2020 Ranger XLT Transmission issues - dealer says it shifts and drives fine?

[RangerBill]

RangerBill, thank you for posting that! I'm sure anyone watching me swap the DPFE sensor out this morning in my driveway got a show and heard some interesting words, lol. I ended up buying a digital torque adapter at Harbor Freight that I realized too late wouldn't go low enough to set the 8 or so inch-pounds to torque the bolt down when reinstalling the sensor...oops. Then I could NOT get myself and both my hands down into where the hose clamps were in order to compress the clamps and remove the hoses, so I went to Auto Zone and got a hose clamp tool that looked nifty but I couldn't orient to bit onto the clamp, and I also got some hose clamp pliers to help loosen the hose, which also did not work. So I ended up going back to my long handle curved needle nose pliers I already had, and after some wiggling I got the hoses off. Reassembly was a breeze, especially with the twist-off plastic bits on the hose clamps. Genious invention!

I was unable to determine if the old sensor had any water in it sadly, but the test drive did not seem to buck at all. I'm going to drive it a while longer and see how that holds up. Now that I KNOW exactly how to change it any future changes should only take a few minutes.

Now I just need to get to the rest of my issues and hopefully before warranty is out in October...

• vibration on highway >70mph, not fixed after multiple tire balances
• harsh shifting between 3, 4, and 5, which suggests the CDF ring allignment issue
• I feel every shift on the way to a stop and it's driving me insane, like actual lurching
• soft brakes even after having an ABS bleed performed, have to push the peddle in a mile
• probably some other things I'm forgetting at the moment

For the soft brakes, bleed each wheel cylinder of air. The ABS bleed doesn't remove air in the lines to the wheel cylinders.

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[waynejaynes81]

I'll keep that in mind for the brakes. Maybe it'll help with some of the lurching feeling when stopping.

As for the DPFE sensor, I had an appointment an hour away so I drove the truck on the highway and I was pretty sure I felt that same bucking/jerking accelerating on the ramp. Normally I only feel it when cruising around 40Mph and mostly in 8th gear. This was speeding up probably in 7th gear around 60 or 70Mph. I discounted it as me being overly sensitive to the issue. But as I was leaving the appointment I again felt it when on the ramp getting on the highway. And then when I was back home at cruising speed, around 50Mph, I think I still felt it.

Should it take some time for the sensor and computer to readjust? Or should it be an immediate change? If the sensor isn't the problem where should I look next?

 

[waynejaynes81]

Sadly with other repairs taking priority I think my factory warranty is going to lapse before I can get my transmission issues addressed. I do have a secondary warranty but I imagine it will prefer used parts, so we will see. That said, is there a way to figure out which dealer in my area might have a master mechanic, and if that might yield actual diagnostic results instead of them relying on a code before they do anything?

After they replaced the EGR valve and I replaced the DPFE sensor my "bucking" issue has morphed into a less severe but still present issue, and at higher speeds. But my shifting from 3-4-5 is still awful and I still get lurched forward at every gear change coming to a stop.

 

[Msfitoy]

Sadly with other repairs taking priority I think my factory warranty is going to lapse before I can get my transmission issues addressed. I do have a secondary warranty but I imagine it will prefer used parts, so we will see. That said, is there a way to figure out which dealer in my area might have a master mechanic, and if that might yield actual diagnostic results instead of them relying on a code before they do anything?

After they replaced the EGR valve and I replaced the DPFE sensor my "bucking" issue has morphed into a less severe but still present issue, and at higher speeds. But my shifting from 3-4-5 is still awful and I still get lurched forward at every gear change coming to a stop.

If you've read my stories about my trans issues, you'd know there's no good end to this...your trans is on it's way out...just a matter of time...get them to fix it, trade it in, or start saving...

 

[Stevedbvik1]

Sadly with other repairs taking priority I think my factory warranty is going to lapse before I can get my transmission issues addressed. I do have a secondary warranty but I imagine it will prefer used parts, so we will see. That said, is there a way to figure out which dealer in my area might have a master mechanic, and if that might yield actual diagnostic results instead of them relying on a code before they do anything?

After they replaced the EGR valve and I replaced the DPFE sensor my "bucking" issue has morphed into a less severe but still present issue, and at higher speeds. But my shifting from 3-4-5 is still awful and I still get lurched forward at every gear change coming to a stop.

What area are you in? Your profile just says USA. Maybe a forum member in your specific area can share some advice/experience

 

[waynejaynes81]

What area are you in? Your profile just says USA. Maybe a forum member in your specific area can share some advice/experience

I'm in Missouri

 

[waynejaynes81]

Hey everyone,

I was just wondering if there were any new updates for transmission issues and repair steps from Ford now that we're into 2026? Maybe new diagnostic steps or TSBs I am not aware of?

I still have my extended warranty until 100,000 miles so looking to get back on this. Biggest issue that remains is harsh shifting between 3-4-5, suggesting a CDF drum issue, likely the bushing problem. Thanks for your input!

 

[Stevedbvik1]

Hey everyone,

I was just wondering if there were any new updates for transmission issues and repair steps from Ford now that we're into 2026? Maybe new diagnostic steps or TSBs I am not aware of?

I still have my extended warranty until 100,000 miles so looking to get back on this. Biggest issue that remains is harsh shifting between 3-4-5, suggesting a CDF drum issue, likely the bushing problem. Thanks for your input!

TSB 25-2134 is what still applies to your Ranger. There is a later TSB but that is not for the year of your Ranger

 

[stringbreaker]

I thought the drivetrain warranty was 6 years 60,000

 

[Stevedbvik1]

I thought the drivetrain warranty was 6 years 60,000

5/60

 

[stringbreaker]

5/60

Gotcha I calculated incorrectly

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