Ford F-150 Hybrid transmission problems

246 of the 910 complaints filed about the Ford F-150 Hybrid are about the transmission — 100% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2021.

246

Complaints

100%

Share of all complaints

2

Crashes

2

Fires

Transmission & Drivetrain complaints by model year

2021 F-150 Hybrid 123 50.0%

Median failure at 34,000 miles

Median failure at 34,000 miles

Median failure at 18,000 miles

Median failure at 17,510 miles

What owners said

2021 Ford F-150 Hybrid South Lyon, MI

POWER TRAIN

Experiencing total stop of acceleration in two occasions: 1) when putting the car in reverse and pressing the accelerator and 2) when making a left or right turn after a yield or stop. And when I say loss of acceleration, I don’t mean hesitation, reduced power, or sluggish acceleration. I mean absolutely ZERO acceleration. I’ll press the accelerator and nothing happens. The engine stays basically at idle, and the truck will not accelerate for roughly 5-10 seconds, regardless of how much accelerator I’m giving it. Then suddenly power comes back and the truck drives normally again. This happens with normal operating temps while driving most of the day. It got to a point where it happened once every day. Very scary stuff when you're pulling out into traffic - major safety concerns with oncoming traffic.

NHTSA complaint #11763923 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2026 Ford F-150 Hybrid Ocala, FL

POWER TRAIN

When shifting into reverse to pull out of my garage, with my foot firmly on the middle of the brake pedal, the truck suddenly accelerated, squealing the tires until I pumped the brake to make it stop. It was a very frightening experience. I drove it around town, including stopping and reversing and could not replicate it. It happened on a cold engine and it hadn’t been driven in three days. I’ve seen several other reports on Facebook and online of the same thing happening to other people. This is obvious a dangerous problem that needs to be addressed by Ford!

NHTSA complaint #11761168 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2025 Ford F-150 Hybrid Glenmoore, PA

POWER TRAIN

Vehicle demonstrates an intermittent lag during acceleration, particularly during throttle position changes. Typical throttle response is appx 0.5s as measured by stopwatch. When the issue is replicated the delay can exceed 1 second. This is most concerning during situations where moderate to brisk acceleration is needed at a specific time such as turning across traffic at an intersection or merging with traffic flow with a large speed disparity from one lane to the other. Vehicle has been taken to multiple Ford dealerships multiple times. The ECU and TCU have been reprogrammed and the situation does not change. Dealership has noted an issue one time but otherwise claims that they have not been able to show the issue to be out of allowable parameters by Ford. Numerous forum posts online discuss the same symptoms and comment similar findings by Ford dealership techs. What they can readily replicate is understood but considered "normal". This behavior has created 2 different situations that nearly culminated in severe accidents with myself driving the vehicle, one time with my child in the seat exposed to oncoming traffic when the accelerator lag caused a severe situation. The first severe situation was crossing traffic outside of my child's school with oncoming traffic having to slam on brakes in order to avoid the collision. The second situation happened while merging lanes on a highway going from ~45mph up to ~60mph and almost caused the neighboring lane to rear end the vehicle. The dealerships have noted the delay exists but to be considered "within allowable limits" when it happens. No warning lamps come on as a regular pattern. This pattern first appeared when the vehicle was less than 500 miles on the odometer. The first dealership ignored the information.

NHTSA complaint #11760332 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2026 Ford F-150 Hybrid Clive, IA

POWER TRAIN

First started having problems with 4x4 randomly engaging and then shortly after that a complete loss of braking capability. Warnings of Park Brake Fault, Check Brake System, Reverse Brake Assist not Available, Check Brake System, Park Brake Limited Function, Pre-Collision Assist not Available. This happened at approximately 240 miles on a new vehicle. Took to Ford Dealership, after about 5 days got the vehicle back and drove it about 4 miles before all the brake system lights came on again and another complete loss of braking capability. Had truck towed to dealer the second time (drove the first time and had little to no braking ability which happened during middle of drive). Truck still at dealer with about 270 miles on it now with no solution yet. Ford Engineers have proposed replacing a pigtail for potential loose pin fitment.

NHTSA complaint #11758997 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2022 Ford F-150 Hybrid Atlantis, FL

POWER TRAIN

I am reporting a safety-related transmission problem I'm experiencing with my 2022 Ford F-150 equipped with the 10R80 automatic transmission. While driving normally, the transmission suddenly shakes violently downshifting from 6th to 5th gear and during upshifting from 2nd to 3rd gear. This occurs every single time while accelerating or braking, only in different gears , creating a potentially dangerous situation because the truck did not respond as expected when I needed predictable acceleration or deceleration. I believe this incident may be related to the known 10R80 CDF clutch-cylinder/sleeve problem. Ford technical information identifies axial movement of the CDF sleeve that can cause hydraulic-circuit leaks and harsh or delayed engagement and shifting. This condition can result in slipping, RPM flares, delayed engagement, unexpected gear changes, harsh downshifts, lurching, or loss of propulsion. This is a safety concern, not merely a transmission quality or reliability issue. Unexpected loss of propulsion or unpredictable shifting while merging, accelerating into traffic, crossing an intersection, turning, or traveling at highway speed can create a collision hazard. Also because this violent shaking startles the driver (lot of times it feels like the truck was hit by another car) and can provoke dangerous breaking. This shaking started in April and has not stopped ever since. Because I'm personally experiencing these unexpected transmission events, as well as my wife, I request that NHTSA investigate the 10R80 CDF clutch-cylinder/sleeve condition in Ford F-150s. Please review Ford warranty claims, dealer repair records, transmission replacements, consumer complaints, and field-failure data to determine whether this is a safety defect requiring a recall. I believe owners should not have to wait for a potentially dangerous transmission failure before this known condition is addressed.

NHTSA complaint #11758535 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2024 Ford F-150 Hybrid Fredericksburg, VA

POWER TRAIN

Several times now the truck will get "stuck" in N or D and will not move. No loss of power, and can't manually shift out to park. Now waiting for a tow to the dealer, they were supposed to correct this when I took it in the last time it happened but didn't. There are a lot of online complaints IRT this issue with the powerboost 150 and other 150s. Mine was made at the Dearborn plant. Huge safety issue and it needs to be addressed

NHTSA complaint #11757348 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2022 Ford F-150 Hybrid Chula Vista, CA

POWER TRAIN

Driving along I-15 in vegas. Ambient temp was 112 degrees F. Engine stopped, check engine light came on and a 'stop safely' indicator appeared. Had to have the truck towed from the interstate to a Ford dealership.

NHTSA complaint #11755591 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2021 Ford F-150 Hybrid Colleyville, TX

POWER TRAIN

I am filing a safety complaint regarding a recurring, hazardous transmission failure during highway and incline driving (specifically experienced on mountain highway passes in Arkansas). While driving at highway speeds on uphill inclines, the transmission severely hesitates and struggles to downshift under load. When it finally engages, it violently slams into gear. During these episodes, the truck experiences a sudden loss of motive power and acceleration lag, accompanied by an engine RPM flare of over 400+ RPM. And most recently, I have Live diagnostic data captured during operation revealed a downshift delay of over 3 seconds where the powertrain control module commanded 8th gear, but the transmission physically remained stuck in 10th gear due to severe internal hydraulic pressure loss. This defect presents a severe safety risk on high-speed roadways. Sudden, unexpected loss of power while climbing grades or merging into traffic creates an immediate risk of rear-end collisions from surrounding vehicles. This issue directly correlates with Ford Technical Service Bulletin TSB 26-2287, which identifies axial movement/slippage of the CDF clutch cylinder sleeve as the root cause of internal fluid leaks and gear failure. Because this internal hardware failure causes unpredictable power delivery and driveability loss at highway speeds, I request that the NHTSA investigate the 10R80/10R80-MHT transmission CDF drum sleeve defect as a critical safety hazard. Finally, Ford motor company, and most cases refuses to repair this known defect under warranty, many owners are experiencing this dealership pushback leaving them with a critical safety issue.

NHTSA complaint #11754598 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2022 Ford F-150 Hybrid Channelview, TX

POWER TRAIN

I am reporting a safety-related transmission problem I experienced with my 2022 Ford F-150 equipped with the 10R80 automatic transmission. While driving normally, the transmission FAILS TO ENGAGE AT SLOW SPEEDS, THROTTLE WILL NOT RESPOND FOR UP TO 8 SECONDS This creates a potentially dangerous situation because the truck did not respond as expected when I needed predictable acceleration or propulsion. I believe this incident may be related to the known 10R80 CDF clutch-cylinder/sleeve problem. Ford technical information identifies axial movement of the CDF sleeve that can cause hydraulic-circuit leaks and harsh or delayed engagement and shifting. This condition can result in slipping, RPM flares, delayed engagement, unexpected gear changes, harsh downshifts, lurching, or loss of propulsion. This is a safety concern, not merely a transmission quality or reliability issue. Unexpected loss of propulsion or unpredictable shifting while merging, accelerating into traffic, crossing an intersection, turning, or traveling at highway speed can create a collision hazard. Because I personally experienced this unexpected transmission event, I request that NHTSA investigate the 10R80 CDF clutch-cylinder/sleeve condition in Ford F-150s. Please review Ford warranty claims, dealer repair records, transmission replacements, consumer complaints, and field-failure data to determine whether this is a safety defect requiring a recall. I believe owners should not have to wait for a potentially dangerous transmission failure before this known condition is addressed.

NHTSA complaint #11754363 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2023 Ford F-150 Hybrid Forney, TX

POWER TRAIN

I am reporting a safety-related transmission problem I experienced with my 2023 Ford F-150 equipped with the 10R80 automatic transmission. While driving normally, the transmission suddenly does not accelerate for up to 3 seconds while pressing the gas pedal, brakes either harshly or too soft at varying times, and very irregularly. This occurred while accelerating onto the highway, and almost every time I am braking at a stop sign or light, creating a potentially dangerous situation because the truck did not respond as expected when I needed predictable acceleration, propulsion, or deceleration. I believe this incident may be related to the known 10R80 CDF clutch-cylinder/sleeve problem. Ford technical information identifies axial movement of the CDF sleeve that can cause hydraulic-circuit leaks and harsh or delayed engagement and shifting. This condition can result in slipping, RPM flares, delayed engagement, unexpected gear changes, harsh downshifts, lurching, or loss of propulsion. This is a safety concern, not merely a transmission quality or reliability issue. Unexpected loss of propulsion or unpredictable shifting while merging, accelerating into traffic, crossing an intersection, turning, traveling at highway speeds, slowing down, and stopping, can create a collision hazard. Because I personally experienced this unexpected transmission event, I request that NHTSA investigate the 10R80 CDF clutch-cylinder/sleeve condition in Ford F-150s. Please review Ford warranty claims, dealer repair records, transmission replacements, consumer complaints, and field-failure data to determine whether this is a safety defect requiring a recall. I believe owners should not have to wait for a potentially dangerous transmission failure before this known condition is addressed.

NHTSA complaint #11754497 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2021 Ford F-150 Hybrid Running Springs, CA

POWER TRAIN

I am reporting a safety-related transmission problem I experienced with my 2021 Ford F-150 equipped with the 10R80 automatic transmission. While driving normally, the transmission suddenly has lost propulsion and RPMs flare while driving steadily uphill. This occurred while merging onto a fast moving highway and while traveling at a steady speed going uphill, creating a potentially dangerous situation because the truck did not respond as expected when I needed predictable acceleration or propulsion. I believe this incident may be related to the known 10R80 CDF clutch-cylinder/sleeve problem. Ford technical information identifies axial movement of the CDF sleeve that can cause hydraulic-circuit leaks and harsh or delayed engagement and shifting. This condition can result in slipping, RPM flares, delayed engagement, unexpected gear changes, harsh downshifts, lurching, or loss of propulsion. This is a safety concern, not merely a transmission quality or reliability issue. Unexpected loss of propulsion or unpredictable shifting while merging, accelerating into traffic, crossing an intersection, turning, or traveling at highway speed can create a collision hazard. Because I personally experienced this unexpected transmission event, I request that NHTSA investigate the 10R80 CDF clutch-cylinder/sleeve condition in Ford F-150s. Please review Ford warranty claims, dealer repair records, transmission replacements, consumer complaints, and field-failure data to determine whether this is a safety defect requiring a recall. I believe owners should not have to wait for a potentially dangerous transmission failure before this known condition is addressed.

NHTSA complaint #11754238 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2021 Ford F-150 Hybrid Dunbarton, NH

POWER TRAIN

Ive noticed that the electric motor sometimes doesnt want to disengage quickly when I step on the brakes. In this incident I had to make a hard brake because someone pulled out in front of me. I had the cruise control on. When I slammed on the brakes the vehicle did not stop fast the vehicle felt as if it was still being pushed by something. Then a small jolt was felt and then the vehicle finally slowed. Had I been going faster or had the car that pulled been closer. This fault would have resulted in an incident

NHTSA complaint #11754246 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2021 Ford F-150 Hybrid Northport, AL

POWER TRAIN

I am reporting a safety-related transmission problem I experienced with my 2021 Ford F-150 equipped with the 10R80 automatic transmission. While driving normally, the transmission suddenly shifts hard/lags on gears 3-5 and sometime higher gears 7-9 at higher speeds. I’ve also noticed a buzzing/metallic rattling coming near the engine from inside. There is also times i can tell i have no power when trying to speed up and the other day i almost thought i was going to get T-Boned. This occurred while on my daily traffic commute to work, creating a potentially dangerous situation because the truck did not respond as expected when I needed predictable acceleration or propulsion. I believe this incident may be related to the known 10R80 CDF clutch-cylinder/sleeve problem. Ford technical information identifies axial movement of the CDF sleeve that can cause hydraulic-circuit leaks and harsh or delayed engagement and shifting. This condition can result in slipping, RPM flares, delayed engagement, unexpected gear changes, harsh downshifts, lurching, or loss of propulsion. This is a safety concern, not merely a transmission quality or reliability issue. Unexpected loss of propulsion or unpredictable shifting while merging, accelerating into traffic, crossing an intersection, turning, or traveling at highway speed can create a collision hazard. Because I personally experienced this unexpected transmission event, I request that NHTSA investigate the 10R80 CDF clutch-cylinder/sleeve condition in Ford F-150s. Please review Ford warranty claims, dealer repair records, transmission replacements, consumer complaints, and field-failure data to determine whether this is a safety defect requiring a recall. I believe owners should not have to wait for a potentially dangerous transmission failure before this known condition is addressed.

NHTSA complaint #11754321 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2021 Ford F-150 Hybrid Oakwood, GA

POWER TRAIN

I am reporting a safety-related transmission problem I experienced with my 2021 Ford F-150 equipped with the 10R80 automatic transmission. While driving normally, the transmission suddenly slipped at least twice, and shifts violently often. The truck while driving on a 35mph road after just going over a railroad track I went to accelerate and lost gear and the transmission slipped really bad and violently caught a gear after reaching around 4000 rpm. The truck also shifts violently when under moderate acceleration at almost all times in gears 2-5 creating a potentially dangerous situation because the truck did not respond as expected when I needed predictable acceleration or propulsion. I believe this incident may be related to the known 10R80 CDF clutch-cylinder/sleeve problem. Ford technical information identifies axial movement of the CDF sleeve that can cause hydraulic-circuit leaks and harsh or delayed engagement and shifting. This condition can result in slipping, RPM flares, delayed engagement, unexpected gear changes, harsh downshifts, lurching, or loss of propulsion. This is a safety concern, not merely a transmission quality or reliability issue. Unexpected loss of propulsion or unpredictable shifting while merging, accelerating into traffic, crossing an intersection, turning, or traveling at highway speed can create a collision hazard. Because I personally experienced this unexpected transmission event, I request that NHTSA investigate the 10R80 CDF clutch-cylinder/sleeve condition in Ford F-150s. Please review Ford warranty claims, dealer repair records, transmission replacements, consumer complaints, and field-failure data to determine whether this is a safety defect requiring a recall. I believe owners should not have to wait for a potentially dangerous transmission failure before this known condition is addressed.

NHTSA complaint #11754157 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2021 Ford F-150 Hybrid Stewart, TN

POWER TRAIN

I'm reporting a transmission problem on my 2021 Ford F-150 with the 10R80 automatic transmission that I believe is a safety issue, not just a reliability one. The truck currently has about 55,000 miles on it. Right now the truck shifts hard and jerks every time I drive it, and it's especially bad at low speed. The worst situation is creeping through a parking lot looking for a spot, the transmission drops down into first with a clunk and a jerk, and then kicks again when it shifts back up out of first. It's rough enough that I've taken to putting the truck in "Eco" drive mode on purpose, because that softens the shift profile and takes a little of the edge off. Once I'm out of the low-speed stop-and-go and up to normal road speed, it seems to smooth out and drive okay, but the low-speed shifting is genuinely excessively rough. From what I've read, this matches the known 10R80 problem where the CDF clutch sleeve can move axially and cause hydraulic-circuit leaks, which leads to slipping, RPM flares, delayed or harsh engagement, and unexpected shifts. Everything I've found says this condition progressively worsens as the transmission degrades. That's exactly why I'm filing now rather than waiting. A hard, unpredictable shift or a loss of propulsion at the wrong moment — pulling into traffic, crossing an intersection, merging — can easily cause a collision. I don't want to wait until it fails in a dangerous spot and someone in my family gets hurt. I'd like NHTSA to investigate the 10R80 CDF clutch-cylinder/sleeve condition on Ford F-150s and to review Ford's warranty claims, dealer repair records, transmission replacements, and other owner complaints to determine whether this is a defect requiring a recall. Owners shouldn't have to wait for a dangerous failure before a known condition like this is addressed.

NHTSA complaint #11754192 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2022 Ford F-150 Hybrid Kyle, TX

POWER TRAIN

Transmission shifts gears unresponsively when the clutch slips due to poor transmission design for the 10r80MHT which cause truck to either not accelerate at all, delayed acceleration, or a sudden lurching forward

NHTSA complaint #11754139 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2023 Ford F-150 Hybrid Houston, TX

POWER TRAIN

I am reporting a safety-related transmission problem I experienced with my 2023 Ford F-150 equipped with the 10R80 automatic transmission. While driving normally, the transmission suddenly fails to engage then randomly shifts violently. This occurs when merging onto a highway, crossing an intersection, traveling at highway speed, stop-and-go traffic,creating a potentially dangerous drive. This is common issue with this type of transmission, mostly related to the drum itself; slipping thus causing its erratic behavior.

NHTSA complaint #11754137 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2023 Ford F-150 Hybrid Branson, MO

POWER TRAIN

I am reporting a safety-related transmission problem I experienced with my 2023 Ford F-150 equipped with the 10R80 automatic transmission. While driving normally, the transmission suddenly lost the selected gear, its slipped, shifted violently, RPMs flared, unexpectedly downshifted from 5th to 1st. So I took it in and they said it was my torque converter going out, and that it wasn’t something that they were aware of being a problem. This occurred when accelerating, merging onto a highway, turning, or just when driving straight. Creating a potentially dangerous situation because the truck did not respond as expected when I needed predictable acceleration or propulsion. I believe this incident may be related to the known 10R80 CDF clutch-cylinder/sleeve problem. Ford technical information identifies axial movement of the CDF sleeve that can cause hydraulic-circuit leaks and harsh or delayed engagement and shifting. This condition can result in slipping, RPM flares, delayed engagement, unexpected gear changes, harsh downshifts, lurching, or loss of propulsion. This can cause strain and damage to other parts on the transmission as well. This is a safety concern, not merely a transmission quality or reliability issue. Unexpected loss of propulsion or unpredictable shifting while merging, accelerating into traffic, crossing an intersection, turning, or traveling at highway speed can create a collision hazard. Because I personally experienced this unexpected transmission event, I request that NHTSA investigate the 10R80 CDF clutch-cylinder/sleeve condition in Ford F-150s. Please review Ford warranty claims, dealer repair records, transmission replacements, consumer complaints, and field-failure data to determine whether this is a safety defect requiring a recall. I believe owners should not have to wait for a potentially dangerous transmission failure before this known condition is addressed.

NHTSA complaint #11754155 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2023 Ford F-150 Hybrid Tacoma, WA

POWER TRAIN

Vehicle came in for service and the gear selector lever on the steering column was found to be loose. Upon further inspection it was found that the two phillips head screws that hold the gear selector lever to the column assembly had come loose and one had fallen out completely.

NHTSA complaint #11753479 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2021 Ford F-150 Hybrid at 30,000 miles Hot Springs, VA

POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V896000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the remedy was not yet available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the remedy would not be available until the end of 2026. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.

NHTSA complaint #11753354 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Ford F-150 Hybrid problems