63 of the
630 complaints filed about the Ford F-450 SD
are about the transmission —
10% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1999.
63
Complaints
10%
Share of all complaints
1
Crashes
3
Fires
Transmission & Drivetrain complaints by model year
The contact owned a 2021 Ford F-450 Super Duty. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH on an 8 percent decline and pulling a trailer, the vehicle slightly responded upon depressing the brake pedal. Additionally, the transmission failed to downshift and was stuck in 10th gear. The contact pumped the brakes; however, the failure persisted. The contact drove into the shoulder of the roadway, and the vehicle was able to stop. The contact noticed smoke, and upon inspecting underneath the vehicle, the contact noticed that the rear brakes were on fire. The contact was able to extinguish the fire with a fire extinguisher. There was no injury sustained. The vehicle was towed to the residence of the contact's friend, where the trailer was detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was driven to the dealer, where it was test-driven, and the contact was informed that no failure was found. The vehicle was taken back to the residence of the contact's friend. The contact stated that upon depressing the brake pedal to start the vehicle, the brake pedal travelled all the way to the floorboard. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and traded for another vehicle. The vehicle was being repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.
NHTSA complaint #11687296 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Less than 4000 miles- first transmission failed while pulling a large trailer- ford replaced the transmission and the new transmission, only 200 miles later did the same thing when pulling a trailer, up hill. It throws the transmission into 10th gear and you loose all power, Check engine light comes on and it slams back into 4th gear. Will not shift in or out of 4th. We were almost in a head on collision pulling a trailer because it did it while passing a semi and we had no power. Two transmissions this low of mileage seems like it must be a batch of faulty transmissions that need to be recalled asap.
NHTSA complaint #11684755 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE SHUT DOWN WHILE IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY WHICH CAUSED FOR BRAKES AND STEERING TO FAIL. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SUN STATE FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY DID A DIAGNOSIS. THEY FOUND EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF METAL IN THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL SYSTEM. THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM PLUS REPLACED ALL INJECTORS WHICH NOW HAS AN OPEN INVOICE OF $15,923.97. AFTER RESEARCH WE FOUND OUT THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE CP4 WHICH IS THE MANUFACTIRE RECALL NUMBER 24S78 AND NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 24V957. FORD IS NOT WILLING TO COVER THE COST OF THE RECALL REPAIRS AND THE DEALERSHIP IS NOT COOPERATING AS WELL. THIS IS A COMPANY VEHICLE LOSING THE COMPANY $3K PER DAY.
NHTSA complaint #11676722 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-450 SD. The contact stated that the vehicle was designed with a feature known as neutral idle control (NIC), where the vehicle automatically shifted into neutral(N) while at a complete stop to reduce fuel consumption. The contact stated that while at a stop with the feature engaged, the vehicle abruptly jerked, or hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the transmission was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the failure was a normal characteristic of the feature and that no additional repairs could be made to the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 2,763.
NHTSA complaint #11644090 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The vehicles DEF system malfunctioning issue causes a warning to illuminate on the dash stating the “Speed Will Be Limited To 50 MPH in 50 Miles” but the DEF Fluid is and was in fact near full or full. When this incident happened I did not stop after the 50 miles had lapsed and the vehicle eventually began to slow down on I-80 going Westbound and caused numerous of vehicles(Cars, Trucks, Semis) to be forced to go around me to avoid hitting my vehicle where I was pulling an RV. In order to reset the system I had to pull to the side of the road where there was barely a shoulder to pull over to and turn my vehicle off then wait for some time then restart the vehicle. Road traveling conditions on I-80 is 80 MPH and this issued raised a tremendous safety concern for me. The issue has been ongoing since winter 2023. I brought this to the dealership attention because there is some sort of system/computer issue but they blamed it on my batteries. Then it happened to my neighbor and he has a 2019 Ford F-350 SuperDuty 6.7L Powerstroke Diesel with new batteries.
NHTSA complaint #11632513 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I have had severe vibration in the rear of my pickup and have been to the dealer 5 or 6 times,they tell me all is normal and it's the nature of this $120,000 pickup. But for only having 28,000 miles they did say the rear driveline and carrier bearing could be the culprit,they replaced and still have the same problem and now it has a howling noise when it starts to vibrate at 62 per hour and doesn't go away till after 76 miles per hour,very disappointed as the dealer tells me they don't know and has been no recalls of this but you read online there is 100s of complaints about this same issue. Now for the second issue is the transmission. It's also been to the dealer 4 times and they also tell me this is the nature of the 10r140 transmission. As I go to pull into traffic to get going when it shift from 3rd to 4th and from 4th to 5th it has about a 1 and a half to 2 second hesitation between both shifts and I have almost caused an incident do to it not shifting to get going. Once I get going it wants to search for a gear every now and again. When I'm coming down from hwy speeds coming into town there has been multiple times it has down shifted so hard it has skidded the rear tires and has made me go sideways,it gets really bad when it's wet. The dealer has rode with me when this has happened and said something is bad wrong with it but plug it into there machine and doesn't show any codes. I then get the run around and every excuse again that's the nature of the 10 speed,they'll do a reset and relearn and says that will fix it and it doesn't. And for the last problem is clunking in the front end has been tierod ends done twice now in the last 3000 miles and now it's going back in for the 3rd time for the same ones again are bad again. I do not feel safe driving this vehicle with my family in it and would like some help or answers to why this is happening on such a new and expensive vehicle and why is ford not doing anything when all these issues are on the internet.
NHTSA complaint #11629060 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2008 Ford F-450. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the transfer case exploded, and the front windshield shattered. No injuries were sustained; however, several other vehicles sustained cosmetic damage. No warning light was illuminated. A Police report was filed. The vehicle was not drivable and was towed to an independent mechanic for a diagnostic test. The contact was informed that the transfer case, drive shaft assembly, fuel injection pump, fuel lines, and transmission wiring harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that there was no recall associated with the failure. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 164,176.
NHTSA complaint #11615638 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WIRE HARNESS FOR TRANSMISSION WAS NOT SECURED PROPERLY,CAME LOOSE AND WRAPPED AROUND DRIVESHAFT RIPPING IT OFF, AND CAUSED AN COOLANT LINE TO ALSO PULL OFF, NOTED ON TOW BILL. VEHICLE WAS RUNNING FINE, 70MPH ON FREEWAY...MADE A LOUD POP NOISE AND TRANSMISSION WAS GRINDING BAD...PULLED OVER AND SHUT IT OFF IMMEDIATELY, LOTS OF ANTIFREEZE UNDER TRUCK AND WIRE HARNESS RIPPED OFF AND WRAPPED AROUND FRONT DRIVESHAFT (6-8FT OF THE WIRE HARNESS)*DT CONSUMER STATED TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED BEFORE BY ANOTHER DEALER AND THE CURRENT DEALER STATED IT WAS THEIR FAULT. CONSUMER CLAIMS THE HARNESS FAILING WAS HELD BY PLASTIC CLIPS.*JB*DT*DT*JB*JB *TR
NHTSA complaint #11325096 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONSUMER OWNS A 2017 FORD F-450. THE CONSUMER STATED HER HUSBAND WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY THE DRIVE SHAFT SHOUT OUT AND THE CAD FELL APART IN TWO PIECES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO (VICTOR FORD INC 1400 US-12, WAUCONDA, IL 60084) THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT HAS LITTLE INFORMATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THIS FAILURE. THE CONSUMER REFERENCED THE FAILURE TO (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V212000 POWER TRAIN) VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. *DT *AS*DT*JB*DT
NHTSA complaint #11319022 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEN TRAVELING DOWN THE HIWAY,SOMETIMES YOU WILL LOSE POWER. YOU WILL FEEL A JERK. THE ENGINE IS STILL RUNNING BUT NO POWER TO THE WHEELS. PRETTY SCARY WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO PASS A VEHICLE ON THE INTERSTATE. YOU TRY TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. YOU HAVE NO MEANS OF MOVEMENT. YOU CAN NOW TURN OFF THE VEHICLE AND PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND RESTART THE ENGINE,YOU CAN NOW CONTINUE DOWN THE HIWAY UNTIL IT HAPPENS AGAIN. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. WE HAVE DRIVEN WITH OUR HORSE TRAILER DOWN TO ARIZONA 3 TIMES AND THIS HAS HAPPENED 3-4 TIMES EACH WAY. FORD DEALER WHERE PURCHASED HAS NO CLUE WHAT IS CAUSING THIS. THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW. WE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE NEW.
NHTSA complaint #11096659 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WAS MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN AFYER STOPING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND LOSS POWER. THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE TURBO PRESSURE GAUGE DROPPED. I TOOK THE TRUCK INTO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT A MANAFOLD BOLT HAD BROKEN WHICH CAUSED A BAD EXHUAST LEAK. REPAIR COST WAS $3500. I DROVE THE TRUCK LESS THAN 50 MILES OVER THE NEXT TWO DAYS AND THE PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN WITH LOSS OF POWER AND ENGINE LIGHT ON. I TOOK THE TRUCK BACK THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP HAD EXPLODED AND SENT METAL DEBRIS THROUGH OUT THE FUEL SYSTEM. I WAS THEN TOLD THE REPAIR COST WERE GOING TO $7500 ($6000 FOR PARTS AND $1500 FOR LABOR). THIS IS A BAD FORD ENGINEERING DESIGN PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE PAID FOR BY FORD AS WELL AS A RECALL ON ALL MODELS USING THE SAME HPFP ASSEMBLY.
NHTSA complaint #10730584 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY 2009 FORD F-450 TRUCK CURRENTLY IS AT MY LOCAL DEALER WHICH IS KERRY FORD IN CINCINNATI WITH A BAD MOTOR AND BAD REAR DIFFERENTIAL. THE MOTOR HAS ONE FAILED LIFTER AND 2 FAILED ROCKER ARMS. THE REAR END HAS A BAD PINION BEARING WHICH SENT METAL THROUGH THE DIFFERENTIAL WHICH DESTROYED THE GEARS. THE MOTOR IS A 6.4 LITER POWERSTROKE DIESEL AND THE REAR END IS A DANA 110. THE MOTOR ISSUES ARE COMMON KNOWLEDGE TO BOTH FORD REPAIR FACILITIES AS WELL AS FORD CORPORATE OFFICES. THE REAR END IS ALSO A KNOWN ISSUE BOTH WHICH CAN BE CONFIRMED BY ANY POWERSTROKE CERTIFIED MECHANIC. THE MOTOR ISSUE WAS CONFIRMED BY 2 SEPERATE SHOPS TO WHICH I WAS SUGGESTED BY MY REPAIR FACILITY AND MECHANIC TO CONTACT FORD CORPORATE FOR A "GOODWILL POLICY" TO COVER THIS ISSUE EVEN THOUGH IT IS CURRENTLY PAST THE WRITTEN WARRANTY DUE TO THE FACT FORD HAS COVERED NUMEROUS ENGINE FAILURES BECAUSE OF THIS INHERENT ISSUE. THE REGIONAL FORD REP DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE TO THIS ISSUE WHEN EVEN THE DEALER HAS SAID ITS COMMON AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. UPON FINDING OUT THE DECISION WHICH TOOK 2 WEEKS OF MY TRUCK BEING IN THE SHOP I WAS ADVISED TO CONTACT THE CORPORATE CUSTOMER RELATIONS LINE WHICH I DID TO TRY TO TALK TO MY REGIONAL MANAGER BUT AS PER FORDS POLICY I CANNOT GET A DIRECT CONTACT TO ANY REGIONAL REP OR ANYONE ABOVE THIS PERSON. MY DEALERSHIP SERVICE MANAGER STATES HE CANT EVEN GET A DIRECT NUMBER TO THE REP HIMSELF SO BASICLY FORD INSULATES ITSELF FROM ANY DIRECT CONTACT FOR A CONSUMER TO RESOLVE ANY ISSUES. I HAVE NUMEROUS DOCUMENTED FAILURES OF THIS VEHICLE WHILE UNDER WARRANTY WHEN IT HAS BEEN MAINTAINED TO THE VERY BEST SCHEDULE. THIS ISSUE IS AN INHERENT DESIGN FLAW OF THIS MOTOR WHICH SHARES THE SAME VALVETRAIN PARTS WITH THE PREVIOUS 6.0 LITER POWERSTROKE WHICH IS ALSO DOOMED FLEETWIDE WITH THESE SAME ISSUES WHICH AS ALSO HIGHLY DOCUMENTED.
NHTSA complaint #10670564 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DRIVING ON INTERSTATE WHEN SUDDENLY FELT TRUCK VIBRATION. AS I PULLED OFF TO EXIT - HEARD AND FELT WHAT SOUNDED LIKE AN EXPLOSION FROM UNDERNEATH. WHEN GOT OUT TO LOOK UNDERNEATH, NOTED THAT HALF OF THE TRANSFER CASE WAS GONE; THERE WAS OIL SPILLED ALL OVER THE GROUND AND GEARS LAYING ON TOP OF THE CROSS MEMBER. HAD TRUCK TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE PURCHASED. TECHNICIAN SAID THE DRIVE SHAFT AND TRANSFER CASE NEEDED REPLACING. UNABLE TO SAY WHY IT OCCURRED. CHARGES OVER $3,000.00. HAD JUST RECENTLY HAD IN SHOP BECAUSE OF NOISE FROM WHAT I THOUGHT WAS THE DRIVE SHAFT, BUT TECHNICIAN COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG AT THAT TIME. BOUGHT THIS USED TRUCK JUST 9 MONTHS EARLIER 2014. PLAN TO SPEAK TO OWNER OF DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF WE CAN NEGOTIATE THIS HUMONGOUS CHARGE.
NHTSA complaint #10661141 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 65 MPH PULLING A HORSE TRAILER, TRANSFER CASE BLEW UP, BREAKING THE FRONT DRIVE SHAFT, WHICH WIPED OUT THE BRAKE LINES, TRAILER BRAKE LINE AND THE FUEL LIFT PUMP AND LINES. HAD NO POWER OR BRAKES. HAD FORD FIX THE TRUCK, BUT THEY WOULD NOT TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FAILURE. THE REASON FOR THE FAILURE WAS NOT FOUND.
NHTSA complaint #10497616 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-450 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE TRANSFER CASE EXPLODED, CAUSING THE PARTS AND FLUID TO SHOOT OUT FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MERGED TO THE SHOULD OF THE ROAD AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED FOR THE FAILURE. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WOULD NEED TO BE PERFORMED AND THE TRANSFER CASE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 123,000.
NHTSA complaint #10487442 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VEHICLE LOOSES POWER, NO ACCELERATION, OCCURS MOST FREQUENTLY UNDER HEAVY LOAD OR HIGH ACCELERATION DEMAND, TOLD BY FORD DEALER THE PROBLEM IS CAUSED BY DE-LAMINATING FUEL TANK RESULTING IN FUEL TANK COATING ENTERING THE FUEL SYSTEM AND OBSTRUCTING DIESEL FUEL FLOW TO MOTOR WHEN HIGH DEMAND FOR DUEL OCCURS. NEAR COLLISION AT FREEWAY SPEEDS AND WAS VERY DANGEROUS TO PULL OVER WHEN THERE WAS NO SHOULDER. FORD DEALER STATES THE COST TO REPAIR IS OVER $3,500.00 AND OPEN ENDED DEPENDING ON WHETHER THE FUEL TANK COATING ENTERED THE MOTOR OR INJECTORS. THEY WANT TO START BY REPLACING THE HARNESS, FUEL TANK AND FUEL PUMP AND GO FROM THERE. FORD REFUSES TO HONOR THIS CLEAR MANUFACTURING DEFECT.
NHTSA complaint #10483254 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FIRST TIME IT WAS MY RADIATOR, I REPLACED IT. SECOND TIME IT WAS AND INJECTOR, I HAD THAT FIXED. NOW IT IS MY TURBO AND ENGINE. FORD REFUSES TO COVER IT UNDER WANRRENTY, MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THESE MODELS.
NHTSA complaint #10467138 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
CPSC#X1190467A. 2008 FORD F450. CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING THE TRUCK EXPLODED. HE LOST CONTROL OF THE TRUCK AND RAN OFF THE ROAD. THE TRANSFER CASE HAD EXPLODED AND SENT METAL INTO MY TRANSMISSION AND BUSTED IT. *LN THE CONSUMER STATED THE FUEL LINE WAS CUT AND THE WIRING WAS BURNED AS WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHERE THEY INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE EXPLOSION OCCURRED AS A RESULT OF A FACTORY DEFECT. THE CONSUMER SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES.
NHTSA complaint #10461525 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-450. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 5 MPH WHEN A NOISE EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TRANSMISSION FLY WHEEL BOLTS, CAUSED DAMAGE TO FLY WHEEL, TORQUE CONVERT AND THE BOLTS WERE REMOVED IN ORDER TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,105 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,600. THE CONSUMER STATED HE HEARD A VERY UNUSUAL, LOUD NOISE EMANATING FROM THE REAR OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. HE HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO A LOCAL FORD DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE MECHANIC VERIFIED THE NOISE COMING FROM THE BELL HOUSING AREA. HE REMOVED THE TRANSMISSION AND FOUND THE FLYWHEEL BOLTS LOOSE, WHICH CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE FLYWHEEL AND TORQUE CONVERTER. THE FLYWHEEL, TORQUE AND BOLTS WERE REPLACED WHICH RESOLVED THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 11/10/11
NHTSA complaint #10423926 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.