Ford–GM 10-speed automatic transmission


The Ford–GM 10-speed automatic transmission is part of a joint venture between Ford Motor Company and General Motors to design and engineer two transmissions: a longitudinal 10-speed transmission and a transverse 9-speed trans-axle. Each company manufactures its own unique version of the transmissions in its own factories. The 10-speed transmission was designed by Ford, while the 9-speed transmission was designed by GM.

Key Data



Production

The 10R 80 was first produced at the Ford Livonia Transmission Plant in Livonia, Michigan, and the Hydra-Matic 10L 80 is made at the General Motors Romulus Powertrain Plant, in Romulus, Michigan. GM's Silao, Mexico, transmission plant started 10L 80 production in 2018, while Ford's Sharonville Transmission plant started 10R 80 production in 2018.

Specifications

Combined Parallel and Serial Coupled Gearset Concept For More Gears And Improved Cost-Effectiveness



Gearset Concept: Quality

The transmission is based on the well-known 8-speed automatic transmission 8HP from ZF. A unique triple-clutch assembly on a dedicated intermediate shaft, placed in the middle of the architecture, replaces two ordinary clutches and is the key for packaging the 10-speed unit into the same space as the previous transmission.
  • Compared to the 8-speed architecture
  • * The transmission offers smaller steps between the lower gears
  • * Which benefits acceleration at low speeds.
  • * The transmission does not offer any significantly smaller steps between the upper gears
  • * Where this is more important than in the lower gears.
  • * The transmission does not offer any increase in the overall range.
  • The ratios of the 10 gears are
  • * much more unevenly distributed than in the 8-speed architecture
  • * and even more uneven than in the direct competitor 9G-Tronic from Mercedes-Benz.
  • * The gear step from 9th to 10th gear is unfavorably small at less than 9%.
These weaknesses largely offset the advantage of the additional gears.


Applications

Ford

10R 60

10R 80 MHT

10R 80

10R 100

10R 140

  • 2020–present Ford Super Duty
  • * Marketed as TorqShift
  • * 6.7L Diesel and 7.3L Gasoline on 2023-2024
  • * Tremor 7.3L Gasoline on 2025-present

General Motors

Source

10L 60

10L 80 MF6

10L 90 MX0

10L 1000 (Allison) MGM · MGU

Lawsuits

At least five class action lawsuits have been filed regarding vehicles equipped with Ford's 10R 80 transmission. Several have since been consolidated to a single case being heard in Illinois. The lawsuits allege safety issues due to harsh and erratic shifting, which causes jerking, lunging, clunking and hesitation between gears. At least one case also cites sudden loss of power due to transmission issues. It is also alleged that Ford is aware of these issues and re-designed the CDF hub inner sleeve along with publishing several TSBs related to the concern.
McCabe v. Ford Motor Company cites 38 different NHTSA complaints regarding the 10R 80 transmission. The complaints encompass the 2019–2022 Ford Ranger, 2018–2021 Ford Expedition, 2018–2022 Ford Mustang, 2018–2021 Lincoln Navigator, and 2021 Ford F-150.
Some of the lawsuits have been dismissed or partially dismissed. As of October 2023, at least one of these lawsuits is still ongoing.