2016 Ford F-150: sudden loss of power

Filed Oct 26, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · TX

My 2016 Ford F-150 5.0L V8 has experienced repeated failures involving the transmission gear-position system and inability to start. During the most recent incident, I was stopped at a traffic light when a wrench warning illuminated on the dashboard and all transmission gear-position indicators disappeared. The vehicle remained operational but exhibited significantly reduced performance when accelerating. Concerned about the malfunction, I turned off the ignition to attempt a restart. The vehicle would not restart, leaving me stranded. This failure created a serious safety concern because the vehicle could have become disabled in active traffic. Previously, the vehicle experienced a similar no-start condition. An independent repair facility replaced the starter, negative battery cable, and shift lever. Although the vehicle initially operated normally, the problem returned. The repair facility subsequently reproduced the failure and retrieved diagnostic trouble codes consistent with Ford's transmission-related safety recall. The underlying defect remains unresolved. The vehicle is currently undrivable and located at an authorized Ford dealership, where it is available for inspection. Ford customer service informed me that the recall remedy has been paused because the existing fix is ineffective. The dealership cannot perform its own diagnostic evaluation until December. Despite the vehicle being undrivable due to a suspected recall-related defect, both Ford corporate customer service and the dealership have declined to provide a loaner vehicle, rental assistance, or an expedited diagnostic evaluation. I am concerned about the risk of unexpected transmission behavior, loss of power, and vehicle immobilization in traffic. I am requesting that the federal safety agency investigate this safety defect and the lack of an available effective recall remedy.

Filed Oct 22, 2026 · Airbags, Brakes · NC

Driving on highway lost power to gas pedal truck dash flashed and turned off. Bunch of lights and a gear turned on. I drove to dealership immediately and left the truck there. Was later told I have a 4 serious safety hazard recalls and one that is paused and because of this can’t be fixed and leaves the truck unusable. Leaving me without a vehicle and risk of job loss for the last 3 weeks going on 4 now

Filed Sep 24, 2026 · Transmission · NC

2016 Ford F-150, 5.0L, 6R80 transmission, 112,083 miles. Safety Recall 26S28 was performed on 08/05/26 at an authorized Ford dealer. The wrench/powertrain warning recurred on 08/15/26. On 08/20/26, at 111,998 miles, the dealer found DTCs P0720 and P0722 (output shaft speed sensor) and stated in writing that the transmission molded leadframe must be replaced. Ford denied coverage under Customer Satisfaction Program 26N04 because those codes are not on the program's list. The transmission then failed on two consecutive days, within about 85 miles of driving since the dealer visit. On 09/23/26, while I was accelerating across two lanes of traffic, the engine revved abnormally high during an upshift, as if the transmission failed to engage a gear. It then stayed in 3rd, and I had to make a left turn from a stop at an intersection in 3rd gear with greatly reduced power. On 09/24/26, after crossing a four-lane highway intersection, the warning appeared while I was accelerating uphill. The transmission stayed in 3rd at a complete stop and would not downshift to 1st. Shifting through Park and using manual mode did not restore 1st gear; only an engine restart did. In both events the warning light cleared itself while the fault continued, so the dashboard gave no indication of the problem. Turning left across oncoming traffic and pulling away from stops near highway traffic with reduced power is a safety risk. The recall remedy did not prevent this failure, and the repair the dealer says is required is being denied under the related program.

Filed Sep 12, 2026 · Steering · TX

The vehicle experienced a sudden and unexpected loss of power steering assistance while being driven on a highway. The failure made the vehicle extremely difficult to steer and nearly caused an accident, creating a serious safety hazard. After pulling over to get off the highway, it was observed at lower speeds, the vehicle did not have its full range of steering also creating a safety hazard. The problem was confirmed by the dealer, who determined that the power steering gear system had failed. The dealer replaced and repaired the entire power steering system. No warning lights or other alerts appeared before the failure. The sudden loss of steering assistance occurred without warning while the vehicle was in motion, significantly increasing the risk of a crash.

Filed Aug 24, 2026 · Steering · IN

"While operating my 2016 Ford F-150, the vehicle lost power-steering assist. Ray Skillman Ford diagnosed an internal failure of the power steering control module and replaced the steering gear assembly. The vehicle had approximately 94,620 miles. Sudden loss of steering assist significantly increased the effort required to steer the truck and created a safety concern. The repair cost me $3,804.27."

Filed Aug 6, 2026 · Transmission · VA

dangerous, unpredictable transmission behavior Violent Downshifting Sudden jerks and Deceleration and Power Loss: heavy jerking loud clunks gears making noises following the forced downshift, the truck will experience a massive, unexpected drop in speed, sluggish and difficult maintaining speed like limp mode driving in normal speeds then loss of power engine stalling in the middle of rush hour traffic The Orange Wrench Light and check engine light will come on with codes p0720 I went did the reprogramming as recommended Ford dealer performed Safety Recall 26S28, which immediately aggravated the transmission failure and left the vehicle completely disabled. in the highway the dealer's recall software update directly caused a total transmission failure the next day, and i feel unsafe driving the vehicle due to the severe unprompted downshifting risks outlined in the federal safety agency Campaign 26V237 Felt unsafe to drive truck and also it became undrivable and had to have it towed to the Ford dealership that did recall.

Filed May 20, 2026 · Transmission · DE

The vehicle is completely grounded and unsafe to operate due to a severe transmission defect covered under active Safety Recall 26S28 (the federal safety agency Campaign 26V237). The molded lead frame and Transmission Range Sensor inside the 6-speed (6R80) power train system are failing due to degradation from thermal cycling and vibration. This creates an immediate highway safety hazard where the vehicle is at risk of an unexpected, sudden downshift into a lower gear without warning. On multiple occasions, the vehicle experienced a rough driving experience—specifically when pulling out of a parking lot or accelerating into traffic. This behavior was consistently followed by the wrench icon illuminating on the dashboard for a few minutes before disappearing. These symptoms first manifested in July 2025. There were also a few incidents of loss of power with no harsh vehicle malfunction just the wrench lighting up then going away. The vehicle's lead frame was subsequently replaced, but the exact same malfunctions returned in December 2025. The vehicle has been completely disabled and out of service since December 2025. I have been fortunate to only experience these malfunctions at low speeds, and no injuries have occurred due to the failures. The vehicle and its components are available for inspection upon request.

Filed May 15, 2026 · Transmission · 95,670 miles · RI

The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact received notice of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V237000 (Power Train). The contact stated that while driving on two occasions—once at 65 MPH on cruise control and another at an unknown speed—the vehicle slowed down and lost power. The powertrain warning light illuminated. The contact stated that on each occasion, he stopped on the side of the road, turned the vehicle off and then on, and the failure dissipated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure occurred at 95,670 miles.

Filed Mar 28, 2026 · Transmission · AR

While driving at highway speed, in traffic, the transmission down-shifted without warning almost causing me to lose control and almost rear ended by another vehicle. The vehicle then lost power and would barely make it uphill. After parking safely and shutting it off, the check engine light came on and it would not crank and would not show what gear it was in. According to the Ford dealer, where I had it towed for repair, it suffered a lead frame failure and pcm failure and cost over $2300.00 to repair plus a $240.00 tow bill.

Filed Feb 27, 2026 · Transmission · CO

My wife was driving our f150 and the wrench appeared on the dashboard, the truck lost power. She was able to pull over and shut the truck off. I drive over and plugging in my code reader and the codes I got said the transmission shifter wasn't recognizing what gear it was in. I was able to erase the codes to start the truck and get it home. I called ford and was told there are recalls for this but my truck was not affected. I called a transmission company and was able to get it to them for repair. The part they repaired is the same part that is recalled on other trucks the same age as mine. So my truck should be recalled for this issue. How do I get this recall to include my truck and how do I get reimbursed for this cost. My truck only has 88k miles on it. This needs to be covered and I need your help in making this happen please.

Filed Feb 11, 2026 · Electrical, Transmission · NY

While driving at approximately 55 mph the vehicle began to behave strangely. The "D" light for drive and the gear indicator began to flash. Then the transmission abruptly down shifted to 2nd gear from 5th then lost all power before returning to somewhat normal operation for a short period of time before happening again. The issue occurred multiple times in a 5 mile trip. If there was anyone close behind me it could have resulted in a crash, or it could result in myself losing control of the vehicle. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by a mechanic. There were no warning lamps or any messages prior to, during, or after the issue.

Filed Feb 11, 2026 · Transmission · VT

Over the past few years, I have experienced sporadic issues with my transmission. I am aware of an investigation into 2015-2017 F-150's with 6-speed 6R80 automatic transmissions which is what I have. According to articles I have seen, there have been reports of sudden down-shifts at highway speed from 6th to 2nd or 1st gear. While I have not experienced anything that drastic yet, I am concerned that it's just a matter of time. I have experienced slipping out of 6th gear or what I would describe as the transmission "hunting" to find a shift point between 4th and 6th. I first became aware of this while trailering an RV on the highway using cruise control in the summer of 2023. Periodically, I would notice a "lurching" sensation as the vehicle seemed to have difficulty maintaining 6th gear. As time has gone on, I've had this happen even when not trailering but when going up hills at times (transmission under load). Additionally, I have experienced sudden loss of power under acceleration like entering an on-ramp to a highway. Twice (at least) I have had this happen, the check engine light will begin flashing and I lose the ability to accelerate. After stopping, shutting off the vehicle and then starting again, the CEL turns off and I can resume driving. I have brought this issue up with my local dealer twice, but they have not been able to diagnose anything because of how sporadic the problem is.Their advice was to simply wait until the problem got worse and more predictable. Since my F-150 is not a daily driver for me, it has largely just sat in my garage since 2023 and rarely used. But on the handful of occasions I have driven it since this issue first appeared, I am constantly concerned I will run into a major problem.