"My 1992 Ford Ranger Has A Much Better Transmission Than My 2023, And Every Time I Slow Down Or Accelerate It Feels Like I Am Driving A Manual And Slamming The Gears"

After an eight-year hiatus, Ford brought the Ranger back to US soil. The rise in popularity of midsize pickup trucks prompted the blue oval to bring back the iconic model to a very crowded truck segment. With other body-on-frame offerings like the Jeep Gladiator, which continues to be spiced up, and the Chevrolet Colorado on offer, Ford Ranger needs to be really good. 

While specialized websites like RepairPal and Cars.com give high ratings for reliability and performance, not all is great. While browsing through the Facebook group, 2019+ Ford Ranger, I stumbled upon a very spirited post by Tyler Grooms, who owns two Ford Rangers - a 1992 and a 2023. 

I will not quote the exact post as it uses colorful language but in essence, Tyler complains that the automatic transmission in his 2023 Ford Ranger is not working smoothly and is clunking whilst the transmission in his 1992 Ford Ranger works much smoother.

(This is the uncensored post from the 2019+ Ford Ranger group)

The Ford-GM 10-speed is, both, praised and cursed by the car world

The 2019-present Ford Ranger has two transmission options - a six-speed manual and a 10-speed automatic. It is the latter that is, often, cause for heated discussions. The 10R80 is a 10-speed automatic, jointly developed by Ford and GM. Unlike the older 6R80 automatic Ford used, this newer model doesn’t handle as much power - 500-550 wheel horsepower is generally accepted to be the limit, at which the transmission’s longevity isn’t sacrificed. 

One of the more unique (for street use) features on the 10R80 is the straight-cut gears, as opposed to helical ones. These are known to cause a distinct whine, akin to that of a supercharger, which instills panic in all owners that aren’t aware of the 10R80’s design feature. In reality, this aids performance as straight-cut gears result in fewer mechanical losses. In GM models that come with the 10-speed automatic, the whine isn’t as obvious due to additional noise insulation. However, some GM owners claim this allows the transmission to heat up. Both Ford and GM issued technical service recalls for the 10-speed, related to the valve body, which may cause wheel lock-up.

What other owners are saying

While some owners of the 2019+ Ford Ranger are reporting a trouble-free experience, others share Tyler’s frustration with the 10-speed automatic.

Rob Anaya says: “Mine is at the shop and I should be getting it back today. Full replacement was needed. Thankfully, I had the extended warranty when I bought it used.”

A few known fixes are available for the Ford-GM 10-speed automatic

• Reflashing the TCU

• Dealer software update

• New CDF drum - Ford issued a new part with improved design

• Upgraded separator plate - the original design is thin and not as robust

• Outer shell replacement - Ford came up with a hardened, anodized shell to prevent excessive friction clutch wear.

Modern tech versus simple and long-lasting

With so much controversy surrounding the Ford-GM 10-speed automatic, Tyler was wise to keep his trusty old, 1992 Ford Ranger. Those came with a traditional four-speed automatic with a torque-converted (but only on the larger V-6 engine). Those little Ford trucks are known to be reliable haulers even 30-plus years later, with few documented issues by specialized outlets. 

Update (24.10.2025)

A fellow Ford Ranger owner contacted me in the comment section with another possible solution. According to his experience, the issue with his 2022 Ford Ranger went away after replacing a faulty DPFE sensor. The part number is JT4Z9J460A, and it costs $32 before all the discounts. 

As seen by the video below, replacing the DPFE sensor on a Ford Ranger is a fairly simple task.

Do you own a Ford Ranger? I am curious to hear your thoughts on the matter and the problems you have encountered during your ownership.

Dimitar Angelov's automotive interests made him an expert in a wide variety of vehicles. Japanese brands like Toyota and Nissan are closest to his heart, although performance cars in general are his favorite segment, which is why he is constantly on the lookout for the best deals on the market. Dimitar Angelov's car passion and knack for the written word led him to complete a Master of Arts in Media and Communications, and classic car restoration. Dim is happy to get behind the wheel of any car and share his impressions. You can follow Dimitar on X, Linked-in, Instagram, and Facebook.

Image source: Ford press kits