10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
6 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
20,992 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #169

Apr 152025

F-150

  • miles
Transmission engages and disengages periodically as i slow down or come to a stop. Shifts erratically while driving from 6 gear to 4th gear, and when accellerating it hesitates from 2nd to 3rd gear, then shifts hard to 4th gear where i have to press on the brake to stop it. My concern is when it down shifts hard while in traffic, almost got rear ended one time. Just not safe to drive, ive have this truck for less than 5 months now. Preowned with less than 100k miles, just doesnt make sense..

- Brownsville, TX, USA

problem #168

Apr 082025

F-150

  • miles
Truck shifts don-??t unexpectedly and causes the vehicle to loose traction and went into oncoming traffic.

- Alto, GA, USA

problem #167

Jul 052023

F-150

  • miles
My 2020 Ford F-150 transmission is very bad. Since I bought it used, the transmission has shifted very hard, lurched, delayed engagement and gear slippage. I was told by Ford to bring it in and they would replace or repair for over $6000!! Everything I'm reading online is that Ford knows about this situation and won't do anything about it. I dont have a spare 6-8 thousand dollars that the dealership said it would take to "possibly" fix this issue! Something needs to be done and as a retired Atlanta Police department whos driven alot of Fords, this one is the worst ive ever experienced and I cant do anything about it. ITS NOT RIGHT.

- Kennesaw, GA, USA

problem #166

Feb 082025

F-150

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle failed to properly accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal, with the wrench symbol displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the transmission was faulty and needed to be repaired or replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. No additional information was provided. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000.

- Garden Grove, CA, USA

problem #165

Apr 072025

F-150

  • 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle briefly hesitated. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 130,000.

- Sylacauga, AL, USA

problem #164

Mar 202025

F-150

  • 90,400 miles
The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. In addition, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the transmission shuddered. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the contact was informed that a tune-up was needed. The tune-up was performed; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed with catalytic converter failure. The contact was informed that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under an unknown recall and the PCM was reprogrammed. The unknown recall repair was performed the day prior to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,400.

- Scottsburg, VA, USA

problem #163

Mar 162025

F-150

  • miles
While driving the vehicle going approximately 35 mph in heavy traffic the vehicle shifted to neutral without driver input as evident by +8000 rpms (bottomed out) and swift deceleration. No warning lights or indicators. No response when driver input to acceleration pedal. Vehicle would not shift into gear. After breaking to approx 15 mph Vehicle shifted VERY roughly w/no accelerator response and return to normal rpms. After waiting in neutral on the side for a minute accelerator response returned. hard and delayed shifting remained. Vehicle is currently being serviced by a ford dealer in Florida who relays no warning or trouble codes found - but recommended a transmission rebuild reference black fluid w/o leaks. Fluid was initially a quart and a half low. Transmission has an extended warranty and is getting replaced. 10r80 10 spd transmission with the EXACT same issue for the recent recall of a different year/ transmission model # by ford. Coincidence- I think not.

- Newberry, FL, USA

problem #162

Mar 302025

F-150

  • miles
f150 EQUIPED WITH 4r80 10 SPEED TRANSMISSION. Starting several months ago, the vehicle started experiencing up shifts with hesitation during upshift, typically the mid gears. Starting from a stop, the shift from 1st to 3rd is very harsh and stutters. Condition has progressively gotten worse. While upshifting, I am now experiencing more exaggerated pausing/delays during mid gear upshifts. While entering a freeway, accelerated to merge with traffic and the transmission downshifted and there was an approximately 2 second delay in the shift which caused the vehicle to bog down substantially, nearly causing a following vehicle to impact my vehicle.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #161

Feb 192025

F-150

  • miles
My gears shift hard when slowing down or when letting go of the gas pedal. The infotainment center blacks out. I took it in to Ford Dealership and was told the transmission needed to be replaced. I don-??t drive fast nor abuse my truck. I don-??t use my truck for construction; I simply drive to work and home. I have 67K miles and bought the truck in 2020, brand new. It-??s very concerning that at 67K the transmission needs replacement. The cost for replacing the transmission is $8,000 dollars.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #160

Feb 022020

F-150

  • 72,000 miles
The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle was hesitating and downshifted unintendedly. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent at first but had become a recurring failure. The contact stated that he had taken the vehicle to a dealer and was advised that the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the check engine warning light was illuminated while the transmission was downshifting. The contact had taken the vehicle to the same dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the long block and the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure but advised the contact that the vehicle was over the mileage for the warranty and not covered. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.

- Bridge City, TX, USA

problem #159

Mar 172025

F-150

  • miles
Transmission random acceleration, harsh downshifting, and banging coming to a stop. 3 to 5 gears and during emergency stop. Downhill acceleration without throttle while braking, overtaking brake control

- Mundelein, IL, USA

problem #158

Mar 262025

F-150

  • miles
Transmission has hard shifts between 2-3 and 4-5. Transmission occasionally has unexpected hard down shifts. Truck has done it since purchase and has progressively gotten worse.

- League City, TX, USA

problem #157

Mar 212025

F-150

  • miles
On the afternoon of [XXX], my son and his fiancé were driving home from college (Lamar University) when my sons 2020 Ford F-150 suddenly downshifted from 10th gear to 1st gear. This sudden unexpected downshift through them both violently forward in the truck and almost caused them to be rear ended by an 18-Wheeler. They immediately pulled off to the side of the Interstate ([XXX]) to gather their thoughts and inspect the truck. My son notified me of what had just happened and that he received a service engine warning on the trucks instrument cluster along with a notification on his cell phone of a Powertrain Malfunction. I suggested he try turning the truck off and restarting it to see if it would resolve the issue. He resumed driving home and experienced the same unexpected sudden down shifting from 10th gear to 1st gear multiple times as they continued their drive home. Fortunately, he was able to limp his truck back into town and immediately took it to Cook Ford in Texas City where we had purchased the truck. I met them at the dealership and my son reported the problem they had experienced on their drive home to the Cook Ford Service person and we left the truck with them to be diagnosed. On Wednesday March 26th 2025, Cook Ford called to inform my son and informed him that he needed a new transmission and that both his catalytic converters needed to be replaced for a cost of approximately $11,500. He asked them if these items were covered under warranty and they acknowledged an error in their quote and that the catalytic converters would be covered, but not the transmission. During the conversation the Ford Service person did acknowledge knowing of issues with the 10 speed transmission (10R80) but said there were no current recalls, nor were there any Ford Customer Satisfaction Programs for the trucks transmission. We are now waiting for a response back from Cook Ford with an updated and formal breakdown of costs for the trucks needed repairs. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION A

- Texas City , TX, USA

problem #156

Nov 182024

F-150

  • miles
During maintenance prior to the main issue stated to Ford, customer noticed something was wrong with trans and mechanic reported it was fine and didnt see anything on their computer and that the customer could wait until 90K mile upcoming maintenance. Customer states check engine light came on while driving and the truck was shifting rough / when pulling away from a stop the truck would rev up and not go forward then delayed engagement / also when driving at highway speed the truck has difficulty accelerating smoothly in passing gears verified the concern. Performed self test an found P07F7 incorrect 10 gear ratio. Performed test drive and found the shift flare exceeding 290rpms an spec is 0-10rpms. Also found the torque converter slipping over 270rpms during lock up. Monitored line pressure test an found it is within spec. Inspected fluid condition an an found excessive signs of metal debris present. Due to internal transmission failure recommend replacing unit an retest.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #155

Feb 242025

F-150

  • miles
While traveling 65 mph on highway, truck shifted from 10th gear to 5th causing truck to jerk to a slower mph and raising rpms

- Festus, MO, USA

problem #154

Mar 062024

F-150

  • miles
This truck when shifting from 4th to 5th will snap your neck! sometimes it just slips in gear., when I back up ity will stop like its in neutral and then bang into gear. sometimes you pull out on the road and it will not go just sit in neutral then bank in gear and take off. This is totally unsafe with this 10 speed trans.

- Mocksville, NC, USA

problem #153

Mar 222025

F-150

  • miles
While driving on a high traffic street in stop and go traffic truck shifted down from 3 to 2 with a lurch and a verry loud clunk. Truck shifted so hard there was rapid deacceleration and lurching and a loud clunking while shifting.

- Fort Wayne, IN, USA

problem #152

Dec 162024

F-150

  • miles
On [XXX] I [XXX] started my truck and left my job at Publix Supermarket in Lake City, Fl. As I turned out of the shopping plaza, My 2020 Ford F-150 felt like it was about to lose power. As I turned into [XXX]. The truck shifted from the first gear, to the second smoothly, as the truck shifted from 2-3, the truck revved and did not engage into 3rd gear. I let off the gas thinking it was going to catch the next gear and continue to increase speed. but it did not, again it revved and did not engage into 3rd gear. now the traffic was flying past me, i pushed the accelerator to the floor in attempt to avoid an accident. and not get rear ended. After several seconds, the transmission engaged and the truck began to move forward at a slow pace. This is when i received a notification for Ford Pass app, saying the power train malfunction/ reduced power. I was able to get the truck to the closest gas station. where I shut it off. After several minutes, I restarted the truck and drove back to work with no issues. The next day I took it to a local shop, where they indicated that I needed a new transmission. Since then, this vehicle has been in the shop multiple times for the same issue. This will be the 3rd Valve body replaced. Its unsafe to be on the road. Its a safety hazard. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Keystone Heights, FL, USA

problem #151

Mar 242025

F-150

  • miles
Erratic down shifts stalls at lights

- Marlow , OK, USA

problem #150

Aug 242022

F-150

  • 35,000 miles
The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the transmission hesitated and made an abnormal clunking sound. In addition, the rear of the vehicle was shaking abnormally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer several times due to the failure. The contact stated that the transmission was rebuilt in 2023. In addition, the contact stated that the PCM was reprogrammed in 2022. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.

- Kingston Springs, TN, USA

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