Ford 10 Speed Transmission Lawsuit: Updates to Know in 2025

Ford’s 10R80 10 speed automatic transmission continues to generate complaints, lawsuits, and recalls several years after its launch.

Owners of F-150, Ranger, Mustang, Expedition, Navigator, and other models report harsh or delayed shifts, jerking, shuddering, and occasional loss of power, even after software updates and repairs.

As of late 2025, Ford has not fully fixed the 10 speed transmission problem. The company has issued multiple Technical Service Bulletins aimed at harsh or delayed engagement, including TSB 24-2101, which provides updated repair and calibration procedures for certain 2017 to 2023 10R80 vehicles.

The most recent action is a 2025 recall covering tens of thousands of remanufactured 10R80 transmissions used as service parts in 2017 to 2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles.

For drivers, this means that while some vehicles improve after software updates or repairs, others continue to experience problems.

Owners with repeat transmission issues in or out of warranty may still have individual remedies under state lemon laws or breach of warranty statutes, separate from any ongoing class actions.

Overview of 2023 Ford 10-Speed Transmission Class Action Lawsuit

In April 2023, a proposed class action was filed alleging that Ford’s 10R80 transmission is defective in multiple Ford and Lincoln models.

Owners reported harsh and erratic shifting, unintended lunging, hesitation, clunking, and sudden loss of power. Plaintiffs claimed these issues create a safety risk and that Ford failed to disclose known defects.

The litigation, often referenced under the lead case O’Connor v. Ford Motor Company in the Northern District of Illinois, focuses primarily on 2017 to 2020 F-150 trucks but also cites similar behavior in other 10R80 equipped vehicles.

The court has dismissed some claims and allowed others to move forward, such as certain breach of warranty and concealment allegations. This means the case is still active. There is no global settlement and no final judgment resolving all owner claims.

Additional firms in the United States and Canada have filed separate 10R80 class actions on behalf of owners of the F-150, Mustang, Ranger, Expedition, and Lincoln Navigator. This confirms that the transmission dispute remains ongoing.

Potential Compensation if You’re Having Trouble With Your Ford Transmission

Affected Vehicle	Average Lemon Law Settlement
2019-2024 Ford Ranger	$57,907
2018-2024 Ford Mustang	$69,431
2017-2024 Ford F-150	$93,567
2018-2024 Ford Expedition	$115,190
2018-2024 Lincoln Navigator	$157,976

*Please note, the figures presented in the chart are approximations based on past case results and should not be interpreted as a prediction or guarantee. Each case is unique and requires personalized legal guidance.

Is this the only Ford Transmission Lawsuit involving the 10R80?

No. These are the principal lawsuits tied to the Ford 10R80 10 speed automatic transmission and their current statuses.

• O’Connor v. Ford Motor Company, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, No. 1:19-cv-05045. This is the consolidated lead case for multiple 10R80 actions concerning 2017 to 2020 F-150 trucks. The court has issued multiple opinions. A 2023 order compelled several named plaintiffs to arbitration and stayed their claims, and later orders in 2025 continued to address contested issues. The case remains active.
• Marino v. Ford Motor Company. Originally filed in Massachusetts and then consolidated into O’Connor in the Northern District of Illinois. In 2023 the court granted Ford’s motion for sanctions and dismissed Marino’s individual claims for spoliation after he traded in the vehicle at issue. The broader consolidated action continues.
• Orndorff v. Ford Motor Company. Originally filed in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and transferred to the Northern District of Illinois for consolidation with O’Connor. Certain Orndorff claims were stayed for arbitration per the 2023 order.
• McCabe v. Ford Motor Company. Filed April 18, 2023, alleging 10R80 harsh and erratic shifting across multiple models. This action reflects ongoing, separate filings outside the O’Connor consolidation.

These filings, together with the consolidated O’Connor docket, show that litigation over the 10R80 remains ongoing and unresolved on a nationwide basis.

How to Fix the Ford 10 Speed Transmission Issue

Ford Motor Company, in response to the 10 Speed Transmission Recall, has introduced a possible solution to address the issues associated with their 10-speed automatic transmission, specifically the 10R80 model.

This fix is particularly aimed at mitigating the harsh or delayed engagement and shifting problems experienced by certain models.

Drivers of affected Ford vehicles have reported problems with harsh or delayed engagement and shifting, often accompanied by an illuminated malfunction indicator light (MIL) and diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) such as P0751, P0752, P0756, P0757, and others.

These issues are mainly caused by the transmission solenoid ID strategy, sticking valves in the main control valve body, and axial movement of the CDF clutch cylinder sleeve.

To address these issues, Ford has issued Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 24-2101, dated March 28, 2024, which outlines the necessary steps to identify and correct the transmission problems.

The service procedure involves inspecting and potentially replacing various parts within the transmission system. The repair process may require replacing several specific components, including:

• Solenoid Retaining Plate Bolt (W712658-S439)
• Solenoid Retaining Clips (HL3Z-7G007-A)
• Park Override Bolt (JL1Z-7N134-A for Expedition/Navigator)
• Motorcraft® MERCON® ULV Automatic Transmission Fluid (XT-12-QULV)

Other parts such as fluid pan gaskets, fluid filters, transmission fluid filter seals, auxiliary pump tube O-rings, channel plates, and various clutch-related components might need inspection and replacement if found defective.

The TSB includes an exhaustive list of parts, many of which are categorized based on their need during the inspection and repair process. For instance, the main control overhaul parts are mandatory for all affected vehicles, while other components, like the fluid filter and separator plates, are to be replaced only if necessary.

The bulletin specifies distinct parts for each vehicle model and transmission type, ensuring that technicians have precise guidelines on what to replace.

Partial dismissal of previous Ford 10-Speed Transmission Lawsuit

The partial dismissals occurred in federal court in the Northern District of Illinois, not in the Illinois Supreme Court.

In the consolidated O’Connor matter, the court granted parts of Ford’s motions and denied others, leaving portions of the claims in place. In January 2023 the court compelled several named plaintiffs, including Orndorff, to arbitration and stayed those claims.

In July 2023 the court sanctioned and dismissed plaintiff Robert Marino’s individual claims for spoliation. Orders entered through 2025 show the litigation is still active and unresolved on a nationwide basis.

Did the manufacturer release a Ford 10-Speed Transmission Recall?

Ford has issued various different recalls on the 10-Speed Transmission system over the years. The manufacturer has also released several Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) to Ford dealerships to address this issue.

Drivers of affected vehicles, however, claim that these recalls have not resulted in permanent fixes to the transmission’s issues. In fact, some owners have reported experiencing similar issues even after their vehicles were repaired under a Ford 10-speed transmission recall.

Is the Ford 10-Speed Transmission Recall still happening?

Yes. Ford and NHTSA continue to administer recalls involving the 10R80. These address park function and internal assembly faults and apply to both factory installed transmissions and remanufactured service units.

2018 Safety Recall 18S09 / NHTSA 18V-213 for park pawl guide roll pin

Issue: Some vehicles may be missing a park pawl guide roll pin. This can cause loss of Park and unintended vehicle movement.

Affected vehicles that are 10R80 equipped:

• 2017 to 2018 Ford F 150
• 2018 Ford Expedition
• 2018 Lincoln Navigator
• 2018 Ford Mustang

2023 Safety Recall 23S06 / NHTSA 23V-070 for loose internal bolt

Issue: An extra loose bolt inside the transmission can block the park pawl and prevent proper engagement of Park even when the shifter shows P, which creates a rollaway risk.

Note: This campaign applies to several Ford and Lincoln models that use different 10 speed automatic transmissions and is not limited to the 10R80.

Affected vehicles:

• 2022 to 2023 Ford F 150
• 2022 to 2023 Ford Mustang
• 2022 to 2023 Ford Bronco
• 2022 to 2023 Ford Explorer
• 2023 Lincoln Aviator

2025 Equipment Recall 25SB3 / NHTSA 25E-070 for missing T10 bearing in remanufactured 10R80 transmissions

Issue: Certain remanufactured 10R80 transmissions used as service replacements may be missing a T10 bearing.

This can misalign the park pawl and parking gear, prevent the vehicle from holding Park, and increase the risk of a rollaway.

Potentially affected vehicle lines, depending on which vehicle received the remanufactured transmission:

• 2017 to 2021 Ford F 150
• 2017 to 2021 Ford Expedition
• 2017 to 2021 Ford Explorer
• 2018 to 2021 Ford Mustang
• 2019 to 2021 Ford Ranger
• 2020 to 2021 Ford Transit
• 2018 to 2021 Lincoln Navigator

Other Models with the 10R80 Transmission

Not all vehicles equipped with a 10R80 have been recalled. Some owners report shifting concerns outside of the specific campaigns listed above. The 10R80 has been used in the following models and years:

• 2020 to present Ford Police Interceptor Utility 3.0L EcoBoost
• 2017 to present Ford F-150
• 2018 to present Ford Mustang
• 2018 to present Ford Expedition
• 2018 to present Lincoln Navigator
• 2019 to present Ford Ranger
• 2020 to present Ford Transit

What should I do if I have Ford transmission problems?

If you’ve taken your Ford vehicle in for repeat repairs under warranty, your Ford may be considered a “lemon,” and you could be eligible for a refund or cash compensation, as well as the payment of your attorney’s fees and costs. For the past decade, Ford owners have been experiencing various transmission issues in their vehicles and have received little recourse from the company.

Joining a class-action lawsuit may not guarantee compensation for all the issues your vehicle has experienced because these lawsuits provide a solution for a collective group rather than individual issues. A better way to maximize your potential recovery is by filing an individual lemon law claim and opting out of a class action. Don’t get stuck with a vehicle that has defects that could endanger you or your loved ones.

Navigate transmission troubles with the Lemon Law Experts

By contacting the Lemon Law Experts, you can receive a free, quick, and confidential case evaluation to see if you qualify for a lemon law claim. Our lemon lawyers have been helping California consumers with successful lemon law claims since 2009 and we can help you get the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to see whether your case qualifies for a refund or cash compensation.