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NHTSA data through October 28, 2026

Ford 10-speed transmission: complaints by model

Ford's 10-speed automatic arrived in the 2017 F-150 and spread to its trucks, SUVs and the Mustang. We matched the years each model had it, using the EPA data file, with the transmission complaints owners filed with NHTSA.

Owners filed 5,578 transmission complaints about these six Ford models in their 10-speed years (through model year 2024). The table compares each model's rate per 100,000 sold before and after the switch.

Ford models6
10-speed complaints5,578
First 10-speed year2017
F-150 peak year2018

The 10-speed was developed jointly by Ford and General Motors, and each company builds its own version. On the Ford side it went into rear-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive vehicles. "10-speed years" below are the model years in which the EPA lists at least one version of the model with a 10-speed automatic, so early years can include versions with other gearboxes.

Before and after the 10-speed

Model10-speed yearsBefore, per 100k10-speed, per 100k10-speed complaints
Ford F-1502017-202493573,619
Ford Expedition2018-202482153786
Ford Mustang2018-20243631124
Ford Ranger2019-2024n/a62262
Ford Explorer2020-20244868708
Ford Bronco2021-2024new model2279

"Before" covers up to five model years before the first 10-speed year. F-150 sales are published only as an F-Series total, so its rate per 100,000 is lower than it would be for the F-150 alone; compare its own before and after values, not with the other models.

F-150 transmission complaints by model year

05001k1.5k2k'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24
Most complaintsFewest complaintsOther years

The 10-speed arrived in the F-150 for 2017; earlier years used a 6-speed automatic. The 2018 model year has the most transmission complaints of the 10-speed years, 1,018. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints.

Questions

Which Ford models have the 10-speed automatic?

In the EPA data, a 10-speed automatic first appears on the Ford F-150 (2017), Ford Expedition (2018), Ford Mustang (2018), Ford Ranger (2019), Ford Explorer (2020) and Ford Bronco (2021). Not every version of each model has it, especially in the first years.

What years of the F-150 have the most transmission complaints?

Among the 10-speed years, the 2018 F-150 has the most transmission complaints filed with NHTSA (1,018). The F-150 sells in very large numbers, so raw counts are high for every year; compare the before and after columns in the table.

Is the Ford 10-speed transmission reliable?

We cannot judge a single transmission from complaint counts alone, but we can compare years. The table shows transmission complaints per 100,000 sold for each model in the five years before its 10-speed and in the 10-speed years, where sales are published separately. A complaint is a report from an owner and does not prove a defect.

What should I check on a used Ford with the 10-speed?

Ask whether the transmission software updates and any recall work were done, run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, and on a test drive pay attention to harsh or delayed shifts, especially between low gears when the transmission is cold.

Complaint counts are reports filed by owners with NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify them, and a complaint does not prove a defect. Not affiliated with Ford or any automaker.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, data through October 2026; transmissions by model year from the U.S. EPA fuel economy data file; U.S. sales from manufacturer reports, compiled by motorwick.