2021 Ford Ranger Transmission Slips

[Jim Oaks]

Pulled out of a parking lot this morning in the freezing cold and the transmission in my 2021 Ford Ranger slipped for a brief moment and then engaged. Didn't do it again during the 1.5 hour drive home.

Just decided to do a search and quickly realized that this is an issue with the Ford 10-speed transmission. Saw links to other discussion online about this happening in the new Rangers.

Also saw a page posted by:

Ford Ranger 10-Speed Transmission Problems | Lemon Law Help

Ford Ranger transmission problems include slipping, shaking, shuddering, stalling, jerking violently into gear and losing power.

knightlawgroup.com

That states:

"Ford’s 10-speed transmissions are the subject of a new class action lawsuit that alleges defects such as gear slipping, harsh shifting and acceleration problems. Though 2019—2022 Ford Ranger pickups are not included in the lawsuit, consumer complaints reveal that the pickup trucks experience similar issues. "

If anyone with a 2019 or newer Ford Ranger experiences transmission slippage, please post here.

 

[Robertmangrum.rm]

I haven't noticed any slipping. But I hate the way it's always searching for a gear at lower speeds. I've been running mine in tow mode almost since new. It holds in a gear longer and doesn't skip any gears like normal. My drive to work is only 5 miles and max of 40 mph. When I run in normal drive it will be in 8th gear at 40. While in tow mode it will only go to 6th. Plus it will downshift when coasting down hill to hold current speed.

 

[RumPunch]

Got my 2020 new and I have probably noticed 3-5 odd shift experiences in the 69k miles it's got in it. Nothing overly concerning in my mind, all have been shortly after starting (generally leaving work when I haven't allowed it a lot of time to warm up) I did purchase the extended warranty through Ford right before my factory powertrain ran out. 135k mile coverage believe it cost me about $2500. $100 down and $100/month additional with no interest. Honestly don't know why anyone would pass on that. But back to the transmission issue, I just picked up fluid etc to do a change @ 75k interval and I will have the dealer do it just to show coverage.

 

[sgtsandman]

I have noticed an occasional slip but attributed it to the truck being cold and trying to catch up after backing out of the drive. It does seem to be a weather related thing, as in cold weather. If I remember correctly, it's a GM transmission. Ford collaborated with GM for the 10 speed and GM got to use a Ford transmission. I think the 6 speed.

 

[Roert42]

not the same transmission, however, I’ve had this happen to me with my 5R55E.
Only when I first start it, more noticeable when it’s cold outside.

At this point, I put the trans in neutral whenever I start the truck. When the trans is in park it’s completely disconnected, but in neutral it will circulate the fluid. Lets the fluid warm up enough and it shifts fine. If it’s cold it will put into gear and then not want to shift again until it’s warm.

I read that was a problem with the 5R55E and assumed it’s the same with all electronically shifted automatic transmissions.

 

[SpifNup]

Report: Transmission & Shifting - my new 22 Ranger XLT 4x4 Crew 2.3L ECO 5' bed, 10-spd.

On today's test drive (took sibling with me), mostly took it easy.

Did steady & careful 40 mph on small roads, 25-35 on some city streets (slower on turns), 60-65 return on main highways.

Mostly tested lane keeping (when traveling fast enough to kick in), etc.
Listened to nice music on free trial SiriusXM.

TRANSMISSION & SHIFTING REPORT:

Weird transmission sounds occurred (my description elsewhere: wonky and klunky) many times. As usual.

Started being quite audible (also felt minor-to-moderate jerkiness), as soon as reaching street after 80-ft of travel from garage. Engine not then warmed up much--took only 1 min or a bit longer to back out, park with engine running, then manually close garage door.

Jerky shifting immediately after slow turn onto street.

Later in test drive (50-60 min after dep. home--engine / transmission / oil surely warm by then) noticed clearly what sounded like engine or transmission spooling up fast & loud for a few sec (with accompanying high pitch whoosh or whine).

Wasn't giving it a gas punch at that moment (turning quite slow at that point--starting or finishing a gentle 5-to-10 mph turn).
Occurred while slowed down (either preparatory to, or just completing, slow corner turn in small town).

Alarmed me to hear it. Lasted perhaps 2-4 sec.

Not sure if that's what a poster here meant by hunting for a gear. But seems to fit that description.

The unexpected loud sound (engine or transmission spooling--not sure which) seemed similar to revving an engine--giving it gas when in Neutral (out-of-gear), yet I was still driving in D mode (not N not S).

Did transmission drop out of gear (into Neutral)?
Was it revving RPMs trying to find or get to a shift point?
Was it between gears?
Did something 'turbo'?
Perhaps I was feathering the gas pedal (driving slow through turn), and that amount of fuel spun up the engine ... if . not . in . gear.

Thinking, in retrospect, it could not have been in gear.

Such loud revving, if in gear, would have jolted vehicle forward.
Rather, vehicle seemed to hang (bog down) momentarily for a few short seconds.

Then seemed to find a drive gear (not sure which #) and pull forward.

Perhaps 19-22 Rangers not in mentioned lawsuit over Ford 10-spd transmission, but each 22 Ranger drive (since recent purchase) has provided evidence of strange transmission behavior (per my initial experiences).

I have only 200, perhaps 300 mi driving with it, since delivery pickup. Not much, I realize.
Will very soon start to drive & test more [i.e. daily] ... after tomorrow's Krown anti-rust appointment.

Need to gently break in truck (per my habits), in both city, road & hwy trips, in part to see if some sort of Adaptive computer learning is occurring.

At this time I cannot seriously consider implementing (purchasing) any Pedal/Throttle Enhancement, nor Full Performance Tune (includ. adjust's to improve RPM Shift Points), until I put enough miles on it (up to 1,000?) to see if break-in period allows anything to settle down of its own accord.

Will keep reading and posting after more driving and testing.

Look forward to hearing if others experiencing similar issues.

--Spif

 

[SymChris]

2019 (March 14th in-service day), I’m in the Toronto area. It can get cold, was -18 Celsius before wind chill a few weeks ago, but is pretty well a 26-50 climate lately.

Truck is stock - 2019 FX4 Lariat 4x4 Crewcab, about to hit 40,000 miles. No tranny service performed.

About a month ago on a pretty chilly morning, I didn’t let it warm up much (maybe a minute). Went on my way taking it easy like I always do when it’s colder outside and she’s been sitting all night. Didn’t get too far and I got a wrench pop up.

I already had the gear indicator on (I pretty well always drive in normal D), so watched what ended up happening. I would come to a stop, but my trans indicator showed I was in 3rd. So from then till I stopped and turned off the truck it was only slowing/stopping to 3rd gear. It actually did good going from a stop to a start, but it probably was pretty taxing on all the components.

The longer she warms up the better. Not sure what the level is (and that sucks to a whole other level - ha), so I am curious what’s in there.

I did do a “premature “ drain and fill on our 2017 Escape at 50k miles, about 10k ago.

 

[JohnnyO]

Early on it would downshift HARD sometimes when coming to a stop, enough that I'd look in the mirror to see if I got hit from behind, but after about 20,000 miles it has pretty much gone away.
Has a mild vibration that won't go away no matter how often I get the wheels balanced but I think it's either the rear shocks or driveshaft.

 

[sgtsandman]

While it doesn't answer the question posted above, it does answer some questions people might have about the 10R80 transmission.

 

[Dwgray]

Just returned to Arizona today, 2.26.2023, from a two week driving trip to Montana in our 2022 Ranger XLT Cre-Cab FX-4 truck. Began trip at 7962 miles on truck. Returned with10,700. It was well below zero without a wind chill the past several mornings. Each morning I remote started the truck to let it warm up. Still noticed that while cold, the transmission held onto its selected gear just a little longer than what I experience in Phoenix. Never exceeded 2500-ish rpm in a hear while cold. Only lasted a few minutes and then shifted as it has since delivered to us in September 2022. Watched the YouTube video and it makes sense. I don't feel our truck is experiencing anything like some of the descriptions above, but chimed in as just experienced slight difference when in such a cold environment.

 

[JohnnyO]

Just returned to Arizona today, 2.26.2023, from a two week driving trip to Montana in our 2022 Ranger XLT Cre-Cab FX-4 truck. Began trip at 7962 miles on truck. Returned with10,700. It was well below zero without a wind chill the past several mornings. Each morning I remote started the truck to let it warm up. Still noticed that while cold, the transmission held onto its selected gear just a little longer than what I experience in Phoenix. Never exceeded 2500-ish rpm in a hear while cold. Only lasted a few minutes and then shifted as it has since delivered to us in September 2022. Watched the YouTube video and it makes sense. I don't feel our truck is experiencing anything like some of the descriptions above, but chimed in as just experienced slight difference when in such a cold environment.

Every automatic vehicle I've ever owned did that in cold weather.

 

[James Morse]

Seems like with all these issues they kind of went backwards compared to something that works.
I was looking in the shop manual diagnosis chart for the 5R55E (I realize that's a completely different trans) and it has entries for all the unwanted symptoms described for the 10 speed.
So there should be a similar manual for the new trucks.
Slipping to me would indicate torque converter clutch is involved either directly or indirectly.
Hard or soft shifting, hunting on grade, etc - those things all have causes and fixes.
I really don't know much about it, but I can see that auto trans are horribly complicated and the diagnosis charts are like 50 pages.
There could be a design flaw that isn't fixable I suppose.
I forgot again, why did we need 10 speeds? Seems like overkill.

 

[Roert42]

I forgot again, why did we need 10 speeds? Seems like overkill.

C.A.R.B

 

[James Morse]

had to look it up, but, ok, thanks.
how's your '97 must be a twin to mine
did you post door sticker to it I'm still trying to figure out my front/rear grosses if I could find one same total gross.
I don't need VIN on the sticker just the other stuff if you can

 

[HenryMac]

We live about 1/8 of a mile from the main road. When it's really cold, in the teens or colder, the transmission will slip on the 1st shift once I pull out onto the main road.

It doesn't do it unless it's really cold, and it only does it once.

And that's in regular mode, not sport mode.