9,023 of the 47,801 complaints filed about the Ford F-150 are about the transmission — 19% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2013.
9,023
Complaints
19%
Share of all complaints
216
Crashes
35
Fires
POWER TRAIN
After transmission had programming update it never shifted properly. Took it to the dealer for diagnostic and they said nothing wrong. Transmission failed at only 82000 miles.
NHTSA complaint #11758952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
My 2017 Ford F-150 equipped with the 10R80 10-speed automatic transmission experiences repeated harsh and unpredictable shifting. The transmission will hesitate or delay during shifts and then engage very hard, sometimes producing a severe bang or jolt through the truck. It also experiences abnormal gear hunting and inconsistent shifting behavior. These symptoms can occur during normal driving and create a safety concern because the transmission does not always respond predictably to driver input. Ford has issued technical service bulletins addressing harsh engagement, delayed engagement, harsh shifting, and delayed shifting on 2017-2020 F-150 vehicles equipped with the 10R80 transmission. My vehicle is experiencing these same types of symptoms. I am reporting this because I believe the 10R80 transmission in affected 2017 F-150 vehicles should be investigated for a potential safety defect.
NHTSA complaint #11758935 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
The transmission started to clunk into gear very heavily when I started my drive and then as I was driving down the highway going 60mph, the 10r80 transmission suddenly downshifted from 7th gear to 1st gear, and jolted the truck and I lost all power and it took around 5-7 seconds before the throttle was registering again to pick up speed. A car was a ways behind me but if it had been closer, there is no doubt I would have likely been hit. After this happened, in trying to increase speed back to the speed limit, the transmission would not shift back into 7th gear, and a wrench and code popped up on the dash.
NHTSA complaint #11758723 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
While driving I will get a wrench symbol with a bunch of codes pop up u0121:00:28 u0131:00:28 u0137:00:28 u0164:00:28 u0199:00:28 u0200:00:28 u0212:00:28 u0252:00:28 u0256:00:28 u1012:00:28 p0557:00:28 p1935:00:68 p193e:00:28 I have also had it jerk while driving ( went down into first gear) while having no power to my gauge cluster ac nothing
NHTSA complaint #11758824 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
My 2014 Ford F-150 was previously included in Ford Safety Recall 24S37 regarding unintended transmission downshifts caused by an intermittent Output Shaft Speed (OSS) sensor issue. The vehicle was inspected by a Ford mobile technician on January 20, 2026. No qualifying codes were found at that time, and the recall was closed under my VIN. The recall involved the risk of an unintended downshift into first gear that could result in loss of vehicle control. On August 20, 2026, while my husband was driving approximately 40-50 mph, the truck suddenly downshifted and rapidly lost speed. The vehicle would not accelerate beyond approximately 10-15 mph and had to be moved into a parking lot to avoid remaining in traffic. After parking, the truck would no longer move under its own power. The wrench warning light illuminated and the vehicle became undrivable. The symptoms experienced appear substantially similar to those described in Recall 24S37. The dealership has indicated that the current failure may involve the transmission lead frame and speed sensor system, but I am concerned that this event may be related to the same transmission downshift condition addressed by the recall. I am requesting that NHTSA document and review this incident.
NHTSA complaint #11758660 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
See attached document for complaint
NHTSA complaint #11758422 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
Component: Power Train / Automatic Transmission (6R80 6-Speed) Description of Incident & Safety Hazard: My 2015 F-150 suddenly lost the ability to shift through its full range of gears and became completely locked between 3rd and 5th gears while driving. This sudden loss of power and gear range in active traffic created an immediate rear-end collision hazard. The vehicle threw diagnostic trouble codes P0720 (Output Shaft Speed Sensor) and P0722 (Output Shaft Speed Sensor No Signal). I have photographic proof of these active codes. The Safety Recall Loophole: I brought the truck to a Ford dealership for safety recall 26S28. However, the dealer only performed a PCM software update and did not replace the physical molded leadframe. Because safety recall 26S28 strictly excludes codes P0720 and P0722 from its replacement criteria, the dealer is completely unauthorized to replace the physical leadframe under this safety campaign, regardless of whether the codes are active. Inexplicably, Ford covers codes P0720 and P0722 under safety recall 24S37 (for older models), but forces 2015 owners with the exact same codes to rely on a non-safety Customer Satisfaction Program (26N04) which carries strict time/mileage limits. This is a dangerous technical loophole. A software patch on a vehicle with a physically failing speed sensor is a temporary band-aid, not a permanent safety fix. The physical leadframe is still defective and will fail again, presenting a continuous safety hazard. Ford must expand safety recall 26S28 to mandate the physical replacement of the molded leadframe for all vehicles presenting with leadframe-related codes, including P0720 and P0722. The vehicle is currently available for inspection.
NHTSA complaint #11758458 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
My truck at 45 mph suddenly downshifted to first gear. It locked my tires causing me to fish tail. Luckily I lost control beside a shoulder and not into a ditch or another vehicle. I was near my home and turned onto a country road and was able to drive 20 mph or less to get it home. It is due to a recall that currently has no clear repair. Ford is aware of this issue and has done next to nothing to assist me. I have no vehicle and have not had one for nearly a month. The service team manager called to tell me the parts were not available but are ordered. He also mentioned his mechanics were afraid to drive my truck from the lot to the garage because the truck is acting so erratically. There is no way this should not be addressed. I’ve only been asking for Ford to do the right thing. They’ve done nothing. It is dangerous I could have been killed in an accident because of this. My truck could have also fish tailed into oncoming traffic endangering others as well. I am not sure what else can be done. I’m out of options. Ford has refused to give me a loaner vehicle or pay for a rental due to company policy. I’m looking for any assistance at this point. I look forward to hearing your thoughts.
NHTSA complaint #11758639 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted to first gear, almost causing the wheels to lock up. The power train warning light illuminated, and the instrument cluster became inoperable; however, the tachometer was operational. Upon investigation, the contact discovered that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V075000 (Power Train). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where a PCM reprogramming was completed; however, the failure persisted. The dealer informed the contact that the leadframe needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and remained with the dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but informed the contact that the leadframe replacement was not covered based on the manufactured date. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V237000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.
NHTSA complaint #11758243 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
I was driving on interstate approximatly 70 mph when it downshifted into second gear and and almost got rearended by a semi truck that was following behind my truck and luckily was able to swerve to miss hitting us. I Believe it is the 6r80 transmission conductor plate that is the cause of the issue
NHTSA complaint #11758186 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2014 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the wrench warning light illuminated, and the transmission unexpectedly downshifted to third gear. Additionally, the vehicle immediately went into LIMP Mode and failed to accelerate as needed. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V444000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included. The dealer was contacted and diagnosed the vehicle with molded leadframe failure. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11758323 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2015 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was shaking abnormally, with the WRENCH symbol flashing before the vehicle lost power. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V237000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired because the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 240,000.
NHTSA complaint #11758187 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2015 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the vehicle was serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V237000 (Power Train); however, after the recall repair was performed, the vehicle started experiencing failures associated with the recall. The contact stated that after the recall repair, while driving 60 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted to a lower gear and the vehicle swerved in the middle of the highway. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and was diagnosed with transmission failure. The leadframe was installed on the vehicle, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 210,265.
NHTSA complaint #11758217 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
See attached document for complaint.
NHTSA complaint #11758194 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2017 Ford F-150. The contact stated that after receiving notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V237000 (POWER TRAIN), the dealer was contacted, and a mechanic was sent to the residence to perform a software update on the vehicle. After the software update was performed, the vehicle experienced hard shifting, and the gear became stuck in 5th gear and 3rd gear on occasion, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed that the transmission leadframe was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was 155,062.
NHTSA complaint #11758280 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH on the highway, the vehicle lost motive power, and the brakes became inoperable. The drivetrain and wrench symbol were displayed. The ABS warning light was illuminated and DTC: U100 (Failure of Communication for Engine and Transmission) was displayed. The codes were cleared after restarting the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with a communication error with the engine and transmission computer. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The transmission upshifted from first gear to seventh. After a while, the vehicle resumed normal operations, but then the vehicle drove abnormally. The RPM increased to high, and the temperature gauge was at HOT. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and was diagnosed with complete transmission failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 62,513.
NHTSA complaint #11758290 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
Severe transmission shifting delays, unresponsive when accelerating. Shutters and skips when coming to a stop.
NHTSA complaint #11758330 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
See attached document for complaint
NHTSA complaint #11758327 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at speeds above 50 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted, causing the vehicle to suddenly decelerate. During the failure, the WRENCH icon was displayed, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was turned off and restarted, and the failure was self-corrected, but the failure persisted. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V075000 (POWER TRAIN). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000.
NHTSA complaint #11757870 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2011 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted to a lower gear. The contact stated that there was smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. The contact stated that smoke was covering the roadway. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road. The contact stated that while inspecting the vehicle, there was oil leaking around the manifold. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact stated that the failure had occurred while driving to the dealer for a scheduled recall repair. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V248000 (Power Train). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 218,000.
NHTSA complaint #11758088 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.