P0733 on Ford
Gear 4 Incorrect Ratio
P0733 on Ford vehicles indicates gear 4 incorrect ratio. Au7o has documented this code across 2 Ford models — most commonly on Explorer, F-150. This code indicates the transmission control module found that the actual gear ratio in 4th gear is outside the acceptable range for that gear. It is detected by comparing transmission input speed against output speed while 4th gear is engaged. A mismatch typically signals the transmission is slipping in 4th gear or that a control/hydraulic fault is preventing proper engagement. Typical repair costs on Ford range from $150 to $4,500, depending on the specific model and root cause.
Common Causes of P0733
- •Low or contaminated transmission fluid
- •Worn 4th-gear clutch packs or bands
- •Failing shift solenoid for 4th gear
- •Valve body or line pressure issues
- •Internal transmission mechanical wear
- •Restricted transmission filter
- •Faulty input or output speed sensor
P0733 on Ford by Model
Ford Explorer(1 issue)
- 5R55W/5R55S Transmission Servo Bore Wear Causing Flare, Slip, and Delayed Reverse2002-2010
A very common failure on third- and fourth-generation Explorers with the 5R55W/5R55S automatic is wear in the overdrive and intermediate servo bores inside the transmission case. As the bores wear, hydraulic pressure leaks past the servo pistons, leading to 2-3 flare, 3-5 flare, slipping, harsh engagement, and delayed or missing reverse. This issue is widely documented in owner complaints, transmission repair communities, and Ford service literature addressing shift flare and servo-related repairs.
Ford F-150(1 issue)
- 10R80 10-speed transmission harsh/erratic shifting and torque-converter shudder2017-2023
The 10R80 10-speed automatic (introduced on the 2017 F-150) is widely reported to shift harshly: jerking, clunking, banging on the 1-2 and 2-3 shifts, hesitation, gear hunting, and occasional limp-mode with a 'Transmission Not in Park' or 'drive mode not available' message. Many trucks also exhibit a torque-converter lockup-clutch shudder felt as a vibration around 30-45 mph. Root causes traced in later TSBs include adaptive-calibration mismatch during break-in, CDF drum bushing migration, and valve-body bore wear/scoring. A class action (O'Connor v. Ford, N.D. Illinois) covers the defect.
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View P0733 across all makes →Frequently Asked Questions
What does P0733 mean on Ford?▼
P0733 stands for "Gear 4 Incorrect Ratio." This code indicates the transmission control module found that the actual gear ratio in 4th gear is outside the acceptable range for that gear. It is detected by comparing transmission input speed against output speed while 4th gear is engaged. A mismatch typically signals the transmission is slipping in 4th gear or that a control/hydraulic fault is preventing proper engagement. On Ford specifically, this code is documented across 2 models.
What causes P0733 on Ford vehicles?▼
Common causes on Ford: Low or contaminated transmission fluid, Worn 4th-gear clutch packs or bands, Failing shift solenoid for 4th gear, Valve body or line pressure issues, Internal transmission mechanical wear. Specific causes vary by model and year — see the per-model sections below.
How much does it cost to fix P0733 on a Ford?▼
Repair costs on Ford range from $150 to $4,500, depending on the specific model and root cause.
Which Ford models have P0733 documented?▼
Au7o has documented P0733 on 2 Ford models: Explorer, F-150.