New Ranger Owner / 2019 - 2023 Transmission Issues???

[dg7080]

I recently purchase a 2020 4x4 Ranger with 51K miles. It was very well maintained by it's original owner and I have every maintenance receipt from day one. All maintenance was done by the dealer where it was purchased, even the little stuff like windshield wiper blades, lol (it was owned by a gentleman in his late 70s). I'm an old dude at 65 and this is the first Ford product I've owned since high school. I really like this truck, but after joining the forum here and also a Ranger Facebook group, I am seeing many owners reporting issues with the transmissions. Now mine seems fine at the moment, but after seeing all the talk of owners with serious transmission issues, my question is, did I buy a ticking time bomb?
My wife knows I'm worried about the trans going out soon, although it seems fine now, and told me to quit worrying about it.. For the folks that bother to read all my ramblings here, what percentage of trucks would yall say have a serious transmission issue??? 1 out of 10, 5 out of 10, 8 out of 10, etc...
Thanks in advance!

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[Jamie Jack]

Remember that this is the place where Ranger owners come to whine; a group that is over represented here; while the majority us are doing fine. The Ranger is a fine truck; listen to your wife and enjoy it without worry.

 

[Stevedbvik1]

I recently purchase a 2020 4x4 Ranger with 51K miles. It was very well maintained by it's original owner and I have every maintenance receipt from day one. All maintenance was done by the dealer where it was purchased, even the little stuff like windshield wiper blades, lol (it was owned by a gentleman in his late 70s). I'm an old dude at 65 and this is the first Ford product I've owned since high school. I really like this truck, but after joining the forum here and also a Ranger Facebook group, I am seeing many owners reporting issues with the transmissions. Now mine seems fine at the moment, but after seeing all the talk of owners with serious transmission issues, my question is, did I buy a ticking time bomb?
My wife knows I'm worried about the trans going out soon, although it seems fine now, and told me to quit worrying about it.. For the folks that bother to read all my ramblings here, what percentage of trucks would yall say have a serious transmission issue??? 1 out of 10, 5 out of 10, 8 out of 10, etc...
Thanks in advance!

How much of the 5 year / 60000 mile powertrain warranty do you have left? And how would you describe “ seems fine” . Issues can start showing up as very subtle. For those within the powertrain warranty there’s a TSB that addresses know issues.

 

[Danzona]

I have a 2020 XLT FX4 (pictured in my profile shot) and I absolutely LOVE it. The 10R80 transmission *has* had some reports of problems, and you can find some good information about some of those online, but I agree with @Jamie Jack - most of us are having really good performance with our trucks and have few complaints.

Here is an article from November 2024 explaining some of the more common issues with the 10R80 transmission:https://www.ford-trucks.com/article...e-ford-10r80-10-speed-transmission-explained/

If your truck was well-maintained by the prior owner as you said, I wouldn't worry about it too much. What I *WOULD* do is make sure you're having the transmission properly serviced - Ford told me personally that waiting until 100,000 miles to have the fluid and filter changed was actually too long, and recommended doing it at 60,000 miles. Consider having that done right away if it hasn't been done by the prior owner already. I've had one person tell me recently that every 30,000 miles is a good cadence to go by.

Now, if have the tow package and the FX4 kit, and you're planning to tow a travel trailer, or you're going to be doing any off-roading or other "tougher" activities with it, I'd consider getting an extra-capacity transmission pan installed as well as investing in a tuning kit (such as a Ford Performance tune kit - https://performanceparts.ford.com/part/M-9603-REB) to improve the transmission's performance.

In any event, you've likely got a really good truck there. I haven't met anyone yet who didn't love theirs, even with the occasional complaint or issue. Keep coming here for questions and advice, this community is really great and I've learned a lot here.

Cheers!

 

[Grumpaw]

The vast majority of us have not had any problems at all. But you will see an above average number of posts from those with no problems about maintaince that we preform....changing our own tranny fluid, tranny pans, tranny dipsticks, ect., just to give ourselves peace of mind.
2021 here towing 7000 lb trailer, with no problems at all,,,

 

[ScarzRanger21]

I recently purchase a 2020 4x4 Ranger with 51K miles. It was very well maintained by it's original owner and I have every maintenance receipt from day one. All maintenance was done by the dealer where it was purchased, even the little stuff like windshield wiper blades, lol (it was owned by a gentleman in his late 70s). I'm an old dude at 65 and this is the first Ford product I've owned since high school. I really like this truck, but after joining the forum here and also a Ranger Facebook group, I am seeing many owners reporting issues with the transmissions. Now mine seems fine at the moment, but after seeing all the talk of owners with serious transmission issues, my question is, did I buy a ticking time bomb?
My wife knows I'm worried about the trans going out soon, although it seems fine now, and told me to quit worrying about it.. For the folks that bother to read all my ramblings here, what percentage of trucks would yall say have a serious transmission issue??? 1 out of 10, 5 out of 10, 8 out of 10, etc...
Thanks in advance!

I have 56k on mine and no issues yet. I think any vehicle you buy these days is a “ticking time bomb” in one way or another. As long as you’re not driving with a lead foot and don’t overwork the transmission, I think you’ll be fine.

 

[ctechbob]

You said all the maintenance, that usually doesn't include any kind of trans fluid change. Being at 50k would be an excellent time to drop the pan, replace the filter and change the fluid. At a minimum.

If you want, you can throw a bottle of Lubegard Platinum in there, although the dealer probably won't do that for you. I feel safe in saying that there's enough of us that have used it that it helps with keeping the valve body free and functioning properly.

 

[dg7080]

How much of the 5 year / 60000 mile powertrain warranty do you have left? And how would you describe “ seems fine” . Issues can start showing up as very subtle. For those within the powertrain warranty there’s a TSB that addresses know issues.

Only 2 weeks left on the original warranty. As for seems fine, not having owned the truck new, I don't have a clue as to how the tranny felt for most of it's life. But it currently shifts up and down fine..

 

[dg7080]

I have a 2020 XLT FX4 (pictured in my profile shot) and I absolutely LOVE it. The 10R80 transmission *has* had some reports of problems, and you can find some good information about some of those online, but I agree with @Jamie Jack - most of us are having really good performance with our trucks and have few complaints.

Here is an article from November 2024 explaining some of the more common issues with the 10R80 transmission:https://www.ford-trucks.com/article...e-ford-10r80-10-speed-transmission-explained/

If your truck was well-maintained by the prior owner as you said, I wouldn't worry about it too much. What I *WOULD* do is make sure you're having the transmission properly serviced - Ford told me personally that waiting until 100,000 miles to have the fluid and filter changed was actually too long, and recommended doing it at 60,000 miles. Consider having that done right away if it hasn't been done by the prior owner already. I've had one person tell me recently that every 30,000 miles is a good cadence to go by.

Now, if have the tow package and the FX4 kit, and you're planning to tow a travel trailer, or you're going to be doing any off-roading or other "tougher" activities with it, I'd consider getting an extra-capacity transmission pan installed as well as investing in a tuning kit (such as a Ford Performance tune kit - https://performanceparts.ford.com/part/M-9603-REB) to improve the transmission's performance.

In any event, you've likely got a really good truck there. I haven't met anyone yet who didn't love theirs, even with the occasional complaint or issue. Keep coming here for questions and advice, this community is really great and I've learned a lot here.

Cheers!

Interesting article, thanks for posting. I've got every service record, but none mention a transmission fluid change. So that will be on my list to do before 60k.

 

[dg7080]

You said all the maintenance, that usually doesn't include any kind of trans fluid change. Being at 50k would be an excellent time to drop the pan, replace the filter and change the fluid. At a minimum.

If you want, you can throw a bottle of Lubegard Platinum in there, although the dealer probably won't do that for you. I feel safe in saying that there's enough of us that have used it that it helps with keeping the valve body free and functioning properly.

I'm going to have the transmission serviced before 60K. Probably at 55K when I change my oil and do a few other things..

 

[dg7080]

Thanks for all the info. I'm going on a 1k mile road trip soon so I'll see how it does on a long run. I'm going to change my oil at 55K and do a few other things.. Probably change the gear case lub too. I'll either take it to a dealer or may change the transmission fluid/filter myself around that time..

 

[SKULLZONE]

I recently purchase a 2020 4x4 Ranger with 51K miles. It was very well maintained by it's original owner and I have every maintenance receipt from day one. All maintenance was done by the dealer where it was purchased, even the little stuff like windshield wiper blades, lol (it was owned by a gentleman in his late 70s). I'm an old dude at 65 and this is the first Ford product I've owned since high school. I really like this truck, but after joining the forum here and also a Ranger Facebook group, I am seeing many owners reporting issues with the transmissions. Now mine seems fine at the moment, but after seeing all the talk of owners with serious transmission issues, my question is, did I buy a ticking time bomb?
My wife knows I'm worried about the trans going out soon, although it seems fine now, and told me to quit worrying about it.. For the folks that bother to read all my ramblings here, what percentage of trucks would yall say have a serious transmission issue??? 1 out of 10, 5 out of 10, 8 out of 10, etc...
Thanks in advance!

2020 Ranger - I lost transmission at 59640 miles, replaced under power train warranty.

Did not drive it hard, it just let go.

 

[Jason B]

The 19 - 23 models use the 10R80 transmission, the same trans used in millions of F150, Rangers, and Explorers since 2017. That's not to say that some Rangers have problems, or that trans failures are more frequent in Rangers. I just have my doubts of how widespread the problems are for the 10R80.

 

[Old Red Replacement]

This Forum and others raise alarm and worrisome fear?
We have 2020 XL and use is 50% towing 4500 lb camper.
I have bought extended warranty + $’s
10 yr 60 k miles( we go 3/4K miles a yr)
Changed fluid / filter and installed PPE pan. Also did front and rear differential and transfer case. Rear end oil was black @ 3K
Added transmission temp gauge and dipstick.
Just drained fluid and added new Amsoil ULV.

It’s a lot of $’s plus the extended warranty.

No issues waiting good luck with your used truck. Ford needs to do better placement of OEM dipstick is nightmare.

 

[landiscarrier]

104,000 miles on my 19'. Tramsmission fluid changed 2 times so far and no transmission issues to date.

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