Ford F-150 Hybrid hesitation problems

Filed Oct 5, 2026 · Brakes, Transmission · WY

I purchased a used 2023 Ford F-150 PowerBoost on April 3, 2026. Within days, the vehicle began making a hard clunk during initial acceleration and when stopping. It also hesitates before accelerating, especially while transitioning between electric and gasoline operation. At times, pressing the accelerator does not produce an immediate or predictable response. The problem is worse when accelerating uphill. This creates a collision risk when entering traffic, crossing intersections, merging, or driving uphill. The clunk can be heard and felt through the vehicle. There is also a loud, high-pitched whine that follows engine speed and certain gear transitions and can become extremely loud at highway speeds. On April 22, a Ford dealer confirmed the clunk during acceleration and stopping. The dealer found excessive movement in the rear leaf-spring and shackle bushings and replaced them, but the clunk and hesitation continued. On May 11, the dealer confirmed the high-pitched whine, traced it to the Hybrid Drive Unit, consulted Ford’s escalation team, and replaced the unit. The whining, clunking, shifting irregularities, and hesitation remained and have progressively worsened. Another Ford dealer later inspected the vehicle, but its road test was fewer than two miles, remained below approximately 30 mph, and did not include highway driving, uphill acceleration, merging, or entering traffic. The conditions causing the most serious symptoms were therefore not evaluated. Associated warning lights or messages are UNKNOWN. The vehicle is now parked because I no longer consider it safe to drive. It is available for inspection upon request.

Filed Sep 22, 2026 · Fuel system · 80,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that since purchasing the vehicle, there was a misfire in the engine, the vehicle hesitated and accelerated slowly while driving in gasoline mode and depressing the accelerator pedal. The failure mostly occurred while accelerating from a complete stop. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on several occasions, where the failure was duplicated. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V455000 (Fuel System, Gasoline), and the dealer associated the failure with the recall; however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer notified the manufacturer of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

Filed Sep 21, 2026 · Fuel system · WA

The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the vehicle lost electrical power, and the contact initially believed that the failure was due to a dead battery. The battery was replaced and the vehicle was hesitating while accelerating. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V455000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and stated that the contact had to pay for a diagnostic test to verify if the failure was associated with the recall. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue.

Filed Sep 13, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · MI

Experiencing total stop of acceleration in two occasions: 1) when putting the car in reverse and pressing the accelerator and 2) when making a left or right turn after a yield or stop. And when I say loss of acceleration, I don’t mean hesitation, reduced power, or sluggish acceleration. I mean absolutely ZERO acceleration. I’ll press the accelerator and nothing happens. The engine stays basically at idle, and the truck will not accelerate for roughly 5-10 seconds, regardless of how much accelerator I’m giving it. Then suddenly power comes back and the truck drives normally again. This happens with normal operating temps while driving most of the day. It got to a point where it happened once every day. Very scary stuff when you're pulling out into traffic - major safety concerns with oncoming traffic.

Filed Aug 3, 2026 · Transmission · TX

I am filing a safety complaint regarding a recurring, hazardous transmission failure during highway and incline driving (specifically experienced on mountain highway passes in Arkansas). While driving at highway speeds on uphill inclines, the transmission severely hesitates and struggles to downshift under load. When it finally engages, it violently slams into gear. During these episodes, the truck experiences a sudden loss of motive power and acceleration lag, accompanied by an engine RPM flare of over 400+ RPM. And most recently, I have Live diagnostic data captured during operation revealed a downshift delay of over 3 seconds where the powertrain control module commanded 8th gear, but the transmission physically remained stuck in 10th gear due to severe internal hydraulic pressure loss. This defect presents a severe safety risk on high-speed roadways. Sudden, unexpected loss of power while climbing grades or merging into traffic creates an immediate risk of rear-end collisions from surrounding vehicles. This issue directly correlates with Ford Technical Service Bulletin TSB 26-2287, which identifies axial movement/slippage of the CDF clutch cylinder sleeve as the root cause of internal fluid leaks and gear failure. Because this internal hardware failure causes unpredictable power delivery and driveability loss at highway speeds, I request that the federal safety agency investigate the 10R80/10R80-MHT transmission CDF drum sleeve defect as a critical safety hazard. Finally, Ford motor company, and most cases refuses to repair this known defect under warranty, many owners are experiencing this dealership pushback leaving them with a critical safety issue.

Filed Dec 31, 2025 · Acceleration, Fuel system · IA

when i go to accelerate (not every time) (random times) from a near stop during a yielding situation, engine power hesitates to come back on. I've been nearly rear ended twice entering onto highways because of it. i have an appointment Friday with a dealership but they said that they may not be able to do anything for it...im reporting this because that is not acceptable behavior from a dealership. its a safety issue and its under warranty....FIX IT!! when this issue happens i can have the pedal full pressed and it takes several second for the engine to wake up from switching from electric to gas..(im only able to move 1 to 3 MPH)..or if i want it to snap out of it sooner i rapidly press the accelerator in and out multiple times....both ways eventually kicks the engine power back on lunging the truck forward.

Filed Sep 3, 2025 · Fuel system · 34,000 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2022 Ford F-150. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V455000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH downhill, the vehicle stalled. The contact shifted to neutral(N), and the vehicle rolled to a stop. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart, and the contact resumed driving. The contact stated that the failure had recurred several times while driving. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated to respond upon depressing the accelerator pedal. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle could not be diagnosed because the parts for the recall repair were not yet available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to wait for a second recall letter. The manufacturer advised the contact that the vehicle was safe to drive. The failure mileage was approximately 34,000.

Filed Jan 25, 2025 · Transmission · AL

Multitude of transmission problems, Have smelt clutches in the transmission burning very strongly twice now. Hard shifting up shifting and downshifting. Slamming into gear almost locking up the back wheels. Has failed to move with transmission binding up putting it in reverse. Multiple slippages and different gears. After the truck is stopped at a light for 10 to 30 seconds there will be a hard clacking sound and the transmission that can be felt in the floor. Extreme hesitation almost causing an accident pulling out into traffic. Check engine light one time for faulty Park solenoid and the vehicle would not come out of park. Disconnected and reconnected the batteries. Cleared the code and finally got it to come out of park. The code cleared after 3 days. Was working with the dealership over the phone remotely at the time with it. They said it disappeared and they didn't know why. Transmission has been flushed at 50,000 miles by ford dealership. Ford dealership has done a reprogramming on it so far. Transmission still had problems had a Ford take a ride with me. He stated that it need to be rebuilt or replaced. Ford dealer is dragging their feet to do anything. I have many text messages into the service writer updating him of new problems and current problems as they occur. They are fully well aware of the issues. I drive a lot like 6,000 miles a month and I think they just don't want me put miles on their loaner vehicles for their faulty transmission problems. I purchased the vehicle in February 2024 problems have been occurring since purchase.

Filed Sep 20, 2024 · Transmission · NV

When attempting to accelerate the vehicle hesitates for several seconds as the automatic 10 speed transmission attempts to engage the proper gear. This is intermittent. It has happened numerous times and is particularly dangerous when attempting to merge onto a highway or turning in either direction at an intersection.

Filed Jan 18, 2023 · Driver assistance · 9,000 miles · WI

The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated while attempting to make a turn from a complete stop at an intersection, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that the START/STOP feature was engaged at the time of the failure. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle several times and the vehicle responded. There was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated while driving in a construction zone with the Lane Departure Steering Assist mode engaged, he turned the steering wheel to avoid the construction cone; however, the vehicle veered to the opposite direction and was pulling towards the construction cone. The contact also stated while driving and passing a semi-truck, the vehicle jerked and was pulling to the right, towards the rear of the semi-truck. There was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle pulled toward an embankment. The contact deactivated the Lane Assist feature. The contact stated while driving and depressing the brake pedal to make a complete stop, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stood on the brake pedal, but the vehicle hesitated to respond, causing a 10-foot stopping distance delay. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 9,000.