Ford Transmission Problems

Transmission issues make up roughly 21% of all Ford owner complaints. The majority of the issues have been reported by Explorer owners.

The complaint we hear about most often is transmission failure in the 2002 Explorer.

Common Ford Transmission Problems

  1. PowerShift Transmission Problems

    PowerShift promised the fuel efficiency of a manual with the ease of an automatic transmission. What owners got instead was a lurching, surging, and shuddering ride that has been the focus of multiple lawsuits and one settlement to date.

    Continue reading article "PowerShift Transmission Problems"

  2. Freestar Torque Converter Failure

    A faulty torque converter was causing widespread and dangerous transmission problems for owners of the 2004-05 Ford Freestar. The problem was investigated and eventually recalled, but did the recall cover everybody it should have?…

    Continue reading article "Freestar Torque Converter Failure"

  3. Explorer Transmission Failure

    Nothing lasts forever and transmissions in early 2000's Ford Explorers are no exception. One dealership claimed 1 out of every 10 Explorers from the 3rd generation will experience a premature transmission failure, and with a typical repair …

    Continue reading article "Explorer Transmission Failure"

Where Transmission Complaints Happen

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

Worst Issues

Worst Models

Recent Transmission News

There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters. We try to boil down it to the most important bits about things that actually help you with your car problem. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts over at CarComplaints.com.

  1. Ford is recalling a problem that can cause a sudden loss of power while driving or an unexpected rollaway while parking. Neither of these things are ideal.

    The issue revolves around excess vibration that can prematurely snap a link shaft bracket somewhere in the powertrain. I'm guessing the transmission? Maybe the flux capacitor? Who can say for sure.…

    keep reading article "Little Known Bracket Recalled For Causing Big Time Problems in 16,000 Ford Vehicles"

  2. Ford is recalling the 2011-2013 F-150 because it can suddenly downshift, causing whiplash and at least five crashes.

    The 6-speed transmission is dropping into 1st gear due to a communication breakdown between the transmission output speed sensor and the powertrain control module (PCM). This can happen at any speed and without warning. Ford believes they can fix the issue with an update to the PCM software.

    Hmm, where have we heard that before?

    keep reading article "F-150 Recalled for Suddenly Dropping Into 1st Gear"

  3. The 2019 Ranger’s gear shifter interlock is being recalled because it could allow the truck to shift out of park unintentionally.

    The interlock is supposed to prevent the transmission from shifting when the vehicle is off or the driver’s foot isn’t pressing the brake pedal. However, Ford admits that wiring can interfere with the shifter interlock override and prevent the gear shifter from locking in the PARK position.

    keep reading article "Regrettable Rollaway Ranger Recall Really Rucks"

  5. Ford’s $450,000 supercar is at risk of becoming the world’s most expensive bonfire.

    The automaker says no crashes or injuries have been reported, but one fire was caused by hydraulic fluid that leaked from the valve block assembly. The leaking fluid made contact with hot exhaust parts and caused the fire.

    The recalled 2017-2018 GTs were built between 12/20/2016 and 07/31/2018.

    keep reading article "GT Recalled to Prevent World’s Most Expensive Bonfire"

  6. Ford is recalling 15,000 F-150’s from the 2017 model year.

    David Woods, reporting for CarComplaints.com says _The 2017 trucks are equipped with 10-speed automatic transmissions that can remain in gear no matter where the gear shift lever is positioned. Ford says a pin that attaches the transmission shift linkage to the transmission can come out, leaving the shift lever unable to change gears.

    In other words, the shift lever might say “park” while the transmission is still very much in “drive.” Until the fix is ready, now would be a very good time to become friends with your parking brake.

    keep reading article "2017 F-150 Could Remain in Gear, Even if Your Gear Shifter Says Otherwise"

  7. After a series of PowerShift class-actions and years of complaints, a lawsuit settlement is on the horizon.

    The settlement, once approved by a federal judge, will include about 1.5 million model year 2011-2016 Ford Fiesta and 2012-2016 Ford Focus cars with automatic transmissions that caused Ford to issue two customer satisfaction programs.

    The full settlement details are complex, but will provide owners with options such as cash payments, reimbursements, or credits towards the purchase of a new car with a arbitration-monitored buyback from Ford.…

    keep reading article "PowerShift Lawsuit Settlement Waiting on a Judge's Approval"

  8. Ford's "best of both worlds" PowerShift transmission is facing more leagl heat, this time by 28 named plaintiffs in Texas.

    The dual-clutch lawsuit alleges the vehicles suffer from a long list of problems including shuddering, slipping, bucking, jerking, hesitation while changing gears, premature internal wear, delays in downshifting and sudden or delayed acceleration.

    Where have we heard that before? Oh that's right, California and Illinois have similar class-action lawsuits on the docket.

    This case, however, is the first to add the EcoSport to the list of affected models.

    keep reading article "Another PowerShift Transmission Lawsuit, This Time in Texas"

  9. The Ford Focus Electric has to be recalled because you might not be able to shift the thing into park.

    The automaker says the 2015-2016 Focus Electric cars have differential pinion shafts that can wear out and cause the shafts to fracture. If this occurs, the car will lose motive ability without warning and lose the ability of the transmission to shift into PARK.

    Indefinite road trip!

    keep reading article "Here's Why You Can't Shift the Focus Electric Into Park"

  10. A proposed class-action lawsuit has been filed in Illinois on behalf on all US consumers that purchased or leased a 2011-2015 Ford Fiesta or 2012-2015 Ford Focus and have had to endure the terrible driving experience of the PowerShift dual-clutch transmission.

    The plaintiffs list similar complaints to another class-action filed last year, namely that the transmission "slips, bucks, kicks, jerks, gets hot, stutters, harshly engages, has premature internal wear, sudden acceleration, delay in downshifts, delayed acceleration, and difficulty stopping the vehicle." Other than that, how is it though?…

    keep reading article "Dual-Clutch PowerShift Transmission Lawsuit Filed in Illinois"

  11. A class-action lawsuit says that Ford's new dual-clutch transmissions are a defective bucket of bolts.

    The lawsuit alleges the transmission was manufactured defective and is causing Fiesta and Focus owners nothing but headaches. Owners complain about vehicles that lurch forward, experience delayed acceleration, delayed downshifting and vehicles that have trouble stopping.

    The lawsuit says that all the shuddering leads to premature failure and costly repairs. Repairs that Ford, allegedly, isn't covering under its standard warranty.

    PowerShift transmissions are supposed to provide the efficiency of a manual, with the ease on an automatic. Unlike other automatic transmissions with torque converters, PowerShift uses two clutches that hand off responsibility to one another. And if this lawsuit is any indication, they're doing a terrible job.

    keep reading article "Fiesta and Focus Are Shipping with Defective Transmissions According to a Lawsuit"