2013 Ford F-150: sudden unintended acceleration

Filed Mar 10, 2026 · Acceleration, Steering · VA

2013 Ford F‑150 Limited – VIN [XXX] On [XXX], my 2013 Ford F‑150 Limited experienced a sudden and dangerous transmission failure involving the transmission conductor plate (lead frame). My son was driving the vehicle when the dashboard abruptly shut off, multiple warning lights illuminated, and the truck lost engine power. Shortly afterward, while braking, the engine attempted to accelerate on its own, and the vehicle resisted slowing down. This created an immediate and life‑threatening situation. These symptoms match the known failure mode of defective 6R80 transmission lead frames, which the federal safety agency has previously identified as a serious safety hazard due to sudden loss of power, erratic shifting, unintended acceleration, and dashboard failure. The vehicle became undriveable and could not be safely transported to a Ford dealership. It had to be repaired at a nearby independent shop (Auto Stop Elite of Purcellville, VA). The conductor plate was replaced on February 12, 2026, at a total cost of $1,689.59. Despite this being a well‑documented safety defect affecting many Ford F‑150 owners, no recall or service campaign was ever issued for my VIN. No warnings appeared on Ford’s website, Carfax, or through any Ford communication. Other owners have received reimbursement from Ford for the same failure, yet Ford provided no notice or remedy in my case. This defect placed my son’s life in danger and represents a clear safety issue that should be addressed. I am requesting that the federal safety agency review this incident as part of the ongoing pattern of conductor plate/lead frame failures in Ford’s 6R80 transmissions. We are informing you because we have contacted Ford and they have done NOTHING to resolve this. We had to have it repaired and were never aware that there was a safety recall. We expect to be reimbursed in full for this repair by Ford. To date - we are being ignored and will now pursue with the Virginia Attorney General's office as well. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 55

Filed Apr 8, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · OH

This incident to my truck has happened twice. First time on [XXX] and this last time on [XXX]. I was driving and all of a sudden the truck downshifted, loss power even when pressing on the gas then again all of a sudden the tach. and the engine will Rev up very high then lunge forward. This last time my truck made a big jerk. This really scared me. I pulled over and called a tow truck because I was afraid to keep driving it. I had it towed to the Ford dealership, Mt. Orab Ford, where I just bought this truck from in Dec.2024. Iam waiting for them to let me know what they have found out. I have only owned thus truck for 3 months. Thes last couple of days I have been finding out information of some problems and recall of this 6 speed transmission. I have also contacted Ford and they have opened a case on my truck. I'm hoping to hear back from the dealership today. I just thought I should report this to you. Please feel free to contact me.Thanks, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Nov 29, 2022 · Transmission · 135,000 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at 30-35 MPH, the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration. Additionally, the transmission inadvertently downshifted, causing the vehicle to jerk while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the molded leadframe needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.

Filed Nov 25, 2022 · Engine · 168,000 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while her son was driving approximately 40 MPH in 5th gear, the vehicle downshifted to 1st gear. There were no warning lights illuminated. The driver cruised to the side of roadway due to the engine revving and the vehicle skidding. The driver turned off and restarted the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to shift into gear immediately. The contact stated that after the vehicle shifted into gear the vehicle lunged forward however, the driver was able to keep driving the vehicle. The failure recurred twice. The vehicle had not been taken to the dealer. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 168,000.

Filed Dec 5, 2021 · Acceleration, Brakes · NM · crash · 2 injuries

Vehicle accelerated without driver pressing gas pedal and RPM gauge jumped up to 5 (which is red zone). Brake pedal went to the floor when brakes were applied instead of causing the vehicle to stop. Emergency brake was used, and driver lost control of the vehicle resulting in a terrible accident. The crash caused injuries to driver and the death of a bicyclist.

Filed Oct 1, 2021 · Transmission · 87,000 miles · WA

The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle lunged forward and downshifted without warning. The contact was able to pull over and restart the vehicle. The contact stated that the check engine and power train warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where it was diagnosed with needing the transmission molded lead frame replaced. The vehicle was then taken to a local dealer where it was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.

Filed Jul 21, 2021 · Acceleration · LA

Date: July 5, 2021, roughly 5 pm Location: Interstate 40, heading west. Just east of the first exit for Shawnee OK I was driving with traffic, cruise set at 80 mph. Changed to left lane to pass a travel trailer and noticed traffic was getting heavier up ahead. I tapped the brake to cancel the cruise control, and the engine raced out of control. It was as if the accelerator was pressed to the floor. I used both feet on the brake to attempt to slow the pickup, was able to change back to the right lane, and managed to drive onto the shoulder and slam the truck into park. The racing engine never let up until the key was turned off. I did see that the cruise dash light was indicating that the cruise was off before I changed lanes. It is my belief that tapping the brake initiated the problem. Fortunately, no one was hurt, there was no accident. I can still see the children in the vehicle ahead of me when I try to go to sleep and I have nightmares of what could have happened. No problem the next day. We tried to create the situation when traffic was light, but have not experienced any problem with braking, tapping the brake, the cruise control, or unintended acceleration since then.

Filed Feb 5, 2019 · Transmission · 82,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 ford f-150. While driving 70 MPH, the vehicle accelerated on its own. The contact's spouse was driving and pulled the vehicle over onto the shoulder. The driver turned off the engine and waited a while. Once the vehicle was restarted, the driver managed to drive home. The contact stated that the service vehicle (wrench icon) illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to produce any failure codes; however, the mechanic stated that a new transmission needed to be installed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 82,000.

Filed Sep 4, 2018 · Acceleration, Transmission · 47,500 miles · OH

Getting off the highway the truck would no slow down. It would not shift to 2nd or 1st gear. Hard uncontrolled stop. When tried to start moving again truck lunged forward and started from 5th gear. Drove directly to the ford dealer as this was a safety concern. It switched gears randomly the entire way to the ford dealer from the highway. 2013 47k miles

Filed Apr 17, 2016 · Brakes · 1,200 miles · TX · crash

On third day of ownership the brakes failed and caused 6000.00 damage. While parking on the 4 th level of a parking garage @ 10 MPH did a u turn to back into a parking place; the brakes failed to the floor and the the truck surged forward and hit a concrete wall causing 6000.00 front en damage . Ford would not accept any responsibility.

Filed May 9, 2014 · Engine, Fuel system · 9,600 miles · CA

Unintended acceleration design defect in vehicles equipped with an electronic throttle control system .

Filed Apr 17, 2014 · Acceleration · 2,100 miles · CA

While accelerating to enter the hov lane (far left) in heavy traffic the vehicle accelerated on its own to 3500 RPM. Braking did not over-ride the acceleration. Slowed on it's own after 15 miles of 70 MPH driving without touching the gas pedal. Three months later, while accelerating quickly from a stop, to slow, to start in traffic, the truck accelerated again on its own. Tac read 3500 RPM while pulled over in and out of gear (n). Shop unable to replicate issue and have been told to drive it. This is a county of santa clara, california fleet truck.