Quick google search shows this is a very common issue with their 10-speed ******, but Ford hasn't been willing to do anything regarding a recall. I'm out of warranty and my gut tells me a rebuild is in my future. Anyone else been down this path? I'm in Katy and will be looking for a transmission shop for diagnostics and from what I can tell online, a rebuild. I have the 3.5 Platinum with 90K miles.

Here's a discussion of the latest TSBs in case you had not come across them:
https://www.f150forum.com/f118/10r80-tsb-25-2018-feb-7-2025-a-570637/

You have one of the best transmission repair shop in the area near you. Gary's Transmission is my go-to shop. Great service and fair pricing. You will thank me later.

Transmission Repair Katy TX

Transmission Repair Katy TX

rancher1953 said:

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You have one of the best transmission repair shop in the area near you. Gary's Transmission is my go-to shop. Great service and fair pricing. You will thank me later.

Transmission Repair Katy TX

Transmission Repair Katy TX

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Thanks Rancher. Funny story. It's actually at his shop right now off Franz getting the diagnostics done. I feel better.

My dad just recently had the same issue with his 2018 F150. His transmission was slipping for about a week, and then completely went out while driving down the highway. Ford acknowledged it is a known issue, but wanted $12k to replace the transmission. Independent transmission shops were quoting in the $4-6k range.

SZ said:

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My dad just recently had the same issue with his 2018 F150. His transmission was slipping for about a week, and then completely went out while driving down the highway. Ford acknowledged it is a known issue, but wanted $12k to replace the transmission. Independent transmission shops were quoting in the $4-6k range.

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Yea not going to mess with the stealership on this one. They may have a little better warranty (will find out from local shop what they offer), but not spending 12K on a replacement if I can get it rebuilt locally. Will keep everyone posted.

KatyAggie2000 said:

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SZ said:

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My dad just recently had the same issue with his 2018 F150. His transmission was slipping for about a week, and then completely went out while driving down the highway. Ford acknowledged it is a known issue, but wanted $12k to replace the transmission. Independent transmission shops were quoting in the $4-6k range.

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Yea not going to mess with the stealership on this one. They may have a little better warranty (will find out from local shop what they offer), but not spending 12K on a replacement if I can get it rebuilt locally. Will keep everyone posted.

Just found out the local shop that has my truck in for diagnostics offers a 2-years or 24K mile warranty. This also includes preventative maintenance during this period at no charge. I doubt Ford is a ton better here.

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"This truck has really been terrible to drive. My sons '24 Mitsubishi Mirage is more enjoyable to drive. I'd trade it in on something else, but because of rates, I'd end up losing money. Last Ford truck I'll buy...

Note: This is AFTER a full transmission replacement."

Obligatory, "Ford Tough"

Keep me posted on the issue Thanks

Got the transmission replaced on my wife's 2018 Expedition about 2 months ago. Similar situation to yours. It was right at $9k from an independent shop to install an OEM transmission. Warranty on the transmission is 3-years, unlimited miles.

1agswitchin4lanes how does one prevent such problems with the 10 speed? I know you are the man when it comes to these things. I was not aware that Gary did not rebuilt the 10 speed. Thanks for info.

Unfortunately, there is an inherent flaw with the CDF drum design on these 10 speeds. However, routine maintenance and clean fluid will prevent what I consider premature failure.

I have a customer that has a fleet of Ford transit vans , some eco-boost, some regular , they all have 10 speed transmissions. I currently have one that is a 2020 model, with 221,000 miles. I have changed the fluid every 50,000 miles, and added a very small amount of Lube guard platinum with the fluid. The transmission is just now starting to give out.

It's all about maintaining the transmission, and keeping the fluid clean. These 10 speeds have a two step filter, one side for the coarse particles, and one side for fine particles. The problem is, Ford does not say anything about changing the fluid until 150,000 miles. In my opinion, fluid should be changed much more often than that. I am a 45 to 50,000 mile Guy on my personal tense speed transmissions. Never had an issue. Our expedition we sold recently with 130,000 miles never skipped a beat.

Unfortunately, 90% of the people out there never change the transmission fluid, or onlt do so when it's too late. I feel like the main issue with the CDF drum, is not so much dirty fluid, but the exhaustion of the transmission fluid additive package causing the valve body to stick, and improper shifts, miss shifts, harsh engagement, all will exacerbate The CDF drum moving.

Ford has fixed the design in these already with late 2022 models, they added a snap ring to prevent the drum from walking.

The 10 speed is a very complicated transmission, and my opinion may be completely wrong, but of this fleet of 20-25 vans that I maintain, all of them have seen over 200,000 miles before any transmission issues have popped up. Two have failed, the others got wrecked or turned back in due to miles. And these vans get driven in two shifts per day. We are changing the oil every 15 to 20 days.

Do you change the filter when you change the transmission fluid? I'm at 80k miles on my 2018 3.5 economist with the 10 speed. I was looking into what it would take to change to transmission fluid. Looks like you can pump out as much as possible through the refill opening and/or also change the filter before refilling with new transmission fluid.

RCR06 said:

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Do you change the filter when you change the transmission fluid? I'm at 80k miles on my 2018 3.5 economist with the 10 speed. I was looking into what it would take to change to transmission fluid. Looks like you can pump out as much as possible through the refill opening and/or also change the filter before refilling with new transmission fluid.

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I change my filter at 100K. Two fluid changes before that. I use a pneumatic tool to suck fluid out and Motive power fill to fill it. Usually get 4-5 quarts out and makes things shift great.

We only post positive things about Ford here. White Boosts especially. Reality has no place here!

I have a 2021 Super Duty in the shop right now with the 10 speed. She's getting a new transmission on Fords dime (still under warranty).

Edit: was slipping 3-4 and 4-5. Not terrible but noticeable to me at slow acceleration. Took it in while still under warranty. Shop called me yesterday to tell me Ford is replacing.

1ags is right. You need to change the transmission fluid. I would do every 30k miles but if not pulling a lot you can go to 50k intervals. I learned this the hard way from a transmission tech after he rebuilt a transmission for me. Number 1 cause of transmissions issues is bad fluid.

Gary is great but man he's an opinionated dude. Don't get him started or you'll be there an extra hour trying to pay and leave.

If you have the pneumatic drain & filler, the drain and fill on the 10r80 isn't any harder than doing an oil change. I did my first service soon after acquiring my Navigator at 25k. I plan on doing a drain and fill of 4qts + Lubeguard with each oil change going forward.

hunterjr81 said:

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1ags is right. You need to change the transmission fluid. I would do every 30k miles but if not pulling a lot you can go to 50k intervals. I learned this the hard way from a transmission tech after he rebuilt a transmission for me. Number 1 cause of transmissions issues is bad fluid.

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Negative. ****ty quality is #1 reason for failure that
no fluid change can make up for.

rancher1953 said:

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1agswitchin4lanes how does one prevent such problems with the 10 speed? I know you are the man when it comes to these things. I was not aware that Gary did not rebuilt the 10 speed. Thanks for info.

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Don't buy a ford or Chevy. Plenty of YouTube videos to confirm their ****ty quality standards.

1agswitchin4lanes said:

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RCR06 said:

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Do you change the filter when you change the transmission fluid? I'm at 80k miles on my 2018 3.5 economist with the 10 speed. I was looking into what it would take to change to transmission fluid. Looks like you can pump out as much as possible through the refill opening and/or also change the filter before refilling with new transmission fluid.

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I change my filter at 100K. Two fluid changes before that. I use a pneumatic tool to suck fluid out and Motive power fill to fill it. Usually get 4-5 quarts out and makes things shift great.

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I have a 2022 F150 with a 3.5. 90% of my driving is on the highway and I have pulled a UHaul trailer once or twice. I have 72K on it. If you were me, what would you do?

Change the fluid only?
Fluid and filter?
Who could I take it to in College Station?
How much do you charge for this? I'll bring it to you.

Thanks.

scd88 said:

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1agswitchin4lanes said:

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RCR06 said:

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Do you change the filter when you change the transmission fluid? I'm at 80k miles on my 2018 3.5 economist with the 10 speed. I was looking into what it would take to change to transmission fluid. Looks like you can pump out as much as possible through the refill opening and/or also change the filter before refilling with new transmission fluid.

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I change my filter at 100K. Two fluid changes before that. I use a pneumatic tool to suck fluid out and Motive power fill to fill it. Usually get 4-5 quarts out and makes things shift great.

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I have a 2022 F150 with a 3.5. 90% of my driving is on the highway and I have pulled a UHaul trailer once or twice. I have 72K on it. If you were me, what would you do?

Change the fluid only?
Fluid and filter?
Who could I take it to in College Station?
How much do you charge for this? I'll bring it to you.

Thanks.

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I would use an extractor tool to suck out whatever fluid I could get, measure it, and refill, and check the level.

Make sure whoever doesn't uses the right mercon ULV transmission fluid.

OK thanks.