Class Action Filed Over Ford 10R80 Automatic Transmission Problems Linked to Clunky, Harsh Shifting

A proposed class action alleges the 10R80 10-speed automatic transmission in certain Ford and Lincoln vehicles is defective in that it can shift harshly and erratically, posing a “potentially life-threatening safety issue.”

According to the 62-page case, the problem impacts Lincoln Navigators and Ford Expeditions, Mustangs, Rangers and F-150s sold from at least 2017 to the present.

The lawsuit, filed in Massachusetts on April 18, alleges the harsh and/or erratic shifting produced by the 10R80 transmission defect can cause a vehicle to “jerk, lunge, clunk, and hesitate” between gears. As the case tells it, Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with the transmission are “unreasonably dangerous” and unfit for their intended purpose of providing safe transportation.

Some drivers have said their vehicles lost power during operation, while others, the case says, have reported whiplash due to harsh shifting. Moreover, many consumers have told federal regulators that they do not feel safe driving the affected Ford and Lincoln vehicles in “normal traffic conditions,” the suit shares.

To date, Ford has “refused” to recall or replace the defective 10R80 automatic transmissions and similarly refuses to repair them, telling drivers that “the abrupt and harsh shifting is normal,” the filing relays.

Had consumers known about the Ford transmission defect—and the out-of-pocket costs to repair the problem—they would not have paid as much for their vehicles or bought or leased them at all, the suit contends.

“Due to Ford’s unwillingness to acknowledge the Transmission Defect and refusal to repair the Class Vehicles, Plaintiff and Class Members continue to drive defective and unsafe vehicles,” the suit reads.

Consumer complaints about Ford’s 10R80 transmission mount online, case says

According to the suit, hundreds, if not thousands, of buyers and lessees have experienced the 10R80 transmission defect, and many have taken to the internet to voice their complaints about the “widespread” problem. The filing calls the volume of complaints about the Ford 10R80 transmission “unusually large,” such that the automaker has undoubtedly been put on notice about the problem.

In fact, nearly 18 pages of the complaint (embedded at the bottom of this page) are dedicated to sharing consumers’ alleged experiences with the transmission, many of which were reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The complaints, including the collection posted below [sic throughout], are “not new to Ford,” the suit says.

2019 Ford Ranger

2019 Ford Ranger. Consumer writes in regards to shifting problems with vehicle. The consumer stated the vehicle would violently jerk when coming to a stop. The vehicle would also jerk when accelerating and switching to higher gear. The vehicle experiences loss of power and no engaged gears. The truck engine would rev up and shift hard. The manufacturer was notified, but did not offer any assistance."
— NHTSA Complaint dated November 5, 2021 (ID No. 11439465)

Purchased this vehicle (2019 Ford Ranger XLT), in 2019. Over the last month or so, started developing a shimmy when starting out, bad shimmy when slowing down. Had the brakes checked, no issue. Continued it get worse, developing harder shimmy when starting and braking, began feeling a delay in shifting gears. Dropped it off where I purchased it, Priority Ford Norfolk, was told that the transmission needed to be replaced. 3 year old truck, transmission went bad. […]"
— NHTSA Complaint dated January 27, 2023 (ID No. 11504058)

2019 Ford Expedition

On multiple occasions while driving at freeway speeds, there have been sudden episodes of power loss and rapid loss of speed associated with harsh transmission downshifts. These events sometimes occurred on slight uphill grades and also on flat highway. At other times, the transmission will fail to shift into higher gear and seem to slip, resulting in loss of speed. A warning indicator appeared on the last occasion (8/27/22) with a wrench icon, and the FordPass app told me to have vehicle serviced. Vehicle is at dealer now."
— NHTSA Complaint dated September 2, 2022 (ID No. 11482525)

2020 Ford Expedition

Transmission is slipping very bad. Really shifts hard between gears, especially from 4th to 5th gear. Went to pass a vehicle, on acceleration the transmission slipped and the engine rpm’s went very high. I let off the accelerator and the gear caught. I thought the transmission was done at that time."
— NHTSA Complaint dated April 29, 2022 (ID No. 11462774)

2018 Ford Mustang

10 speed Ecoboost transmission, doesn’t stay in gear and delayed shifts causing acceleration problems. Hard shifts, jerking, and hard lunge forward when shifted into Drive. The forward lunge is unstoppable even with the brake fully engaged. Transmission slip when changing gears while driving. Yes, it’s available for inspection. Yes, mine and others safety risk are at risk. Yes, the problem has been reproduced and confirmed by a dealer. Inspected by an authorized dealer/manufacturer. NO other warning lamps or messages."
— NHTSA Complaint dated October 27, 2021 (ID No. 11419724)

2021 Lincoln Navigator

Within one week of delivery of this new vehicle, the transmission began slipping out of gear and the car loses power for 30-40 seconds in the middle of driving. Shift System Fault, Transmission failure, and PowerTrain Malfunction are the errors coming up on the screen- even after the vehicle was in Service for 2 weeks and they replaced the transmission valve system. Very dangerous to completely lose power on the highway."
— NHTSA Complaint dated July 14, 2021 (ID No. 11424748)

2021 Ford F-150

This vehicle has a transmission problem relating to how it shifts gears at low speeds. This results in delayed shifts, missed gears, and sometimes a jerk and loud “clunk” when the shift occurs. This is not only distracting (the first time I literally looked back to see if I had hit something, or if something had broken off). This will likely contribute to premature wear and failure which could happen at an inopportune time."
— NHTSA Complaint dated April 5, 2022 (ID No. 11459730)

2018 Lincoln Navigator

Starting at 20,000 miles i started asking the dealer to check the transmission on my vehicle. Very often the transmission shifts very hard to the point you hear and you feel like someone hit your car ( usually from 1st to 3rd gear ) and also when you shift it to reverse it slips. Dealer keeps saying theres no codes coming out on their computer. This always happens in motion on a city street."
— NHTSA Complaint dated June 14, 2019 (ID No. 11220142)

The suit alleges Ford has known, or should have known, about the harsh/erratic shifting problem since at least March 2018, the date the automaker released its first technical service bulletin (TSB) involving the 10-speed transmission. Prior to that, however, complaints about the 10R80 transmission came pouring in almost immediately upon Ford’s release of the 2017 F-150, kicking off years of TSBs while the automaker has danced around acknowledging the defect and its symptoms outright, the case says.

“Thus, by early 2018, Ford knew or should have known through sufficient product testing, consumer complaints, or other methods, that the Class Vehicles contained the Transmission Defect,” the complaint contends, noting that, to date, Ford has issued multiple TSBs, including one in April 2022, about improper shifting plaguing the vehicles.

The filing alleges Ford knowingly concealed, and continues to conceal, from consumers the nature of the transmission defect, which the suit argues has diminished the intrinsic and resale value of the impacted vehicles. The case reiterates that Ford has “attempted to squelch public recognition of the [t]ransmission [d]efect” by entertaining the falsehood that the reported “harsh and bumpy” shifting is normal.

Which Ford/Lincoln vehicle models allegedly have a defective transmission?

The lawsuit claims that since at least 2017 the following vehicle models have come equipped with a 10R80 10-speed transmission that can shift harshly and/or abruptly, shudder, vibrate, jerk or hesitate between gears:

Who’s covered by the lawsuit?

The proposed class action aims to cover all individuals in the United States and its territories who formerly or currently own or lease one or more vehicles equipped with a 10R80 10-speed automatic transmission.

I have/had one of these vehicles. How do I get involved?

Generally speaking, there’s nothing you need to do to join, add your name to, or sign up for a proposed class action when it’s initially filed. It’s only if and when a case settles that the people impacted by the suit—called class members—will need to act, typically by filling out and filing a claim form online or by mail.

If you own or lease, or formerly owned or leased, a 2017-present Lincoln Navigator or Ford Expedition, Mustang, Ranger or F-150, you can also let us know about it here.

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