2015 Ford F-150: shudder or vibration when accelerating

Filed Aug 7, 2026 · Engine · OH

When driving down the highway the vehicle downshifted abruptly and the engine started shuddering and shaking at a high speed. I was forced to pull over on the side of a busy highway in a 70mph section. A Ford dealership in the area inspected the issue and stated that the engine was blown after only ~150,000 miles. The transmission wrench and engine light came on prior to the incident but would turn off after a few minutes and both lights turns on during the incident. The circumstances described in Safety Recall Notice 26S28 / the federal safety agency Recall 26V237 occurred during the incident but a blown engine was not covered in this recall. However, the vehicle experienced an unexpected sudden downshift and then the engine malfunctioned.

Filed Jul 6, 2026 · Transmission · 95,000 miles · AL

The contact owns a 2015 Ford F-150. The contact received notification of NTHSA Campaign Number: 26V237000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle started shuddering and failed to shift into the intended gears. The power train warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part was not yet available to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.

Filed May 9, 2026 · Acceleration, Engine · FL

The truck often shifts from 6th gear down to 1st or second gear, sometimes at highway speeds and all warning light come on. It sometimes resolved itself upon starting it again, but seems to affect the throttle body. When the electrical system resets, you can hear a click from the throttle body indicating that the valve reset when the computer reset. We also have been affected by intense suffering from the transmission that started about the same time, around 2019 and just over 100,000 miles, after the warranty expired. Both the limp mode and shuddering seem to be results of the TRS signal. I have replaced the battery and throttle body (that repair was first suspected to be the sensor) at Lakeland Ford, then later at Midas in north Lakeland I had work done to the wheel mounts and other axle/wheel relate repairs. In total we have spent approximately $4000 on repairs caused by the improper TRS signal. In addition, we have had at least 4 near accidents caused by the faulty signature. I called Ford with no solution, such as a loaner very, for safety before the recall can be fixed.

Filed Mar 31, 2026 · Transmission · OH

Transmission will down shift randomly or not even engage when trying to accelerate. It shudders or harshly shifts.

Filed Feb 21, 2026 · Acceleration, Electrical · TX

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".

Filed Apr 15, 2025 · Transmission · 120,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2015 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle shuddered and unexpectedly downshifted. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and waited for several minutes until the vehicle had returned to normal operation. The failure had occurred on several occasions. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed. The dealer made the contact aware of an undisclosed recall however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not diagnosed or 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 120,000.

Filed Jun 26, 2024 · Brakes, Transmission · TX

The contact owns a 2015 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle abruptly downshifted with the transmission warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle shuddered and hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to a dealer on several occasions; however, the dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The dealer was finally able to diagnose the vehicle with a defective wheel speed sensor on the lead frame. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed May 17, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · HI

F150 starts to lose power and shudder/vibrate about 60% of the time when driving. Picking up speed, truck lost half power and engine light starting flashing. When it caught gear and speed, the light stopped flashing but the truck continues to shudder and vibrate like crazy.

Filed Feb 9, 2022 · Body · MT

Despite several recalls dealing the the doors freezing open due to water intrusion in the door latch cables, my left rear door froze open (again) last year the right rear door froze open. At both times the door had to be secured with a ratchet strap to take for repairs. Ford is unwilling this time to repair this defect at no cost. I can't be the only person with this safety issue. It gets cold in Montana, I shudder to think what would happen if a passenger fell out because the door won't latch or suddenly opened in the winter.

Filed Jun 26, 2021 · Steering, Transmission · KS

When driving on the highway an alert popped up on the dash stating Hill Descent Control Fault which was followed quickly by Service Advancetrac and a yellow wrench and see manual. These warning continued to cycle and the truck seemed to lose ability to maintain speed as is slowed down and the steering became difficult. I was able to get it off the highway without incident as there were not many vehicles on the road, but if it would have been busy, I would have been in trouble. Once on the shoulder I placed it in park and the truck began to shudder and run rough. I turned the truck off and let it sit for a few minutes and then restarted it. Upon restart everything appeared normal and there were no warnings, I was able to continue to my destination. I called the dealership and they sounded like they had heard this story before and told me I could bring it in within a weeks time. I was also told that it would not cause any damage to continue to drive it. While waiting for the repair I did have to continue to drive it and this same thing would happen randomly just going down the road and all of the sudden you get a warning lose the ability to maintain speed and steering becomes difficult. Being on the highway in this situation is dangerous since you never know when it might occur. After going to the dealership they listed the repairs on my form as: installed BL3Z9E926 B Throttle Body and Motor Asy installed BL3Z 12029 C Coil Asy - Ignition installed BL3Z 12A402 A Boot - Ignition wire prot (5 items) installed CYFS 12 YT4 Spark Plug (6 items) The parts and labor of this repair came to $972.56. I have read forums online that that state others have had this repair done as well and some people say their steering rack was replaced as well. This repair was just done yesterday (6-26-21) and I am hopeful that it will fix the problem. I feel that based on the reading I have done this has happened to lots of people and is dangerous, so I wanted to report my incident.

Filed Jul 29, 2020 · Engine · 44,608 miles · MI

While driving on the highway pulling a trailer the vehicle check engine light and wrench light came on with a warning that stated "service advance track and hill assist is not available. The vehicle then lost all power causing me try attempt to cross traffic to get to the side of the road without any engine power. After stopping the engine was shuddering. The vehicle needed to be towed into a dealer to be fixed.the electronic throttle body had failed causing the engine to go into "limp" mode(what ever that is). This is a very dangerous situation to have happen at highway speeds

Filed Sep 3, 2018 · Acceleration, Engine · 75,000 miles · CA

2015 ford f-150 ecoboost, bought april 2018 with approx. 67,000 miles, currently at approx. 75,000 miles. I am reporting the sudden loss of accelerating power as the vehicle shudders and stalls both when moving with traffic or accelerating to enter or move with traffic. Multiple warning messages including the wrench light flash in the dash message area as the engine slows to idle with no ability to accelerate and comes to a stuttering stop. The first occurrence was three weeks ago and has happened no less than six time since - twice while accelerating onto the freeway (very busy, very fast traffic) and twice while crossing or turning in multi-lane intersections from stopped. Four of the six times resulted in my vehicle dying in and obstructing traffic with and me barely getting to the side of the road without an accident. I now shift to neutral to let momentum move the vehicle as I worm through traffic to the side of the road. Shutting off and restarting the engine clears or resets the message and sometimes "downhill assist not available" with the check engine light comes on. The check engine light has both stayed on or shut off on restart. I can then drive on the vehicle's own power, though the problem has repeated as soon as two minutes later, or not for days. I have not had to be towed and no accidents have occurred. The north carolina consumer's council filed a lawsuit against ford in 2015 which was settled with ford offering an extended warranty only on the etb (electronic throttle body) of certain model vehicles - all with the ecoboost engine, and multiple customer service actions (csa's) that have since expired. A few minutes on the ford forums online and it is apparent that this is a widespread problem with the ecoboost engine, and ford has offered several bandaids, but none until after the etb has failed and lives been endangered.