A10 Transmission erratic shifting

[Ryunker]

The A10 transmission in my 24 GT is constantly up/down shifting when on an uphill grade. We live in Southeast Missouri, and hills and curves are everywhere. Seems like everybody but me loves this transmission. I never had a problem with the 6-speed automatic in my 2017 GT, but this 10-speed is a nightmare.

I absolutely love reading these posts, yup the six speed is a perfect trans unlike that A10 you paid extra for in your car.

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[LouG]

My A10 doesn't hunt either. Sometimes I'd like it to downshift sooner, but there's always sport or track mode.

 

[Mikestang24]

My A10 doesn't hunt either. Sometimes I'd like it to downshift sooner, but there's always sport or track mode.

In 40 years of driving a multitude of vehicles both standard and automatic, the A10 is by far a superior unit, but only when it works right. I've had 2 go bad. So there's that part.

 

[smurfslayer]

Ford has been rocking the 10R80 since 2017; 8 model years now across several platforms. I’ve got one in my ’17 Raptor and my ’24 Dark Horse. There are concerns with it, among them

1) programming from Ford. Particularly for the Raptor early model years - ’17-’19. The shift strategy was not brilliant. At least one TSB for ‘clunky’ shifting had a collateral effect on strategy for shifting. The ’24 Mustang programming is orders of magnitude superior.
1a) at least for the pre-’21 Raptors, there was no “normal” drive mode, it’s basically equal to ‘eco’ mode on the standard F150.
2) the 10R80 is extremely sensitive to fluid level. Harsh, inarticulate and clunky shifting can also be caused by low fluid or worn fluid.
- But it’s a brand new car, IT SHOULD BE FILLED RIGHT FROM THE FACTORY!!! Of course, and mistakes happen so it’s good first thing to check.
3) F150 and Raptor communities are replete with 10R80 horror stories about customers getting a “transmission flush” and fluid change, followed by a hard part(s) failure. It should only be flushed with fresh fluid, not solvents.
4) There are some internals upgraded over the years, so obviously they were looking at failure points and upgrading.

Are there failures out there? yes and you’ll read about them all over the internet because the other, what, 17,000 10r80 Mustangs out there shifted flawlessly that day and nobody says anything about it.

 

[mdoren252]

My 2021 GT went in for transmission faults on 5-7-2025, just got a call and maybe the part will arrive on 5-30-2025. Can you believe that? I have a very bad feeling it will be there all Summer. BTW it is my summer car. I just took it out for a long spin and it died. Only 29,000 miles on it. I really loved it when it worked.

 

[ChitownStang]

My 2021 GT went in for transmission faults on 5-7-2025, just got a call and maybe the part will arrive on 5-30-2025. Can you believe that? I have a very bad feeling it will be there all Summer. BTW it is my summer car. I just took it out for a long spin and it died. Only 29,000 miles on it. I really loved it when it worked.

Best thing I ever did was get rid of my 21 Mach 1 10-speed for a Tremec Dark Horse.
Worst transmission I’ve ever driven in my life and there was nothing wrong with mine yet.
Multiple tunes made it better but it still would buck me around for no reason and always be confused. And if you drive around in normal mode then you’re a grandpa that doesn’t care about being in 10th at 40 mph.
Drive a BMW 8-speed and you will feel what a good auto should shift like.

 

[smurfslayer]

Best thing I ever did was get rid of my 21 Mach 1 10-speed for a Tremec Dark Horse.
Worst transmission I’ve ever driven in my life and there was nothing wrong with mine yet.
Multiple tunes made it better but it still would buck me around for no reason and always be confused. And if you drive around in normal mode then you’re a grandpa that doesn’t care about being in 10th at 40 mph.
Drive a BMW 8-speed and you will feel what a good auto should shift like.

The ‘24+ 10r80 is vastly improved I’ve had none of the complained about issues as most others.

driving a bmw 8speed definitely be lowering standards

 

[ChitownStang]

The ‘24+ 10r80 is vastly improved I’ve had none of the complained about issues as most others.

driving a bmw 8speed definitely be lowering standards

I really hope you have a good one and if you enjoy it that’s awesome too: I am sorry if I came across as a hater.
On the other hand if you read about this transmission and all the issues with it and all the problematic parts still after 6 years as well as the behavior people still experience, as well as class action lawsuits . it’s kinda sad Ford can’t get it right.
Like I said, 4 years and 30k miles in my beautiful and very fast Mach 1 and all I could think of was get me out.
Paddles were fun though, and it was faster than my Dark Horse.
As far as the 8-speed auto in the BMW, yiu are so wrong.

 

[Mikestang24]

The ‘24+ 10r80 is vastly improved I’ve had none of the complained about issues as most others.

driving a bmw 8speed definitely be lowering standards

My early 24 GT Premium 401A 10R80 transmission failed at 9600 miles. Ford put a new unit in it within 2 weeks. My 22 GT Premium 401A 10R80 transmission failed completely at highway speed after several attempts by Ford to repairit. (32k miles). Ford bought that car back at a very fair price. They still have issues. If you're under warranty, get it completely repaired on their dime. They are aware. CDF Drum is main issue which affects other components. My 2020 GT Premium 401A 10R80 car had zero issues up to 48k miles when traded in. Why does someone always bring up the bmw transmissions? This is a Mustang Forum. WTF bro.

 

[smurfslayer]

I really hope you have a good one and if you enjoy it that’s awesome too: I am sorry if I came across as a hater.
On the other hand if you read about this transmission and all the issues with it and all the problematic parts still after 6 years as well as the behavior people still experience, as well as class action lawsuits . it’s kinda sad Ford can’t get it right.
Like I said, 4 years and 30k miles in my beautiful and very fast Mach 1 and all I could think of was get me out.
Paddles were fun though, and it was faster than my Dark Horse.
As far as the 8-speed auto in the BMW, yiu are so wrong.

We’ve all had one or more problem child cars, no worries

I just finished Track Attack in the A10 MDH
It is astoundingly capable. I see the dilemma here though. You are a fan of the Mustang but the A10 let you down.
FWIW, I have the 10r80 in my Raptor and it needed some reprogramming. Full disclosure: she has a pedal commander

don’t let the bad apple sour your take on the model

 

[ChitownStang]

My early 24 GT Premium 401A 10R80 transmission failed at 9600 miles. Ford put a new unit in it within 2 weeks. My 22 GT Premium 401A 10R80 transmission failed completely at highway speed after several attempts by Ford to repairit. (32k miles). Ford bought that car back at a very fair price. They still have issues. If you're under warranty, get it completely repaired on their dime. They are aware. CDF Drum is main issue which affects other components. My 2020 GT Premium 401A 10R80 car had zero issues up to 48k miles when traded in. Why does someone always bring up the bmw transmissions? This is a Mustang Forum. WTF bro.

Because they are the standard Ford should be at for the price they are asking .
I’m a Mustang guy, but also a car guy.
Why in the world do you need 10 gears??
GT500 is a wonderful auto

 

[ChitownStang]

We’ve all had one or more problem child cars, no worries

I just finished Track Attack in the A10 MDH
It is astoundingly capable. I see the dilemma here though. You are a fan of the Mustang but the A10 let you down.
FWIW, I have the 10r80 in my Raptor and it needed some reprogramming. Full disclosure: she has a pedal commander

don’t let the bad apple sour your take on the model

I will say the couple times I had the Mach 1 at the track it performed well! Always in the right gear . Did everyone there ask me if it was a manual and make me feel like shit that I drove an auto, yes.. lol

 

[Mikestang24]

Because they are the standard Ford should be at for the price they are asking .
I’m a Mustang guy, but also a car guy.
Why in the world do you need 10 gears??
GT500 is a wonderful auto

29 mpg on the highway in normal mode and cruise control

Price point $15k under an m2, which is the cheapest m car.

Comes standard with turn signals- no blinker fluid required

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