2019 Ford Expedition · symptom sheet

Transmission jerks, lurches or bangs into gear

57owner reports
79,000median miles
1involved a crash

Newest report Sep 3, 2026 · checked Sep 19, 2026

57 of the 106 reports of transmission shudder on the 2019 Expedition describe jerking or hard shifts.

Part of Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard (106 reports) · also: transmission slipping

Tick what matches of 57 reports

bangs or clunks into gear

jerks or lurches when shifting

it happens from a stop

a dealer did a software update

it nearly caused an accident

fluid was changed or flushed

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the transmission (4 reports) and the mounts (3 reports).

Recalls and investigations

2 recalls on the transmission and drivetrain cover the 2019 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.

26V-402Jun 24, 2026

Power Train:Automatic Transmission

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Navigator, Expedition, 2020-2021 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2021 F-150 vehicles. The transmission park pawl may engage while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in park system damage.

Risk and remedy

Risk: Park system damage may result in a vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, and inspect and replace any damaged transmission components as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 10, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in April 2027. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S48. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on June 26, 2026.

20V-263May 8, 2020

Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Expedition and 2019-2020 Mustang vehicles. The "Transmission Not In Park" warning message and associated chime duration are shorter than intended.

Risk and remedy

Risk: If the driver exits the vehicle without the transmission being shifted into park, unintended vehicle movement may result, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the instrument cluster, free of charge. The recall began May 26, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S21.

NHTSA investigations into the transmission and drivetrain on the Expedition

RQ17-010opened Dec 25, 2017

Transmission and drivetrain · model years 2011 to 2013

Unexpected transmission downshift. Closed oct 22, 2019, led to recall 19V-075.

NHTSA summary

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an investigation based on consumer allegations of transmissions unexpectedly downshifting to a lower gear without input from the driver on model year (MY) 2011-2013 Ford F-150, Expedition and Navigator vehicles. ODI has received 455 unique reports related to the alleged problem that were not covered under a previous recall for this issue (16V-248).Expedition and Navigator complaint rates are lower than F-150 complaints. Of those 455 reports, 34.7% claimed that the rear wheels locked up when the transmission downshifted. There were 4 accident claims with no injuries. There are many instances where drivers report leaving their lane or the road because of this issue.In response to ODI's Information Request (IR) letter, Ford Motor Company (Ford) responded with 783 unique reports related to the alleged problem. There were 6 accident claims with 3 injuries. Ford also submitted 1206 warranty claims related to transmission downshifting failures. The failure can occur at any time, but typically at higher speed, and include symptoms such as sudden transmission downshifting, loss of speedometer, erratic shifting of transmission, and transmission stuck in one gear. The failures typically occur without warning and may result in the rear wheels momentarily locking up. The driver often had to fully stop the vehicle and restart it to get the vehicle to shift properly.On February 2nd, 2019 Ford notified ODI that it would conduct a safety recall

None of these investigations covers the 2019 model year.

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 75,000 and 95,000 miles, from the 16 reports that gave a mileage.

222

1523

1624

1425

1026

What owners wrote

“I was driving and felt a clunk in transmission and lost power and almost got rear ended. The wrench light came on so I pulled over and turned off the vehicle. I restarted and it ran fine but the transmission is dangerous, I don't want that to happen again. The transmission constantly hard shifts. This was at 2am in the morning when I was driving from FL to MD.”
Filed Oct 22, 2025

“My transmission started losing power on acceleration, hard jerk/bang when shifting into gear, transmission slipping, loss of power between shifts”
Filed Jul 7, 2025

“As I was driving the transmission started to jerk. As I pressed the gas pedal the car began to downshift and made a huge bang noise and wasnât going anywhere, as cars are passing me .I was on the freeway I was scared for my life and my familyâs life that someone was going to rear end me.”
Filed Apr 7, 2025

“Transmission will not shift properly under acceleration and will make loud clunking noises when shifting.”
Filed Jul 24, 2024

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 1 of 57 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.

File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.