After transmission had programming update it never shifted properly. Took it to the dealer for diagnostic and they said nothing wrong. Transmission failed at only 82000 miles.
2014 Ford F-150: complete transmission failure
20 of the 1,541 complaints about the 2014 Ford F-150 describe complete transmission failure.
- owner complaints
- 20
- of this car's complaints
- 1%
- typical mileage
- 116,500
- recalls
- 2
Complete transmission failure by model year
What owners say
I am filing a safety complaint regarding my 2014 Ford F-150 XLT equipped with the 6R80 transmission. My vehicle previously received Recall 24S37 in 2024 for the known transmission downshift safety defect involving Output Shaft Speed (OSS) sensor signal loss. Despite completion of the recall repair, my vehicle is now exhibiting the same dangerous symptoms associated with the recall condition, including: • Sudden erratic transmission behavior• Speedometer intermittently dropping to zero while driving• Wrench warning light activation• Check engine warning light• Airbag warning light• Unsafe drivability conditions and intermittent limp mode operation These symptoms create a serious safety concern because the vehicle unexpectedly changes driving behavior and loses speed signal information while operating on public roads. I presented the vehicle to Dick Smith Ford in Columbia, South Carolina for evaluation and was informed the truck requires a complete transmission replacement estimated at approximately $11,000. After extensive research, I discovered many Ford truck owners nationwide reporting nearly identical symptoms involving the 6R80 transmission, molded lead frame failures, OSS sensor failures, and unintended downshifting conditions. Ford previously acknowledged similar issues in Recall 24S37 and Customer Satisfaction Program 19N01. I am concerned the original recall remedy may not fully address the underlying hardware failure associated with this transmission system. My vehicle is demonstrating the same safety-related symptoms after the recall repair was already completed. Vehicle Information:2014 Ford F-150 XLTVIN: [XXX] I respectfully request the federal safety agency review this issue for continued safety concerns involving the Ford 6R80 transmission system and post-recall failures associated with Recall 24S37. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I have had the 24S37 recall applied to my truck it was a software update, after the update it was ok for about a month then the problem became worse than it was before the software update. My truck is now downshifting and locking up the rear wheels and dose not shift sometimes and skips gears. This problem is getting worse everyday. I talked to the Ford dealership by my house and they told me I needed to buy a new transmission from them and there was no remedy for my problem other than the new transmission. I noticed the are recalling the 2015 trucks with the same transmission problem. Will my truck be added to the recall ? I have the same transmission
After receiving a call from Mullinax Ford in Mobile, AL regarding a recall for our 2014 Ford F-150 Raptor (recall related to unexpected downshifting), I brought the vehicle to my workplace on [XXX], where a technician performed the software update (flash) on-site. Before the update, the vehicle was functioning without issue. That same evening while driving home, I experienced extremely hard downshifting, initially in lower gears, and worsening over time. The truck now violently downshifts, primarily into 4th gear, and sounds as if the transmission is slipping. I drove the truck again the next morning and the symptoms persisted. I contacted Zachary, the original representative at the dealership, who said it may be part of the “relearning” process. My husband drove it a week later after returning from a business trip and he confirmed the issue. It has progressively worsened to the point of being undrivable. We returned the truck to Mullinax Ford for evaluation on 7/29/25, and they claimed the failure was unrelated to the update and that the transmission needed to be replaced, at our expense. The truck unpredictably drops gears at high speeds, creating a sudden jerk that could lead to loss of control. This poses a serious safety risk to both the driver and others on the road. The dealership performed the recall software update and later diagnosed the truck with transmission failure, but is denying responsibility. No other third-party inspections have been done at this time. There were no warning lights or issues prior to the update. The issue started immediately after the recall software was flashed and worsened over the next 24–48 hours. The vehicle is currently at the dealership and available for inspection. We believe the issue stems directly from the PCM/TCM update applied under recall conditions. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2014 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle was sliding. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times; however, the contact was informed that the failure was due to transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure was not present until after the recall. The contact had received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V444000 (Power Train); and the recall repair was performed in February 2025. The contact stated that the failure was not present until after the recall repair was performed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed three times. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to another dealer for a second opinion. The failure mileage was approximately 116,500.
Major transmission failure that causes sudden unintended downshift to first gear, even at high speeds. This occurs often and randomly without warning, causing the engine to "redline", rear tires to slide and the vehicle to come to a near sudden stop. This is an extreme safety concern, especially in slippery road conditions as the vehicle could overturn or slide off the road or at a minimum be rear-ended for suddenly stopping unexpectedly on a freeway. This is a widely known problem by Ford. The local Ford service manager admitted that his 2013 F150 has the same issue and he continues to drive it because he tried fixing it by replacing the Molded Lead Plate in the transmission and that didn't resolve the problem. Remember, I noted this is a Ford Service Manager! Ford has issued a recall (24S37); however, the prescribed solution is to have the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software updated and that prescribed fix actually makes the sudden downshifting happen more often. This is the cheapest, band-aid solution that Ford hides behind so they can say that they are addressing this issue. A second Ford dealership down the road actually admitted that they have identified that the recommended software update actually makes the problem worse and they practically refuses to perform the software update for their customers. After several discussions with Ford's Recall Assistance Team and several discussions with a local dealership's service manager, Ford is not willing to do anything more, despite this major safety issue not only not getting resolved, but actually has gotten worse due to their band-aid approach of a software update. In my case, if further diagnosis is to be performed, I have to be the one that covers that cost and also I would be the one to cover the cost of repairs. To me, this is completely unacceptable. The rational that Ford uses to deny accountability is that the vehicle's computer doesn't register any DTC codes when the incident occurs.
After recall 24S37 was performed on my Ford F-150 to address potential sudden downshifting to first gear, my truck began experiencing serious transmission issues that had never occurred prior. The recall required PCM reprogramming, and immediately afterward, the vehicle started hard shifting and unexpectedly downshifting at highway speeds (one example 5th to 3rd gear and also while passing or decelerating). This was alarming and unsafe. Before this recall, the transmission operated perfectly with no symptoms, warning lights, or signs of malfunction. I returned the truck to the Ford dealership that performed the recall. Their road test confirmed the issue, and they diagnosed it as damage to the overdrive clutch. However, they stated the damage was “likely present before” the recall work—despite no prior symptoms—and recommended full transmission replacement at a cost of nearly $10,000, which I declined. The issue clearly began immediately after Ford’s recall remedy and fits the exact risk the recall was supposed to prevent. The vehicle is available for inspection. I believe the recall work either caused or triggered the failure and that Ford should be held accountable.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a dealer and was repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V444000 (Power Train). The contact stated that upon driving the vehicle from the dealer's parking lot, the vehicle experienced hard transmission shifts to low gear and to the higher gears. The was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, the engine revved significantly. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the failure was not caused by the recall remedy but could be related to the transmission. The vehicle was taken to Master Tech Auto Repair, where a transmission replacement was recommended. The transmission was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the vehicle was scanned with a code reader; however, no diagnostic trouble code was retrieved. The contact stated that the failure had progressively worsened. The contact stated that the vehicle was not experiencing a failure prior to the recall repair, and the recall remedy had failed to prevent the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was filed. The manufacturer also referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 101,000.
As is the way with a lot of f150s, the leadframe control module in my automatic transmission failed, causing me to suddenly go into limp mode on [XXX] ; I had no prior warning until the dash went blank and the wrench symbol appeared. I was able to get the truck completely off the roadway and had to wait for a tow. As it was later in the afternoon I had the truck towed to my house and contacted my normal repair facility in the morning. I had the truck towed to the repair facility that day. They diagnosed the leadframe failure, ordered the parts from Ford and I had my truck back within a few days. This part has been a known issue in these F150s - I had the software update "recall" performed on my truck September 2024 and it still happened to me. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
It is 2014 F150 platinum it has a recall on the transmission. I took it in. They programmed it. I left with it. It was worse. and said that they had to get my truck was there for over a month and a half after the part was put on it. The transformation was worse now it’s back in the shop again for another two weeks. They’re telling me I need a new transmission. Anybody with common sense would know that if you’re driving 60 to 70 miles an hour and your truck shifts from six gear to first gear it’s going to tear something up in the transmission. I got it out and it was hard shifting out of first and the second out of fifth and the sixth and reverse was whining. All I’m asking for is help they want me to pay $6600 for a new transmission that I don’t have I’m on disability. Please help
The contact owns a 2014 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle decelerated, the speedometer went to Zero (0), and the blue wrench warning light illuminated, indicating a transmission failure. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission molded lead frame was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact stated that the failure had occurred after the vehicle was serviced under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V444000 (POWER TRAIN). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 121,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted, causing the vehicle to abruptly stop in the middle of the road. After the failure, the transmission failed to shift back into gear, causing the vehicle to become undrivable. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission was severely damaged during the failure and needed to be replaced. The transmission was replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The contact later received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V444000 (Power Train). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 120,000.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Grinding/clicking/ratcheting noise from the front wheel area
- Intermittent grinding noise while driving in 2-wheel drive (2WD) mode most commonly on acceleration
- Intermittent grinding noise while driving in 2-wheel drive (2WD) mode most commonly on acceleration
- Intermittent grinding noise while driving in two wheel drive (2WD) mode most commonly on acceleration
- On vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission it is imperative that the converter pilot hub be...
- No start condition with an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) and a DTC P161A after PCM replacement
- 2009-2017 vehicles equipped with a 6R80, 6R100, 6R140 automatic transmission have an updated main control...
- Some 2004-2014 F-150 and 2006-2008 mark lt vehicles equipped with four-wheel drive (4WD) may exhibit noisy...
Related recalls
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2014 F-150 vehicles previously repaired incorrectly under recall number 24V444. A loss of signal between the transmission output shaft speed sensor and the powertrain control module (PCM) can cause the transmission to unexpectedly downshift into first gear.
- Risk
- Unexpectedly downshifting into first gear may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the PCM software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 8, 2026. Owners may contact customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S45. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on on July 6, 2026.
Recall number 26V378000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2014 F-150 vehicles. A loss of signal between the transmission output shaft speed sensor and the powertrain control module can cause the transmission to unexpectedly downshift into first gear, regardless of vehicle speed.
- Risk
- Unexpectedly downshifting into first gear may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 1, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24S37.
Recall number 24V444000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2014 Ford F-150 transmission failure
Is complete transmission failure a common problem on the 2014 Ford F-150?
20 of 1,541 owner complaints about the 2014 Ford F-150 (1%) mention complete transmission failure. The model year with the most reports is 2018.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2014 Ford F-150?
There are 2 recalls and 12 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2014 Ford F-150
Brake failure 125Check engine light 97Loss of power 79Power steering loss 67Won't shift 64Stalling 42Jerking 36Overheating 26Backup camera 25Fuel pump 25Engine failure 21Fire or smoke 20Airbag light 19Won't start 19Grinding brakes 18Door locks 17Steering lock-up 17ABS 16Harsh shifting 16Hesitation 16Misfire 13Adaptive cruise 11Shudder 10Spongy pedal 10Wipers 9No deployment 8Slipping 8Knocking 7Whining noise 7Screen failure 5Sudden acceleration 5Tire blowout 5Warning lights 5
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