Ford F-250 Super Duty transmission and drivetrain problems, 2016–2027
194 of the 3,662 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Ford F-250 Super Duty 2016–2027 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: 2020 (74), 2019 (45), 2021 (25). Filed under the same heading across these years: 4 manufacturer bulletins, 10 recall campaigns. 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-250 Super Duty 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2026 | 1 | 11% | — | 12 TSBs · 2 recalls | the year → |
| 2025 | 0 | — | — | 30 TSBs · 2 recalls | the year → |
| 2024 | 6 | 16% | — | 48 TSBs | the year → |
| 2023 | 7 | 16% | — | 58 TSBs · 1 recall | the year → |
| 2022 | 21 | 17% | — | 69 TSBs · 1 recall | the year → |
| 2021 | 25 | 15% | — | 74 TSBs · 1 recall | the year → |
| 2020 in depth | 74 | 28% | 69k | 82 TSBs · 3 recalls | the record → |
| 2019 | 45 | 4% | 20k | 41 TSBs · 2 recalls | the year → |
| 2018 | 15 | 4% | — | 39 TSBs · 2 recalls | the year → |
| 2017 | 0 | — | 50k | 48 TSBs · 3 recalls | the year → |
| 2016 | 0 | — | — | 28 TSBs | the year → |
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: 2018: 2 · 2019: 10 · 2020: 10 · 2021: 18 · 2022: 30 · 2023: 21 · 2024: 33 · 2025: 50 · 2026: 20
Across the model years, half of the 85 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the transmission and drivetrain problem between 14,000 and 80,000 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.
Transmission shifts into gear very harsh. While driving accelerator “gas pedal” stops working. Almost hit by other automobiles while leaving intersections or make turns do to sudden loss of power
This vehicle was a 2 year old used one owner truck purchased from a Ford dealership. The dealership repaired an issue with the transmission which was based on harsh engagement when putting the truck in gear forwards and reverse. 2 months after receiving the truck and being repaired, the issue is happening again.
While driving at 55 MPH, the transmission began downshifting going straight from 5th to 1st and coming to a stop in the highway. After stopping, it would not move when pressing the gas pedal. There were no warning or check engine lights before or after it stopped
My truck started violently shaking on the freeway at 65 MPH when hitting rough patch on highway. Almost crashed due to having to slow down and steering being almost impossible to control. Cars behind me swerved to avoid me. My 2 year old was in the. Back seat and was terrified with myself and my girlfriend riding passenger
Transmission would not engage the next gear , while proceeding through a large traffic intersection. Very scary
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
- 26V119000 HighMar 3, 2026 · 11,431 vehicles
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026-2025 F-250 SD and F-350 SD vehicles. The driveshaft friction weld may fail, resulting in rear driveshaft separation and a sudden loss of drive power.
- 25V866000 HighDec 12, 2025 · 6,819 vehicles
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Super Duty F-250 and F-350 vehicles. The right rear axle shaft may have been improperly heat-treated during manufacturing and may break.
- 25V163000 HighMar 14, 2025 · 11,621 vehicles
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Super Duty F-250, F-350, and F-450 vehicles. The steering column shifter may have been improperly welded and detach from the steering column.
- 23V595000 HighAug 25, 2023 · 41,555 vehicles
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 Super Duty F250 and F350 vehicles equipped with single rear wheels and a 10.5-inch rear axle shaft. The left rear axle shaft may have been improperly heat-treated during manufacturing and may break.
- 22V880000 HighNov 29, 2022 · 18,808 vehicles
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2018 F-Super Duty F-250, F-350, and F-450 4x4 vehicles. A radial damper inside the driveshaft may move out of position over time, which can cause a driveshaft imbalance and result in a fracture.
- 22V256000 HighApr 14, 2022 · 23,165 vehicles
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 vehicles equipped with 6.7L diesel engines. A washer within the vehicle's transmission can disintegrate, causing metallic debris to become lodged in the 'Park' mechanism.
- 22V087000 HighFeb 16, 2022 · 247,445 vehicles
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2022 F-250 and F-350 Super Duty vehicles equipped with gasoline engines and aluminum driveshafts. Underbody heat and noise insulators may loosen and contact the aluminum driveshaft, which could damage the driveshaft and cause it to fracture.
- 20V365000 HighJun 23, 2020 · 13 vehicles
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Super-Duty F-250, F-350, and F-550 diesel pickups. The transmission torque converter damper plate was not tempered, resulting in a brittle damper plate that may fracture and cause the engine to stall or require increased brake pedal effort in order to stop the vehicle.
The 8 newest of 10; each model year’s page lists its own.
4 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading, any model year
- Aug 12, 2026
- This article supersedes TSB 26-2050 to increase the labor operation allowance of labor operations A and B. Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit all of the following conditions: Poor shift quality Illuminated powertrain malfunction (wrench) indicator with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P2704 and P0771 stored in the PCM/TCM. This may be due to a calibration in the
- Jul 1, 2026
- Some 2023-2026 F-Super Duty vehicles equipped with a 10R100 or 10R140 transmission may exhibit an intermittent failure to engage forward or reverse gears and/or a loud whining noise. Additionally, the driver will be able to shift back to park. This may be due to PCM software being unable to command the transmission solenoid clutch actuators when the battery has a low state of charge (SoC) and/or t
- May 6, 2026
- This bulletin supersedes 25-2549. Reason for update: To add 2020 model year chassis cab vehicles. Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit an incorrectly illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P0420 and/or P0430 stored in the powertrain control module (PCM). This may be due to the software in the PCM. This condition does not aff
- Mar 5, 2026
- This article supersedes TSB 24-2249 to update the claim quantity of the torque converter nuts, part number and claim quantity of the front support assembly bolt washers, and part number change of the fluid pan from the Parts List. Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit a harsh reverse to drive engagements with no diagnostic trouble codes (DTC). This may be due to stic
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-250 Super Duty
Source: the same filesEvery system, every model year: Ford F-250 Super Duty problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Ford F-250 Super Duty years have the most transmission and drivetrain complaints?
2020, 74; 2019, 45; 2021, 25. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2020 (28%).
Is there a recall for the transmission and drivetrain on the Ford F-250 Super Duty?
Yes — 10 campaigns are filed under this heading across these model years: 26V119000 (2026), 25V866000 (2026), 25V163000 (2025), 23V595000 (2023). 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-250 Super Duty?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 46,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 14,000 and 80,000. 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.