2013 Ford F-150: shudder or vibration when accelerating

Filed Jun 27, 2026 · Transmission · CA

While driving approximately 45 MPH on a multi-lane road in moderate-to-heavy traffic, the truck shuddered as if caught between gears, then the engine revved past 4500 RPM on its own. Lifting off the accelerator had no effect on RPM, and pressing it produced no change in engine or vehicle speed. Moments later the drivetrain engaged violently: the rear tires chirped, the rear of the truck stepped sideways, and the vehicle decelerated abruptly from about 45 MPH to under 10 MPH with no brake input from me. Because there was no braking, I do not believe my brake lights illuminated during this sudden deceleration, creating a serious rear-end collision risk for any following vehicle. At onset, the speedometer dropped to zero (drifting down as if the engine had shut off), the odometer displayed only dashes, and the wrench/powertrain warning light illuminated. After the downshift, the wrench light cleared and the airbag warning light came on. The tachometer stayed elevated and the gear selector would only indicate gears 1, 2, and 3. I pulled over, shut off and restarted the vehicle, and drove home slowly under 15 MPH. This same failure recurred on 06/24/2026 while driving to the dealer. A Ford dealer technician inspected the vehicle and confirmed the transmission molded leadframe had broken, producing diagnostic trouble code P0722 (Output Shaft Speed Sensor Circuit, No Signal). The failed component is available for inspection. The sudden, unintended loss of power and severe deceleration in live traffic, with no driver input and likely no brake-light warning to following traffic, is a significant safety hazard.

Filed Sep 8, 2025 · Transmission · 67,819 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving approximately 53-54 MPH and overtaking another vehicle, the vehicle sputtered and shuddered temporarily. An unknown warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the power train warning light illuminated, and the speedometer became inoperable. The contact noticed that the turn signal had failed to disengage immediately after making a turn. The contact stated that while driving from a complete stop, the vehicle was driving under reduced power. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was a faulty wiring in the transmission lead frame. The dealer determined that the wiring and the lead frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact related to the failure of Ford Campaign Number: 19N01 (Transmission Molded Lead Frame Extended Coverage). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 67,819.

Filed May 28, 2025 · Engine · 100,000 miles · IA

The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle shuddered abnormally. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the cam phasers needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

Filed Mar 17, 2025 · Airbags, Transmission · 145,000 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 19V075000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted to 1st gear, the vehicle shuddered, skidded, and the rear wheels locked up. The contact was able to coast over to the side of the road. The power train warning light was illuminated with the wrench symbol and the air bag warning light briefly before the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. The contact detached the battery and waited for a while before reattaching the battery, restarting the vehicle, and continued driving. The contact stated that the failure occurred approximately every 5 miles. The dealer was contacted and decided to charge the contact to diagnose the vehicle to determine the cause of failure, instead of completing the recall repair free of charge. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and referred the contact back to the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Oct 28, 2024 · Brakes · 148,194 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at approximately 70 MPH, there was intermittently an abnormal sound; while attempting to switch the vehicle into 4WD the vehicle shuddered. The brake warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the driver’s side wheel hub and bearing assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure still occurred. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the electronic throttle body needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure still occurred. The vehicle was towed to the dealer once again where it was diagnosed and determined that the vacuum booster needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 16V345000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 148,194.

Filed Mar 3, 2021 · Engine, Fuel system · 75,000 miles · MS

Pulling camper onto interstate, accelerated to merge. Truck shook, engine light came on and truck barely made it safely to the next exit. Pepboys replaced #2 coil. Made it the rest of the trip. Unable to tow camper or accelerate normally, as truck shudders and slows significantly in residential and interstate speeds. Ecoboost seems to be an issue with this particular model truck and engine, so I have to take it to ford. I've already had to replace the transmission around 66,000..

Filed Jan 25, 2021 · Engine · 114,000 miles · NC

When driving the engine began to shudder and lost power. The vehicles engine blew and subsequently lost power and I had to get to the side of the ride road. There are thousands of reports online of people having their eco-boost engines blow due to a moisture issue in fords design. Ford issued a tsb not a recall for the problem and have last many motorist including my self at danger as the engines can go without warning. Ford has denied my claim I made through them as well as many others passing them off as lack of maintenance and out of warranty. However, my truck has been serviced and well taken care off. Research shows that people have had this issue happen at various millage conditions while some have not experienced the issue at all. Ford has failed to provide insight into why this happens and a guarantee it can be prevented.

Filed May 5, 2020 · Engine · 79,000 miles · PA

Upon accelerating to pass or merge onto a highway the engine will lose power and the check engine light will flash. This loss of power makes it dangerous to safely pass or merge onto a highway. I was researching on the internet and there are many instances of this happening to ecoboost owners. This problem has been dubbed the "ecoboost shudder " I have called 4 dealerships asking if there is a service bulletin for this problem or repairs. It seems that ford service departments are completely unaware of this problem however it is well known to ecoboost owners.

Filed Feb 18, 2020 · Engine, Fuel system · 58,000 miles · IL

We own a ford f-150 3.5 l ecoboost v-6 king ranch pickup truck. Truck was purchased in 2014 new. Have serious concerns as the vehicle has so many current issues. From day one of purchase and while still in the dealership parking lot, upon start up there was a very loud clattering sound. Sales rep said it was because it was cold and it had been sitting. Purchased vehicle, had problems immediately with dangerous lag in acceleration (which we still do), an average of 12 mpg if we were lucky and very serious engine misfires with major decrease in power accompanied by sputtering whole vehicle shuddering while trying to merge on the highway or with hard acceleration. Very dangerous, especially if in the fast lane, which we were. We started to limp over several lanes of traffic to the shoulder and the truck regained power. Many misfires like this, all explained to the ford service tech and verified on the trucks computer. So many in fact it was necessary to replace all spark plugs at less than 57k miles. We just picked our truck up today, feb 18th, 2020, after it was in the shop again, this time for 12 days, to fix this misfire problem again and numerous other issues with the front hubs staying locked in 4 wd while in 2 wheel drive and switching in and out, timing chain replaced, and the ecoboost turbo tubes replaced as they were cracked, iwe replaced, and left front actuator. Also about 3 weeks ago it had transfer case motor replaced as well as numerous switches, all which did not correct the problems. My husband and I decided to take it on the highway to see if the lag misfire problem was fixed. When he hit the gas there was a screechy sound from the top of the engine, power seriously decreased once again on the highway and the check engine light was back on. I sent an email to ford and auffenberg ford in ref to these continuing problems.

Filed Sep 14, 2019 · Engine · 91,000 miles · AZ

While driving a wrench and check engine light comes on, the car decelerates and will not respond to accelerator. Come to stop with engine shuddering. Checked engine code as p2112. Operating on flat surface street at 45 MPH

Filed Jan 14, 2019 · Engine, Fuel system · 83,000 miles · CA

When I accelerate on the highway to merge or pass my truck looses power completely can not accelerate. It shudders for about 45 seconds check engine light comes on flashing and it suddenly comes back to life. I took it to my local ford and they said it was a high pressure pump that needed to be replaced. I replaced it and it is still having the same issue. This seems to be a common issue with these trucks. The more research I have done the more I find about this same issue. Ford should be held liable and recall these trucks for this problem. I now have to take it to another ford dealership hoping they can figure it out. Last ford truck I will ever own.

Filed Nov 10, 2018 · Transmission · 84,000 miles · WA

2013 f-150 with 6r80 transmission problems. (1) on 8/17/2015 took truck in to dealer at 40,000 miles due to erratic shifting and shudder, no available error codes. They performed a reprogramming and said a tire was out of balance. Problem seemed to get better, but still exhibited slight shudder and occasional bump at highway speeds. This malfunction was reported to ford (2) on 01/24/2018 (mileage 77,000), truck shifted independently to first gear at approx. 65mph, causing sudden speed decrease and momentary loss of control. Rear end collision narrowly avoided. Large orange wrench light on dash. Rpm's near redline while pulling over to shoulder. Restarted and functionality was restored, warning lights & code no longer available. Took to ford dealer, they could not diagnose without code, recommended new battery. Problem seemed like glitch, although would sometimes shift into 5th gear in parking lots. (3) on 11/08/2018 (mileage 84,000), turning left across highway, truck lost all power in oncoming traffic. Collision narrowly avoided. No warning lights or codes, restarted truck in intersection and functionality restored. While pulling into parking lot at 5-10mph, truck indicates it is in 5th gear. Restarted, was able to drive remaining 2 miles home without issue. Again, no codes available, but extremely unsafe. Will be towing back to dealer on 11/12/2018 and reporting these issues to ford once again. Symptoms are identical to molded lead frame output shaft sensor issues addressed in 2016 ford recall, this is an incredibly unsafe condition and recall should be extended to include 6r80 transmission in the 2013 model year!