Ford F-150 transmission and drivetrain problems, 2016–2026
4,206 of the 10,822 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Ford F-150 2016–2026 name the transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA’s “Power Train” heading — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading). The loudest years: 2018 (1,016), 2019 (735), 2016 (588). Filed under the same heading across these years: 6 manufacturer bulletins, 21 recall campaigns, 2 NHTSA investigations. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Ford F-150 transmission and drivetrain problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the transmission and drivetrain | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 13% | — | 13 TSBs · 2 recalls | the year → |
| 2025 | 31 | 25% | — | 46 TSBs · 2 recalls | the year → |
| 2024 in depth | 65 | 29% | — | 64 TSBs · 2 recalls | the record → |
| 2023 in depth | 191 | 38% | 30k | 96 TSBs · 4 recalls | the record → |
| 2022 in depth | 235 | 29% | 30k | 115 TSBs · 4 recalls | the record → |
| 2021 in depth | 441 | 35% | 55k | 137 TSBs · 7 recalls | the record → |
| 2020 in depth | 356 | 49% | 59k | 60 TSBs · 1 recall | the record → |
| 2019 in depth | 735 | 55% | 68k | 69 TSBs | the record → |
| 2018 in depth | 1,016 | 44% | 60k | 91 TSBs · 4 recalls | the record → |
| 2017 in depth | 546 | 38% | 85k | 62 TSBs · 4 recalls · 2 investigations | the record → |
| 2016 in depth | 588 | 29% | 98k | 23 TSBs · 1 recall · 2 investigations | the record → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the transmission and drivetrain. Nothing here is a rate.
When the transmission and drivetrain complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2016: 7 · 2017: 16 · 2018: 54 · 2019: 90 · 2020: 103 · 2021: 121 · 2022: 265 · 2023: 447 · 2024: 669 · 2025: 1184 · 2026: 1250
Across the model years, half of the 1,194 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the transmission and drivetrain problem between 27,000 and 104,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the transmission and drivetrain, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
Noticed chassis vibration starting at and above 60 MPH. Dealer attempted various fixes including replacing drive shaft, but vibrations remain
Parked truck shut it off and took keys out. Was getting out of truck and truck started rolling away and I was between door and truck had to jump in to get it stopped. Found trans selector in park and transmission still in drive . See pictures it was a rental ruck have not heard from enterprise or Ford about injuries
Transmission make a loud bang when starting vehicle. Upon acceleration at highway speeds when transmission shifts from 10th to 6th gear it it so violent it feels like I have been rear ended by another car. Sometimes transmission will have a 3-4 second delay to go into reverse and then makes a loud bang when reverse engages.
I recently bought a brand new 2019 F-150 at larry h. Miller Ford draper. And within a little over a month of owning the truck the transmission is now giving me problems. Just recently took it in to the service department, left it there all day only for them to tell me that everything is fine.
2016 Ford F-150. Consumer writes in regards to issues with transmission. Consumer is also seeking reimbursement for vehicle price or replacement vehicle
What is on file about the transmission and drivetrain, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaigns filed under this heading, any model year
- 26V576000 CriticalSep 9, 2026 · 37 vehicles
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 F-150 vehicles. Incorrect rear axle tail bearings may have been installed, which can result in rear wheel lock-up or driveshaft separation.
- 26V402000 HighJun 24, 2026 · 741,195 vehicles
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Navigator, Expedition, 2020-2021 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2021 F-150 vehicles. The transmission park pawl may engage while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in park system damage.
- 26V375000 HighJun 9, 2026 · 10,742 vehicles
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 F-150 vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 17V669. Quickly moving the shift lever from Park to Drive may cause a loss of gear indication on the instrument cluster display and a momentary selection of an unintended gear, such as Reverse or Neutral.
- 26V237000 CriticalApr 14, 2026 · 1,392,935 vehicles
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 F-150 vehicles. A loss of signal between the transmission range sensor and the powertrain control module can cause the transmission to unexpectedly downshift into second gear.
- 25V863000 HighDec 12, 2025 · 272,645 vehicles
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2026 F-150 Lightning BEV, 2024-2026 Mustang Mach-E, and 2025-2026 Maverick vehicles. The integrated park module may fail to lock into the park position when the driver shifts into park. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
- 25V512000 HighAug 8, 2025 · 103,174 vehicles
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023-2025 F-150 vehicles equipped with the Trailer Tow Max Duty package and a 9.75-inch heavy duty axle with a 3/4 float axle design. The rear axle hub bolt may fatigue and break, which can result in damage to the axle hub splines.
- 25V164000 CriticalMar 14, 2025 · 269 vehicles
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024-2025 F-150, Bronco, 2024 Ranger, 2025 Mustang, Explorer, and Aviator vehicles. The transmission valve body may have been machined incorrectly, which can cause reverse gear failure, or unexpected forward movement in reverse or neutral gear.
- 25V169000 HighMar 14, 2025 · 567 vehicles
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 F-150 vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 22V-188. The Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) for low transmission fluid pressure may falsely activate and cause the transmission to unexpectedly shift into neutral.
The 8 newest of 21; each model year’s page lists its own.
NHTSA investigations
- EA26001 Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-upopened Jan 30, 2026 · open
- On March 21, 2025, NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE25002) to investigate instances of unexpected transmission downshifting without driver input in model year (MY) 2015-2017 Ford F-150 vehicles (subject vehicles) manufactured by Ford Motor Company (Ford). The complaints allege that, without warning or driver input, the subject vehicles experienced a …
- PE25002 Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-upopened Mar 21, 2025 · closed Jan 30, 2026
- On March 21, 2025, NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation (PE25002) to investigate instances of unexpected transmission downshifting without driver input in model year (MY) 2015-2017 Ford F-150 vehicles (subject vehicles) manufactured by Ford Motor Company (Ford). The complaints allege that, without warning or driver input, the subject vehicles experienced…
6 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading, any model year
- Sep 22, 2026
- This bulletin supersedes 26-2309. Reason For Update: update the Model section to remove Aviator 10R80, update the Parts list to add 3.3L to W520514-S440, and add L1MZ-7Z490-G valve body separator plate for Aviator. Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit at least one of the following conditions: * Harsh 3-4, 4-5 upshifts * Harsh 5-3, 4-3 downshifts * Harsh reverse enga
- Aug 26, 2026
- This article supersedes 26-2287. Reason for update: update the labor operation numbers to add MT to operations C, F, G, H, J, K, L and M, and correct the part number LIMZ-4A015-B to L1MZ-4A015-B. Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit at least one of the following conditions: Harsh engagement Delayed engagement Harsh shift Delayed shift Illuminated malfuncti
- Jul 9, 2026
- Customer Satisfaction Program 26N04 Certain 2015-2017 Model Year F-150 Vehicles Equipped with a 6R80 Transmission Transmission Molded Leadframe Replacement
- Feb 17, 2026
- For 20172026 vehicles equipped with a 10R transmission, a revision to the Road Testing Vehicle procedure has been made in the WSM, located in Section 307-01 > Diagnosis and Testing. This updated procedure improves the diagnosis of customer reported transmission concerns and aids in locating the proper root cause. During diagnosis and testing, details regarding whether the condition is more preval
- Dec 13, 2025
- Certain 2018-2020 Model Year F-150 Vehicles Equipped With 3.3L Engines Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Reprogramming
- Nov 12, 2025
- Some 2015-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles may exhibit an illuminated MIL with diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0011, P0012, P0014, P0015, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0021, P0022, P0024 and/or P0025. Pinpoint test HK in the Powertrain Control and Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) or in Section 303-14 of the Workshop Manual (WSM) has been updated to address this concern.
Every one filed under the heading is listed. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Other systems with a record on the Ford F-150
Source: the same files- electrical problems
- exterior lighting problems
- fuel system problems
- engine problems
- visibility and wiper problems
- brake problems
- backup camera and parking sensor problems
- body and structure problems
Every system, every model year: Ford F-150 problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Ford F-150 years have the most transmission and drivetrain complaints?
2018, 1,016; 2019, 735; 2016, 588. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2019 (55%).
Is there a recall for the transmission and drivetrain on the Ford F-150?
Yes — 21 campaigns are filed under this heading across these model years: 26V576000 (2026), 26V402000 (2021), 26V375000 (2018), 26V237000 (2017). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do transmission and drivetrain problems show up on the Ford F-150?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 65,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 27,000 and 104,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Power Train" heading cover?
The transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.