8.8

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$960
Average Mileage:
73,550 miles
Total Complaints:
33 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (21 reports)
  2. lead frame in transmission (5 reports)
  3. replaced a connector harness (2 reports)
  4. molded lead frame in transmission (1 reports)
  5. replace timing chain (1 reports)
  6. replace transmission (1 reports)
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This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Ford dealer.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #13

Oct 092017

F-150 XLT 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 140,000 miles

Will not shift out of first gear. Speedometer reads 0mph even though the truck is moving ~5 to 10 mph. When I stop the truck shifts to 2nd and then while still stopped it shifts to first. This has happened probably 50 times since Oct 2017. Only once did the check engine light come on I got a P0720 (output shaft speed sensor).

- Tom F., Longmont, CO, US

problem #12

Feb 032018

F-150 XLT V6 Ecoboost

  • Automatic transmission
  • 56,800 miles

Setting at a red light, the rpms went up to 4000, and the speed odometer was at zero. Went to pull over and the truck was very jumpy. Shut the truck off and then drove to Sam's Club parking lot. The truck did not feel right the rest of the day. This is the 8th or 9th time I had trouble in the last 2 week. I also put the truck on the computer to see if there was any codes. ZERO CODES.

- Paul Q., Hollidaysburg, PA, US

problem #11

Jan 292018

F-150 XLT 5.0L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 68,000 miles

Transmission has been shifting erratically for over six weeks. When it downshifts sometimes the new gear will not engage. Sometimes it sticks in 2nd, sometimes in 5th. Trying to shift manually while moving does not fix problem. Dash display disappears leaving orange box with a wrench in it. Transmission range selector will not display anything but D regardless of shift position. Only fix so far has been to come to a complete stop, shut off the truck and restart. Twice this this has happened while attempting to enter moving traffic. Luckily both times I was able to pull over to the side and shut the truck down. Third time may be the last time without getting hit by another vehicle.

- William T., Holladay, US

problem #10

Jun 012017

F-150 XLT 3.5L Ecoboost

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

2013 F150 XLT 3.5L Ecoboost with erratic shifting issues.

Sometimes vehicle will start in 5th from a dead stop. Engine revs, but little to no forward movement.

More concerning is the intermittent downshifting at highway speeds. Speedometer will waver erratically or even bottom out at 0. Gear indicator will drop to 1st, go back to 5th, and waver anywhere in between. This has even locked up my rear wheels at 70MPH. Pretty scary! This has happened a handful of times now. Thankfully, I have been able to shift to Neutral, get to the shoulder, kill the engine, restart and go.

Of course this started happening after I was out of warranty. I have taken it to the dealer and they could not find a code and could not duplicate it. They suggested a tune-up. It is not an everyday issue. In fact, I have driven for weeks without problems. However, I am certain my luck will run out eventually if I can't get these guys to take this seriousl.

After some online research, this sounds like the same issue that caused the recall for earlier years F150 models.

- John W., Kansas City, KS, US

problem #9

May 252017

F-150 STX 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles

truck will down shift into 1st or 3 rd gear while driving, as well as lose speedometer. then while taking off from a start will start in 2nd gear and feel like it slips outta gear. truck will not move until I stop and restart engine. only has thrown one wrench code at me but I cleared the code ..I looked at wiring harness found a loose connection but problem is still there unsafe to have my kids in the truck NOT SAFE AT ALL

Update from Aug 7, 2017: brought truck to ford due to erratic shifting it was due to the defective molded leadframe in transmission input output speed sensors covered under power train warranty cost 100 buck for deductible problem fixed just got home from a trip to northern maine 1400 miles no issues

- Mike M., Blandford, US

problem #8

May 092017

F-150 V8 6.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 62,000 miles

As I am driving the 2013 Ford f-150 Raptor 6.2L the gears seem to be off, if I am driving only 30mph the gear is at 6. Also the more dangerous and Scary thing is that it shifts down without any warning, I was traveling about 35mph and the gear seem to shift down to 1 locking my rear tires and making me skid almost causing the vehicle behind me to run into me. The tires locked almost as if I put the brakes on. I'm glad I was only going 35mph but what if I'm going 80, this would be a more dangerous and scary scenario. I took to Ford and they said they cant duplicate the issue so there is nothing we can do. this is scary , I don't feel safe with me and my son in this vehicle. What could be causing this dangerous situation? What is my next opposition to get this fixed. Thank you.

- m_via10, Midland, US

problem #7

Apr 012017

F-150

  • Automatic transmission
  • 98,987 miles

I have read several threads and hope someone has a solution that wont cost a fortune. I have experienced the same issues. At first, when I would take off from a stop, it would stay in first gear, letting off the throttle and putting in neutral would correct the problem. It stopped for weeks. Then I noticed that when I would first take off, it would be in 5th gear, letting off the throttle and neutral would not help. I had to come to a stop, put it in park and back to drive and it amazingly would drive and shift normal. I am now experiencing the down shift problem. At first it only seem to happen when I was first driving and seem to stop after a few minutes. today, when I first got on the interstate, I got up to 50 MPH and it dropped down to 3rd gear so I immediately put it in neutral and steered to the shoulder. I put it in park and took off and it shifted fine, but was was seem to shifting in and out of overdrive or 6th gear. I hit the tow button and it started driving fine. I don't believe that did anything but on my way home plan to do the same. I've also been having the computer issue where the cruise control shuts off , the wrench light comes on and then I lose my speed odometer and other controls. Same here, the RPM works. I thought about disconnecting the battery to reset the computer but I read where that does not work. I know enough about computers that a reboot is only a temporary fix that the problem will resurface. This scares me as, if it shifts down to 1st doing 75 MPH, this could cause a fatality. I have no choice because this is my only transportation and my work is 40 miles from my home and have no one to ride with. I also just started back to work after being laid off because of the Oil price crash last year and do not have the finances to for an expensive repair. I am handy with tools and hope someone can help and guide me to fix the problem.

- Jack D., Baton Rouge, US

problem #6

Feb 062017

F-150 FX4 5.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,119 miles

I too like gijoemp127 have the same problem. I've noticed hard shifting at times then like a flutter between gears, checking on transmission temperature, it's all over the place! Changed transmission fluid in pan only twice and still doing it. Today I had an oh sh*t moment! Cruising around 65mph then went to 45mph in a nano second, seat belt works as it threw me towards the windshield, truck behind me almost smacked my ass, so I put it in neutral, got on the shoulder, trying to figure out what the @#$ just happened? Turned around to go home, same sht, this time after getting off the shoulder for the fourth time my truck went stupid, no gear selection, no speedometer, no odometer, stuck in a gear, wrench flashes on the screen, like no sh*t!!! I know it needs work! Good thing I wasn't far from home!

After "limping home" put the truck in driveway, killed the engine, looked around, nothing dripping, nothing poking out but smell of burnt rubber from the tires locking up! Started it up 10 minutes later all back on, so no wrench, gauges all displaying, transmission temperature normal! So now here venting my frustration out about to contact Ford and ask them wtf is Ford supposed to do to fix this problem? Besides not in the power train warranty, going to cost me $$$!

- Glen Z., Paulina, LA, US

problem #5

Oct 012016

F-150 Platinum

  • Automatic transmission
  • 37,500 miles

erratic shifting, loosing power, stuck in 1st, 3rd or 5th

While going 65, and nearly 2/3 complete on the passing of a car on a two lane road, it went from 6th down to 3rd. It jolted me so hard that I thought I was going to wreck.All the gauges went blank, no speedometer, nothing. The only thing that was working was the RPM's. I lost so much power that the car that I was passing had to get over and so did the oncoming one. I literally though that I and my 5 year old were going to die. I finally got it to a stop on the side of the road and i just lost it. When I finally decided to try and get it home, it started up fine... no shifting problems; however I was extremely cautious and going pretty slow. I came to a stop sign when I got nearly home and then it would not go out of first. I put the truck in second gear and went on. It shifted after that but kept playing between 5th and 3rd. It did this a few times in a week until I could get an appointment. I am mad because it seems like we paid 60 grand for a lemon. First, it was engaging the 4 wheel drive at 33,000 miles and had to have 2 grand worth of work. Then after 6 months and 4,000 miles more... I am having transmission problems. I am beyond mad!

Work order states....verified concern ran KOEO and received P0722. Ran OASIS and found TSB 16-0008. Followed TSB and Drop the trany pan and replaced the molded leadframe harness and reassembled... refilled the fluid.. add 3 qts of new fluid and cleared codes and retested. verified repair..

Hope this helps someone.. Good Luck

- gijoemp127, Corpus Christi, TX, US

problem #4

Sep 242016

F-150 Platinum

  • Automatic transmission
  • 36,036 miles

2013 Ford F-150 Platinum edition.....While trying to pass someone on the highway, I started losing power, nearly causing me to get killed by oncoming traffic. I was scared to death as I was in the passing lane on a 2 lane highway with oncoming traffic, and my 5 year old was in the back. The speedometer went to 0 and would not work. None of the middle gauges worked, The RMP however did work. I pulled off to the side of the road to get my composure. When I got back on the highway; the speedometer would not work, nor the center gauges. It would start shifting from 3rd and would seem to stop at 5th. I got myself home and will be calling the dealership on Monday. This will be the 2nd time that I have had it in in the last 6 months and within 3,000 miles... last time my 4 wheel drive was engaging while driving. We finally got the truck of our dreams after nearly 30 years of marriage and it is a $60,000.00 POS!

- gijoemp127, Corpus Christi, TX, US

problem #3

Dec 032014

F-150 XLT 5.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,632 miles

Driving down a neighborhood street, driving about 40 mph, when suddenly the transmission shifted down to first. Felt like I'd rear-ended a cement truck. And it's a good thing a cement truck wasn't following me. I probably wouldn't be alive to write this.

- Randy W., Thousand Oaks, CA, US

problem #2

May 032016

F-150 LT 5.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 78,000 miles

click to see larger images

erratic shifting erratic shifting erratic shifting

I was driving south on I-5 from Stanwood to Seattle and with a speed limit of 70 I was clipping along in the left lane at 75 mph. The transmission seemed to stumble then it dropped to a low gear. So much so that the tires barked. This was an oh sh*t moment. As I quickly tried to put it in neutral it seemed to back to normal then barked the tires a second time by dropping a gear. I was on a freeway and luckily, no one was close behind me or I would have been rear ended. I got the vehicle into neutral, and maneuvered to the shoulder. I was shaken. I have road raced, had wheels fall off at 100 mph and kept the car under control, but this was scary. I sat on the side of the road for about 10 minutes doing research (found this site) shook, I finally searched for a Ford dealer and drove there. My truck is there now. I am beyond pissed as this is my work vehicle. I do exterior home improvement sales and I lose money if I can't get to a sales call. Well see how this turns out.

Update from May 4, 2016: The local dealer in Marysville Wa did a reset and did not have time to do a test drive. I needed my truck as it was 70 miles from my home so I picked it up after paying an hour of diagnostic (vs the 3 hours he said they spent) I drove about 20 miles problem free, then the exact same thing happened. This time I knew what to do quickly, got off to the left shoulder and waited. I experienced 4 more issues going about 2 miles to get off the highway. At this point the truck seems to be in limp mode and is locked into 2nd gear. It is now at a dealer in Lynnwood, WA.

Update from May 5, 2016: I attached a photo of my dash while travelling at 65 mph. The tachometer was working but the speedometer wasnt. I turned the ignition off, restarted the engine and got it back temporarily. This was during the second incident.

Update from May 13, 2016: Problem solved May 5 At Harris Ford in Lynnwood changing a connector in the transmission. The service writer said there may be a safety bulletin coming out on this. I have driven the vehicle several hundred miles the last week and the problem seems to be fixed. The fix was about $300 in parts and $600 in labor, but they found and solved the problem. Two parts were AL3Z 7G276 B and 6L2Z-7G276-AA connector

Update from Apr 15, 2017: I'm at 97000 miles now and no further problems. Ford did get involved. As the Ford area service manager contacted Harris Ford and probably told them what to look for to fix. It still cost me over $1200 to be rolling again, although the Harris Ford Dealer comped my rental so I could continue to work.

- Jim D., Federal Way, WA, US

problem #1

Feb 222016

F-150 Lariet 2.7L Ecoboost

  • Automatic transmission
  • 44,383 miles

this problem started again jumping gears up & down , loss of power, would not shift out of first, whiles stopped jump forward violently, while stopped shifts to 3rd speedometer goes to 30 MPH, loud clunk when starts with a jerk. blew transmission line back to dealership. They said it needs a wire loom they will not cover-$2,800.00 I do no have nor can get!! 20 April2016.

Blew again 22 April 2016

This is a big Safety problem when stopped at a cross walk and it decides to go with a Jump!

I hold the brake down hard

I think Ford needs to step up and replace Transmission an whatever it takes to stop the erratic jumping and loss of power!!

- actonco, Lakewood, CO, US