Diagsheet

2020 Ford Expedition · symptom sheet

Transmission hesitates when accelerating

  • 26owner reports
  • 71,000median miles
  • 0involved a crash

Newest report Aug 7, 2026 · checked Sep 19, 2026

26 of the 143 reports of transmission shudder on the 2020 Expedition describe hesitation when accelerating.

Part of Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard (143 reports) · also: jerking or hard shifts, transmission slipping

Tick what matches of 26 reports

26
3
2
2
7

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the transmission (21 reports).

Recalls and investigations

2 recalls on the transmission and drivetrain cover the 2020 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-197Apr 3, 2020
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Ranger and F-150 vehicles equipped with 10-speed automatic transmissions and certain 2020 Expedition vehicles equipped with a "police" package. The transmission shift cable lock clip may not be fully seated, allowing the transmission to actually be in a different gear than the gear shift position selected by the driver.

Risk and remedy
Risk: If the transmission selection does not match the indicated gear selection, and the parking brake is not applied, unintended vehicle movement can occur, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and correct the shift cable locking clip installation, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 27, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S18.

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 2020 model year.

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 59,158 and 97,000 miles, from the 12 reports that gave a mileage.

423
524
825
926

What owners wrote

“Transmission hesitated when entering traffic almost causing accident. This is not the first time this has happened. After the first incident I addressed the issue with the service manager. He said it’s common that this model transmission shifts rough, and has some hick ups but, nothing to worry about. It also randomly shifts into neutral randomly.”

Filed Jun 14, 2025

“The transmission has been having problems for a year. Ford changed the valve plate in transmission due to hesitation and then jerky gear shifting. Problem is still happening. Car hesitates when shifting gears and then jerks. Sometimes the car will no shift gears and go when needed. Almost got in a wreck because it would not accelerate.”

Filed Jan 30, 2025

“Transmission slip in 4A and above gear 4 at speed..hesitation at speed accelerating inconsistent, clunking/jerking from park to reverse when parked. 22’s have lawsuit…don’t understand why 20’s aren’t included. Need recall”

Filed Oct 30, 2023

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 0 of 26 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.

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