9.0

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$2,530
Average Mileage:
81,700 miles
Total Complaints:
52 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. new transmission needed (20 reports)
  2. complete transmission rebuild (11 reports)
  3. not sure (8 reports)
  4. rebuild transmission (6 reports)
  5. overhaul transmission (5 reports)
  6. find another transmission and change (1 reports)
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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #32

Aug 022011

F-150

  • Automatic transmission
  • 86,993 miles

$ 2.00 snap ring broke in transmission causing excessive transmission damage and a $1300 repair bill. Sent Ford Motor Company an E-mail now I am waiting for a response .I bought this truck new in 2005 and was not told that this problem could arise at any time. I was told when I had the transmission repaired that Ford Motor Company was aware of this problem sine 2004. I guess we will see if Ford Motor Company will stand behind their product and at least refund part of the repair cost since it was a factory defect.

- Howard D., Jerseyville, IL, US

problem #31

May 092011

F-150 Lariat 5.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 52,000 miles

THERE SEEMS TO BE A PATTERN TO THE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE WITH THE FORD F150 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. TODAY MY TRANSMISSION DIDN'T WANT TO GO TO LUNCH WITH ME AND THE REST OF THE TRUCK. FORTUNATELY I WAS LESS THAN TEN MILES FROM THE AUFFENBERG FORD DEALERSHIP I TAKE MY TRUCK TO FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE. THE SERVICE MANAGER (GARY) IS A REAL GENTLEMAN AND GOT MY TRUCK INTO THE SERVICE ROTATION THEN ARRANGED A LIFT BACK TO MY HOUSE WHICH IS LESS THAN TEN MINUTES AWAY. LATER TODAY I GOT A CALL FROM THE DEALERSHIP WITH A DIAGNOSIS OF D.O.A. AND RECOMMENDATION FOR TRANSPLANT (NEW TRANSMISSION). I LIKE MANY OF THE OTHERS WHO HAVE HAD WHAT WOULD BE REASONABLY CONSIDERED A LESS THAN STELLAR MAJOR EQUIPMENT LIFE CYCLE CUT SHORT IN ITS PRIME CAN ONLY HOPE THAT MY AGE (50) AND VEHICLE MILEAGE (~50K) ARE BUT A RELATIVE COINCIDENCE. I AM CONFIDENT THAT GARY/AUFFENBERG FORD DEALERSHIP WILL RESOLVE THE IMMEDIATE TRANSPORTATION PROBLEM BEFORE ME AND GRATEFULLY DUE TO THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF OTHERS SHARED DIFFICULTIES WILL NOW SEEK GUIDANCE FROM FORD MANUFACTURING CORPORATION AS TO THE MOST AMICABLE PATH OF RESOLUTION TOWARD LONGTERM CUSTOMER SATISFACTION.

I'LL GIVE YOU THE "PAUL HARVEY" IN THE NEXT WEEK.

Update from Jul 18, 2011: FORD MOTOR COMPANY GENEROUSLY OFFERED $1,000 TOWARD THE REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION. THE NEW TRANSMISSION COMES WITH A THREE YEAR WARRANTY. MY TOTAL OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE WAS APPROXIMATELY $2700. I AM GRATEFUL FOR THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICE PROVIDED BY GARY THE SERVICE MANAGER AT AUFFENBERG FORD AND HOPE THIS IS THE END OF MY EXPENSIVE REPAIR JOURNEY.

- Mike O., O'Fallon, IL, US

problem #30

Feb 132011

F-150 FX4 5.4V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 76,000 miles

Driving to the Service Center for a routine service call when the truck stopped pulling. I was in the middle of the street and had no traction. Remind you that my truck only has 76000 miles. Put the truck into 4WD low in order for it to move and reach the dealer. No service lights or anything came on until I reached the dealer. Turned the engine off, restarted the engine and then tried to move the truck again. The dealer told me that the clutch exploded inside the transmission and that this never happens. Unfortunately my warranty ran out at 72000 miles. Cost of repair 2200 dollars.

Truck has been repaired and I still have hesitation on take off when I need to accelerate in a hurry. This has been a problem since I bought the truck new in 2005. I am the only owner.

Returning to the dealer today to diagnose the problem.

- robinsonm27, Kennesaw, GA, US

problem #29

Feb 032011

F-150

  • Automatic transmission
  • 49,000 miles

Unbelievable, transmission failure under 50,000 miles. The pathetic warranty is 3yrs 36,000. When I was getting bids for the transmission the Aamco had two others on the rack, a 06 with 57,000 and a 05 with 83,000 both the same transmission as me failed! A truck should be able to go at least 100,000 before there is a drivetrain failure, don't believe their ads.

- Tim S., San Clemente, CA, US

problem #28

Feb 182009

F-150 FX4 V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,000 miles

Problem reoccurred later again after warranty was up and prior to 70,000 miles

- Liz N., Ballston Spa, NY, US

problem #27

Nov 222010

F-150

  • Automatic transmission
  • 95,500 miles

I am a Ford owner from way back, My first new car was a ford Falcon since then i have owned 3 F 350 ,s one Explorer and 3 F 150.s the first F350 had transmission and clutch problems but i counted that to the new Diesel market and it was standard shift.Other than that i never had any major problems and always drove all vehicles over 100,000 miles My current F 350 has aprox 150.000 miles and is still the Hoss it was new My current F 150 however has never had rough work only towed a light trailer with a 4 wheeler and maybe a 1000 pound roll of hay once in a while. In November I pulled into the fish market to buy shrimp for Thanksgiving and when i started to back up it clunked and hesitated but finally backed up enough to go forward and drive home( 20)

miles on the way the way home i could not disengage the OD and shortly thereafter the Transmission failure light came on . My local mechanic tells me this is a common problem with ford and it will cost #2600 to install a new one Needless to say i am not happy with Ford now .

- e t c, Havana, FL, US

problem #26

Nov 272010

F-150 STX 4.2v6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,000 miles

I currently own a 2005 Ford F150...in fact my last 2 trucks were fords....i guess i'll never learn. The first (a 2000 F150 STX) completely malfunctioned electronically, windows to wipers to stereo to sound....the second, a 2003 Explorer Sport found its own set of problems ( a few electric) but mostly, everything under the car went to sh*t. I took it in for an inspection at 30,000 miles to find it needed $3,000 to pass inspection (ball joints, tie rods, brake assembly and rear driveshaft)...needless to say I told them to keep it. Now, I own a 2005 F150 that, at 70,000 miles needs a completely rebuilt transmission (my parents owned an escape that went through 3 transmissions in 30,000 miles)...what are the chances ford will help me out at all with this? I have been a loyal customer until now, but this is ABSOLUTELY THE LAST FORD VEHICLE I BUY. I'm going foreign now.....american quality just ain't what it used to be.

- Sean P., Tonawanda, NY, US

problem #25

Oct 012010

F-150 XLT 4.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 76,000 miles

My 2005 F-150 XLT without warning ceased to accelerate over 15 mph. The engine tached up to 5 grams with minimal movement of the the vehicle. I purchased from the Ford Dealer, an Auto Trans Gear Position Sensor for $81.12; an Auto Speed Sensor for $44.28 and a Auto Trans Speed Sensor for $33.48. After changing all three parts, the problem remained the same. The Check Engine Light remains on and the O/D Turned Off light blinks.

My brother, also ownes the same truck with 45,000 miles on the engine and his truck has the same problem. He has placed his truck in Lamarque Ford of New Orleans care on several occassions and paid thousands, while being deprived of his transportation and they have never corrected the problem. I'm concerned.

Update from Nov 17, 2010: I took my truck to Cresent Ford Truck dealership. They told me that they could not diagnose the problem accurately because I changed the sensors and erased the trouble codes. The tech stated that the 1st and 2nd gears were burned up in my transmission and it needed to be changed at the cost of $2700.00 in order to fix the problem. He further stated that it would take 3 days to install the transmeission and update the PCM. I could not argue, so I left the truck with them. One week later,and a new remanufactured ford transmission later, my truck was still in the shop and still having the same problem. The service advisor explained that the truck was going to need a new PCM at the tune of $800.00, he further explained that the PCM caused the transmission to burn up. I allowed for them to change the PCM and two weeks later my truck was reportedly doing the same thing that It was doing when I sent to the dealership. They reported to me that it was an electrical short or problem. I called Ford Customer Service Center, who interned called Cresent Ford to speak with the service advisor. I requested a rental at the dealerships expence, and I was given a call for the first time in to weeks from the dealership who reported that they had fixed the problem and my vehicle was ready for pick up. The total cost of the whole affair was $3,500.24 to the dealership, $260.00 in tow bills, $220.00 to Sears for a hand held diagnostic computer, $236.87 to Ford dealerships for sensors, with a grand total of $4,220.00. The rediculas thing about the whole mess, is that I'm not sure if my transmission was actually burned up, they never had a transmission mechanic look at my truck.

- rwashington, New Orleans, LA, US

problem #24

Nov 022010

F-150 FX4 5.4L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 101,178 miles

I own a 2005 Ford F-150, of which I have never towed or hauled anything which would have put great strain on the transmission. 95% of all the driving I do is highway miles. I have replaced one set of tires and the brakes are original.

Driving to work this week, I stop at a light. I began to accelerate and the engine revs once I get past twenty. OK, I say to myself "did I accidentally knock it into neutral"?

No...I start off again and no power train.

I limp it to the dealership where it has been diagnosed as a full band failure and both second and third gear are gone. Required repair is a new remanufactured transmission at a cost of $3,200.00.

101,178 miles on a trans and it goes into total meltdown...really?

BTW the trans fluid was changed per manufacturer's recommendation in the owner's manual.

- Nicholas B., White Lake, MI, US

problem #23

Oct 012010

F-150 XL 4.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 127,381 miles

Tranny quit on Friday. Stopped at transmission shop and was told I was the tenth ford f150 tranny in two months. Snap ring problem that will cost 3500 to fix. The truck is treated well and serviced rgularly.

- Guy A., Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

problem #22

Jun 162010

F-150 XLT 4.6L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 84,000 miles

apparently somethings never change we have a had transmission problems with older fords as well. i guess ford is to busy reaping profits to fix their sh*tty transmissions. my tranny wont go in gear unless i turn off the overdrive and rev the engine. then if you do use the overdrive you better hope you don't have to stop at a light. you have to turn off the overdrive before you come to a stop then rev the engine to get it to drop in gear. i am taking it to the shop next week if it cost too much i will take it out back shoot it and berry it. this will most likely be my last ford product. no wonder american manufacturers are going out of business. i believe in buying american autos but they better get it together. i'm going back to chevy

- Lee W., Williston, FL, US

problem #21

Aug 052010

F-150 LAR 5.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 92,626 miles

92000 miles and the dang tranny goes. hauling empty 8 foot trailer and transmission squeals and wont shift to any other gear besides park and drive. if anyone knows anything about this problem please let me know

- trx565, Graham, WA, US

problem #20

Jul 292010

F-150 XLT 5.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 57,000 miles

Bought this truck new in 2005. Never had any problems with it or the 1997 F150 I owned for 8 years and 180,000 miles. I came home from an errand and noticed a puddle of fluid under the truck. I looked down the street and there was a trail for a half mile leading up to my driveway. Checked the trans fluid level on the dipstick and it was empty. The bottom of the truck was completely drenched with tranny fluid. I had it towed to a tranny shop for inspection. They said the front seal had blown but they could not figure out why. So now they are tearing the whole thing apart to inspect and rebuild. The estimated repair will be about $2000.00. This truck is babied. I have been on Social Security disability for the last five years. The last three years I have only averaged 7500 miles each. I don't tow with this vehicle period. This is totally unacceptable. I will make a call to Ford knowing they won't do anything about this but at least to vent. VERY disappointing!

- Jeff K., Riverview, FL, US

problem #19

Dec 132009

F-150 Lariat 5.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 69,594 miles

While driving in a winter storm through tall snowdrifts on a back road,the truck loses power and becomes stuck. The O/D off light then comes on followed by TRANSMISSION FAILURE in the info screen.Truck is towed to dealer and must have a new tranny put in for $3800 CAD. After putting 15km on new transmission,it drops all its fluid on the driveway,and will not go into any gear.Towed back to dealer and awaiting more info.... I use a 05/09 Dodge Ram 1500 at work as a fleet vehicle and it has been abused/pushed WAY harder then this Ford ever was and has never had a transmission problem. Built Ford Tough?

- leviathan024, Red Deer, Alberta, Canada

problem #18

May 262010

F-150 Lariat 4.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 44,645 miles

At 44,645 miles the transmission totally failed. The day before when I backed up i heard a load bang. Completed backing up after checking the outside of the truck and went home. The next morning I could not back out of my drive way -The Transmission was completely locked and the rear whels could not be turned. The tow company had to use skidds to load it. Cost of a new transmission was 4,150 (including new seals) - After a complaint to Ford and the dealer net cost $2,750. (the dealer conceded 400 ford conceded 1,000).

- Thomas C., Kingston, MA, US

problem #17

May 162010

F-150 4.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 62,000 miles

I have an 05' F-150, my family has always owned Ford vehicles and I can't remember a time when my Dad didn't have a Ford pick up. I regularly maintain my truck and I take care of it the way I would anything that I spent my hard working money on. I was driving it from AZ to San Diego and what do you know, I break down in the middle of the desert! By myself on the highway! It just stopped going! I could have caused an accident, or worse maybe lost control and gone off the road! AND of course my warranty has expired! So FORD doesn't want to help me out, all I can do is pay to have it towed to a dealership where they'll charge me just to have it looked at AND after they CORRECTLY diagnose the problem they will nickel and dime me to death!

So I've heard of other people having this same exact problem, my overdrive light started flashing and then my LED screen read "Trans Fault". I put it in park and shut off the engine. I sat for a minute and then started it up. I had power but when trying to accelerate I had no power. Is there anyone else that would like to provide me with a letter or statement to send to FORD? Apparently they haven't heard of this happening before or they haven't heard about this happening enough to do a recall or even check it out. If this has happened to you please send me an email or please post your story. I'm tired of big corporations not taking responsibility for their actions and screwing over the hard working people.

FORD didn't take a buyout, they're sitting pretty, I helped them by purchasing my vehicle! Can they help me out? Of course not, all they can do is tell me "I'm sorry". I'm not asking for alot, all I want them to do is stand by there product! "Built Ford Tough" yeah right! My truck is only five years old with moderate mileage! This should not have happened. I could understand if maybe I had 100k miles or I never checked the fluids or something but I take care of my vehicles. I rely on them to take care of me and not leave me stranded in the desert when it's 97 degrees!! I'm buying a Chevy next time and my family is never purchasing a Ford again!

- angelic, San Diego, CA, US

problem #16

May 132010

F-150 5.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 59,256 miles

I own 7 GMC work Trucks Milage between 30K to 170K 2003> 2009 models..ALL WORK TRUCKS never had problems like my ford i drive with golf clubs in the back. Lift kit replaced, Fuel Injectors, Tires, Radio, Door window nad door lock buttons and NOW the Freaking transmission.. not even 60K I will never buy another Ford...

- George D., Peabody, MA, US

problem #15

Apr 292010

F-150 4.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 44,117 miles

drive'n along at 2:am and the over drive lite comes on and off 3or4 times and then about 4k"s down the road the truck stops.... get out check oil in transmission and there is none its all over the under side of the truck. This has never happened to me before and I have owned at least 20 ford pick ups in my life. The newer they are the bigger pieces of crap they are!!!!! Think i'm going to buy a chev!!!!

- wferris, 100 Mile House, BC, Canada

problem #14

Apr 082010

F-150 STX 4x4 4.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 46,000 miles

I love my '05 F150 STX, except for 3 sets of tires I have never had a major issue until now. Pulling into work today the transmission just failed, I had to mash the pedal to just have the truck move forward at a snails pace. Reverse gear still works with out a hitch. Fluid level was good and had just serviced the trans at 30,000 and I run nothing but the good stuff in my truck. So of course the warranty is already out and I had the truck towed to the Dealer so I can't wait to find out what happens tomorrow. Believe me I'm taking copies of this website and all the similar complaints and make sure Ford knows whats going on. I still love my truck but I don't want to see an American (last true) auto maker pulling a "toyota" and hiding information from the public. Plus after this I'm buying an extended warranty on the truck cuz I know this is gonna hurt me bad. So President "O" where's my bailout and stimulus because I can sure use one right now!

Update from Nov 10, 2010: Ok so to bring everyone up to speed, the Dealer tells me I don't need a new transmission. GREAT!! Bad news its gonna cost close to $3000 to fix the problem. Turns out the "Forward Clutch" is burned out (in under 50K miles, really!?) and "bearing rings" need to be replaced. The only positive note aside from not having to shell out $5K for a new trans is that the dealer is willing to work a "discount" since I would for Goodyear. I still will not let this go quietly into the night, i will be writing to Ford to make my voice heard among the others.

As for any plans to get rid my truck? No... I love my truck and will drive it til it breaks in half, I have too much invested in it and its my first truck... I still like Ford vehicles but the company really needs to open their eyes on some of these problems...

- Greg G., Arlington, VA, US

problem #13

Apr 052010

F-150 F-150 4.6L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 96,000 miles

jan 7 2009 custom rebuild right after the 75,000 warranty was up. 2300 dollars later it was supposed to be fixed! april 5,2010 tranni goes out now they're saying 1600 to 2000 dollars.So you're saying in a year and three months is all it is gonna last. BULLSHIT

- Stephen S., Lake Worth, FL, US

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