Diagsheet

2019 Ford Expedition · symptom sheet

Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard

  • 106owner reports
  • 75,000median miles
  • 1involved a crash

Newest report Sep 3, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

215 of the 490 complaints on this car are about the transmission and drivetrain. 106 of those describe transmission shudder, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2019 Expedition.

Tick what matches of 106 reports

10
49
30
39
11
4

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the transmission (9 reports), the valve body (4 reports), the torque converter (3 reports) and the clutch (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 60,000 and 92,000 miles, from the 41 reports that gave a mileage.

522
2423
2724
3025
2026

What owners wrote

“Transmission will not shift properly under acceleration and will make loud clunking noises when shifting.”

Filed Jul 24, 2024

“On multiple occasions I have experienced a sudden loss of power. This seems to happen when excelerating while entering/merging on to the freeway. There is a large bang/clunk and then no power. This has caused nearly caused me to be in accidents, especially when trying to merge into speeding traffic. I'm afraid this is going to cause an accident.”

Filed Dec 13, 2023

“My truck does this during, gears shifts 3-4- them 3,4,t complete gri g like people noise somewhere around 15 mph - 20 mph. Happens 80% of the time when I'm slowing down coming around a curve on a slight inclin, 5gear sounds like it's grinding in then it dowm shifts to 4th and slows down very fast..then downs hard shift with clunk upto 5th when speeding up after that slight turn . Seem to get worse after 95,500 miles”

Filed Aug 27, 2023 · 95,500 miles

“The transmission on this vehicle slips in and out of gear . It is very dangerous trying to merge into traffic. It make a high pitch sound and smells a burning smell. I have not taken it to the shop yet but will have to in the near future.”

Filed Aug 17, 2023

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 1 of 106 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.

Other problems on this car