Who makes the Ford 10-speed transmission?

The Ford 10-speed automatic, including the 10R80 for standard-duty applications and the 10R140 for heavy-duty use, is designed and built by Ford Motor Company. Production is handled by Ford’s own North American powertrain facilities as part of its in-house engineering and manufacturing operations.

Overview of the 10-speed family

The Ford 10-speed automatic debuted in 2017 as a successor to older six- and eight-speed transmissions, aiming to deliver more gears for smoother shifts and improved efficiency across a wide range of speeds. Ford uses two main variants to cover different vehicle segments, with the 10R80 serving lighter-duty applications and the 10R140 catering to heavy-duty trucks and large SUVs.

Before listing the key facts about variants and deployment, note the following overview and context.

• 10R80 is the lighter-duty variant intended for standard rear-wheel-drive configurations and many AWD setups.


• 10R140 is the heavy-duty variant used in Ford’s full-size trucks and large SUVs, such as certain Expedition/Navigator configurations.


• The 10-speed family was rolled out across multiple model lines beginning with the F-Series pickup in 2017.


• Both variants are designed to optimize performance, acceleration, and efficiency through a wide gear spread.

These points illustrate how Ford distinguishes between the two main versions and how they fit into the brand’s lineup.

Design, engineering, and production

Ford’s Powertrain Engineering group is responsible for the design and development of the 10-speed transmission, while production takes place within Ford’s own facilities. The company relies on a network of suppliers for subcomponents, but the final assembly and integration are controlled by Ford.

The production and engineering approach can be summarized as follows.

• In-house design and engineering by Ford’s Powertrain team


• In-house assembly at Ford powertrain plants in North America


• Integration with Ford’s vehicle platforms across its model lineup

Context and implications

As Ford continues to deploy the 10-speed across its vehicles, the transmission remains a core part of the brand’s performance and efficiency strategy. The 10R80 and 10R140 variants are tailored to different vehicle requirements, ensuring Ford can offer a range of powertrain options while maintaining a unified engineering approach.

Summary

In short, Ford Motor Company designs and manufactures its own 10-speed automatic transmissions—10R80 for standard-duty applications and 10R140 for heavy-duty use—within Ford’s North American facilities. This in-house approach underpins Ford’s powertrain strategy across its current lineup.

Is the Ford Super Duty 10 speed transmission reliable?

The reliability of the Ford Super Duty 10-speed transmission varies, with some models, particularly pre-2022 versions with the 10R140, experiencing issues like the sliding CDF drum bushing, which can cause shifting problems and pressure loss. However, later versions and updated parts have shown improved reliability. Heavy-duty use, such as constant towing or modifications, can lead to accelerated wear on internal components. 
This video explains the reliability of the Ford 10-speed transmission from an owner's perspective: 57sGreat Lakes PowerstrokeFX4YouTube · Mar 19, 2025
Common problems

• CDF drum bushing: The most frequently reported issue, especially in earlier models, is the CDF drum bushing sliding out of place. This disrupts hydraulic fluid flow and can lead to hard shifts, slipping, and other serious problems. Ford has since updated this component. 
• Valve body issues: The valve body can malfunction, leading to incorrect clutch engagement, harsh shifting, and other issues. Metal debris from internal failures can also contaminate the valve body and cause it to stick. 
• Internal wear: High-mileage vehicles or those subjected to heavy towing may experience wear on components like the F-clutch reaction shell or E-clutch drum, causing chattering and other performance issues. 
• Planetary gear failure: Some Super Duty 10R140 transmissions have experienced planetary gear failures, particularly in the front planetary, which can result in heat-related damage and metal shavings. 

This video illustrates the most common problems found in Ford Super Duty 10-speed transmissions: 55sFlying WrenchesYouTube · May 14, 2025
Improving reliability

• For a used truck: When buying a used Super Duty with a 10-speed, check if the CDF drum has been updated or replaced. 
• Regular maintenance: Sticking to a regular maintenance schedule is crucial. A complete transmission service every 30,000 miles is recommended, and some sources suggest a complete valve body upgrade can improve longevity. 
• Driving habits: Avoid aggressive driving or modifications that put extra stress on the transmission, such as large tires or engine tuning, which can cause failures to occur sooner. 
• Fluid: Ensure the transmission fluid is at the correct level and quality. Low or old fluid can contribute to shifting problems. 

Does GM use the 10R80 transmission?

Was a joint venture really the whole 10-speed platform was a joint venture in between Ford. And GM. So it's basically the same thing. It's also worth noting that the 10R60. And 10R140.

Is Ford having problems with the 10 speed transmission?

Yes, Ford's 10-speed transmission (10R80) has had significant problems, including issues with harsh shifting, slipping, and potential rollaways. Common causes of these problems include the CDF drum bushing shifting out of place, valve body malfunctions, and outer drive shell failures. While Ford has implemented some design updates and recalls to address these issues, many problems, particularly with earlier models, have led to class-action lawsuits and many complaints from owners.
 
You can watch this video to learn about the common failures of the 10-speed transmission: 1mFlying WrenchesYouTube · Oct 29, 2024
Common problems

• Harsh or jerky shifting: This can include clunking, lurching, and delays in shifting. 
• Slipping or gear skipping: The transmission may fail to engage a gear properly. 
• Neutral or rollaway risk: In some cases, the transmission can falsely sense low fluid pressure and shift into neutral, or not hold the vehicle in Park, creating a rollaway risk. 
• Internal component failures: A primary issue is the CDF (clutch drum) bushing moving out of position, disrupting fluid flow and causing erratic shifting. The outer drive shell can also wear down. 

Affected models
2017-2020 F-150, 2018-2022 Ford Expedition, 2018-2022 Ford Mustang, 2019-2022 Ford Ranger, and 2018-2022 Lincoln Navigator. 
Ford's response and ongoing issues

• Design updates: Ford has released updated parts, such as a new CDF drum with a lip to hold the bushing in place, and has anodized the outer shell to increase its durability. Software updates have also been released to address shifting issues. 
• Recalls: Some recalls have been issued for issues like failing to stay in Park and unintended movement in neutral. 
• Effectiveness of fixes: While updates have helped, some owners report that the proposed software fixes do not fully resolve the problems. Some issues, like the CDF drum bushing movement, may continue to be a problem, especially in older models or with lack of proper maintenance. 

This video explains the causes and fixes for the 10-speed transmission problems: 57sThe Car Guy OnlineYouTube · Aug 25, 2025
What you should do

• If you have one of the affected models, ensure your vehicle's software is up to date and have any transmission issues diagnosed by a qualified mechanic. 
• Be aware that a complete repair, especially for internal damage, can be expensive. 
• If you are considering purchasing a used vehicle with a 10-speed transmission, getting an inspection from an expert is highly recommended.

Is Allison 10 speed the same as Ford?

But they are almost exactly identical now why the hell do I want you to know this i really don't know i'm just tired of hearing. People say the new Allison. 10speed is the same exact 10-speed.