Vehicle suddenly loses power the wrench light comes on and the vehicle will not go when pushing the accelerator. The vehicle has to be turned off and restarted before it becomes mobile again.
2013 Ford Expedition
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2013 Ford Expedition do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 155.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Expedition years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
68 reports with mileage · 24 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Power Train. Review the 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
92 reportsWhile I was driving my vehicle on the highway it just downshifted from 5th gear to a much lower gear causing my vehicle to come to an almost complete stop in traffic. Also my speedometer quit working and my vehicle transmission was stuck in the lower gear. I had to pull off on the shoulder during traffic and avoid being hit by…
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While I was driving my vehicle on the highway it just downshifted from 5th gear to a much lower gear causing my vehicle to come to an almost complete stop in traffic. Also my speedometer quit working and my vehicle transmission was stuck in the lower gear. I had to pull off on the shoulder during traffic and avoid being hit by another car. I was able to turn the vehicle and then restart it to get the transmission to shift into another gear. I was fortunate enough to be able to get home but that did not correct the issue Ford created to my and my family's safety. Ford knows this is an issue and had a recall out there for the issue but because my vehicle is out of the mileage for the warranty they will not repair the issue at their cost. The dealership confirmed the issue is the same as the recall-- replacement of transmission molded leadframe is necessary. Ford will not cover the repair cost because it is out of the mileage and also the extended date 11/30/2019.
Personal experience matches exactly the symptoms identified and described in Ford TSB 13-6-8. The downshift and immediate power train reduction in speed has thrown the passengers forward and prompted immediate control issues. To date the tires have not locked up on this VIN but there are numerous reports of that situation.
WHEN TURNING THE CAR ON THE FRONT AIR CONDITIONER VENTS WON'T BLOW MOST OF THE TIME. IF THE WIRING UNDER THE DASH ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IS TAPPED/BUMPED IT WILL THEN START BLOWING. IT STOPS BLOWING AND STARTS BLOWING AGAIN WHEN BUMPED. THE WIRING GETS HOT. THERE ARE MULTIPLE CASES OF THIS BEING DESCRIBED ON THE INTERNET. THERE I…
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WHEN TURNING THE CAR ON THE FRONT AIR CONDITIONER VENTS WON'T BLOW MOST OF THE TIME. IF THE WIRING UNDER THE DASH ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IS TAPPED/BUMPED IT WILL THEN START BLOWING. IT STOPS BLOWING AND STARTS BLOWING AGAIN WHEN BUMPED. THE WIRING GETS HOT. THERE ARE MULTIPLE CASES OF THIS BEING DESCRIBED ON THE INTERNET. THERE IS SOMEONE WHO STATES THEIR VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED TO A SKELTON WITHIN 5 MINUTES. THIS IS NOT SAFE AND SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM.THIS HAPPENS AT ALL TIMES WHEN THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING WITH THE AC TURNED ON. THE VEHICLE CAN BE EITHER STATIONARY OR MOVING. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN JULY 2020 AND IT'S BEEN HAPPENING ANY TIME THE AC IS RUNNING.
WE ARE EXPERIENCING THE ISSUES IN FORD'S TSB 13-6-8 THE VEHICLE WILL SUDDENLY HAVE THE SPEEDOMETER DROP TO 0, FUEL GAUGE SHOWS EMPTY, WRENCH OR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, AND THE RPMS GO EXTREMELY HIGH. IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AS IT HAS HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY AT HIGH SPEEDS AND ALSO WHEN STARTING UP FROM A STOP LIGHT. FORD …
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WE ARE EXPERIENCING THE ISSUES IN FORD'S TSB 13-6-8 THE VEHICLE WILL SUDDENLY HAVE THE SPEEDOMETER DROP TO 0, FUEL GAUGE SHOWS EMPTY, WRENCH OR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, AND THE RPMS GO EXTREMELY HIGH. IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AS IT HAS HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY AT HIGH SPEEDS AND ALSO WHEN STARTING UP FROM A STOP LIGHT. FORD IS ONLY PAYING FOR THE PARTS IF IT'S 10 YEARS OR 150,000 MILES WHICHEVER COMES FIRST. THE VEHICLE IS 7 YEARS OLD BUT HAS 155,000 MILES. THE REPAIR IS $1,100.
THIS VEHICLE IS HAVING A KNOWN TRANSMISSION ISSUE. AT LEAST 6 OTHER VEHICLES ARE WAITING ON A PART THAT IS ON BACK ORDER WITH FORD CURRENTLY. THIS ISSUE CAUSES YOUR TRUCK TO FEEL AS IF IT SHIFTS INTO NEUTRAL OR PARK WHILE DRIVING THROUGH TRAFFIC! IT IS VERY DANGEROUS AND SCARY FOR ALL IN THE VEHICLE! OUR VEHICLE IS AT ONE FORD…
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THIS VEHICLE IS HAVING A KNOWN TRANSMISSION ISSUE. AT LEAST 6 OTHER VEHICLES ARE WAITING ON A PART THAT IS ON BACK ORDER WITH FORD CURRENTLY. THIS ISSUE CAUSES YOUR TRUCK TO FEEL AS IF IT SHIFTS INTO NEUTRAL OR PARK WHILE DRIVING THROUGH TRAFFIC! IT IS VERY DANGEROUS AND SCARY FOR ALL IN THE VEHICLE! OUR VEHICLE IS AT ONE FORD DEALER WAITING TO BE TRANSFERRED TO ANOTHER BECAUSE OF POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE.
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT STEPPING ON GAS PEDAL TO GO TO 65MPH AND THE TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTED TO THE FIRST GEAR AND WENT LIMP ON THE HIGHWAY. I ATTEMPTED TO GO TO DESIRE HIGHWAY SPEED AND IT WOULD NOT MOVE AND I WAS LUCKY TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY AND NOT GET KILLED. NO LIGHT TURNED ON EXCEPT THE FUEL GAUGE MOVED LIKE CRA…
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I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT STEPPING ON GAS PEDAL TO GO TO 65MPH AND THE TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTED TO THE FIRST GEAR AND WENT LIMP ON THE HIGHWAY. I ATTEMPTED TO GO TO DESIRE HIGHWAY SPEED AND IT WOULD NOT MOVE AND I WAS LUCKY TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY AND NOT GET KILLED. NO LIGHT TURNED ON EXCEPT THE FUEL GAUGE MOVED LIKE CRAZY. ON A DIFFERENT OCCASION MY HUSBAND DROVE IT ON THE HIGHWAY AGAIN AND IT DID IT AGAIN, DOWNSHIFT TO FIRST HEAR IN THE MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY WHEN HE WAS GOING AT 65 MPH. IT WAS VERY SCARY BECAUSE THERE WAS A LOT OF TRAFFIC AND HE NEARLY HAD AN ACCIDENT. TOOK TO MY MECHANIC AND HE DID NOT FIND ANY CODES OR ANYTHING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT HAPPENED. AFTER DISCUSSING WITH MY BROTHER'S MECHANIC, HE SAID THAT THE PROBLEM IS THE TRANSMISSION AND A SENSOR THAT IS KNOWN TO BE FAULTY IN FORD EXPEDITION. *TR
I HAVE BEEN HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE AND WHEN I TOOK MY CAR IN TO ADDRESS THE SITUATION AND ALSO THE RECALL, THE GENTLEMAN SAID THAT IT WAS MERELY AN EXTENSION OF COVERAGE FOR A POSSIBLE PROBLEM AND THAT WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURRED THEN THEY WOULD ADDRESS IT. SO THIS LIMITS ME FROM THE USE OF MY VEHICLE. I?M PLANNING A TRI…
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I HAVE BEEN HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE AND WHEN I TOOK MY CAR IN TO ADDRESS THE SITUATION AND ALSO THE RECALL, THE GENTLEMAN SAID THAT IT WAS MERELY AN EXTENSION OF COVERAGE FOR A POSSIBLE PROBLEM AND THAT WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURRED THEN THEY WOULD ADDRESS IT. SO THIS LIMITS ME FROM THE USE OF MY VEHICLE. I?M PLANNING A TRIP ACROSS 1/2 THE COUNTRY WITH MY 4 GRANDKIDS AND AM HELD HOSTAGE TO USE MY CAR FOR THIS TRIP. I CANNOT BE GOING 60-70 MILES DOWN THE ROAD TO ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR DOWNSHIFT TO 1ST GEAR CAUSING A TREMENDOUS VIBRATION AND LOSING CONTROL THAT CAN CAUSE IRREVERSIBLE DAMAGE TO THE CAR, AS WELL AS, PEOPLE IN THE VEHICLE. I AM UTTERLY AMAZED THAT FORD WILL NOT ADDRESS THIS ISSUE BEFORE SOMEONE OR SOMETHING CRITICALLY HAS TO HAPPEN. I GUESS FORD SEES CLIENTS AS INESSENTIAL AS LONG AS THEY MAKE SALES. *TR
2013 FORD EXPEDITION WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. VEHICLE WILL NOT REVERSE OR DRIVE. I WAS STUCK AT MY BANK DRIVE THRU. I COULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK TO GO FORWARD OR REVERSE. *TR
WHILE DRIVING AT A HIGH SPEED (HIGHWAYS, INTERSTATE, ETC) THE VEHICLE STUTTERS - ALMOST LIKE AN EXTREME DOWNSHIFT. DEALER PERFORMED A LEAD FRAME RECALL REPAIR TO THE TRANSMISSION BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO DO IT. IT CAUSES EXTREME ANXIETY TO THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT HAPPENS IN THE "MIDDLE OF NOWHERE".
Official recalls
0No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1RQ17010 · Unexpected Transmission Downshift
Opened Dec 25, 2017 · Closed Oct 22, 2019
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train:automatic Transmission; Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an investigation based on consumer allegations of transmissions unexpectedly downshifting to a lower gear without input from the driver on model year (MY) 2011-2013 Ford F-150, Expedition and Navigator vehicles. ODI has received 455 unique reports related to the alleged problem that were not covered under a previous recall for this issue (16V-248).Expedition and Navigator complaint rates are lower than F-150 complaints. Of those 455 reports, 34.7% claimed that the rear wheels locked up when the transmission downshifted. There were 4 accident claims with no injuries. There are many instances where drivers report leaving their lane or the road because of this issue.In response to ODI's Information Request (IR) letter, Ford Motor Company (Ford) responded with 783 unique reports related to the alleged problem. There were 6 accident claims with 3 injuries. Ford also submitted 1206 warranty claims related to transmission downshifting failures. The failure can occur at any time, but typically at higher speed, and include symptoms such as sudden transmission downshifting, loss of speedometer, erratic shifting of transmission, and transmission stuck in one gear. The failures typically occur without warning and may result in the rear wheels momentarily locking up. The driver often had to fully stop the vehicle and restart it to get the vehicle to shift properly.On February 2nd, 2019 Ford notified ODI that it would conduct a safety recall (19V-075) to remedy transmission downshifting failures on all 2011-2013 F-150 vehicles. Ford will also offer extended warranties to 2011-2013 Expedition and Navigator vehicles with the same issue. Per Ford, some vehicles may experience an intermittent loss of Transmission Output Speed Sensor (OSS) signal to the Powertrain Control Module (PCM), potentially resulting in a temporary unintended downshift into first gear. Ford will reprogram the PCM with software that will prevent an unintended downshift into first gear and illuminate the Malfunction Indicator Light in the event of an intermittent OSS signal loss.The recall action initiated by the manufacturer appears to address the safety risks of concern to ODI.Accordingly, the investigation is closed.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the identification (ODI) numbers found in the attached list.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an investigation based on consumer allegations of transmissions unexpectedly downshifting to a lower gear without input from the driver on model year (MY) 2011-2013 Ford F-150, Expedition and Navigator vehicles. ODI has received 455 unique reports related to the alleged problem that were not covered under a previous recall for this issue (16V-248).Expedition and Navigator complaint rates are lower than F-150 complaints. Of those 455 reports, 34.7% claimed that the rear wheels locked up when the transmission downshifted. There were 4 accident claims with no injuries. There are many instances where drivers report leaving their lane or the road because of this issue.In response to ODI's Information Request (IR) letter, Ford Motor Company (Ford) responded with 783 unique reports related to the alleged problem. There were 6 accident claims with 3 injuries. Ford also submitted 1206 warranty claims related to transmission downshifting failures. The failure can occur at any time, but typically at higher speed, and include symptoms such as sudden transmission downshifting, loss of speedometer, erratic shifting of transmission, and transmission stuck in one gear. The failures typically occur without warning and may result in the rear wheels momentarily locking up. The driver often had to fully stop the vehicle and restart it to get the vehicle to shift properly.On February 2nd, 2019 Ford notified ODI that it would conduct a safety recall (19V-075) to remedy transmission downshifting failures on all 2011-2013 F-150 vehicles. Ford will also offer extended warranties to 2011-2013 Expedition and Navigator vehicles with the same issue. Per Ford, some vehicles may experience an intermittent loss of Transmission Output Speed Sensor (OSS) signal to the Powertrain Control Module (PCM), potentially resulting in a temporary unintended downshift into first gear. Ford will reprogram the PCM with software that will prevent an unintended downshift into first gear and illuminate the Malfunction Indicator Light in the event of an intermittent OSS signal loss.The recall action initiated by the manufacturer appears to address the safety risks of concern to ODI.Accordingly, the investigation is closed.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the identification (ODI) numbers found in the attached list.
Power Train:automatic Transmission
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an investigation based on consumer allegations of transmissions unexpectedly downshifting to a lower gear without input from the driver on model year (MY) 2011-2013 Ford F-150, Expedition and Navigator vehicles. ODI has received 455 unique reports related to the alleged problem that were not covered under a previous recall for this issue (16V-248).Expedition and Navigator complaint rates are lower than F-150 complaints. Of those 455 reports, 34.7% claimed that the rear wheels locked up when the transmission downshifted. There were 4 accident claims with no injuries. There are many instances where drivers report leaving their lane or the road because of this issue.In response to ODI's Information Request (IR) letter, Ford Motor Company (Ford) responded with 783 unique reports related to the alleged problem. There were 6 accident claims with 3 injuries. Ford also submitted 1206 warranty claims related to transmission downshifting failures. The failure can occur at any time, but typically at higher speed, and include symptoms such as sudden transmission downshifting, loss of speedometer, erratic shifting of transmission, and transmission stuck in one gear. The failures typically occur without warning and may result in the rear wheels momentarily locking up. The driver often had to fully stop the vehicle and restart it to get the vehicle to shift properly.On February 2nd, 2019 Ford notified ODI that it would conduct a safety recall (19V-075) to remedy transmission downshifting failures on all 2011-2013 F-150 vehicles. Ford will also offer extended warranties to 2011-2013 Expedition and Navigator vehicles with the same issue. Per Ford, some vehicles may experience an intermittent loss of Transmission Output Speed Sensor (OSS) signal to the Powertrain Control Module (PCM), potentially resulting in a temporary unintended downshift into first gear. Ford will reprogram the PCM with software that will prevent an unintended downshift into first gear and illuminate the Malfunction Indicator Light in the event of an intermittent OSS signal loss.The recall action initiated by the manufacturer appears to address the safety risks of concern to ODI.Accordingly, the investigation is closed.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the identification (ODI) numbers found in the attached list.
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