Transmission Service - Does this sound right?

[Maynard727]

2020 FX4 Lariat with 59,200 miles. 800 miles of powertrain warranty left. I do not have major transmission issues but I do get the occasional hard shift at low speeds going into 3rd. Also some weird hesitation very occasionally into and out of 8th. More noticeable when it's cold but both issues are very intermittent.

So with barely any powertrain warranty left I figured I would let Ford dealership take a look at it. This is the update I got this morning.

"Tech will be overhauling the valve body on this one. Trans unit does have to come down to do this. Parts are on the way. ETA on those tomorrow. ETA on vehicle complete is Monday."

For those way more familiar than me with the TSBs for this transmission does this sound like they are on the right track? Any obvious clarifying questions I should be asking? Thanks in advance for any help guys, really appreciate the great info on this forum!

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[duffyduzz]

My ‘20 Lariat 4X4 w/ 98K miles is going in for slow engagement into reverse when cold and a clanking when cold. I had an oil changer place tech’ shake anything that could cause clanking, like a loose exhaust or possible bash plate, but found nothing. So I tend to think it has to do with that cold slow reverse engagement. And when it goes into reverse, cold, it bangs kind of abruptly. Anyone else have this issue..? I bought the 5 year 100K mi. extended warranty and hope this covers it…

 

[PhysSDK]

My 19 was that way, then the tranny died going up a hill right after warranty, like stuck in neutral free revving. Didn't say anything about the valve body but the hub/clutches. Maybe a transmission guy can chime in. With labor cost here cheaper to swap the entire thing. Ford is paying it anyways out of warranty.

 

[CATX]

Wonder if you could offer to pay out of pocket to put in new CDF drum while they’re in there.

 

[Ranger_Rocks]

My ‘20 Lariat 4X4 w/ 98K miles is going in for slow engagement into reverse when cold and a clanking when cold. I had an oil changer place tech’ shake anything that could cause clanking, like a loose exhaust or possible bash plate, but found nothing. So I tend to think it has to do with that cold slow reverse engagement. And when it goes into reverse, cold, it bangs kind of abruptly. Anyone else have this issue..? I bought the 5 year 100K mi. extended warranty and hope this covers it…

Is your clanking all the time ? Or more like clanking during a delayed shift ?

 

[duffyduzz]

Thanks! Seems to only have that clanking going into reverse and the rattle only when cold. Not just ambient temp’ but when car is not warmed up. Both go away when fully warmed up.

 

[Stevedbvik1]

2020 FX4 Lariat with 59,200 miles. 800 miles of powertrain warranty left. I do not have major transmission issues but I do get the occasional hard shift at low speeds going into 3rd. Also some weird hesitation very occasionally into and out of 8th. More noticeable when it's cold but both issues are very intermittent.

So with barely any powertrain warranty left I figured I would let Ford dealership take a look at it. This is the update I got this morning.

"Tech will be overhauling the valve body on this one. Trans unit does have to come down to do this. Parts are on the way. ETA on those tomorrow. ETA on vehicle complete is Monday."

For those way more familiar than me with the TSBs for this transmission does this sound like they are on the right track? Any obvious clarifying questions I should be asking? Thanks in advance for any help guys, really appreciate the great info on this forum!

Sounds like they’re on the right track. I think they mean they have to drop the pan to do the valve body not remove the transmission. A question that I would ask is if this repair temporarily fixes your issue and you go beyond the 60K will they cover the CDF drum replacement? ( next step after valve body).

 

[Rocketeer61]

Oh man-how many trans posts does this make? This is going from the sublime to the ridiculous. Which forumite said that we were all just a bunch of whiners?

 

[Maynard727]

Well, I picked up my truck yesterday and I'm happy to report there is noticeable improvement. What I had thought was just intermittent hard shifts must have been more pronounced than I realized because the truck feels WAY smoother shifting than the entire year plus that I've owned it.

The dealership said that the tech noticed the hard shifting on test drive. Did a software update and reset the adaptive learning, issue still present. Overhauled the valve body, problem resolved. They also said that no metal was found in the transmission fluid so that was a good sign. Everything covered under warranty, zero out of pocket. Bonus that I reset the clock on transmission fluid which was on my to do list for next oil change!

Fingers crossed this was my one run in with this issue!

 

[CP0861]

Good reminder that hard shifts, even if occasional, are not normal!!

I think a lot of Ranger owners are tolerating issues like you mentioned....dismissing "occasional" issues. They're gonna be pissed when they have failures just beyond their warranty expiring. New vehicles should NOT shake, shudder, clank or slam into gear, even if only occasionally.

I had similar issues and had my valve body overhauled. Some/most issues were resolved with the valve body. I had the CDF work done a few months later....and that seems to have resolved all issues. Give your transmission some more time....mine was great for about 2 weeks after the valve body overhaul and things started presenting themselves again. Not trying to be Debbie Downer, but don't count your chickens just yet....

When in doubt, get it checked out!

 

[CP0861]

My ‘20 Lariat 4X4 w/ 98K miles is going in for slow engagement into reverse when cold and a clanking when cold. I had an oil changer place tech’ shake anything that could cause clanking, like a loose exhaust or possible bash plate, but found nothing. So I tend to think it has to do with that cold slow reverse engagement. And when it goes into reverse, cold, it bangs kind of abruptly. Anyone else have this issue..? I bought the 5 year 100K mi. extended warranty and hope this covers it…

YES. I experienced both of these.

Take it in to the dealer to be inspected by a transmission specialist - not a regular tech. Be very specific and document the issues as you experience them. Mention your issues and the TSB. If the dealer isn't cooperative, find another.

I ended up having the valve body overhaul completed and the cdf step also.

Check out this thread:
https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/2022-transmission-needs-overhaul-just-left-the-dealer.26659/

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