2020 transmission

[GhostStrykre]

i'll add in my own experience:

i hate to say it, but the "quirks" my 2019 has had since i bought it used at 22k miles are becoming more consistent.

after i had a trailer brake controller installed and i did some spark plugs, the truck went through its calibration/learning mode. what followed was about 5k miles of smoooth driving.

now the quirks have returned. the 3-4-5 (and sometimes 6th) gear hard shift, and sometime hesitation and then launch in those gears have started happening more frequently. for the first time ever, that high gear thunk (i'm guessing it's 8th or 9th based on the above comments) has started happening.

worst part is the behavior is still erratic. most common after cold starting and then driving away without letting the engine warm up a bit. since i got it certified used, it's covered, but every dealer wants that diagnostic fee. i don't want to pay it just for the tech to tell me, "i believe you, but i can't replicate it." feels like a waste.

last service appointment i talked to them about this issue and i said, "so basically i need to wait for it to strand me?" and the shrugged apologetically. i get it. they're bound by rules to get ford to cover this stuff. they can't do an $8k-$9k repair out of the goodness of their hearts. but dammit if it isn't disappointing. i really like this truck. just want it to drive correctly.

but here i am... just waiting for the transmission to break, and hopefully before the certified warranty expires.

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[Stevedbvik1]

i'll add in my own experience:

i hate to say it, but the "quirks" my 2019 has had since i bought it used at 22k miles are becoming more consistent.

after i had a trailer brake controller installed and i did some spark plugs, the truck went through its calibration/learning mode. what followed was about 5k miles of smoooth driving.

now the quirks have returned. the 3-4-5 (and sometimes 6th) gear hard shift, and sometime hesitation and then launch in those gears have started happening more frequently. for the first time ever, that high gear thunk (i'm guessing it's 8th or 9th based on the above comments) has started happening.

worst part is the behavior is still erratic. most common after cold starting and then driving away without letting the engine warm up a bit. since i got it certified used, it's covered, but every dealer wants that diagnostic fee. i don't want to pay it just for the tech to tell me, "i believe you, but i can't replicate it." feels like a waste.

last service appointment i talked to them about this issue and i said, "so basically i need to wait for it to strand me?" and the shrugged apologetically. i get it. they're bound by rules to get ford to cover this stuff. they can't do an $8k-$9k repair out of the goodness of their hearts. but dammit if it isn't disappointing. i really like this truck. just want it to drive correctly.

but here i am... just waiting for the transmission to break, and hopefully before the certified warranty expires.

If they find an issue wouldn’t the diagnostic fee be covered?

 

[GhostStrykre]

If they find an issue wouldn’t the diagnostic fee be covered?

good question. i'm not sure. honestly, if they found the issue and corrected it i'd be elated. i'd happily fork over the $150 or whatever it is. weird situation to be in. pay $150 that solves the problem and i'm happy, or pay $150 to not solve the problem and i'm irritated. no idea which one will happen. it's a gamble.

i guess i just sympathize with everyone who shows up on this forum with quirky transmission issues. it really is being caught between a rock and a hard place as far as strategizing with how to deal with it.

 

[DerpyDragon]

i joined this forum specifically because my 2022 tremor I bought new, now 32k miles is rapidly getting more clunks/hesitations. The wtf did someone just rear end me kind of clunk. It's so erratic im worried ill have a hard time explaining/recreating it for a dealer though.

 

[Stevedbvik1]

My two cents. I had not nearly the issues that some of you are reporting. I had my transmission replaced under warranty via the TSB 24-2101. If you have a FORD warranty ( 5/60 or ESP)BRING IT IN. If the dealer gives you crap find another one. If you don’t bring it in then may the Force be with you.

 

[ctechbob]

If the issues are only intermittent, you are probably dealing with a sticky valve body.

Have the fluid changed and add Lubegard Platinum to the transmission, chances are it will smooth out for you.

Or, just wait for it to break completely.

If the issues are constant, you probably have CDF slippage, which will only get worse and there's not a lot that can be done about that without replacing hard parts.

 

[Peter949]

Get the work done while under warranty. Don't put it off. The miles can creep up past the warranty period.

 

[TJC]

If the issues are only intermittent, you are probably dealing with a sticky valve body.

Have the fluid changed and add Lubegard Platinum to the transmission, chances are it will smooth out for you.

Or, just wait for it to break completely.

If the issues are constant, you probably have CDF slippage, which will only get worse and there's not a lot that can be done about that without replacing hard parts.

LISTEN TO CTECHBOB.

My transmission problems are GONE.

I changed the fluid via an inexpensive 12v transfer pump, installed the same amount of fluid minus 1/2 quart and added the LubeGard Platinum. I spent under $100 and 2 hours of my time.

I had made up my mind that if this didn't work I was going to unload the truck this summer.

Details follow for those who want to punish themselves further

I started having issues within 18 months at the 5K mile point. Truck was purchased new. Took it to the dealer. Functioning as designed! No problem found! "It's just the way the transmission works." This was well before the onslaught of transmission failures.

At 20K miles I had given up on the Dealer Service Department and was at my wits end. I had reset the tables and tried every recommendation on this forum. Wife begged me to unload the lemon. Neither of us trusted it for any distance.

I asked her to let me try on last thing. I followed ctechbob's advice.

From the very first drive after the fluid change and the addition of LubeGard, the transmission has been PERFECT. I am still not thrilled with the shift points, but everyone of them has been fast and smooth. Not on hiccup in the last 1500 miles.

I had shifts that took 5-10 seconds to complete this last winter, in all gears when cold. I could actually hear the solenoids moving from inside the cabin driving down the road. The truck is kept in a garage that never drops below 50F.

I had crazy symptoms, jerks, hard shifts, and failures to release when coming to a stop, then jerking out of gear with enough force to throw you forward!

And they are all gone. LubeGard works!

 

[donuts842]

I figured I would share my experience here in Denver, CO.

I bought a 2020 FX4 October 2023, had it inspected prior to buying, and was recommended a transmission fluid change d/t it being “dirty”. Other than that it looked mint.Had it flushed and didn’t have any issues at first.

Once the coldest part of winter arrived it started shift rough in about every which way you could think. Had a few instances of where it would just lose its mind and lurch all over the place leaving the driveway. Mind you it’s right under 36k miles.

Finally decided to take it in 2 weeks ago with all the horror stories I’ve read in the forums. Didn’t hear anything for 5 days and finally called the service manager who said the transmission was bad and they had ordered a replacement. This was on a Friday. By Monday it was ready for pick up. The tech said there was large amounts of metal and clutch material in the pan.

Drives like a dream now. I guess I got severely lucky.

 

[TJC]

I figured I would share my experience here in Denver, CO.

I bought a 2020 FX4 October 2023, had it inspected prior to buying, and was recommended a transmission fluid change d/t it being “dirty”. Other than that it looked mint.Had it flushed and didn’t have any issues at first.

Once the coldest part of winter arrived it started shift rough in about every which way you could think. Had a few instances of where it would just lose its mind and lurch all over the place leaving the driveway. Mind you it’s right under 36k miles.

Finally decided to take it in 2 weeks ago with all the horror stories I’ve read in the forums. Didn’t hear anything for 5 days and finally called the service manager who said the transmission was bad and they had ordered a replacement. This was on a Friday. By Monday it was ready for pick up. The tech said there was large amounts of metal and clutch material in the pan.

Drives like a dream now. I guess I got severely lucky.

Sounds about right for the 10R80

 

[LB'sTremor]

I figured I would share my experience here in Denver, CO.

I bought a 2020 FX4 October 2023, had it inspected prior to buying, and was recommended a transmission fluid change d/t it being “dirty”. Other than that it looked mint.Had it flushed and didn’t have any issues at first.

Once the coldest part of winter arrived it started shift rough in about every which way you could think. Had a few instances of where it would just lose its mind and lurch all over the place leaving the driveway. Mind you it’s right under 36k miles.

Finally decided to take it in 2 weeks ago with all the horror stories I’ve read in the forums. Didn’t hear anything for 5 days and finally called the service manager who said the transmission was bad and they had ordered a replacement. This was on a Friday. By Monday it was ready for pick up. The tech said there was large amounts of metal and clutch material in the pan.

Drives like a dream now. I guess I got severely lucky.

so you got in just under the 5/60 and they covered everything or did you have an extended? I have a '22 with 12K miles but nearing the 3 Year, The tranny is perfect but I do worry. If 5/60 covers then I will probably forgo an ESP

Thx!
LB

 

[donuts842]

so you got in just under the 5/60 and they covered everything or did you have an extended? I have a '22 with 12K miles but nearing the 3 Year, The tranny is perfect but I do worry. If 5/60 covers then I will probably forgo an ESP

Thx!
LB

Yea the 5/60 is what covered it. It was going to expire in august so I figured it was time to get it looked at. 100% covered, so it was a relief.

 

[alcohenusa]

Yea the 5/60 is what covered it. It was going to expire in august so I figured it was time to get it looked at. 100% covered, so it was a relief.

Which dealer? Looking for one I can trust when mine goes bad.

 

[Stevedbvik1]

Yea the 5/60 is what covered it. It was going to expire in august so I figured it was time to get it looked at. 100% covered, so it was a relief.

Exactly how it’s supposed to work

 

[donuts842]

Which dealer? Looking for one I can trust when mine goes bad.

AutoNation Ford in Littleton, CO. It was shockingly easy. I really thought I was going to not have the truck for months after reading some of the posts here.

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