2013 Ford F-150: adaptive cruise control problems

Filed Jun 27, 2026 · Acceleration, Transmission · VA

The speedometer on my vehicle recently indicated a speed 10-15 mph lower than the actual highway speed. Approximately one week later, while operating the vehicle with cruise control set at 58 mph and descending a decline, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted from sixth to first gear. This abrupt shift resulted in a violent jolt to the rear of the vehicle, nearly causing a loss of control. Upon contacting Ford regarding this issue, I was informed that they are aware of the problem and that an extended warranty campaign is in place for the transmission lead wire frame and vehicle speed sensor. Ford offered to repair this free of charge, with the caveat that the campaign covers vehicles up to 150,000 miles, originating from 36,000 miles. According to various owner groups and online forums, this issue is prevalent in 2013 F-150 pickups equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission, often manifesting well after the 150,000-mile mark, as was the case with my vehicle. While Ford acknowledges this known problem and its potential consequences, the warranty repair cutoff at 150,000 miles could lead to catastrophic outcomes, as demonstrated by my near-loss of control incident. It is important to note that the same transmission and speed sensors have already been recalled in 2014 models, which share an essentially identical powertrain, yet the 2013 models are not included in this recall. This presents a significant safety concern, as the manufacturer is aware of the issue, but their current campaign does not adequately cover the mileage at which many of these problems are emerging.

Filed Nov 24, 2025 · Acceleration, Airbags · OH

Driving 70 mph on highway. Transmission suddenly downshifted from 6th to 5th. Cruise control turned off. Speedometer went to 0 mph. Airbag warning light came on. Wrench indicator flashed. From this point on, transmission would only use gears 3,4,5. Speedometer continued to read 0. Cruise control remained inoperative and Airbag warning light remained on. Wrench indicator turned off after a few minutes. Was able to limp home, but truck had difficulty pulling out from stoplights and stop signs due to not being able to shift below 3rd gear. After shutting off ignition and restarting. Operation returned to normal.

Filed Nov 24, 2025 · Transmission · CO

.Driving on the interstate cruise control set on 75 all of a sudden, lose power speedometer to 0. Transmission, jerks have to pull over. Get home check the code. Said it was the transmission lead frame, oss sensor. Im lucky I didn't wreck. It's a safety concern, should be a recall.

Filed Nov 20, 2025 · Acceleration, Engine · PA

Driving on Interstate Highway. Entered a tunnel at 65 MPH. Near the end of the tunnel traffic started to slow down. I applied the brakes and the engine started to accelerate. I had full pressure on the brake pedal but the vehicle kept accelerating. There was a loud fan noise. Fortunately the vehicles ahead started to accelerate up to the speed limit - and beyond. I took my foot off the brake and turned on cruise control. The fan sound stopped and the truck maintained cruise control setting. I had heard the fan speed up twice before but I was parking each time1 and turned off the engine within seconds of hearing the fan motor speed up. I returned to my home and heard the fan motor speed up once more. I took the vehicle in to my local Service Station. They were able to recreate the problem. "Bad thermostat causing engine cooling fan to come, increasing idle speed. Replaced thermostat"

Filed Dec 3, 2024 · Transmission · MN

[XXX] . I was driving with cruise control at 60mph when the speedometer suddenly fell to zero and the truck jerked momentarily into low gear which schreeched the tires due to the sudden and uncontrolled deceleration. Fortunately the road was dry and no vehicles were close behind me. And fortunately I was driving (and not my wife or kids) and I wasn't in busy metro traffic which surely would have caused a multi car crash. No malfunction/idiot lights appeared in the dash display. The local mechanic read a diagnosis as the OSS and said to have Ford repair it. Ford repaired P0722 and P012B and charged me $1817.45; paid in full using my credit card. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Dec 2, 2024 · Acceleration, Engine · OH

Vehicle was going around 55 mph and dropped out of gear and into limp mode or 1st gear. Happened yesterday as well around 55 mph with cruise control on. Used a scan tool and no codes given.

Filed Jun 25, 2024 · Brakes, Transmission · 157,000 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH with the cruise control activated, the transmission suddenly downshifted from 6th to 1st gear. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over into the Emergency Lane, turned off the vehicle, and had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic. The independent mechanic diagnosed that the final drive assembly, including, the spider gears and rear axles were blown due to the ABS system being damaged due to the transmission slightly detaching when the downshift occurred. The final drive assembly was replaced; however, the transmission only shifted from 1st to 2nd gear before downshifting back to 1st gear while making a loud grinding sound. The mechanic diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The contact was referred to the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 157,000.

Filed Sep 20, 2023 · Transmission · 98,000 miles · KS

The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH with the cruise control activated, the RPM decreased, and the vehicle decelerated to 15 MPH in first gear. There was a red wrench symbol displayed momentarily during the failure. The contact coasted to the side of the road and restarted the vehicle. The contact continued driving without the cruise control activated. On another occasions, while driving approximately 50 MPH with the cruise control activated, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission molded lead frame was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact learned that the failure was related to the federal safety agency ID Number: 10201087 (Power Train) however, the failure mileage had been exceeded. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000.

Filed Feb 8, 2023 · Transmission · 123,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH with the cruise control engaged, the vehicle was jumping and revving up. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact pulled over and restarted the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was referred to the dealer. The vehicle was taken to another local dealer Walt's Live Oak Ford (1109 Ohio Ave N, Live Oak, FL 32064) where it was diagnosed with a sudden downshift and control module replacement. The codes were reset. The vehicle was not repaired. While driving, the vehicle revved up. There was an unknown warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who referred him to the local dealer. The vehicle was taken to another local dealer where it was diagnosed with powertrain failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure was like the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V433000 (Power Train). The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 123,000.

Filed Mar 22, 2022 · Driver assistance · GA

I was driving with my cruise control set at 58 MPH at 5:45 AM this morning when I heard a loud "thunk", my vehicle decelerated rapidly, the speedometer dropped to zero then the engine revved up rapidly. I applied the brakes and the hazard signal to try to avoid an accident. This is not the first time such an event has occurred. Ford has CSA19S07 active on my vehicle but the local Ford dealership has told me my vehicle is not covered by this CSA. I have reported these incidents to Ford Motor Company with no resolution. My 2-13 F-150 has approximately 105,000 miles. I bought it new and have maintained it at Ford dealerships. Childre Ford in Sandersville, GA recently performed the 100,000 mile service.

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 17, 2021 · Visibility · 81,000 miles · IA

I was traveling at 65mph cruise control on. Not a rough road and no other traffic. Turned on rear defrost to clear snow on rear glass that was blowing up from the bed. The drivers side rear glass panel shattered. There was no vehicle flex or impact to the window.