The contact owns a 2015 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle unexpectedly downshifted. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer; however, the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
2015 Ford F-150 transmission complaints
Page 7 of 16: complaints 161 to 190 of 441, newest first, as owners wrote them.
There is an investigation currently, but it is when the transmission is going from higher gear and shifting to lower gears/locking the rear wheels unexpectedly. It actually shut my truck off when it happened and I had codes PO706, and PO707 displaying that I had an issues with my transmission range sensor. At the time my truck only had 108,000 miles. I had to replace the entire lead frame in order to get the issue fixed, and was informed by Ford when I asked them about it that no recalls or issues had been reported.
My vehicle, a 2015 Ford F150. XLT 3.5 Ecoboost 4x4 SuperCrew has been downshifting intermittently while under load. This has almost caused me to wreck my truck as it has gone from 5th gear at 65 mph to suddenly 1st gear causing the rear drive axle to lock up momentarily on the freeway. This has also happened while accelerating onto the freeway where it will go from 3rd or 4th gear under hard acceleration to suddenly slam back into 1st gear. After this happens it will almost always go back to 3rd gear and will not shift up or down. The only solution I’ve found is to pull over, turn the truck off, remove the key and restart the truck. It will then drive normal for some time until it happens again. I was told by Ford that” oh yeah, it’s your transmission lead frame/ output speed sensor”. If Ford knows about this safety issue, why are they not fixing it on their dime. This is obviously a known issue, but I guess some people will have to lose their lives before Ford will fix this.
As I was slowing down the truck started to flash the 123456 indicator for the gear. The truck then slipped out of gear and even though I was in drive the truck wouldn’t move. Like I was in neutral. Then with a big bang it started to move again. I stopped and shut the truck off. Started back up and continued to drive to get home. I stopped for a red light and accelerated away from the light and got stuck in the middle of the intersection. I had to shut the truck off in the middle of a state highway then start it again to be able to drive away. It turned out to be a transmission issue from something called the “ Lead Frame Connector.” The dealer says it happens to all of them. It was very sudden and very dangerous.
Auto Transmission makes loud noise. Will not shift gear. Engine warning light comes on. After waiting a few minutes, I restart the engine and it may shift gears properly
The contact owns a 2015 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the vehicle was chugging while driving. While driving 60 MPH the following day, the vehicle made abnormal whining sounds and lost motive power while depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The contact resumed driving, but the vehicle failed to exceed 30 MPH. The vehicle was taken to Auto Zone, where it was diagnosed with a transmission sensor failure. The dealer was contacted and informed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.
Intermittent noticeable harsh downshift in the lower gears. Not sure exactly what gears due to the intermittent nature of the symptoms. The symptoms are impossible to be replicated on demand. At this time no lights or fault codes have presented. The vehicle is used for personal light duty passenger transportation. It has been happening for about six months. The transmission oil filter and fluid were replaced 6 months ago. When the oil pan was down, it was inspected for excessive debris/sediment. In the opinion of a family technician was determined that no geartrain/clutch failure is present. The vehicle has 175k miles and it appears to be the original transmission. No other repair attempt has been made. Suspect the issue may be related to the component in the transmission called the lead frame.
1. System Failed: Power Train (Transmission). Component Failed: The 6R80 6-speed automatic transmission, specifically the internal lead frame and the direct drum. Inspection: No, the failed unit was replaced on December 19, 2025, but itemized diagnostic reports and repair invoices from both a Ford dealer and an independent shop are available for inspection. 2. The vehicle experienced sudden, unexpected downshifting and a temporary loss of power while in motion. These incidents occurred frequently and randomly, particularly while accelerating or traversing inclines, creating "unsafe driving scenarios" where the vehicle could have been rear-ended or lost traction due to abrupt gear changes. Furthermore, the vehicle eventually entered "limp mode," where it would "buck" during shifts and fail to accelerate under load, leaving the driver vulnerable in traffic. 3. Yes, by both. Independent Center: Super Tech Automotive confirmed on December 11, 2025, that the transmission line pressure dropped from 158 psi to 20 psi under load, causing the vehicle to go into "limp mode". Dealer: South West Ford Service Department verified the concerns on December 16, 2025, documenting a "torque converter shudder" and "direct drum failure" with "excessive metal debris in fluid". 4. Yes. The vehicle was inspected by a manufacturer-authorized dealer, South West Ford Service Department, on December 16, 2025 (Service Advisor Ryan Forbis; Transmission Specialist 'Dietrich'). 5. Yes. Symptoms: The symptoms first appeared in August 2025 as a "sudden, temporary loss of power or unexpected down-shifting". Warning Lamps: Initially, no warning lights or error codes were produced, which prevented early detection during multiple diagnostic attempts. Later Symptoms: On December 11, 2025, the SES (Service Engine Soon) Light finally appeared when the truck entered "limp mode". Prior to the total failure, the transmission also exhibited "harsh/jerky downshifts" and would "hang up in gear".
Truck began reviving at high idle after throwing a check engine light, then wrench light as I was driving. I was able to safely get off the road. Shut it down wouldn't restart. I let it sit for 4 hrs, it started then I began driving again as there was no indication of an issue before. At 50mph it happened again. Truck began reviving at recline, check engine and wrench light. Shut it down again, and this process of restarting again hours later as nothing was wrong is still going on, 3 yrs of it. Check engine codes that do come up when it begins again all point to speed sensor and leadframe. Someone said check cam sensors but have no check engine on them at all, only leadframe issues that abruptly occur out the blue. When it happens I can driving at any speed and first thing that happens is the throttle revs to redline and Truck begins shifting abnormal, check engine, wrench, shutdown(thankfully), then hours again now indication of an issue! When i get the truck shut off and off the road, which i had it towed 7 times, show p705,706,707 codes all pertaining to leadframe. Please for the sake ny family and many others recall the 2015-2017 F150s for this $2000 electrical sensor replacement that is putting lives in jeopardy.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The powertrain symbol was displayed, with a message to check the Owner’s Manual. In addition, the contact stated that the failure had occurred while driving from a stoplight. The transmission remained in third gear. The vehicle was turned off, and the powertrain was reset. The failure was a persistent failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 109,320.
truck goes into first gear shifts automatically at any speed
The transmission range sensor has failed on my F150. This made my truck go into limp mode and unable to start. The Ford dealership replaced the lead frame and TRS as it was burnt out. The new TRS then began to automatically downshift while I was driving on the highway. It went from 6 gear to 4th back to 6th and then briefly to 1st making my truck lose power before going back to 6th gear while I was driving at 70 mph. There were no warning lights, a service light had come on just before the incident. The safety issue is a sharp and sudden downshift while driving at high speeds this can cause severe accidents. I understand that the Transmission Range Sensor for my Ford F-150 is under investigation by the NHSTA and in the engineering analysis stage before a recalled is determined. The dealership is looking at the problem as I’ve already spent over $2100 fixing it.
2015 Ford F150 with 6R80 transmission. No warning lights, transmission down shited from 6th gear @55mph to 1st gear followed by complete transmission failure and loss of power. This took place on I26 in South Carolina near Spartanburg. Was then towed to a transmission repair shop in Greenville SC where the transmission had to be rebuilt (6 month lead time for new replacement from Ford). Invoice attached. Additional visits were required due to control module causing irregular shifting after repair. Please contact Advanced Transmission (contact info listed on invoice) for additional details.
Hard clunk from first to second shift. The wrench light comes on, telling you to check the manual. Vehicle stays in 3rd gear. Will not shift into 6th gear. Will not downshift into 2nd or 1st gear. stays in 3rd gear at a dead stop. The problem was independently reproduced.
Experiencing sudden hard shifting with the 6r80 transmission. Have had wheels lock up once. Issues with the lead frame as well
Was driving at 50mph on hiway, all the sudden truck has loss of power and engine shut off, coasted down to stop, put truck in par, stared the car and drove another 5 miles and same thing happened again. No warning lite, no error messages was present when shut off happened nor during OBS scan at later time was. When second shut off happened there was a shift down happened. Not sure if the transmission speed sensor has something to do with engine shut off.
Driving on a freeway at 70mph all the sudden engine reved up and warning lite with wrench 🔧 to see owners manual came on, transmission down shifted and truck felt like it has loss of power. While driving reduced acceleration removed foot of gass pedal, truck slowed down to 40mph warning lite disappear and was driving normally. Few months later the same warning lite came on and downshift happened again at 35mph, good thing it was not on busy street.
Transmission jumps while driving in and out. Backup camera went black.
My pickup is a 2015 F-150 4WD Supercrew (5.0/6 speed auto). I was driving on an Interstate and pulling a loaded flatbed trailer. The transmission was in the “towing” mode. While leaving a rest area my truck would not shift up from first gear. I turned the truck off and re-started it and it seemed to work for a short time, but as soon as I got back to speed on the Interstate the pickup SUDDENLY shifted into a lower gear. There was no warning at all. This made the truck's engine momentarily overspeed and I felt like I was going to crash because it went from high speed to low in a very short distance. Fortunately, I was wearing a seatbelt, there was light traffic, and the roadway was slightly wet from rain. After this incident I was able to slowly "limp" it off the Interstate. It was taken to an independent transmission shop that said this was caused by a "lead frame" failure and that it was a known issue but Ford would only warranty it if it was a 2014 or older. They told me that the “speed sensor” is part of that component. They were able to repair it for me by replacing the "lead frame" - it did not appear to damage the engine or other parts of the transmission and the truck seems fine now. I do have a post warranty service contract, service contract agent said they do not specifically cover "shift plates" in their policy and it cost me over a thousand dollars out of my own pocket.
Transmission downshifting at highway speed, started to stall, went to limp mode had to manual shift to get to exit
Shutter from the torque converter and sudden down shifting. There was no accident but the problem exceeded to point where I had to get my transmission rebuild, it cost me about 3,700 to rebuild it.
While operating on my daily commute at approximately 40-50 mph, the vehicle suddenly downshifted from 5th gear to 3rd, with no throttle input change. Following a commanded full stop of the vehicle, upon accelerating, the vehicle seemed to be slipping into each gear. A short duration later, the vehicle prompted me with an orange wrench symbol on the instrument panel and the phrase "see manual." The vehicle would then only shift down as low as 3rd gear and appeared to be in a limp mode with no 1st or 2nd gear until shut off and restarted. I then took it to my local Ford dealer and had it diagnosed as a "P0722, pinpoint OSS sensor failure." It was repaired with a new lead frame on December 10th, 2025.
1.What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? I really thought that it was me, the one that caused this problem by gently pressing the gas pedal when the transmission was downshifting and approaching a traffic light is when this condition always occurred and the transmission was kicking or having dificulties of downshifting. 2.How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? NO 3.Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? NO 4.Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? NO 5.Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? NO My truck have less than 40,000 miles.
Sudden downshift and locking in lower gear, not shifting especially in tow haul mode but somtimes just driving in standard mode.
The transmission is intermittently down shifting
Hard down shift while driving locking up rear wheels almost cause an accident has happen 3 times now no trouble code can’t figure out what causing engine to down shift extremely hard have not driven truck long distances because of incidents lucky all three times it has happend no one was behind me the most recent time on 1/3/26. I ended up in the ditch with no damages to truck
Our truck, on occasions, downshifts for no apparent reason. I haven't taken it anywhere yet to have it looked at, but it is an abnormal problem. I have purchased several F150's, but this has been the only one that does it. Ford need to address this problem.
The contact owns a 2015 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving in fourth or fifth gear, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted to first gear. The contact shifted the transmission into neutral(N) and came to a stop at the traffic light before starting to drive. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Action Number: EA26001 (Power Train). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 62,000.
Very harsh downshifts at random speeds. Transmission slips very hard when cold and overall slips or down/up shifts hard randomly and fairly often
The transmission unexpectedly downshifted While merging onto another ramp onto interstate with people behind me it was in 4th then it downshifted to 1 thankfully nothing bad happened during that time. But there has also been times when merging onto the freeway way where it would do the same when about to merge on as well it’s happened a few different times.
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