The contact owns a 2015 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V237000 (Power Train); however, the failure occurred after the recall repair. While driving at 62 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted, and the transmission warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over, and the vehicle made a loud thumping sound before shutting off unexpectedly. The vehicle was restarted but failed to shift into 1st and 2nd gear. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the lead frame needed to be replaced; however, the correct code was not retrieved for the repair to be covered free of charge. The failure mileage was approximately 136,000.
2015 Ford F-150 transmission complaints
Page 2 of 16: complaints 11 to 40 of 441, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I am writing on behalf of my father, [XXX], age [XXX], regarding his 2015 Ford F-150 (VIN [XXX]), which is covered by Safety Recall 26S28 for unintended transmission downshift. His truck has already experienced the defect. In early October, it unexpectedly downshifted while he was driving. He contacted Asheville Ford multiple times to schedule a service and has been told the recall has been paused. His request for a loaner or rental was declined. Ford's recall page describes this defect as one that can cause the rear wheels to slide or lock up and increase the risk of a crash. Ford's site now also instructs owners not to have the repair performed while Ford investigates problems with the software remedy. As a result, the truck has a confirmed safety defect that Ford is not currently able to repair. This truck is my father's only transportation. He cannot safely drive it, and Ford has not provided a timeline for a repair. We are asking Ford to provide a loaner or rental vehicle until the recall repair can be completed. We believe this is a reasonable request given that the vehicle is unsafe because of a defect Ford has acknowledged, and the delay in repair is due to Ford's own investigation. Thank you for your help. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2015 Ford F-150. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V237000 (Powertrain), and the recall repair was completed. The contact stated that after the recall repair was performed, the vehicle experienced transmission downshifting at high speeds and hesitation. The contact also received notification for Customer Satisfaction Program: 26N04 (Transmission Molded Leadframe Replacement). The contact stated that the failure initially occurred when an orange wrench icon illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the dealer refused to perform the program repair at no cost. The dealer stated that the failure originated within the output speed sensor located inside the molded leadframe and required the contact to pay for the repair out of pocket. The dealer stated that the component would not be replaced under the program because the vehicle did not display the specific Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) required for coverage. The contact stated that the code was absent because the dealer completed the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software update, erasing all stored Diagnostic Trouble Codes. Both the manufacturer and the dealer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 105,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the transmission suddenly downshifted, causing the vehicle to abruptly stop in the middle of the road. During the failure, the wrench warning light illuminated, and the vehicle entered Limp mode. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence, where a code reader retrieved a DTC indicating the torque converter was stuck in the off position. The vehicle was later towed to a local dealer, where the contact was informed that the transmission overheated and required replacement. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact received a recall notification for the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V237000 (Power Train), which confirmed the VIN was included. The contact associated the failure with the recall. The failure mileage was 144,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, the vehicle downshifted from sixth to fifth gear. The contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V444000 (Power Train). The dealer was notified of the failure; however, the contact was informed the part for the remedy remained unavailable. The failure mileage was 100,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly downshifted into first gear, causing the engine RPM to increase. The wrench warning light illuminated, and the Drive (D) and Reverse (R) indicator lights turned off. The vehicle failed to restart and required towing on two occasions. The contact expressed concern that the unexpected downshift and potential rear-wheel lockup could result in a loss of vehicle control and a crash. The contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V237000 (Power Train). The manufacturer was notified and advised that the recall was paused, offering no further assistance. The dealer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 153,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the transmission would downshift to first gear as both the traction control and check engine warning lights would appear on the instrument panel. The contact used purchased a scanner which gave him a code for P0720(Output Shaft Speed Sensor Circuit). Upon investigation, the contact discovered that the vehicle was under recall for the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V237000(Power Train). The contact called two separate dealers where he was informed by both that the manufacturer had placed a pause on the recall remedy after they discovered that the software remedy did not repair the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 182,000.
I had recall 26S28 performed on my 2015 Ford F150. The intent of the recall is to prevent the transmission from unexpectedly shifting into second gear while at highway speed. Immediately after the recall service was performed, the transmission will fail to shift into low gear after coming to a stop before the vehicle is fully warmed up. Pulling away from a stop is very slow (transmission is in a high gear). This creates a traffic safety hazard if there is traffic approaching at an intersection or while merging into traffic. Other vehicles have to brake to avoid me. The servicing dealer has reproduced this problem, but Ford is unwilling to remedy it. There is an orange wrench symbol on the dashboard when this happens. The transmission performed normally under all conditions before this recall service was performed.
Vehicle had mechanical failure in the transmission at 70 mph. The PCM shifted my transmission in to 1st gear and locked up my rear tires at 70pm, which is covered under the federal safety agency 26V237000. Ford has an open recall: 26S28 for a software update, which is currently paused. They also have 26N04 to replace to failing lead frame within the transmission. Ford is refusing to repair the vehicle under 26N04 (hardware) while 26S28 (software) is paused, which are two separate issues. A software pause should NOT invalidate a physical component failure that is explicitly covered under an active safety mandate.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the transmission downshifted independently. The failure was persistent. The vehicle was taken to two independent mechanics, both of whom advised the contact to take the vehicle to the dealer. The dealer was notified of the failure by phone and informed the contact that parts were unavailable. The contact received a recall notification for the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V237000 (Power Train); however, the parts to complete the repair were unavailable. The failure mileage was approximately 102,500.
2015 Ford F-150 Platinum, 6-speed automatic. Ford recall 26S28 (the federal safety agency campaign 26V‑237, PCM software update for unintended transmission downshift) was performed at All Star Ford, [XXX]. BEFORE the recall service, this truck ran smoothly, quietly, and flawlessly. AFTER the PCM update, the transmission developed severe jerking and hard downshifting that never existed before the recall work. The dealership has held my vehicle since XXX. The mandatory post-update reset drive was skipped after the first update; the recall has since been re-performed twice and the malfunction persists - it was directly caused by the recall calibration. On XXX, the general manager stated the vehicle was "safe to drive" yet admitted he could not guarantee no further operational or safety issues would occur, and confirmed Ford engineers currently have no fix. I was also told Ford halted work because this recall update damaged my vehicle and thousands of others. I have been without my vehicle since May 2026. The recall remedy has rendered my vehicle unsafe to drive. I am filing so the federal safety agency is aware the 26S28 remedy is producing new transmission malfunctions. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2015 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle downshifted from 4th gear to 2nd gear and the rear wheels locked up. The message “Service Vehicle Soon” was displayed and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an Auto Zone and DTC: P0720 was retrieved. A dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was informed that the DTC: P0705, P0706, P0707, and P1702 needed to be displayed for the vehicle to be repaired under Extended Warranty Program: 26N04. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact referenced the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V237000 (POWER TRAIN) as the possible cause for the failure. The failure mileage was 166,087.
While driving my 2015 Ford F-150, the vehicle experiences a severe and hazardous transmission defect. The transmission unexpectedly drops out of gear while in motion, resulting in an immediate loss of power and acceleration. Simultaneously, the 'D' (Drive) gear indicator light on the instrument cluster goes dark, and both the wrench warning light and check engine light illuminate, forcing the vehicle into an unsafe limp mode. This vehicle is subject to active safety Recall 26S28 / the federal safety agency 26V237 regarding unintended transmission downshifts and Transmission Range Sensor signal loss. I contacted an authorized Ford dealership to have this federally mandated safety recall performed. However, the service department explicitly refused to execute the recall repair, stating that the recall procedure does not solve the problem and makes it worse. The dealership is refusing to perform the required safety service, leaving my vehicle unrepaired and creating a dangerous ongoing safety hazard on public roads
The contact owns a 2015 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer, where a software update was performed under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V237000 (Power Train); however, following the recall repair, the fuel economy was reduced and the transmission experienced intermittent hard shifting. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the vehicle needed a tune-up and spark plug replacements; however, the spark plugs had been recently replaced. The failure mileage was approximately 249,948.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford F-150. The contact received the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V237000 (Power Train). Ford Campbell sent a technician to the residence on August 9, 2026, to perform the update. While driving, the power train warning light was displayed. The technician arrived at the residence again to repair the vehicle. There was lag while driving, and the transmission unexpectedly downshifted. While driving 25 MPH, the power train warning light was displayed. The vehicle was taken to another local dealer, Ted Russell Ford Kingston Pike (8551 Kingston Pike Knoxville, TN 37919); and the vehicle was towed to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the software needed to be updated on several occasions. The contact was informed that the fuel pump, electrical system, and battery needed to be repaired. The dealer determined that the power control module needed to be replaced. The contact stated that installing and removing the software had caused the failure, and the technician was unable to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was contacted by phone. The failure mileage was approximately 122,984.
The transmission control module recall was serviced and a diagnostic was paid for to ensure there was no outstanding issues with the transmission 300 miles later the transmission totally failed in forward gear and reverse. It will only go into park, no reverse and no forward gear, a complete electronic and mechanical failure 300 miles after a service! I CALLED Ford for assistance and they would only take a complaint. With no follow up.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving, the transmission shifted unexpectedly to a lower or higher gear. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the transmission leadframe was replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The contact later received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V237000 (Power Train). The contact associated the failure with the recall. The contact submitted the receipt for the prior repair to the dealer and informed the contact that a partial reimbursement was available for the cost of the part, but there was no reimbursement for the cost of the labor. The contact was referred to the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer was contacted by phone but declined to offer additional assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 177,000.
See attached document for complaint.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford F-150. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V237000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. The dealer informed the contact that the recall repair appointment was cancelled because the manufacturer had cancelled the recall.
Had recall 26S28 PCM reprogram done. After recall, check engine light on with code P0721, truck went into limp mode with wrench light after the gear quickly shifted down from a high gear. Dealer will not replace lead frame.
Just over a month ago, I had my local dealership's mobile service come to perform the covered warranty reset on the powertrain module. Last week, while driving apx 40mph, vehicle went into what I now know was "limp mode" 3 times within a few minute span -- felt like vehicle shifted into neutral, wrench light came on, but did not stay on for more than a few seconds. Had a diagnostic appointment yesterday, and was informed that the molded leadframe and oss sensor need replaced, at a cost of over $1600, including the $233 I paid for diagnostics. Today I found my letter from July regarding Customer Satisfaction Program 26N04. Everything in the letter matches my vehicle's issues, but I am being told by Ford that because my vehicle is not displaying the "correct" code per the service bulletin, it is not eligible for free warranty repair. How is it not eligible? This is a confirmed problem with the entire part, but they don't want to fork over the money to repair a cheaply made component, so they are offering bandage fixes, and paring down the eligibility criteria so narrowly that nobody qualifies to have the problem addressed. This seems predatory and negligent.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted from sixth gear into first gear. The powertrain warning light and Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) illuminated after the failure. The contact pulled over to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V237000 (Power Train), and the vehicle was towed to the dealer, where a PCM software update and leadframe wiring harness replacement were performed; however, the failure persisted, and the dealer confirmed that the vehicle could not be test-driven due to a safety hazard. The contact stated that the recall remedy failed to address the safety hazard. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact back to the dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was 186,214.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted with an abnormal sound. The transmission seized in fifth gear and failed to shift as needed, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was a persistent failure. The dealer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed turbine speed sensor and internal lead frame failure. The contact was informed that the lead frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was being repaired. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with a recall associated with the failure. The manufacturer was contacted by phone and a case was filed. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under recall. The failure mileage was 163,000.
While driving my 2015 F-150 in live traffic, the vehicle suffered an abrupt, catastrophic powertrain and electronic control module failure, resulting in an immediate engine stall and severe traffic hazard. Multiple cluster warnings (Check Engine, Cross Traffic, Hill Assist) illuminated, followed by a total mechanical shutdown into a permanent "No Start" condition. The truck was towed to a Ford dealership.The diagnosis by the certified Ford technician (Repair Order #5804) confirms the root cause mirrors the exact hardware defect covered under Ford Recall 26S / the federal safety agency Campaign 26V237000. The transmission internal molded lead frame and Transmission Range (TR) Sensor suffered a severe electrical short circuit due to thermal degradation in the fluid.Crucially, this failure triggered a sudden, uncommanded downshift that forced the transmission into 2nd gear at driving speed. This created a violent rotational speed shock that physically shattered the internal planetary gears and clutches. This severe mechanical explosion left the "EXCESSIVE METAL" found in the oil pan, completely destroying the transmission internals.Simultaneously, the internal short circuit back-fed destructive voltage directly into the PCM reference circuit, immediately blowing the 10-amp main power supply circuit (Fuse F93). Because the shorted PCM completely killed module communication ("NO COMMUNICATION WITH PCM"), the computer was physically incapable of saving diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) prior to replacement. The "TRANS TR SENSOR CODES" only surfaced once a new PCM was installed to restore communication. Ford is wrongfully denying my $8,581.23 recall reimbursement of my transmission and pcm solely because the defect itself completely destroyed the computer’s ability to log data before repairs began.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford F-150. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V237000 (Power Train). The contact stated that prior to receiving the recall notification, the vehicle experienced unexpected transmission downshifts into first gear while driving, and the vehicle failed to shift into first gear intermittently. The wrench warning light was intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was confirmed that the vehicle failed to shift into first gear, and it was diagnosed that internal transmission failure had caused metal contamination into the transmission fluid. The dealer determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the recall remedy failed to address the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 69,000.
Transmission gear indicator of the instrument cluster will flicker. At the same time the transmission will cluck while changing gears. The issue occurs for a couple days and then goes away. At the same time the transmission temperature gauge will bounce 60-80 degrees. After some time the same issues occur. Searching online this appears to be related to the lead frame. There has been an updated lead frame, but only certain conditions/codes will result in replacement by Ford. I've had all the recommended software updates, but issue persists. Last update on 9/21/2026.
I am writing to formally report a dangerous safety defect involving my 2015 Ford F-150 XLT SuperCrew Cab. While operating the vehicle, I experienced a sudden and total loss of control. Without warning, the gas pedal lost all tension, the truck abruptly downshifted and went into limp mode, and both the check engine and wrench warning lights illuminated on the dashboard. This loss of control while driving created an immediate and severe safety hazard. My investigation into this failure reveals a widespread pattern of similar incidents involving the transmission molded leadframe. It appears that the failure of this component frequently causes an output shaft speed sensor malfunction, leading to the exact dangerous loss of power I experienced Given the high frequency of these reports from other owners. This loss of control while driving created an immediate and severe safety hazard. Upon experiencing these symptoms, I promptly scheduled an appointment at my local Ford dealership. Despite the service department confirming that the transmission lead frame is failing, Ford refused to perform the repair citing that my specific trouble codes are not currently approved under their policy. This is unacceptable, as these symptoms are identical to those addressed in recall 26S28 and Ford has previously acknowledged that these specific codes are directlv related to this component's failure in other mode years. My investigation into this failure reveals a widespread pattern of similar incidents involving the transmission molded leadframe Given that my vehicle exhibits all the symptoms described in the existing recall, it is clear that this is a systemic manufacturing defect that Ford is failing to adequately address. I request that the federal safety agency investigate this issue and Ford's restrictive repair criteria, as this defect poses a significant risk to myself and the public on the road.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving 75 MPH and towing a trailer, the vehicle unexpectedly downshifted into second gear, causing the trailer to strike the rear end of the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on several occasions, causing the vehicle to veer off the road. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road, and the vehicle was towed on each occurrence. The vehicle was towed to the dealer on several occasions, but the dealer was unable to correct the issue. The contact stated that after the last occurrence, the vehicle became undriveable and failed to respond while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V237000 (Power Train), which the contact associated with the failure. The dealer performed the recall repair at the residence; however, the failure persisted. The dealer determined that the transmission failed and needed replacement at the owner's expense. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.
While driving on the [XXX], close to [XXX], throttle response was lost on the vehicle. Immediately put the hazards on, turned them off momentarily to indicate a turn off to the shoulder, traffic was right behind me, with some fast movers. “Hill start assist not available” was displayed on the main panel and “trac off”/ traction control. Below approx 10 mph the vehicle started shaking violently and we came to a stop. Turned the vehicle off and started looking in the manual and online for associated issues. Was able to restart the vehicle with no annunciated issues and continued driving at a cautious speed. A few minutes later the same issue arose. Had to pull over and reset the vehicle. By this time we had committed to taking the vehicle to the Ford service center on the interstate and made it there after occurring 4-5 more times where we had to pull over during the worst time of day, avoiding traffic on the on/off ramps. We had to use heavy braking once as we were disabled and there was another disabled vehicle also pulled over and we had to stop before them with enough safety clearance. We made it to Ford. According to SB 16B32B, our truck qualifies for an expired recall based on the [XXX] plant and the production date. Ford produced P2112 code for throttle body issues. We paid for the repairs. Requesting a re-inquiry of SB 16B32B. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
My 2015 Ford F-150 experienced multiple sudden downshifts at highway speeds 75 mph and then started downshifting at lower speeds. Heavy clunking heard and wrench warning lamp came on with a very general warning message and turned both off after moving to the side of the highway and restarting the car. Warning sign returned while driving at significantly lower speeds on city streets, locked up tires when turning from a low speed twice. Extremely unsafe and could have caused a serious accident if people were following close behind me. Took it to the dealership to get repaired and they diagnosed DTC P0722 (Output Shaft Speed Sensor - No Signal) and confirmed that the signal failure caused the transmission to lock in 3rd gear and operate at maximum line pressure. Technician notes it resulted in damage to forward, direct, and overdrive clutches and recommended the replacement of the entire transmission ($5,739 for parts). I paid $8,636.93 out-of-pocket at a Ford dealership for this service repair.
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