Sponsored

Jerky transmission

Firstford

Member
First Name
Terry
Joined
Feb 12, 2022
Threads
1
Messages
5
Reaction score
0
Location
Ocala fl
Vehicle(s)
Ford ranger
Occupation
Retired
2021 XLT 4x4. Just purchased in October and noticed the transmission is very Jerky. Had it to the dealership who reset it to factory specs and it's still jerky even after 3500 miles. Is this normal for a ford? This is my first and maybe the last ford.
Sponsored

 

rcairflr

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 13, 2021
Threads
1
Messages
294
Reaction score
652
Location
Kansas
Vehicle(s)
2020 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4
Occupation
retired
There seems to be some issues with the 10 speed, but mine hasn't been anything but silky smooth
 

CO2Ranger

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 27, 2020
Threads
34
Messages
1,097
Reaction score
2,105
Location
Colorado
Vehicle(s)
2021 JLURD / Former: 2021 Ranger Lariat FX4
Mine sucks when cold but isn't horrible once warmed up. I still need to check the fluid level and see if it's short some fluid from the factory, but the weather is not cooperating.
 

Samsquanch

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 14, 2021
Threads
13
Messages
376
Reaction score
833
Location
Maryland
Vehicle(s)
2017 Expedition XLT
Did they check the trans fluid to make sure there was enough? I seem to recall someone a while back had a similar issue and theirs was a little low from the factory. Mine is pretty smooth I wouldn’t call it jerky but does shift a little harder when it’s not warmed up. That aspect is normal for this trans.
 

docarter

Well-Known Member
First Name
Dayton
Joined
Aug 20, 2021
Threads
8
Messages
194
Reaction score
264
Location
GA
Vehicle(s)
Cadillac ATS; Ford Ranger
Occupation
ADA
2021 XLT 4x4. Just purchased in October and noticed the transmission is very Jerky. Had it to the dealership who reset it to factory specs and it's still jerky even after 3500 miles. Is this normal for a ford? This is my first and maybe the last ford.
The 10 sp. definitely shifts more than your old 4 sp. or 6 sp.

I notice the same behavior in the new Honda 10 sp., and Toyota 10 sp.
 


Frenchy

Well-Known Member
First Name
Chris
Joined
Mar 15, 2020
Threads
164
Messages
7,544
Reaction score
10,753
Location
Elizabeth, Colorado
Vehicle(s)
2012 Nissan Frontier, 1994 F150 XL, 2022 Ford Transit
Occupation
Field Service Technician
Welcome to the 10R80 automatic transmission!! Itnis its own animal and it definitely takes too long to learn. After I got the Livernois Tow Tune installed I have had no.major issues after the learn process was done
 

Wytchdctr

Well-Known Member
First Name
Doug P.
Joined
Nov 18, 2021
Threads
54
Messages
1,541
Reaction score
4,266
Location
Westside Htown, Texas
Vehicle(s)
2021 XLT
Occupation
Retired Military/HR Manager
Mine was very clunky. I asked the dealer to check the level when it was in for other work. They claim they did nothing to it but it came back to me shifting much smoother after one shitty 3 to 5th skip shift when first thing in the morning cold. Even that is getting better as I get towards 3k. They warned me away from doing the relearn as it would extend the time of rough shifting.
 
OP
OP
Firstford

Firstford

Member
First Name
Terry
Joined
Feb 12, 2022
Threads
1
Messages
5
Reaction score
0
Location
Ocala fl
Vehicle(s)
Ford ranger
Occupation
Retired
Did they check the trans fluid to make sure there was enough? I seem to recall someone a while back had a similar issue and theirs was a little low from the factory. Mine is pretty smooth I wouldn’t call it jerky but does shift a little harder when it’s not warmed up. That aspect is normal for this trans.
No going to call on Monday and get another appointment
 

Big Blue

Well-Known Member
First Name
Lee
Joined
May 5, 2020
Threads
16
Messages
3,928
Reaction score
9,355
Location
Wisconsin
Vehicle(s)
2019 Ford Ranger XLT FX4 Supercrew lighting blue
Occupation
Retired mechanical designer
Yet another thread complaining about the 10 speed transmission. Yes the 10R80 is like no other automatic you've driven. It does not like cold, that's why it has a heat exchanger to help it warm up. Yes it does shift alot, it has 10 speeds afterall. Yes its learning curve is different and can take longer than it should. You need to put the truck in as wide a variety of driving situations as possible to get it to learn. It can take 5K-10K to settle out completely. And finally, yes there have been cases of them being under filled from the factory, which causes rough shifting. Yes, many have reported a tune helps too.

Mine with a stock tune at 22K is very smooth, except for the first few cold shifts in the morning. Just give it a little time to get the fluid moving and in all the right places before you take off and you'll find it is a great transmission.
 

Wytchdctr

Well-Known Member
First Name
Doug P.
Joined
Nov 18, 2021
Threads
54
Messages
1,541
Reaction score
4,266
Location
Westside Htown, Texas
Vehicle(s)
2021 XLT
Occupation
Retired Military/HR Manager
Comparing the 10R80 to whatever box is in my Kia Sedona. Kia is buttery smooth and always has been.... but would I trust it to tow anything or deal with more than hauling the kids around, No. So after making sure mine did have the right fluid levels - Ill deal with it being grumpy when cold (I am as well) and its other quirks for it being a more robust transmission overall.
 
OP
OP
Firstford

Firstford

Member
First Name
Terry
Joined
Feb 12, 2022
Threads
1
Messages
5
Reaction score
0
Location
Ocala fl
Vehicle(s)
Ford ranger
Occupation
Retired
Yet another thread complaining about the 10 speed transmission. Yes the 10R80 is like no other automatic you've driven. It does not like cold, that's why it has a heat exchanger to help it warm up. Yes it does shift alot, it has 10 speeds afterall. Yes its learning curve is different and can take longer than it should. You need to put the truck in as wide a variety of driving situations as possible to get it to learn. It can take 5K-10K to settle out completely. And finally, yes there have been cases of them being under filled from the factory, which causes rough shifting. Yes, many have reported a tune helps too.

Mine with a stock tune at 22K is very smooth, except for the first few cold shifts in the morning. Just give it a little time to get the fluid moving and in all the right places before you take off and you'll find it is a great transmission.
 
OP
OP
Firstford

Firstford

Member
First Name
Terry
Joined
Feb 12, 2022
Threads
1
Messages
5
Reaction score
0
Location
Ocala fl
Vehicle(s)
Ford ranger
Occupation
Retired
Well i have 3500 miles on it and not any better...must be a slow learner. Still want to check the fluid for peace of mind.
 

Frenchy

Well-Known Member
First Name
Chris
Joined
Mar 15, 2020
Threads
164
Messages
7,544
Reaction score
10,753
Location
Elizabeth, Colorado
Vehicle(s)
2012 Nissan Frontier, 1994 F150 XL, 2022 Ford Transit
Occupation
Field Service Technician
Well i have 3500 miles on it and not any better...must be a slow learner. Still want to check the fluid for peace of mind.
To make you feel better it took roughly 5,000 miles just for mine to get close to learning. The 10R80 is a whole different animal. Most people do complain about the rush shifting at first but after it takes time to learn you should be fine
 
OP
OP
Firstford

Firstford

Member
First Name
Terry
Joined
Feb 12, 2022
Threads
1
Messages
5
Reaction score
0
Location
Ocala fl
Vehicle(s)
Ford ranger
Occupation
Retired
To make you feel better it took roughly 5,000 miles just for mine to get close to learning. The 10R80 is a whole different animal. Most people do complain about the rush shifting at first but after it takes time to learn you should be fine
Thanks
 

kieefer

Well-Known Member
First Name
keith
Joined
Dec 26, 2017
Threads
25
Messages
1,059
Reaction score
1,961
Location
Tennessee
Vehicle(s)
2025 F150 King Ranch - 97 BMW M3
Occupation
Retired
Adding mileage helps as mentioned and a tune helps even more.
My tranny was awful when new, vibrations at 1500-2000, slow to down shift to the point of stalling. Biggest problem I see is it’s programmed to shift too soon in order to save fuel and meet Gov standards.
I added a SCT tune pretty early on and then I went with a Unleashed tune. Big difference and the mpgs loss is negligible…. in my case.
I recently went back to the stock tune out of curiosity and I still have a downshifting stall but it is otherwise much smoother than when new. Almost say it’s livable as longer as I don’t need to get out of the way in a hurry.
Sitting at 34k now.
Sponsored

 
 








Top