When attempting to pass a slow moving vehicle on a 2 lane highway when driving up a hill the transmission failed to properly shift instead making a loud clunking and grinding sound before eventually managing to shift into a gear. This failure to shift properly meant that the vehicle was unexpectedly without power when trying to change lanes leading to a dangerous situation.
2018 ford Expedition powertrain problems
moderate 128 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500
Complaints
128
Recalls
0
Crashes
2
Avg fix
$2,500
What owners are reporting 7 most recent
Gears are slipping, vehicle loses power, clunking noises, ghost spanner icon on dashboard, jerks heavily sometimes when going from park to drive, shift system displays on dash after noises.
MY 2018 FORD EXPEDITION MAX 4X4 WAS DIAGNOSED WITH THE ISSUE DESCRIBED IN TCB-20-2315 IN AUG 2019. THE REPAIR WAS DONE PER THE TCB AND COMPLETED IN OCT 2019. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE SHOP FOR 10 WEEKS AND I HAD TO RETURN IT 4 TIMES FOR ADDITIONAL REPAIRS UNTIL THE ISSUE WAS TEMPORARILY RESOLVED. THE PROBLEM REOCCURED IN JUL 2020 AND IT TOOK OVER 5 VISITS TO THE DEALERSHIP AND INTERVENTION FROM FORD …
The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving over 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled on two occasions. The contact stated that while driving a roundabout, the vehicle lost motive power. The accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle jerked and was sluggish, and there was no area to pull over to. Upon parking the vehicle, the power train warning light was illuminate…
My vehicle has started to have problems shifting in some gears(3rd & 7th). I have been doing research, and this seems to be a recurring problem for vehicles with the 10r80 transmission. Where this has caused a big safety risk, is that a few times, the vehicle wouldn't move when pushing on the gas after having the foot on the brake after I had already left and been driving it for 5-10 minutes. Th…
Powertrain/ Transmission required replacement. Replacement transmission from the factory deemed defective and suffered a catastrophic failure in less than 24 hours after install.
When oil in the transmission is still cold, even when engine has wormed up to operation temperature, the transmission is shifting hard, specifically it shifts the hardest from 4th gear into 5th. For a moment car has no acceleration, and then it slams into a 5th gear. I also noticed that the transmission shifts from 4th into 1st, then into 5th. It lasts about 30 seconds. It casing a safety issue wh…
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2018 ford Expedition?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 128 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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