What year is a Ford 10-speed transmission?
The Ford 10-speed automatic first appeared in the 2017 model year.
Since its debut, Ford's 10-speed automatic (the 10R80) has become a staple in trucks, SUVs, and performance cars, offering a wider gear spread for smoother acceleration and better highway efficiency. This article explains when the transmission arrived and which models currently use it.
Launch year and early adopters
A quick look at when Ford introduced the 10-speed and which models were among the first to adopt it.
- Ford F-150 — introduced with the 10-speed in the 2017 model year and carried through to recent generations.
- Ford Mustang — automatic transmission options were updated to include the 10-speed around the 2017–2018 model years.
- Ford Expedition — adopted the 10-speed starting with the 2018 model year refresh and has continued since.
- Lincoln Navigator — shares the same 10-speed automatic setup beginning with the 2018 model year and onward.
These early adopters established Ford's 10-speed automatic as the standard choice for its full-size trucks and key performance/SUV models, enabling a broad gear spread and improved efficiency across diverse drivetrains.
Models and years currently using the 10-speed
A current snapshot of the models that predominantly rely on the 10-speed automatic today, including typical model-year ranges.
- Ford F-150 — 2017 to present (10R80 automatic across many trims).
- Ford Expedition — 2018 to present.
- Lincoln Navigator — 2018 to present.
- Ford Mustang — 2017/2018 to present in automatic configurations.
In Ford's lineup, the 10-speed remains the go-to automatic for these core vehicles, with occasional trim-specific variations and regional considerations.
What the 10R80 transmission offers
Key characteristics of Ford's 10-speed automatic and what they mean for performance and daily driving.
- Ten forward gears provide a wide ratio spread that helps both brisk acceleration and improved highway fuel economy.
- A hydraulic torque converter and planetary gear sets are coordinated by advanced electronic shift logic for smooth, quick shifts.
- The transmission is designed for cross-model use, enabling consistent performance across the F-150, Expedition, Navigator, and Mustang platforms.
- Electronic controls and adaptive software optimize shift points based on driving style, load, and conditions, improving responsiveness over time.
This combination of breadth in gearing, smart control, and cross-platform integration has made the 10R80 a central component of Ford’s powertrains since its introduction.
Summary
The Ford 10-speed automatic debuted for the 2017 model year and has since become a mainstay in the lineup, powering the F-150, Expedition, Navigator, and Mustang in automatic configurations. Its generation-wide gear spread and adaptive shifting aim to deliver strong acceleration, better fuel economy, and consistent performance across Ford’s most popular vehicles. For buyers and enthusiasts, the 10R80 represents Ford’s approach to balancing power with efficiency in modern everyday driving.
Which Fords have the 10 speed transmission?
Up expeditions 2019 up Rangers 2018 up Mustangs 2018 up Lincoln Navigators. And well you can really find it in the newer. GMs the Chevys. And the GMC's. The trucks their Taho.
What is the most common problem with the Ford 10 speed transmission?
Ford introduced its 10-speed for the 2017 model year, and, as Douglas Adams wrote in "The Restaurant at the End of the Universe," "This has made a lot of people angry and been widely regarded as a bad move." The most common problem seems to be CDF drum bushings shifting out of position.
What year did Ford switch to 10 speed transmission?
2017
The Ford 10R80 The start of the 10 Speed family was the 10R80 in 2017 behind the 3.5 EcoBoost F150. It soon became the new push from Ford and was found in the 18+ F150's and Expeditions.
What years did Ford have bad transmissions?
Ford's PowerShift dual clutch transmission was used in 2010. Vehicles impacted are the Ford Fiesta (model years 2011-2016) and the Ford Focus (model years 2012-2016) equipped with a PowerShift transmission.
