Need Help – 2019 Ford Expedition XLT 4WD (Tow Package) – High Transmission Temps

[RC Walter]

Hi everyone – I could really use some help diagnosing a transmission issue I’ve been dealing with for the past 6 months. Hoping someone here has experienced something similar or has ideas on what I can do next.

Vehicle Info: 2019 Ford Expedition XLT 4WD, Tow Package, Approx. 62,000 miles

The Problem:
The transmission temperature keeps spiking—especially on road trips or in stop-and-go traffic. It’s gotten bad enough that my wife no longer feels comfortable taking it on long drives.

Background & What’s Been Done So Far:

• First Incident (6 months ago): Driving from LA to Vegas via the Baker Grade. Cruising at 80–85 mph with cruise control on. Cruise started acting strange, so I switched to manual mode. Suddenly, the trans temp spiked to around 280°F.
  
  • Got a big wrench icon ("See Manual") and a smaller wrench on the screen.
  • Pulled over and found a good amount of transmission fluid underneath the vehicle.
  • Let it cool down, then continued to Vegas—trans temp held steady between 199–205°F.
  • In Vegas: local shop topped off fluid (used Ford Mercon ULV).
• Return Trip – More Issues:
  
  • Leaving Vegas, got stuck in traffic and the trans temp spiked to 228°F, again with fluid leakage.
  • Cooled off, tried again, and it spiked to 225°F.
  • After a few stops and cooldowns, we made it to Mesquite. Temp stabilized between 199–205°F again.
• Mesquite Dealer Visit:
  
  • Transmission fluid was flushed and replaced. No other issues noted.
• Back in LA:
  
  • Had transmission flushed again and fluids replaced by a local dealer.

Current Behavior:

• Highway Driving: Typically runs around 205°F, sometimes climbs to 215°F.
• City Driving/Stop-and-Go: Heats up quickly, sometimes reaching the high 220s. This isnt pushing it hard either.
• Dealer Response: Not very helpful. Wait time to see a transmission tech is over a week after dropping off the vehicle.

My Questions:

1. What could be causing these spikes in transmission temperature?
2. Could it be a thermostat issue?
3. Should I be looking into the cooler or any other specific components?
4. Seems odd that this is happening without towing, especially since it has the HD tow package.

I’m really stuck here and would appreciate any advice, similar experiences, or suggestions on what to replace or check next.
Thanks in advance!

 

[SyndicateZ]

I get these same temps and my dealer said its normal. Tell them to change out the thermostat anyways.

 

[Calidad]

2019 75,000
1000% the thermostat!!!!
I fought with my dealer. They refused it as a warranty item and quoted me $850 and I said fine I’ll come get it and have someone else fix it and file a claim with Ford. They responded with oh your a preferred customer $100 deductible well have it done shortly… WTF?? The dealer basically was trying to soak me for $850..
Its a $40 part and 45 min job. Its nothing to do. I was seeing these same spikes but not as severe!! 183 -185 at 75mph in 60-80 degree weather is now the norm.

280 is way too hot. I would even consider a drain fill on the transmission fluid. Mine was spiking to 212-227 under very basic conditions when I knew it shouldn’t. Also the engine temp spiked recently at 70mph gradual climb with only me in the car. 234 then slowing cooled it down.

New updated thermostat 100% fixed this behavior especially the high transmission temps

When I towed my boat over Grants pass in 100 degree weather I saw 240 and was getting ready to pull off but we hit the top of the pass and I kept going cooling it off to 190 in about 10 minutes. That was with the failing thermostat. I suspect it was affecting cooling then but not as bad. I’ll be towing again soon and very curious to see how the temperatures run.

 

[lobsenza]

I had the same issue with the trans temp hitting 240. The dealer replaced the trans, but I regularly hit 218-222 when towing. I replaced the thermostat with the updated thermostat and went down to a 190 degree thermostat from 195. My vehicle rarely breaks 200 degrees while towing now and runs 10 degrees cooler without towing. I am in TX and have towed after the replacement thermostat when the outside temp is over 90 degrees. I have not towed when it is over 100 degrees with the new thermostat yet.

 

[bb37]

1000% the thermostat!

Are you talking about the cooling system thermostat on the engine or a transmission temperature control thermostat?

 

[bshowalter]

Agree with the above. Changing the cooling system thermostat. There is a new part number vs the original. Mine barely breaks 200* now.

 

[skamerick]

Research a Cold Side thermostat. All turbo charged engines should have one. I changed mine and it completely solved by engine/trans temp issues while towing.

 

[Calidad]

Are you talking about the cooling system thermostat on the engine or a transmission temperature control thermostat?

The coolant thermostat. The transmission temp is the first indicator of this faulty part which Ford redesigned due to this exact issue.

The transmission temperature is managed by a heat exchanger thats affected by this thermostat.

The engine temperature is also however it doesn’t show up till you exceed 228 F at which point it will display engine temperature over the dummy display on the dash.

Most people won’t notice till the engine temp keeps tripping the dash display or they get a transmission temperature warning.

Normal transmission temperatures are 183-201 non towing basic driving around. The fan kicks on at 212. The start stop feature won’t shut off at stop lights when your 212+ on the transmission either.

Towing big trailers you learn to keep an eye on things 240 is hot 250-260 is pull over now and cool things off. 280 is your starting to cook fluids.

 

[johnk]

Hi all. I have never posted before but felt compelled to do so now. My 2019 Max has had a couple of engine temp. issues that really annoy me. Every so often, I can be driving in 20 degree temps on the highway (60 - 70 mph) and the engine cooling fan will turn on for no apparent reason. The inside vehicle temperature control system will be set in the heat mode, not the AC or Defrost mode. Thoughts on this - should the engine fan be running or could the original, stock engine T-stat be sticking partially closed?

 

[Calidad]

Hi all. I have never posted before but felt compelled to do so now. My 2019 Max has had a couple of engine temp. issues that really annoy me. Every so often, I can be driving in 20 degree temps on the highway (60 - 70 mph) and the engine cooling fan will turn on for no apparent reason. The inside vehicle temperature control system will be set in the heat mode, not the AC or Defrost mode. Thoughts on this - should the engine fan be running or could the original, stock engine T-stat be sticking partially closed?

Same issue I had recently but I already had read that this is a known problem with the faulty thermostat and when I had a engine temp spike 234 in 30 degree weather, empty ie no load I knew my suspicions were correct. Engine temp over 228 will display actual temp over the dummy gauge on the dash

This old thermostat progressively gets worse eventually causing engine temp spikes that show up above the dummy gauge on the dash.

However! Transmission temperature can be monitored on the dash display cold - hot snd you can easily see the thermostat causing temperature issues. The transmission temperature is managed via heat exchanger thats affected by this faulty thermostat. Normal temperatures for the transmission run 183-201 ish. The fan kicks on at 212. Hot is 240-250, pull over and get cooled off is in the 250+ zone. 280 is cooking fluids and no bueno.

I have Ford warranty gold or whatever it is. My dealer refused to warranty, quoted me $850 45 min shop job $40 part. I said no thanks I’ll have a trusted shop fix it and file a claim with Ford. At which point the dealer said Oh your a premium customer $100 deductible we’ll have it fixed in an hour.. My warranty is a $100 deductible. Basically the dealer was trying to soak me for $850. F’ing scum bags.

So be prepared for that BS. And get the updated thermostat. I made them send me a picture of the new one.

Another member here posted the details and photos I owe him a beer!!

This is the photo he posted.
Left is the old faulty design. Right is the new one

 

[omandave]

We had the same thing happened in our 2019 Expedition Limited back in November 2023 (we have the HDTow package with the eLSD diff in back)...
anyway. I did the thermostat swap myself becuase of time and dealership lead time to even look at it. bought the new parts off of Rockauto:

2019 FORD EXPEDITION 3.5L V6 Turbocharged
MOTORCRAFT​	RT1252	Thermostat	$ 21.79​	$ 0.00​	1​	$ 21.79​
MOTORCRAFT​	RG640	Thermostat / Thermostat Housing / Water Outlet Seal	$ 4.67​	$ 0.00​	1​	$ 4.67​
MOTORCRAFT​	VC13G (VC13DLG)	Coolant / Antifreeze Type: Prediluted	$ 12.32​	$ 0.00​	2​	$ 24.64​
Discount​		$ -2.56​
Shipping​	Ground	$ 10.99​
Tax​		$ 5.24​
Order Total​		$ 64.77

this was shipping to WA state... 64.77 out of pocket and some time...

It has run cooler ever since!
cheers!

 

[Calidad]

If your dealer refuses to address the faulty thermostat under warranty or gives you a “daddy needs to pay his 911 4S payment” replacement cost.

Just say no thanks I’ll have a trusted shop do it at shop rates for 1hr labor and I’ll file for reimbursement with Ford. This does two things!! It calls BS on their crazy ass charge, lets them know, you know its a hour or less shop job. Plus if Ford HQ gets wind the dealer can’t service its vehicles at shop rates then why are they a Dealer?

Makes the dealer look bad 3ways!!!
The top indie shops here in CA that do really good work run about $190 hr shop rate plus parts cost. They also are very good at looking up the book time and telling you. Unlike ALL dealers service sales none of those idiots even know what book time is.

 

[johnk]

Thanks - is the new design an updated Ford T-stat with a new part # (different than the original T-Stat #) or is it an aftermarket T-stat?? What is the temperature rating of the new one??
Thanks

 

[Calidad]

Thanks - is the new design an updated Ford T-stat with a new part # (different than the original T-Stat #) or is it an aftermarket T-stat?? What is the temperature rating of the new one??
Thanks

Its a ford part updated design. Don’t buy aftermarket thermostats. I’ve never seen any work well. Stick with oem

 

[johnk]

Great - thanks so much.

 

[Calidad]

Quick update pulled my 8700lb boat yesterday through heavy stop and go traffic then up a respectable grade. Transmission temps peaked at 214 in the heaviest traffic and stop and go then cooled down 205 while climbing a decent hill. Prior to the thermostat replacement traffic had me running 227 with very poor cooling ability just letting it idle for 20 minutes only brought it down to 210. Definitely big
difference in lower temperatures and better heat management.
If your 18-22 and see 212+ temps on the transmission not towing anything just normal use the thermostat is sticking/failing get the redesigned one installed. I suspect mine was failing around 68,000 and by 75,000 it was starting to trigger 234 coolant temperatures on the engine temp.

 

[Calidad]

Quick update
For comparison. I just hauled my boat 8700lbs 190 miles over a 7400ft pass.

I used a buddy’s 2024 F250 6.8l 6spd.
Flat highway 55mph 205 transmission temp. Power difference was wild!!

The 6.8 revs!!! To get even remotely similar acceleration with my boat vs the Expedition the 6.8 is reving 3500-4500rpm. Vs the Expedition your in the 2000-3000 range. Its a weird thing after lots of miles in the Expedition.

9mpg in the Expedition vs 6.6mpg in the F250 6.8L

However!!! The F250 could care less about cooling capacity. I literally watched the transmission temp drop from 210 to 200 on the biggest climb at 40-45mph at 3500rpm. My Expedition with failing thermostat on that climb was at 230 and stopping I couldn’t really get it to cool. Ended up getting a tow company with a pickup come drag my boat 19 miles over the pass.

Maybe next yr I’ll try hauling with the Expedition (new thermostat) with the F250 running backup . See how things go.

Definitely get that crap thermostat replaced with the updated one.

Oh and the F250 6.8L is a beast! Kinda want one

 

[David 20152]

We had the same thing happened in our 2019 Expedition Limited back in November 2023 (we have the HDTow package with the eLSD diff in back)...
anyway. I did the thermostat swap myself becuase of time and dealership lead time to even look at it. bought the new parts off of Rockauto:

2019 FORD EXPEDITION 3.5L V6 Turbocharged
MOTORCRAFT​	RT1252	Thermostat	$ 21.79​	$ 0.00​	1​	$ 21.79​
MOTORCRAFT​	RG640	Thermostat / Thermostat Housing / Water Outlet Seal	$ 4.67​	$ 0.00​	1​	$ 4.67​
MOTORCRAFT​	VC13G (VC13DLG)	Coolant / Antifreeze Type: Prediluted	$ 12.32​	$ 0.00​	2​	$ 24.64​
Discount​		$ -2.56​
Shipping​	Ground	$ 10.99​
Tax​		$ 5.24​
Order Total​		$ 64.77

this was shipping to WA state... 64.77 out of pocket and some time...

It has run cooler ever since!
cheers!

Thanks for the info! My dealer quoted me $950 just this morning citing a labor intensive effort. The tech told the service advisor that it would take a half day or more.

 

[Calidad]

Thanks for the info! My dealer quoted me $950 just this morning citing a labor intensive effort. The tech told the service advisor that it would take a half day or more.

Its literally two bolts takes a tech about 15 min. There’s almost enough room for them to stand between the radiator and the thermostat housing while replacing it.

These dealers are freaking ridiculous

 

[Calidad]

How to install a new Thermostat 2019 F150 Ecoboost 15+ Mishimoto 160

160 degree mishimoto thermostat install

m.youtube.com

I would stick with OEM thermostats!! I have never had good results with aftermarket ones.

This video shows where it is. Its a simple job. Dealer tech can do these in 15-20 minutes easily.