On December 24, 2025 at around 2:00 pm While driving my 2018 Ford F-150 from Hidalgo, Texas to Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas, Mexico, a distance of approximately 220 miles, my vehicle experienced a sudden and dangerous transmission failure that placed myself, my family, and other motorists at significant risk. For the first approximately 130 miles, the vehicle operated normally with no warning signs. While traveling on a two-lane highway, I attempted to pass an 18-wheeler. During the passing maneuver, the transmission began harsh and jerky shifting, slipping, and delayed gear engagement, followed by an immediate and significant loss of power and acceleration. As soon as I completed the pass, the vehicle failed to accelerate properly and lost power, leaving me exposed in a dangerous situation with limited ability to increase speed. Because the road only had one lane in each direction, this created a high-risk scenario involving oncoming traffic. Within seconds, the 18-wheeler I had just passed rapidly approached from behind, forcing the driver to brake suddenly to avoid a collision. This put the truck driver, surrounding motorists, and my family at serious risk of a major accident. The failure occurred without warning and during a critical maneuver where reliable acceleration was necessary. The sudden loss of power made it impossible to respond safely, demonstrating a serious safety concern. At the time of the incident, the vehicle had approximately 72,000 miles, is well maintained, garage-kept, and has never been used for towing, heavy-duty work, or commercial purposes. Given the mileage and normal use, this type of transmission failure is unexpected and unsafe.

- Pharr, TX, USA

Truck has a lag then hard catch going from 7th to 8th gear and sometimes skips gears causing burnt transmission fluid and lower rear seals along with water pump seals all seals and gaskets are bad being ford used plastic gaskets that year and ford recommends changing to more current seals and gaskets but don't want to cover costs, my truck is sitting in a shop with $4,900 in repairs do to ford parts for that year faulty

- Gladstone, MO, USA

Driving the vehicle when it tries to reach the 7th gear it loses power then drops to 1st gear and won-??t pass 6th gear the check engine light came on and the maintenance light. Took the vehicle into the dealer to learn that the transmission is bad and I need a new one. Solenoid stuck position A. P0752

- Westlake, OH, USA

Bad transmission shifting at 80k miles. Apearently is a known problems. There has been a few times it shifted so hard that my neck hurts the rest of the day also take a minute to accelerate sometimes leaving in in front of oncoming traffic. No codes or anything, I-??ve been told that it-??s normal

- Summerville, SC, USA

Ford F150 10 speed transmission failure. Trying to cross intersection and transmission failed. I avoided an accident. Transmission had to be replaced at dealership. No warning lights or messages. Vehicle worked perfect until time of failure.

- North Palm Springs, CA, USA

My 2018 f150 has a 10r80 transmission. I was driving through heavy traffic on US Route 93 southbound, moving at about 60MPH when the transmission suddenly lost all power. Because there was no left-side shoulder (I was in the left lane), I needed to throw on my hazard lights and make my way to the right shoulder across 4-lanes of traffic. Multiple near collisions as I had no propulsion to do this.

- Charlestown, MA, USA

The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The transmission warning light illuminated, and the message to "See Owner-??s Manual" was displayed. The contact coasted the vehicle to the dealer, who determined that the transmission had failed. The transmission was replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000.

- Brainerd, MN, USA

Previous issues with the 10r80 transmission with is holding onto 4th gear too long then dropping hard into 6th gear. Vehicle also slams into reverse from park or driv when cold. Reported to dealership at 20k miles, but they only did a computer reset before. This was before the CDF Drum issue TSB. Ford now refuses to acknowledge the issue and inspect it post warranty despite a history of the issues being symptomatic with a failing transmission.

- Dyer, IN, USA

The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the vehicle would shift roughly and would hesitate before accelerating. The failure would occur at various speeds. There were no warning lights. The contact stated that the failure occurred while driving at 40 MPH, and the vehicle stalled. The contact had the vehicle towed to the dealer, who diagnosed that the transmission had failed. A mechanic affiliated with their warranty coverage also inspected the vehicle and determined that the Clutch/Direct/Forward (CDF) drum had failed. The transmission and the CDF had to be replaced. The vehicle was being repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and opened a case. The failure mileage was 84,000.

- Thomas, OK, USA

Noisy engine when starting up, told by dealership this is known problem that Ford took care of until 2023. I was told needs to be fixed for catastrophic engine failure could occur. The repair is about $5000. This is my [XXX] sons truck he bought in August, and I am concerned that it is not safe to drive. A truck should last more than 100000 miles. It also has a known transmission problem that could also be a safety concern. I have not had that properly diagnosed but was told by dealership that it is a common problem. That repair is estimated around $3500. I am fairly certain Ford has lost a customer. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Cincinnati, Oh, OH, USA

The 10R80 automatic transmission exhibits harsh/delayed shifts, gear-slipping, and occasional unintended downshifts, especially at highway speeds. More specifically, gears 3 and 5 exhibit hard shifts at lower speeds in heavy traffic, such as stop-and-go city driving. The 8th gear specifically will have issues at higher speeds on the highway when you apply more gas, and the vehicle will drop out of 10th gear and have a very hard shift into the 8th gear, almost like the transmission is about to come apart at dangerous speeds. This appears to be a well-known issue that Ford has issued a TSB 21-2357 back in October of 2021. The specific problem has been confirmed with a dealer and ASE-certified mechanics from the dealership documenting the gear issues, as well as the CDF drum that is a known culprit in the earlier versions of the 2017-2020 F150, based on the poorly designed bushing inside of this drum that slides out of position, resulting in the pressure loss and slippage of gears. This has been confirmed by the dealership, as well as multiple issues documented on the 10R series transmissions. No warning lights or indicators other than The specific problem has been confirmed with a dealer and ASE certified mechanics from the dealership documenting the gears issues as well as the CDF drum that is a known culprit in the earlier versions of the 2017-2020 F150based on the poorly designed bushing inside of this drum that slides out of position, that results in the pressure lose and slippage of gears. This has been confirmed by the dealership as well as multiple issue documented on the 10R series transmissions. No warning lights or indicators other than how it drives and understanding the hard shifts are not supposed to happen in an automatic vehicle. The issue first started about earlier this year, and Ford told me it was an issue, but we can-??t get to it for another 8 months. This is unsatisfactory and a huge concern for people and safety of others on the highways.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

The 10 speed transmission suddenly jerks and briefly loses power at approximately 30mph and at or about at 5th gear. This happens during acceleration and deceleration This can lead to a dangerous situation where I could be hit from behind with sudden loss of power or not being able to get out of the way of an oncoming vehicle.

- Jamestown, NY, USA

The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle jerked abnormally while accelerating. The failure occurred while the transmission was changing gears. The contact stated that the failure was most noticeable while pulling out of the driveway after the initial start-up. The vehicle was previously included in a recall related to the transmission, and the vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure started after the recall repair was performed. The vehicle was returned to the dealer to be diagnosed, and the contact was informed that there were metal shavings found in the transmission fluid and that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000.

- Winterville, GA, USA

Several times in the last few years when taking off from a stop about 4 seconds into travel the transmission disengages and the engine races. If I was expecting to get though an intersection while traffic was coming into my path of travel I would be in their way and possibly struck. It happened again today. Thankfully I had full right of way and not in anyones path of travel. I had to let the engine wind down, shift to nuetral and back to drive to get going again. I was in the middle of a left hand turn and behind other vehicles that were all traveling about about 5 mph.

- Wichita, KS, USA

Transmition Issues: Hard bumping going into gears, loss of power to move the truck, loss of power can happen anytime the transmition seems to shift into neutral causing a dangerous issue when trying to pull out to moving traffic. Stopping at intersections and then the truck wont go forward until there is a hard bump that feels like your getting rear ended. When diving at speeds above 45 the trans is constantly looking for gears. The truck only has 103000 miles on it. incident occurs 3 out of 5 times I drive the truck.

- Stafford , VA, USA

My 2018 Ford F-150 3.5L EcoBoost experienced cam phaser rattle/failure at 72,000 miles. The vehicle never received the 21B10 PCM reflash, and Ford Customer Care has denied any goodwill assistance. The cam phaser noise is a known widespread defect covered under Customer Satisfaction Program 21N03. I had the repair done out-of-pocket at a Ford Dealership because I was fearful that catastrophic engine damage would occur if left un-fixed, leaving me stuck in the roadway. I Request that this be logged for investigation and future regulatory review.

- Union , WV, USA

driving at 50 mph, and attempting to accelerate - vehicle lost all "power". pedal was "to the floor' and no response from the truck. could not accelerate to get up to interstate speed. multiple attempts were made, with big hesitations then hard, surging engagements, as truck attempted to shift. more than once the accelerator was applied with no response. RPMs didn't even rev, just nothing from the vehicle. had to slow down to get the truck to engage into a gear, eventually catching and able to hold 50. slower acceleration over time and was eventually able to get up to freeway speeds.

- Cary, NC, USA

I was driving along and the truck shifted out of gear. Throttled to high rpm-??s and went back into gear causing me to temporarily loose control and it repeated itself 2 more times before I got it stopped and towed home.

- Huntington , WV, USA

The truck suddenly jerks into gear and lurches forward even sometimes after taking foot off the gas. The transmission has issues shifting at low gears, known to ford, and these present in situations like parking lots and at red lights. It creates a safety hazard when operating at low speeds.

- Vancouver, WA, USA

The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at 10 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 77,000.

- Saratoga Springs, UT, USA