2021 expedition tranny issues?

[MetallicaGray]

2021 expedition 47k miles had a weird issue. Driving along at 35mph the car was in 7th gear (is that normal?)I stepped on the gas a bit…the car downshifted into 1st. Then the vehicle started to violently shake and shudder until I let go of the gas and then it shifted into 3rd and back to normal.

Is this normal? I can only find tranny issue posts on 2018 and before.

Tia

 

[SyndicateZ]

2021 expedition 47k miles had a weird issue. Driving along at 35mph the car was in 7th gear (is that normal?)I stepped on the gas a bit…the car downshifted into 1st. Then the vehicle started to violently shake and shudder until I let go of the gas and then it shifted into 3rd and back to normal.

Is this normal? I can only find tranny issue posts on 2018 and before.

Tia

It shouldn't have down shifted all the way to 1st. Not normal at those speeds

 

[MetallicaGray]

It shouldn't have down shifted all the way to 1st. Not normal at those speeds

I agree. But is it normal for the car to be in 7/8th gear at 35 mph?

 

[Soliyou]

I agree. But is it normal for the car to be in 7/8th gear at 35 mph?

Yes, if engine load is low it will keep up shifting to save gas. In my opinion this is one of the main factors causing issues in these transmissions. Shifts are commanded at low oil pressure and early shifts cause torque converter shudder.

I generally use tow mode in town to force it to go through all gears and delay the shift points.

Another option is to lock out all gears at stop signs and press the + button to allow upshifts.

There is also a TSB on transmission issues. Search the forum for “neutral out condition”

 

[MetallicaGray]

Yes, if engine load is low it will keep up shifting to save gas. In my opinion this is one of the main factors causing issues in these transmissions. Shifts are commanded at low oil pressure and early shifts cause torque converter shudder.

I generally use tow mode in town to force it to go through all gears and delay the shift points.

Another option is to lock out all gears at stop signs and press the + button to allow upshifts.

There is also a TSB on transmission issues. Search the forum for “neutral out condition”

Thank u soooooo much. This is exactly what it is.

 

[FalconDriver]

These transmissions are amazing! My 2020 with 45k miles has been in the shop for a month now (3rd time) They tried to rebuild and then replace the valve body. Now it’s an entire rebuild of the transmission, not new but rebuild. I hope yours turns out better than mine, best of luck.

 

[upinclouds]

I assume this was covered by powertrain warranty?
(i just got a 2020 Max w/ 44k miles- these posts make me nervous!)

 

[Hellwig]

I assume this was covered by powertrain warranty?
(i just got a 2020 Max w/ 44k miles- these posts make me nervous!)

You may need to upgrade your engine coolant thermostat to the 180F (BR3Z8575G) part.

 

[bigal93]

2021 expedition 47k miles had a weird issue. Driving along at 35mph the car was in 7th gear (is that normal?)I stepped on the gas a bit…the car downshifted into 1st. Then the vehicle started to violently shake and shudder until I let go of the gas and then it shifted into 3rd and back to normal.

Is this normal? I can only find tranny issue posts on 2018 and before.

Tia

I have a 2021 expedition max and it is in the shop right now getting a new transmission. Went thru ford and made sure of all scenarios and it has a factory warranty to 60000 miles. When I took it to the dealership it had 58800. Was shifting into drive and or reverse very hard randomly. Covered by warranty. Thank God I took it before the 60000 mile mark. My opinion - take it to the dealer. Call ford main office and open a case.

 

[bigal93]

These transmissions are amazing! My 2020 with 45k miles has been in the shop for a month now (3rd time) They tried to rebuild and then replace the valve body. Now it’s an entire rebuild of the transmission, not new but rebuild. I hope yours turns out better than mine, best of luck.

Under 60000 miles they will replace transmission. Doing mine now.

 

[bigal93]

I assume this was covered by powertrain warranty?
(i just got a 2020 Max w/ 44k miles- these posts make me nervous!)

Yes it is. Posted in other posts of my situation. 2021 max with 58000 miles and they are currently replacing transmission. Factory powertrain warranty.

 

[ExpeditonSpec]

I have a 2021 Limited and just had my transmission rebuilt due to a harsh down shift. The tech said he found gouges in CDF drum and said it’s common but the replacement parts have fixed the issue. He never had a 10 speed rebuilt trans come back

 

[Jettix2]

Under 60000 miles they will replace transmission. Doing mine now.

Mine too, at 57,700 and 3 weeks till powertrain expires (I have ESP extended after that)

 

[Jettix2]

I have a 2021 Limited and just had my transmission rebuilt due to a harsh down shift. The tech said he found gouges in CDF drum and said it’s common but the replacement parts have fixed the issue. He never had a 10 speed rebuilt trans come back

My dealer said they’ve had at least a couple come back after rebuild, one puked before it left the dealership lot. Mine was rebuilt last October at 45k with new style CDF drum and parts, and is now getting a new factory crate transmission at 57,700 because the poor shifting has returned.

I suspect if it’s done *properly* by a skilled tech and they replace everything that’s damaged, the dealership rebuild could be successful. Mine could have been rebuilt poorly or something missed.

 

[Ugh_J]

My dealer said they’ve had at least a couple come back after rebuild, one puked before it left the dealership lot. Mine was rebuilt last October at 45k with new style CDF drum and parts, and is now getting a new factory crate transmission at 57,700 because the poor shifting has returned.

My uncle (service manager at a Ford dealer) said once they do the trans rebuild/replace and/or the cam phasers, they shouldn't need to come back. That said, my 2020 had the same experience as yours. Rebuilt at 54k in Feb. 2024, then replaced at 59k in July.

Original at 54k:

Torque converter clutch faulty. Disassembled trans and found TCC material scattered throughout trans. Found CDF cylinder bushing to have slipped down causing internal crossleak over sunshaft #3, with sunshaft #3 bushing scored and worn around the teflon seals. Found input shaft grooved and worn around teflon seals. Found seal debris in E clutch drum. -- Replaced CDF cylinder, sunshaft #3, input shaft, trans seals, torque converter, and all one-time-use parts. Cleaned valve body.

Then when I took it back at 59k:

Verified fluid full. No leaks present. Verified concern during test drive: harsh/delayed 3-4 upshift and heavy whine on accel. Suspect one or more of internal issue, CDF cylinder, input shaft, burned/worn F clutch fibers and E clutch seals. Install new transmission assembly (JL1Z-7000-E). Flush and refill to correct level, updated new shift strategy numbers to PCM. Test drive no longer exhibits issues.

It still has the pump whine. and 1-3, 3-5 are the harshest of any Ford I've ever owned but much better than before. I guess we'll see how long this one lasts. I do not hotdog it or tow anything and am pretty careful about shock-loading it doing dumb stuff. I do still wish it didn't skip gears.

 

[Jettix2]

My uncle (service manager at a Ford dealer) said once they do the trans rebuild/replace and/or the cam phasers, they shouldn't need to come back. That said, my 2020 had the same experience as yours. Rebuilt at 54k in Feb. 2024, then replaced at 59k in July.

Original at 54k:

Then when I took it back at 59k:

It still has the pump whine. and 1-3, 3-5 are the harshest of any Ford I've ever owned but much better than before. I guess we'll see how long this one lasts. I do not hotdog it or tow anything and am pretty careful about shock-loading it doing dumb stuff. I do still wish it didn't skip gears.

Was your replacement trans a factory new or a factory re-man?

 

[Bmac1955]

That's an interesting question......

 

[Ugh_J]

Was your replacement trans a factory new or a factory re-man?

They said it was brand new, and judging by all the labels still stuck to it and how clean it is, I presume they weren't lying.

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

They said it was brand new, and judging by all the labels still stuck to it and how clean it is, I presume they weren't lying.

You can research the part number for the transmission listed on your dealer invoice to determine if it was a new or rebuilt unit.

 

[ExpeditonSpec]

We just had this work done under warranty and has appeared to correct the issue. We have a 2021 Limited with 43k miles. Just passing along in case it helps anyone.