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Sure, Ford is innocent until proven guilty, but it’s not out of the courtroom yet. An ongoing lawsuit claims that the Ford 10-speed automatic transmission is defective. This case could become worse or get dismissed soon as Ford fights it. 

Is the Ford 10R80 transmission defective? 

The 2023 Ford Expedition off-roading in dirt
2023 Ford Expedition | Ford

Ford could be in trouble due to equipping multiple vehicles with defective transmissions, but nothing has been proven. In 2023, three lawsuits were filed alleging that the 10R80 transmission is defective, and Ford has known about it since 2018. 

The plaintiffs claim that the 10-speed automatic transmission struggles with erratic shifting, clunking, lurching, jerking, losing power, and hesitating. Also, the plaintiffs allege that Ford hasn’t offered an adequate fix for the issue. 

The problems could increase the risk of accidents, injuries, vehicle fires, and death to passengers and pedestrians in the surrounding area. 

But, Ford did begin to address the problem in 2018 with a technical service bulletin to address delayed shifting. There are three recalls related to powertrain issues and shifting issues as well. The problems were corrected at no cost to the owners. 

The lawsuit involves: 

  • 2017 – 2023 Ford F-150 trucks 
  • 2017 – 2023 Ford Mustang models 
  • 2017 – 2023 Ford Ranger trucks 
  • 2017 – 2023 Ford Expedition SUVs 
  • 2017 – 2023 Lincoln Navigator SUVs 

Ford wants the case dismissed 

Ford dismisses claims that it didn’t offer adequate repairs, and the lawsuit should be dismissed because the plaintiffs never tried to get their transmissions repaired while their Ford vehicles were under warranty. Also, there’s inadequate proof related to the claim. 

It doesn’t help that the plaintiffs continued using their vehicles without any known accidents or related injuries. That doesn’t exactly make them seem unsafe. 

Plus, the Daniel McCabe v. Ford Motor Company case only has four plaintiffs. Under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, you need 100 plaintiffs.  

Ford is pretty confident and plans to continue producing the 10R80 transmission through 2028 at the Livonia and Sharonville transmission plants. 

You can join the lawsuit that was filed in Massachusetts federal court, and we will continue to provide updates.

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Allison Barfield

Allison Barfield joined MotorBiscuit in 2020 and covers all things trucks, SUVs, and Jeeps. Having grown up on a farm in Rock Hill, South Carolina, she’s no stranger to the “Best in Class” truck and SUV debates; people in her hometown were always gathering to help work on vehicles together, and deliberation would naturally arise.

Allison graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in Media Arts. She has helped bring awareness to issues Women In Trucking face and has promoted Truckers Against Trafficking, an anti-trafficking NGO.

A fan of creatively dark literature, Allison appreciates the works of Shirley Jackson and Emily Dickenson. She lives in a mountainous area of the country and enjoys off-roading and camping. Her dog, Bruce, often joins her in testing trucks and SUVs for our site.