Barraged by the Ford 10R80 – 2019 Ford Raptor
By Dave Riccio, ASE Certified Technician, Owner of Tri-City Transmission & Auto Repair, Co-Founder of Bumper to Bumper Radio, and Host of the Bumper to Bumper Podcast with Jon Riggle, ASE Master Certified Technician
(Also applies to: Ford F-150, Expedition, Explorer, Transit, and Lincoln Navigator)
CASE STUDY: Customer Saves $7,900
- Vehicle: 2019 Ford Raptor with 10R80 Transmission
- Repair Order: #40104XX - 65,640 Miles - Targeted Repair
- Symptoms: Hard 1-3 and 6-7 shifts (this is a classic sign of 10R80 hard shifting)
(This case study also applies to other vehicles equipped with the same transmission. During the week of this repair, we saw five 10R80s in the shop, including a few F-150s, a Ford Expedition, a Ford Transit, a Ford Explorer, a Ford Mustang, and a Lincoln Navigator - many involving F-150 10R80 transmission problems, Ford 10-speed transmission problems, and more. Other variations include the 10R60, depending on the application. The 10R60 and 10R80 are from the same family and share many of the same issues.)
The Case
This customer was almost the byproduct of transmission malpractice. His story is one we see nearly every day.
After experiencing the hard shifts mentioned above, he took his truck to the dealership. They gave him two options: choose a Ford transmission repair and “recondition” it for $7,000 or replace it for $11,700.
Faced with a $12,000 quote on a truck that was still attached to a payment book, he was smart enough to realize something didn’t add up. A co-worker recommended Tri-City Transmission & Auto Repair, and he also remembered hearing about our Ford transmission specialists on Bumper to Bumper Radio.
During the initial diagnostic, our technician went for a road test with the customer. The transmission worked flawlessly. The customer was a bit embarrassed but insisted the issue only appeared when the truck was cold. Sure enough, the following morning, the symptoms showed up exactly as he described.
There is no need to be embarrassed here. When we go to the doctor, we don’t always feel sick. Transmissions can behave the same way. However, that first road test is never a waste. It allows us to interview the customer and get a full picture of the symptoms before the next round of testing.
Our Ford transmission specialist noted a poor 1-3 shift, a poor 3-5 shift, and a harsh 6-7 shift. After clearing the shift adaptations and retesting, the issue persisted until the vehicle was fully warmed up. This was a textbook case of a failed C/D/F drum.
Technician Qualifications
We are fortunate to have both a veteran ASE Master Certified Technician who performs most of the diagnostic work and a Ford Senior Master Certified Technician who handles the majority of the bench rebuilding work.
Everyone in our facility, from the front to the back, has turned a wrench. We do not hire salespeople. We hire technicians who are interested in Ford transmission repairs.
Transmission Background
Automatic transmissions are among the most complex, misunderstood, and misdiagnosed systems in any vehicle. That was true even before Ford's 10-speed transmission came along, and their introduction has made it much worse.
The 10R80 is an incredible piece of engineering, but it has also become a dividing line between experts and novices. Unfortunately, many shops and even some dealerships are guilty of transmission malpractice simply because they don’t yet understand the nuances of this unit.
The Process: Diagnostic, Repair, and Verification
Our process starts by verifying the customer’s concern, checking fluid levels, clearing and recreating shift adaptations, and monitoring all inputs and commands to the transmission. We often graph or log live data during testing because things happen quickly during a road test.
Because temperature heavily affects transmission performance, testing happens over multiple drives. We make an adjustment, such as clearing and reestablishing shift adaptations, then allow the vehicle to cool and retest from there. We never rely on assumptions; we rely on test data for an accurate diagnosis.
In this case, everything pointed to a 10R80 C/D/F drum failure. Each manufacturer names their clutch assemblies differently, and Ford uses letters to identify them on the 10R80. The C/D/F drum houses three of the transmission’s clutch packs: C, D, and F.
Here is what typically happens to this drum. A pressed-fit bushing inside the drum moves slightly, which changes the alignment of the hydraulic sealing surfaces. That misalignment allows hydraulic pressure to blow out a sealing ring, creating an internal leak. That is when the shifting issues begin.
The Repair
We removed the transmission from the vehicle and brought it to our rebuilder’s bench for a complete teardown and inspection to find out the Ford 10R80 problems.
If the transmission checks out mechanically sound, as this one did, we replace the sealing rings, install the updated C/D/F drum, reassemble the transmission, and reseal it externally with a new filter. The transmission is then reinstalled and filled with factory-spec Ford ULV fluid.
The technician clears all shift adaptations and performs a 3-mile test drive. A second technician follows with a 10-mile verification drive (five highway and five city). Finally, the diagnosing technician performs a third quality-control road test to confirm performance.
He also inspects every component touched during the repair, marking each fastener with green paint once verified for torque and correct installation. Fluid level is rechecked, which is critical on the 10R80, and the vehicle is washed before being returned to the customer.
All targeted transmission repairs like this are generally covered under our 2-year targeted repair warranty. During that same week, every 10R80 repair we performed, each between 60,000 and 80,000 miles, followed this same process and produced the same positive outcome.
Common Pitfalls with 10R80 Repairs
- The transmission of 10R80 is often replaced or rebuilt unnecessarily.
- Repairs are misrepresented. We have seen dealerships or shops charge twice our targeted repair cost, labeling it as a “reconditioned” unit.
- Technicians with limited transmission experience often replace the valve body instead of diagnosing correctly and performing proper Ford transmission repair service.
- Tunnel vision leads to misdiagnosis, such as replacing the C/D/F drum when the real issue is elsewhere.
- There are multiple variations of the C/D/F drum, and using the wrong one can cause further problems.
What Customers Say
Nearly every 10R80 owner who walks through our doors starts the conversation the same way:
“I love this truck. It’s been perfect up until now.”
And just as commonly, they’ll say:
“Everything online says this transmission is junk.”
Our perspective? These are great trucks with a few issues that need attention. Online information can be misleading because people rarely write about what’s working; they only post when something goes wrong.
How to Fix Your 10R80 Without the $6,000 - $11,000 Bill
Call Tri-City Transmission & Auto Repair to schedule an appointment with one of our Ford transmission specialists.
Our Ford 10R80 diagnostics typically range from $100 to $400, depending on complexity. In nearly all cases, this can be done without removing or disassembling the transmission. In fact, 99% of our diagnostics require no disassembly at all.
We never perform disassembly without the customer’s full understanding of Ford transmission repair costs, implications, and authorization.
Summary
This customer saved $7,900, avoided an unnecessary rebuild, fixed his 2019 Ford Raptor transmission issues, and kept his truck on the road thanks to a proper, data-driven diagnosis and a targeted repair.
Supporting Documents
(For those who enjoy the technical side)
Ford Technical Service Bulletins Related to the C/D/F Drum
-
- TSB 25-2475 (Oct 29, 2025)
10R60/10R80/10R80 MHT Automatic Transmission - Harsh/Delayed Engagement or Shifts
(Newer bulletin with diagnostic path bypassing valve body replacement. Many techs with tunnel vision don’t know about this one.) - TSB 23-2250 (Aug 14, 2023)
10R60/10R80/10R80 MHT Automatic Transmission - Harsh/Delayed Engagement or Shifts
(Older bulletin requiring valve body replacement before C/D/F diagnosis.)
- TSB 25-2475 (Oct 29, 2025)
Automatic Transmission Rebuilders Association (ATRA) Bulletins
Pictures from This Case Study
C/D/F Drum with Slipped Bushing (bushing moves only 1/16"- 1/8", but it makes a huge difference)
Input Hub with Damaged Sealing Ring
Complete Transmission Assembly (for scope reference)
