuilt with all the updated Ford parts (CDF drum and the F clutch drum AKA the trash can) and your still having issues, its time to cough up $500-$1000 and have the transmission tuned. Gearhead, ZFG, or MPT will get that thing feeling good again. Or I can tune it for you if you get an HP Tuners device. Ford's factory downshift scheduling paired with the torque converter scheduling is what makes these shift like crap if you've had all the internals replaced.
I agree. Knock on wood I haven’t had any issues with my 2021 Platinum. I put a MPT tune when the car had 400 miles on the odometer. Now I have 42k miles.
 

bmpcamry09

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I agree. Knock on wood I haven’t had any issues with my 2021 Platinum. I put a MPT tune when the car had 400 miles on the odometer. Now I have 42k miles.

I love MPT. They’ve really refined their craft over the years. I’ve used all the companies and even do my own tuning and I always recommend MPT or Gearhead.
 

kierobi

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Just wondering if anyone has had any luck in fighting Ford on the costs of replacing a transmission? We have a 2020 Expedition XLT with close to 81k, bought it used at 61k and we've had transmission issues a couple of times now. Started off as lurching when selecting drive from park and releasing the brake pedal, then rough shift between 4th and 5th and then again 7th to 8th. Took it into a local Ford dealership and they ran diagnostics and determined that it needed a software update. Ran well for maybe a month and then started having issues again. Took it in this week and now they've called to say that the CDF drum has failed/is failing and it needs to be replaced. Have given us the option of overhauling the CDF drum or replacing the entire transmission. Overhauling CDF is $4200 and replacing the trans is $7200 plus taxes on both.
Feel as though it's ridiculous that when I look online there are a TON of people having the same issues with these transmissions and Ford refuses to acknowledge or recall. Talking to the tech today they acknowledged that it's a VERY common issue and that they have seen these transmission in time and again but there's nothing they can do about it.
 
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