Ford Raptor Transmission Issues – Why Are They Common and How to Avoid?

The Ford Raptor is an incredible vehicle; it is intended for off-road usage and comes standard with four-wheel drive, a suspension system with mid-travel, and all-terrain tires. Additionally, the vehicle is fitted with the most powerful engines available for the F-150/Ranger series.

F-150 Raptor automatic transmission highlights

• Average lifespan:150,000-180,000 miles
• Reliability Score:Low
• Prone to minor issues:Yes
• Price for repair after failure:$1,900-$2,400
• Price for replacement:$6,000-$7,500
• Availability of parts:Average
• Common problems:jerking, poor electronic system, a lot of upgrades and TSBs, transmission is still under development.

How to know if your Ford Raptor has transmission issues?

For those of you who have had problems with the transmission, the following are some telltale signs that your vehicle may need to have its transmission replaced or repaired:

• Unusual sounds

These noises might be anything from creaking to grinding to rattling to shaking to plain old noise. Even when the vehicle is stopped, the sound might happen at any moment.

• Frequent stalls

If your car is often stalling, the first thing you should do is check the fluid levels. If it seems like they are not getting enough fluid, give them more until they are completely full.

However, if this continues, it should be the transmission. We advise you to visit the technician for more clarification.

• While driving, your transmission begins producing loud sounds

Stop the vehicle immediately and pull over if you hear a high-pitched screeching noise from the transmission while driving.

Transmission issues are very problematic and must at no point be disregarded. Transmission work must be performed by a trained professional and often costs several hundred dollars.

Before driving, you must be sure you have called the repair company.

• Check-engine light

If the "Check Engine" light on your dashboard is on, it might indicate several problems, including transmission, some of which could be dangerous.

However, you should ensure that a local professional examines it in a case; determining the cause of the issue is essential.

• Car shakes or vibrates excessively

Your car's engine is connected to its transmission via a linkage called the driveshaft. 

When the driveshaft is broken, more pressure is applied to the gearbox, which causes the transmission to shake or vibrate.

• Dragging clutch

When you push the pedal for the clutch in your car, a dragging clutch will prevent the clutch disk from disengaging from the flywheel.

Because of this problem, changing gears in the vehicle leads the gears to collide.

The most typical reasons for a dragging clutch are a mechanical breakdown or the clutch being moved out of its proper position.

• Car feels sluggish

A sluggish feeling can be caused by worn-out tires, bad brakes, or a faulty muffler. 

Nevertheless, it may also indicate that there is a problem with either your engine or your gearbox.

• Noises when in neutral

When your car is in neutral and you hear strange sounds emanating, it indicates that there may be a problem with the transmission.

The sounds may be trying to tell you that it is time to get new transmission fluid for your vehicle. A qualified mechanic can clean out the old fluid and put in the new one for you.

On the other hand, it may also indicate that your vehicle needs a new part or further maintenance performed by an experienced technician.

• Strange odors coming from your car

There are a lot of potential causes for an unpleasant odor coming from your vehicle, including a malfunctioning exhaust system, overheating, or a radiator not operating well. But sometimes it may be a clutch or a torque converter in your transmission.

• Leaking fluid

Leaking transmission fluid is one of the most obvious signs of a problem with the transmission.

Suppose you observe a crimson fluid with a pleasant scent leaking from beneath your vehicle when parked in a garage or parking lot. 

In that case, you should inform your technician that they need to check the transmission fluid level and investigate for probable leaks.

Why are transmission issues common

According to worldwide research and consensus among vehicle owners, the biggest cause of transmission failure for all vehicle models, including the ford raptor, is not following the manufacturer's maintenance guidelines for the engine and gearbox and replacing the fluid and filters at the required mileage and time intervals. Additionally, if you are utilizing the car in challenging weather, this is another possible cause of the issue.

The following are the top five reasons a vehicle's transmission might fail:

1) Clogged transmission filter

A clogged filter might cause a vehicle's transmission to fail. The main task of this filter is to clean the transmission fluid and ensure that no metal particles get to the torque converter or to other parts of the transmission. When you change the transmission fluid, don't forget to change the filter, too. Otherwise, it may lead to leaks.

2) Overheating

In most cases, overheating happens when something is wrong with the fluid. Some vehicles have additional radiators that help cool down the transmission fluid when the vehicle is in operation. But sometimes, overheating appears when you drive your vehicle actively although it's not made for sports driving.

When the transmission is overheated, it may fail anytime. Just avoid any issues with overheating your transmission.

3) Minor problems with the gearbox

You may have overlooked some minor problems like little bumps when driving and shifting or some minor noises from your transmission. Sometimes, these minor symptoms may develop very gradually and you just don't notice them. But over time, they will grow into something bigger and will probably kill the transmission.

4) Loose bolts

Loose bolts may give rise to a wide array of issues. One of these problems includes failing transmissions. 

When bolts become loose over time especially in the area where the gearbox is located, they may begin to pull away from the components to which they are connected, which can cause the parts to become detached.

If you often find yourself in the position of needing to tighten nuts, you should think about replacing them.

5) Low fluid levels

If your car's fluid levels are low, the transmission may face some significant problems.

For optimal performance, the transmission requires the usage of fluid. Problems are likely to arise if any of the fluids are low.

How to avoid transmission issues in Ford Raptor

As stated before, the Ford Raptor is a high-performance vehicle designed for off-road use, so it is essential to understand how to prevent transmission problems.

You can take a few steps to prevent transmission issues with your Raptor. First, ensure that the correct transmission fluid is being used. The Raptor utilizes a transmission fluid explicitly formulated for high-performance driving. If improper fluid is used, transmission damage could occur.

Second, ensure that the transmission is frequently maintained. The Raptor transmission is a complex technology that must be repaired by a trained professional. By maintaining your transmission periodically, you may prevent future difficulties.

In addition to those mentioned earlier, remember to constantly shift gears properly, avoid overheating your transmission, do not overload your vehicle, let your car warm up, get annual transmission inspections, and check your transmission fluid often.

By adhering to these basic guidelines, you can help maintain the transmission of your Ford Raptor and prevent expensive repairs in the future.

Conclusion

Transmission problems in Ford Raptors are widespread since the vehicles are driven aggressively, and their capabilities are often tested to the breaking point.

Taking your vehicle in for routine maintenance at a Ford dealership with a good reputation is the best way to prevent these problems.

We hope that the information presented here has been of use to you in understanding why these problems are so widespread and how you might avoid them.