The 2019 Ford Ranger comes with the Ford 10R80 10-speed SelectShift® automatic transmission. This transmission is part of a joint-venture between General Motors and Ford Motor Company to split development of two transmissions, a longitudinal 10-speed and a transverse 9-speed. Ford 10 speed transmission noise For people who own 2017-2019 F-150s, this is a likely problem, as many drivers have reported this issue in the past. Many car owners have stated that as they start, shift, or accelerate the transmission, they hear clunking noises. The crew at Ford Performance have spec'd out a kit to simplify the swap of the newest, most innovative 5.0L Coyote engine into just about any Ford vehicle. The Coyote Power Module teams the Mustang GT 460 horsepower 5.0L Coyote V8 with a state of the art 10 speed automatic transmission - and all the electronics and hardware to finish the.
Ford has been producing the Ford Explorer since all the way back in 1991 and it has been one of the most popular vehicles they produce. Now, all the way up in the year 2020, you may be wondering if there are any Ford Explorer transmission problems you need to know about.
The Ford Explorer was actually the first 4-door SUV that the company produced and has been incredibly popular over the last 30 years. In fact, Ford has sold over 7.6 million Explorers since production began. It's currently in the 6th generation which started for the 2020 model year. As with any new generation of vehicles, there are sometimes a few wrinkles that need to be ironed out. New generations tend to have new advancements, new technology, and new design elements. That means that there are occasionally problems that can be unforeseen from the year's previous model.
2020 Ford Explorer Overview
For the 2020 model year of the Ford Explorer, you can get four different engine options. There is a 2.3 l EcoBoost turbocharged I-4, a 3.0 L EcoBoost twin turbocharged V6, the 3.3 L V6 hybrid, and finally a 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 plug-in hybrid. The transmission is the same across the board and is Ford's 10R60 10 speed automatic.
While the 6th generation of the Ford Explorer debuted with some nice features, many drivers were quick to notice that the 2020 model does have some flaws. In particular reviewers have noticed that there are some issues with the power of the engine and how the transmission performs in conjunction with it.
2020 Ford Explorer Transmission Problems
Consumer Reports was one of the first outlets to get a 2020 Ford Explorer and take it out for a test drive. They noticed right away that driving the Ford Explorer in suburban settings can be somewhat of a problem. The 2020 Ford Explorer has an issue with lurching and pulling while you're driving. There are also some very rough shifts from first gear to second gear after you experienced these lurches and pulls which tend to happen when you stop at stop signs and traffic lights. Additionally, the transition from 2nd to 3rd gear has also proven to be problematic.
Another issue that test drivers noticed with the Ford Explorer’s transmission for the 2020 model year was that it will hold on to a gear longer than it needs to. Typically, when you're driving with an automatic transmission once your engine reaches the appropriate RPM's for a gear shift to take place it will do so. That's essentially the whole purpose of an automatic transmission. It recognizes that your vehicle is up to the required speed and assessing the shifting gears. However, the transmission in this model year of the Explorer stays in a lower gear longer than it should and in turn causes some serious noise to come from the engine as a result.
If you ever tried driving a manual transmission vehicle and were attempting to accelerate without actually shifting gears, then you would have heard the same kind of sound coming from your engine. It has the ability to push harder than it is but because the gears haven't shifted yet, the engine seems to struggle to do very little.
The result of this in the 2020 Ford Explorer is that the engine is somewhat raspy and louder when compared to similar vehicles or even earlier models of the Ford Explorer.
Other Issues With a 2020 Ford Explorer Transmission
Although it is not a widespread issue yet there have been a number of drivers who have suffered some severe transmission problems with the 2020 model. More than one driver has reported that under 10,000 miles the transmission failed entirely and actually required a rebuild. That is certainly rare, it's definitely something that you'd want to avoid, but it has popped up for one or two drivers already.
Hard shifting is the biggest complaint most drivers have had with their transmission for the 2020 model. Additionally, the problem of jerking while accelerating has been noted by a number of drivers who have reported this issue to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Drivers reported instances where the RPMs got up to go around 1750 and the vehicle started jerking noticeably.
Attempting to shift from a lower gear to a higher gear is extremely difficult for some drivers, similar to what the test drivers at Consumer Reports experience in their test drive of the vehicle. Lowell forklift extension boom. There will also be no warning light popping up on the dashboard to alert you of any particular problem, so as a driver you're left to wonder what might be happening without any indication that there's something wrong.
Other drivers reported more serious issues with shifting, including the transmission shifting on its own between drive and park while they were driving. This was accompanied by a full transmission shut down for one driver who managed to safely pull over and realize they had a serious leak of transmission fluid as a result. It had to be towed into a shop to get looked at after that, but the problem occurred while they were driving down the interstate at 70 miles per hour. You can imagine how this could cause some serious accidents if it was a more widespread issue.
Driver Complaints for the 2020 Ford Explorer
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has a list of complaints that have been lodged by drivers of the 2020 Ford Explorer that you can check out on their website. Although there are complaints that cover a range of issues related to the engine, electrical systems, even problems with seat belts and the interior there have been a number of complaints specifically related to the 2020 Ford Explorer transmission problems for this model year.
The NHTSA has over 40 complaints related to powertrain issues including drivers relating problems with the transmission slipping when they're trying to drive up or down hills and the grinding of gears. Commonly this was associated with transmission fluid leaks that had left the transmission without adequate lubrication which is a serious problem for any vehicle.
Other drivers have complained about the Explorer’s transmission locking in the wrong gear on them. For instance, at least one driver mentioned trying to maneuver into a parking space and when the car was in drive the engine revved as though it was a neutral before kicking back into reverse, all without the driver changing any gears whatsoever. This resulted in some minor damage because it took place in a parking lot rather than at speed while driving, but it's definitely a point of concern. The transmission gave no indication that it was into reverse and the shift lever still indicated that the vehicle was in drive.
Is the 2020 Ford Explorer Transmission Safe?
Although the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has logged numerous complaints with the 2020 Ford Explorer transmission problems, there have been no major accidents or injuries reported so far in relation to it. In terms of how severe the problem is, it is definitely bad and has left a lot of drivers in serious potential danger but so far nothing has been reported to indicate anyone has suffered physical harm as a result.
Signs and Symptoms of a Bad Transmission
If you currently have a 2020 Ford Explorer or are looking to get one, then there are some signs that you can be on the lookout for to let you know if it does have a problem with its transmission. Given the history other drivers have had, it's certainly not out of the realm of possibility that you can experience the same issues.
Obviously, the big problem many drivers have had is the issues shifting from lower gears to higher gears, the sounds that the transmission is making, and finally the issue with lurching and actually slipping out of gear. However, there's some other signs you need to be aware of as well.
Leaking Fluid: Several drivers reported noticing this problem and it's something that you need to be on the lookout for as well. Most transmission problems are related issues with the transmission fluid, so if you're noticing a fluid leak then you need to get it fixed as soon as you can. Transmission fluid is red which makes it easy to distinguish from the other fluids that are in your vehicle. Oftentimes a transmission fluid leak won't be extreme, which is to say you won't notice a giant puddle of liquid under your vehicle. In fact, sometimes it may just be a few drops. But if you do see that then you know you have a problem because your transmission should be in a closed system with no chance for that fluid to leak out.
Just like engine oil, the transmission fluid is there to help cool your transmission as well as keep it lubricated. A transmission that doesn't have enough fluid in it is going to wear out very quickly. You'll notice grinding noises, potentially a burning smell, and finally the transmission will fail on you completely.
Burning Smell: Along with fluid leaks, you could potentially be suffering an issue related to bad transmission fluid. If you haven't changed your transmission fluid in a while, then it may have become badly contaminated. What used to be a translucent red fluid will now be a dark brown and muddy color. This is a result of dirt and debris building up in the fluid, as well as potentially metal shavings and other particles like that. When the transmission fluid is this bad it loses its ability to keep your transmission cool and well lubricated.
The burning smell will be fairly noticeable, and it's an indication that not just the fluid but the transmission itself is burning and will soon fail on you. If you ever notice a burning smell coming from your engine, pull your car over as soon as it's safe to do so.
Unusual Noises: Transmissions are notorious for the strange sounds that they make and there could be several different ones that you'll notice. This can include everything from a buzzing sound to a humming sound to the traditional grinding sound that many of us are used to from manual transmission vehicles. When you hear the sounds that usually indicate that you have a problem with the bearings in your transmission, possibly the planetary gears or something else entirely maybe going on. And of course, the lack of transmission fluid or bad transmission fluid can lead to the gears inside your transmission grinding together and making noticeable sounds.
The sounds will tend to get worse the longer you let them go, and then they also get worse as you accelerate or try to shift through gears.
The Bottom Line
Because the 2020 Ford Explorer was the first vehicle of the sixth generation to come out, it's not a surprise that there were some clear flaws with this model. Aside from the transmission, Ford had to recall some models for issues with improper seat restraints, rollaway risks, problems with potential fires and more. There were three recalls issued towards the end of 2019 for the 2020 Ford Explorer, and 9 recalls have been issued in total that affect this model year. They don't deal with the transmission specifically, but the transmission is part of the whole package and it's pretty clear that the 2020 model of the Ford Explorer had some major issues.
If you're in the market for a new vehicle and you like the way the Explorer performs, you may want to check out a 2021 Ford Explorer instead. Car and Driver gave the 2021 model a fairly high rating in their review, and there have been fewer complaints lodged overall with that particular model year, although it's still pretty early in terms of drivers having access to the 2021 Ford Explorer so we don't have a full picture of whether or not the transmission has been improved over the previous year yet or not.
For a little more of a sure thing, the 2019 Ford Explorer had few problems associated with it and the transmission was not a standout problem with this model year at all.
— A Ford F-150 transmission lawsuit has been dismissed after an Illinois truck owner alleged defects caused 2017-2019 F-150s to hesitate and surge.
According to the transmission class action lawsuit, the plaintiff leased a 2018 Ford F-150 XLT 3.5 EcoBoost equipped with a 10R80 10-speed automatic transmission.
The plaintiff claims Ford knew or should have known the transmissions shift harshly and slip gears, but the automaker chose to conceal the alleged defects to continue selling the trucks. Those alleged defects lead to severe damage which can cause the F-150s to catch fire, allegedly making the trucks too dangerous to drive.
The Ford F-150 transmission lawsuit alleges drivers have constantly complained about their trucks jerking and lunging since the 10R80 transmissions were first installed in the trucks.
Disk drill for mac. The lawsuit also alleges Ford issued several technical service bulletins to dealerships, and F-150 owners have submitted multiple complaints to the government.
Ford dealers were told the F-150 10-speed transmissions “may exhibit harsh/bumpy upshift, downshift and/or engagement concerns,” and the bulletins suggested reprogramming the powertrain control modules.
The TSBs further said the F-150 trucks were “equipped with an adaptive transmission shift strategy which allows the vehicle’s computer to learn the transmission’s unique parameters and improve shift quality. When the adaptive strategy is reset, the computer will begin a re-learning process,” which “may result in firmer than normal upshifts and downshifts for several days.”
But according to the transmission lawsuit, Ford's ideas for a fix failed to prevent the alleged problems.
“Ford refuses to replace or repair the Transmissions and merely states that the abrupt and harsh shifting is normal.” - F-150 transmission lawsuit
Ford 10 Speed Transmission Ratios
Judge Dismisses The Ford F-150 Transmission Lawsuit
Ford filed a motion to dismiss the 10-speed transmission lawsuit, and the judge found Ford's arguments persuasive.
Ford 10 Speed Transmission F250
According to the automaker, express and implied warranty claims don't hold up for multiple reasons, including because the F-150 truck owner failed to provide Ford with pre-lawsuit notice of alleged breach of warranties.
The judge agreed and noted how the Illinois Supreme Court requires a plaintiff to “directly notify the seller of the troublesome nature of the transaction or be barred from recovering for a breach of warranty.” This requirement is meant “to encourage pre-suit settlement negotiations.”
Once the warranty claims were dismissed, the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act claim had to be dismissed because, 'it is contingent on Plaintiff having a viable state law warranty claim.'
The Ford F-150 transmission lawsuit also alleges Ford engaged in deceptive trade practices in violation of the Illinois Consumer Fraud Act, but the judge dismissed the claim after finding the allegations were too generalized.
According to Judge Robert M. Dow, Jr., the generalized allegations fail to specifically describe the misrepresentations on which the plaintiff allegedly relied.
Ford 10 Speed Transmission Pan
Peripheral pulses. 'Defendant does not identify 'the time, place, and content of the misrepresentation,' or 'the method by which the misrepresentation was communicated to the plaintiff.' - Judge Dow
Ford also argued a claim for unjust enrichment had to go because the plaintiff failed to state a claim under Illinois law. In addition, the automaker said a claim for negligence should be dismissed because the transmission lawsuit didn't allege the plaintiff suffered any non-economic damage.
The judge agreed to dismiss both claims and ruled the F-150 owner didn't allege that he suffered any physical injuries as a result of driving the F-150. The plaintiff also never alleged the transmission caused any damage to property.
The Ford F-150 transmission lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois - O'Connor, et al., v. Ford Motor Company.
The plaintiff is represented by Greg Coleman Law, and Wexler Wallace.