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.

problem #33

Sep 172019

F-150 XLT 5.0L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

Starting in June 2019 while driving highway speeds, the dash on my 2013 F-150 decided to zero out and the wrench light came on. The pickup seemed to be running fine, and my husband was able to pull off the side of the road with no issue and restart it, which seemed to reset it. A month later, same thing happened, and again we pulled off and restarted the pickup. Then in August 2019, I was driving about 45 mph when I heard a loud bang inside or under the pickup, as if I ran over something the size of a skunk, and then my engine started revving, and RPMs bouncing (although staying relatively low). No wrench light this time, but I still pulled over and restarted the pickup. Again, it seemed to reset and was fine the rest of the trip. But talk about nerve-racking being about 4 hours from home. My cousin, whose 2013 F-150 had just broke down the week before, was with me and said her pickup made the same sound, although hers completely died. And her pickup was fixed by replacing the throttle body.

I took my pickup into my local dealership in beginning of Sept 2019. They searched for any codes and did a full inspection. I was informed that my pickup was fine, no codes found, passed all inspections, but they were able to "fix" the outstanding recall on my pickup at no charge (shifting into 1st gear randomly), although I had never experienced this problem. I was also told that if I experienced any of the issues again, I would be refunded what I was charged for the inspection.

Within the next week and a half, the wrench light issue happened again. This time, the engine bogged down a little bit, as if the pickup was entering limp mode. After a few seconds, it picked back up and seemed fine. My husband still pulled over and restarted it.

Just five days later, my husband was pulling a trailer in tow haul through construction at around 45 mph when the pickup shifted into 1st gear. The pickup wanted to skid out of control, but my husband, thankfully, was able to keep the pickup and trailer in control. Quite a frightening experience even for an advanced driver; I can't even imagine what would have happened if I had been driving.

We dropped the pickup off at the dealership for a few days, and they were finally able to find a code, P0722 (output shaft speed sensor Circuit No signal). Luckily, there was a TSB on this issue, and they replaced the lead frame at no cost to me. Hopefully this solves our issues, as I am not quite ready to give up my pickup. And I'm hoping the dealership gives me a refund like they promised.

- mjodeane, Whitehall, US

problem #32

Nov 122019

F-150 V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 97,516 miles

My 2013 F-150 will shift into first gear while I am doing 15-35 mph then won't shift back up for several seconds, and one time several minutes. When it does shift back up, it will SLAM into gear! An engine icon appears on the display and sometimes a wrench icon will appear on the display. Sometimes the speedometer will read 0 while I am driving, the airbag icon stays on and sometimes the display shows only - - - - -.

- verhulp, REDMOND, US

problem #31

Sep 022019

F-150 5.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 110,000 miles

Ford had a recall for the transmission problem on 2011-2013 F150s. I took it to the dealer 3 times for re-programming and it is still messed up. Ford knows what the problem is but will not replace the part; instead they just say they are re-programming the computer so the transmission will not downshift while driving.

However, they have created another problem, and no, my truck is worse than it was when I took it to the dealer. Apparently, my truck does not store codes in the computer, so they can't see anything that is wrong with it. So I'm stuck with a piece of s*** very expensive truck that just sits in my driveway.

- Ken R., Springboro, US

problem #30

Feb 262020

F-150 STX V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 73,636 miles

Okay, we took truck into dealership for the recall. First they said there was no fix. I called Ford who called them and lo and behold we got an appointment yesterday. Well, I picked up truck, drove it home and this morning it will not start. It is dead. Called dealership who claims it was nothing they did. It worked perfectly before we took it in. We even had a new battery put in while we were there.

They say now we will have to pay for any and all repairs and the cost of towing. We are calling Ford and complaining about this. Husband talked to a friend who said the same thing happened to his truck with this recall but his dealership paid for towing and repair. They have lost our business forever.

- Donna J., Currie, NC, US

problem #29

Nov 052019

F-150 PK 3.7f

  • Automatic transmission
  • 64,000 miles

The transmission is trying to shift itself into reverse while driving down the road. now the transmission wont go past 2nd gear. I tried to accelerate and the truck stalled really hard giving us whiplash, caused us to almost lose control and wreck.

Update from Dec 13, 2019: The truck ran fine then downshifted into first gear while driving 65mph down highway making a loud clunking noise and jerking the truck real hard throwing us into the lane next to us we tried to keep going to the next off ramp and couldnt make it because the transmission wouldnt shift out of 4th gear and was getting hot we called someone who brought a trailer to haul the truck home. When we got home we went to take the truck off the trailor and it wouldnt go into reverse so we took it to the dealership and the technician told us that it was stuck in reverse that when they tried to put it in gear it kept wanting to go into reverse but it went forward just stuck in 4th gear.

- Sara H., Fort Scott, KS, US

problem #28

Jun 012015

F-150 XLT V6 Ecoboost

  • Automatic transmission
  • 20,560 miles

This is an intermittent problem.

Taking off: When taking off it feels like transmission is slipping a little and causes hesitation.

Downshifting: When cruising in 5th gear, and I press the accelerator, the transmission clunks very loudly as it shifts down to 4th. It also does this when transmission downshifts as I accelerate in on ramp to highway.

I took it to 2 dealers and they couldn't find a problem.

I took it to Aamco. They couldn't find a problem.

- Kevin A., Manassas, VA, US

problem #27

Apr 222019

F-150

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

Today 4/22/18 (and several days last week and the week before), the F150 downshift from from 35-40 mph to 1st gear. My husband is avoiding driving the truck as much as he can, but it is his only way to get to/from work. In the meantime he is avoiding any highway driving. After work today he called Ford again and spent over an hour to learn that they still don't have the software update and will not offer rental cars in the meantime. This vehicle is a danger to him and anyone else on the road. We are stuck with this vehicle and feel very unsafe with it.

- Bonnie W., Novi, MI, US

problem #26

Jul 162018

F-150 3.2L V6 Eco

  • Automatic transmission
  • 111,111 miles

My daughter was telling me her Ford 2013 F150 was breaking without her applying pressure to the brake peddle. I took it to the dealer and explained the situation and as usual no code, can't replicate, sorry about your luck. Later after some research I found the 2012 lead frame recall that stopped in 9/12 and this Ford truck was build 11/12. Not wanting my daughter to die in a crash I switched her for my safe 2017 Chevy Colorado.

While driving the Ford yesterday returning home from work @ 65 miles an hour on the highway the tranny shifted into 1st gear without warning. The rpm's pegged and the speedometer was bouncing 0 to 100 like a ping pong ball. I could verify this since my nose was only a few inches from the display while the truck was skidding out of control. I will have to give credit where credit is due, I never thought I would see the day when a full size truck would be produced with a stopping distance of under 40ft @ hwy driving speed. Had my daughter been pulling her horse trailer, oh the horror!

Anyhow if you have a loved one driving a 2013 believe them when they come home shaking and say the truck is going into a death skid. It's a defective transmission lead frame just as was detected and recalled in the 2012 model. My first thought was to take the advice of others and trade it. But I looked in the mirror this morning and said I'm better than Ford Motor Company.

- Pat R., Brownstown, IN, US

problem #25

Jan 302019

F-150 FX Ecoboost

  • Automatic transmission
  • 82,840 miles

This is a $70,000 Waldoch pkg FX150 with every option available. It sat in the garage for most of the first year I owned it, mostly a show truck. I then started driving daily the 2nd year. Now that it is out of warranty let the problems begin. I took it in 1/17/19 for check engine light on and huge reduction in gas mileage. Turbo was leaking oil solenoids, valve gaskets & turbo were repaired at $1300.00

Two weeks later engine light came on and sudden loss of power upon acceleration along with shifting up and down gears and not shifting into 6th at 70 mph. Mechanic reported that the timing chain needs replaced and significant cost. My first Ford & I have loved it thinking of buying a new one, but with this kind of problem at 83,000 miles, I guess I will be checking out Toyotas. People can't afford to purchase such an expensive vehicle and dole out money for these kinds or repairs. FIX THE PROBLEM FORD! A RECALL IS CALLED FOR!

- rd2881, Riverside, US

problem #24

Feb 272019

F-150 XLT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 91,000 miles

Traveling on I-40 East of Albuquerque, NM, traveling between 70 and 75 in a 75 mile speed limit, when in one second the transmission went from 6th gear to 1st gear! Rear tires locked up and it was extremely difficult to control the vehicle. Luckily I was in the lane closest to the shoulder and was able to get off the freeway with trucks traveling behind me and beside me that couldn't stop. It was a close call death experience that I don't want any others to experience.

If you have a 2013 F-150, Ford has decided your life doesn't matter. After I had the vehicle towed 170 miles back to my home town and look on the internet...Ford has been aware of this problem for quite some time. Even though they are now starting to send out a recall...my dealership thinks I must pay for the problems of Ford's incompetence and of course don't want to help with all my expenses on top of the repair expenses. I'm not through with them!

- Gary H., Roswell, NM, US

problem #23

Dec 062018

F-150 Raptor 6.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 66,000 miles

Driving on the freeway going about 60 to 65 and truck kept shifting back and forth from 5th to 6th. Traffic was pretty heavy but flowing fast. I held my foot on the accelerator steady to see if it would stay in one of the gears. All of a sudden the vehicle shifted from 6th to 1st or 2nd gear I am not sure which and the tires locked up. A large smoke cloud from the tire was created and a tractor trailer behind me slammed on his brakes as well. I thought I was going to get rear-ended but suddenly it shifted back to 6th gear and took off again. It continued to shift from 5th to 6th and back again for the next 7 miles or so heading home.

When I exited the freeway coming down the off ramp it would shift from 5th to 3rd and back and then down to 1st locking the tire again. Luckily I only live a half mile off the freeway and was able to get it home. Took it to the Ford dealer this morning and guy tells me the warranty expired on Nov 23 today is Dec 7th. If that ain't some bullshit!!!

- John S., Hawthorne, CA, US

problem #22

Dec 312018

F-150 XL 5.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles

Truck started having erratic shift issues. Sometimes taking off other times while driving. No downshifts at speed luckily. I would try to take off and the truck would shift into 5th and then the wrench light would come on the speedometer and tachometer would go to zero. You could drive the truck but only had 5th and 3rd gear. Stopping and shutting the truck off and back on would fix the problem for a while. I also had the truck shift from 6th to 5th on the highway with the gauges going out. Finally had it malfunction and throw an engine code p0720. Like an idiot I reset the code before taking it to the dealership. The dealership replaced the molded lead frame and I have had no issues since. Cost $820 because the warranty ran out in August. I hope I can get more than 50,000 miles out of this one.

- Kevin C., Greenbush, ME, US

problem #21

Dec 012018

F-150 XLT 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles

Traveling 70 MPH when I started to slow to exit the freeway. The transmission shifted into 1st gear causing the rear tires to skid and rear of the vehicle to swerve. This lasted only a few seconds before the transmission shifted back into 6th gear. While approaching a red light the transmission shifted again into 1st gear causing the RPM's to jump. Just as I was coming to a stop the vehicle lurched forward almost striking the car in front of me. Luckily I had enough pressure on the brake pedal to stop. Next while making a left turn on a city street the transmission went to neutral and I stalled into oncoming traffic. I was able to clear the intersection and rolled onto the shoulder of the road. I tried several times moving the shift lever back and forth and finally the transmission started working again. Straight to the dealer.

The dealer had to replace the lead frame module and the valve body that was apparently damaged due to the erratic shifting. The 2013 F150 was 4 months over the 5 year power train warranty and only has 50,000 miles. I paid over $1300 for the repairs. A complaint has been filed with NHTSA as this is a definite safety hazard. I got an e-mail from the regional service manager wanting my input on my service experience. I answered him but he may not have liked my response as I never heard from him again.

- Gary W., Leander, US

problem #20

Sep 122018

F-150 5L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,844 miles

Going at 40MPH in 4th, suddenly went into 1st. Scary situation. Wouldn't go out of first until restarted. Erratic shifting. dash quit. Wrench light came on momentarily. Happened again before arriving home. Had dealer replace lead frame harness. So far, (first day), seems okay.

- Ronald D., Millbury, US

problem #19

Sep 062018

F-150 FX4 3.5L Ecoboost

  • Automatic transmission
  • 77,000 miles

My 2013 Ford F-150 XLT V6 automatic transmission is jumping, gets stuck in the first gear. Have to put the vehicle in park and then sometimes shut it off and turn it back on. it also sticks in fifth gear from a dead stop. Took it to the dealer, they had it for a few days and tried, but were unable to duplicate the problem. This issue is very irritating and is very dangerous when I pull out in front of traffic. Dealer says there are no codes recorded and will not offer a fix without actually witnessing the issue, which is random in frequency.

- Don M., Dearborn, MI, US

problem #18

Jul 192018

F-150 3.5L Echo Boodt

  • Automatic transmission
  • 99,668 miles

My 2013 Ford F-150 XLT V6 automatic transmission is jumping, gets stuck in the first gear. Have to put the vehicle in park and then sometimes shut it off and turn it back on. Driving at 30 miles an hour at times it would jump and buck hard. Took it to the dealer. They had it for about a week and were unable to duplicate the problem. This issue is very irritating and it feels very dangerous to me. Ford needs to figure out what the issue is. If anybody has a fix in the meantime please post it to the site.

- Sheldon S., East Liberty, US

problem #17

Aug 182018

F-150 XL 3.7L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 77,500 miles

I can't believe I'm reading all of the complaints that are exactly, to a tee, what we just experience with our 2013 Ford F-150. Truck twice stayed in 5th gear would not move obviously from a dead stop, turned off truck, started back up and worked fine. But what happened a couple of days ago was very scary. 60 mph truck just decided to jump from 6th to 1st on it's own, just like everyone else has stated, bout crapped myself, rear tires locked up, flat spotted them (they are worthless), got to shoulder of road, all the info lights were out. Turned truck off and back on and it all came back on and took off like nothing ever happened! So is it going to take someone to die before Ford gets off their but and fix this problem? Plus like most on here it's after the drive train warranty is out!!

- Lamar D., Crestview, FL, US

problem #16

Jun 152018

F-150 FX 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 81,000 miles

SOOOO FREAKIN SCARY!!! My 2013 Ford F-150 is downshifting out of no where. (e.g. going from 5th or 6th gear down to 1st gear while I'm driving at 45-55 mph) I called and made a report to NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) and also contacted the Ford Manufacture. Now I'm just adding my info. here. I would hate for anyone to be injured or worse. This needs to be resolved.

I saw there were recalls in 2016, however we were never notified. I checked my VIN and there are no recalls associated with it *YET.... This was also verified by the person I spoke with at FORD. I will continue to file complaints to make this known. Also, THANK YOU SO MUCH to everyone who has come forward already to alert the public and proper organizations to this UNSAFE and potentially DEADLY malfunction.

I was told by FORD to take it to the servicing dealership to have it diagnosed. Hope this gets resolved soon.

- mrshula, Hilo, US

problem #15

May 202018

F-150 Lariat 5.0L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,600 miles

Started to accelerate from stoplight, the truck seemed to lose power for a few seconds like it wasn't getting fuel. Then it started to accelerate normally. At 65 km/h the transmission suddenly shifted from 5th into first gear with a loud bang. The rear end skidded, the tachometer roared past 6000 RPM and the speedometer was bouncing up and down from 10-40 km/hr. I stopped truck. When I accelerated it did it again around 60 km/h. After that I tried to continue driving but it remained stuck in 1st gear. After about a half kilometre I finally had to pull over at a shopping mall. I put it in park, shut off the engine, and restarted the truck. I drove off and it shifted normally. Very concerning, if this happens at high speed I could easily lose control of the truck and crash.

- Gord B., Cambridge, ON, Canada

problem #14

Apr 042018

F-150 King Ranch 3.5L Lt V6 Twin Turbo Eco

  • Automatic transmission
  • 81,000 miles

Recently noticed when I try to accelerate quickly, my truck stalls out and engine light will come on. My RPMs gauge decelerates and my gears downshift to 4th gear even if I'm doing 70mph on the highway. This is still an ongoing issue because I'm not exactly sure what the source of the occurrence is. I was pulling a 5×10 dove tail trailer with an ATV on it. Every time I reached a overpass or any kind of incline it would happen again. If I was on a straight away and above 70mph it was fine. This issue is very annoying to me especially when my family is riding with me! Any advice or solutions would be a great help.

- kalelewis, Odessa, US

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