I had received a recall letter from Ford in May 2026, 26s28, but a remedy was not available yet. July 14, 2026 I was driving on a highway, my cruise set at 69 mph, when my 2016 ford f150 suddenly downshifted to first or second gear causing my truck to swerve back and forth till it slowed down. I took truck intoFord dealership and they updated my PCM software. Since the PCM updating, this has happened 4 more times. Dealership says it is a speed sensor problem in the leadframe. Received Customer Service Program #26N04 letter in July stating an extention on my leadframe warranty. Ford will not fix under warranty.
2016 Ford F-150 transmission problems
618 complaints (29% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 99,800. 8 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 618
- of this car's complaints
- 29%
- typical mileage
- 99,800
- crashes
- 8
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)2
- Manual transmission: shift pattern indicator1
- Driveline: differential unit1
- Automatic transmission: torque converter1
- Automatic transmission: internal: shaft: output1
- Automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)1
- Automatic transmission1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Ford F-150 transmission problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2016 Ford F-150 transmission
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Won't shift 75Jerking 53Harsh shifting 36Transmission failure 36Shudder 27Hesitation 20Slipping 19
Related recalls
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 F-150 vehicles. A loss of signal between the transmission range sensor and the powertrain control module can cause the transmission to unexpectedly downshift into second gear.
- Risk
- Unexpectedly downshifting into second 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 24, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S28. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on on April 15, 2026.
Recall number 26V237000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
On March 21, 2025, the federal safety agencyâs Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE25002) to investigate instances of unexpected transmission downshifting without driver input in model year (MY) 2015-2017 Ford F-150 vehicles (subject vehicles) manufactured by Ford Motor Company (Ford). The complaints allege that, without warning or driver input, the subject vehicles experienced a sudden and rapid deceleration often accompanied by temporary rear wheel lockup, seizure, or skidding, resulting in a loss of vehicle control that increases the risk of crash and injury to all motorists, including those not within the subject vehicles. The MY 2015 and MY 2016 F-150 vehicles were equipped with the â6R80â transmission, while the MY 2017 vehicles were equipped with either the â6R80â transmission or the â10R80â transmission. This investigation was limited to MY 2015-2017 Ford F-150 with the â6R80â transmission. ODI identified 329 Vehicle Owners Questionnaires (VOQs) related to this investigation and sixty percent of these consumers were interviewed to confirm the details of their allegations. Consumers reported that their vehiclesâ transmission suddenly downshifted to a lower gear, often to 1st or 2nd gear, without driver input or advance warning. Consumers described the downshift events to be regular and repeated occurrences, with some consumers stating that they no longer drive the vehicle due to safety concerns. Forty-three percent of consumers reported experiencing at least one wheel lockup event, during which the rear tires locked, screeched, or skidded during the transmission downshift.  ODI also found that 114 of the 329 consumers reported having their vehicleâs molded lead frame or valve body assembly (which comes with a molded lead frame) replaced, 80 of which were confirmed through consumer submitted repair invoices. In its response to ODIâs Information Request, Ford provided an assessment of potential root cause of failure for the subject vehicles and how this failure is different from the failure associated with MY 2011-2014 Ford F-150 vehicles that was addressed by four safety recalls (16V‑248, 19V‑075, 19V‑433, and 24V‑444). Ford has identified that the defect in the recalled vehicle population involved lead frame supplier production issues resulting in signal loss from the Output Shaft Speed (OSS) sensor. Ford has identified that the alleged defect in the subject vehicle population involved degradation of electrical connections within the lead frame due to thermal cycling and vibration over extended time in service resulting in signal loss from the Transmission Range Sensor (TRS). Signal loss from the TRS can result in an unintended shift to neutral, unintended upshift, or unintended downshift which are regulated by a gear âshift mapâ based on the vehicleâs speed at the time of signal loss. According to Fordâs âshift mapâ, at speeds between 35-64 mph, the maximum allowable downshift would be to 2nd gear (i.e. a 6th to 2nd gear downshift event) which Ford has designated to represent the worst-case scenario for subject vehicles. Ford has also acknowledged that the worst-case scenario may also involve temporary wheel lockup. However, Ford has stated that the failure mechanism in the MY 2011-2014 F-150 vehiclesâpreviously addressed through recallsâprimarily involved OSS sensor signal loss that could result in 6th to 1st gear downshift events. This OSS-related failure mode is distinct from the TRS-related signal loss identified in the subject vehicle population. ODI has identified an additional potential safety defect associated with the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. Preliminary testing performed by the federal safety agencyâs Vehicle Research Test Center (VRTC) showed that when the TRS experiences an intermittent signal loss, one possible outcome is a change in vehicle direction. Specifically, if a vehicle is operating in reverse up an incline when the TRS signal loss occurs, then the vehicle may shift into neutral causing the vehicle to change directions and roll forward. ODI is opening this Engineering Analysis (EA) to, among other things, perform component-level testing and vehicle testing, as well as review additional technical information to better understand the alleged defect that has been identified. To review the reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identiï¬cation Number document, go to
EA26001
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
On March 21, 2025, the federal safety agencyâs Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation (PE25002) to investigate instances of unexpected transmission downshifting without driver input in model year (MY) 2015-2017 Ford F-150 vehicles (subject vehicles) manufactured by Ford Motor Company (Ford). The complaints allege that, without warning or driver input, the subject vehicles experienced a sudden and rapid deceleration often accompanied by temporary rear wheel lockup, seizure, or skidding, resulting in a loss of vehicle control that increases the risk of crash and injury to all motorists, including those not within the subject vehicles. The MY 2015 and MY 2016 F-150 vehicles were equipped with the â6R80â transmission, while the MY 2017 vehicles were equipped with either the â6R80â transmission or the â10R80â transmission. This investigation was limited to MY 2015-2017 Ford F-150 with the â6R80â transmission. ODI identified 329 Vehicle Owners Questionnaires (VOQs) related to this investigation and sixty percent of these consumers were interviewed to confirm the details of their allegations. Consumers reported that their vehiclesâ transmission suddenly downshifted to a lower gear, often to 1st or 2nd gear, without driver input or advance warning. Consumers described the downshift events to be regular and repeated occurrences, with some consumers stating that they no longer drive the vehicle due to safety concerns. Forty-three percent of consumers reported experiencing at least one wheel lockup event, during which the rear tires locked, screeched, or skidded during the transmission downshift.  ODI also found that 114 of the 329 consumers reported having their vehicleâs molded lead frame or valve body assembly (which comes with a molded lead frame) replaced, 80 of which were confirmed through consumer submitted repair invoices. In its response to ODIâs Information Request, Ford provided an assessment of potential root cause of failure for the subject vehicles and how this failure is different from the failure associated with MY 2011-2014 Ford F-150 vehicles that was addressed by four safety recalls (16V‑248, 19V‑075, 19V‑433, and 24V‑444). Ford has identified that the defect in the recalled vehicle population involved lead frame supplier production issues resulting in signal loss from the Output Shaft Speed (OSS) sensor. Ford has identified that the alleged defect in the subject vehicle population involved degradation of electrical connections within the lead frame due to thermal cycling and vibration over extended time in service resulting in signal loss from the Transmission Range Sensor (TRS). Signal loss from the TRS can result in an unintended shift to neutral, unintended upshift, or unintended downshift which are regulated by a gear âshift mapâ based on the vehicleâs speed at the time of signal loss. According to Fordâs âshift mapâ, at speeds between 35-64 mph, the maximum allowable downshift would be to 2nd gear (i.e. a 6th to 2nd gear downshift event) which Ford has designated to represent the worst-case scenario for subject vehicles. Ford has also acknowledged that the worst-case scenario may also involve temporary wheel lockup. However, Ford has stated that the failure mechanism in the MY 2011-2014 F-150 vehiclesâpreviously addressed through recallsâprimarily involved OSS sensor signal loss that could result in 6th to 1st gear downshift events. This OSS-related failure mode is distinct from the TRS-related signal loss identified in the subject vehicle population. ODI has identified an additional potential safety defect associated with the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. Preliminary testing performed by the federal safety agencyâs Vehicle Research Test Center (VRTC) showed that when the TRS experiences an intermittent signal loss, one possible outcome is a change in vehicle direction. Specifically, if a vehicle is operating in reverse up an incline when the TRS signal loss occurs, then the vehicle may shift into neutral causing the vehicle to change directions and roll forward. Based on the federal safety agencyâs analysis of consumer data, information provided by Ford, and preliminary testing conducted by the federal safety agencyâs VRTC, this Preliminary Evaluation is being upgraded to an Engineering Analysis (EA26001). During this Engineering Analysis, the agency plans to, among other things, perform component-level testing and vehicle testing, as well as review additional technical information to better understand the alleged defect that has been identified from this Preliminary Evaluation. To review the reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identiï¬cation Number document, go to
PE25002
What 2016 Ford F-150 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle shuddered and the rear wheels locked up. The Power Train warning light was illuminated, and the messages "Collision Warning not Available" and "Hill Start Assistance Not Available" were displayed on the instrument panel. The contact stated that prior to the failure, there was an abnormal burning odor and an abnormal scraping sound coming from the front driver’s and passenger’s side. The vehicle was taken to a dealer; however, the diagnosis information was unavailable. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V237000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, the diagnosis information was unavailable. The independent mechanic suggested that the vehicle should not be driven. The failure mileage was approximately 102,173.
Truck totally shuts off randomly while driving. Loss of everything Z
I am filing this complaint regarding a serious transmission safety issue with my son's 2016 Ford F-150, which is subject to Ford Safety Recall 26S28 / the federal safety agency Recall 26V237 and is also within the scope of the federal safety agency Engineering Analysis EA26001 concerning unintended transmission downshifts. The truck was operating normally before the recall repair. Ford notified us that the vehicle was affected by the transmission recall and instructed us to take it to a Ford dealer. The recall remedy involved reprogramming the powertrain control module with updated software intended to address the transmission-range-sensor problem and prevent unintended downshifts. We took the truck to a Ford dealer and had the recall software update performed. Immediately following the software update, the truck developed severe and abnormal transmission behavior and became essentially undrivable. Among the problems experienced were the truck attempting to start in an incorrect gear, including fifth gear, and extremely abnormal shifting while driving, including an apparent shift from sixth gear directly to first gear – ironically the same type of dangerous and unpredictable transmission behavior that the recall was intended to prevent. ***These problems did not exist before Ford performed the "recall repair."*** The Ford dealer subsequently diagnosed the transmission molded leadframe as needing replacement. Ford has refused to authorize the leadframe replacement under its applicable program/recall coverage because the specific diagnostic trouble codes Ford requires are not currently present. They would likely become present if we were able to safely drive the vehicle, but unfortunately that is not possible at this point.
The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted, the rear wheels locked up, and the vehicle decelerated. The wrench icon was displayed, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V237000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed the part was not available. 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 by telephone. The failure mileage was approximately 116,500.
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.
The contact owns a 2016 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 starting the vehicle, the transmission started out at 5th gear with the engine revving, and while driving at various speeds, the transmission slammed into gear before accelerating. The vehicle then went into LIMP Mode with the transmission and check engine warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the lead frame and PCM were normal, but the transmission might need to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone. The failure mileage was approximately 163,000.
My truck was driving fine since I bought it 9 years ago. Ford sent me a letter saying to come in for a recall (Recall 26S28). I went to my local Ford dealership for the recall work, and after that my truck started driving very poorly. The transmission would shudder, and studder at all RPMs (unsafe at highway speeds). I called the dealership and was given the run around. I was told by the dealership that the 'transmission learning' was reset and that it was fine now. Their fix didn't do anything and the truck still had transmission problems. I then found out that the recall that was performed on my truck was 'paused' due to it causing 'issues'. Ford refuses to tell me why the recall was paused, and insists that the recall did not break my truck (even though it was obviously paused for a reason). After driving it for a few months and it getting worser and worse, I called another branch of the dealership. They told me that my transmission was basically broken now, and that it would be $9000 to replace it. The truck has 72000 miles on it. The truck ran perfectly fine for almost a decade and now the transmission fails after the transmission recall work was done. I read of other F150 owners who had the recall done, and their trucks spontaneously missed a shift on the highway which is very unsafe. The Ford dealership told me to call the Ford help line, which is basically a black hole with a rep reading from a script. Ford has made my truck unsafe, nearly undrivable and unsellable, and refuses to take any action or responsibility.
Ford finally sent me a recall notice just this year in May. I have called multiple dealers and Bomaritto ford in [XXX] told me 2 and a half years ago to bring my truck in and they'll replace the Lead frame free of charge however any dealerships I contacted in [XXX] denied any such recall. When I received the recall letter from ford it stated the transmission lead frame would be covered for 10 years or 150,000 miles. The truck was already 10 years old when I finally received a notice from ford. I ended up rebuilding the whole transmission myself and it cost me over $1500.00 in parts, not to mention I was without a vehicle for approx 2 months waiting on all the back ordered parts. The lead frame I installed was not a ford oem part. The service team in [XXX] told me either way, fird has to replace it with oem parts. I took it to crown ford in [XXX] and they refused to replace the Lead frame which had a check engine code as well. They claimed it was a software update was the problem. I believe that they deleted it from the tcm and ecu. Ford has done everything they possibly could to cover this up and they got the extended warranty to pay for the damaged rear differential which they used the old axle housing that was bent from the lock up and I have spent thousands of dollars in parts and alignments and the vehicle will not stay in alignment because of the damaged rear axle housing. The transfer case was never repaired or replaced also. They treated me completely horrible and lied about my vehicle ever having any recall for the transmission. They installed the 5 degree pinion angle shims to compensate for the rear axle shafts being twisted from the rear end locked up. Ford is not allowed to install them because it is a liability issue for them. They claimed that they were already on my vehicle which is a complete lie. I wouldn't even know where to get them since I can't even locate any online or at any auto part stores... INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I purchased my truck in XXX. Shortly afterwards as I was driving at approx 45 mph, the rear end just locked up and felt like something had snapped inside the transmission or transfer case. I had an extended warranty which Ford took full advantage of claiming that the rear end had locked up due to a bad 4 wheel drive switch and I knew I was being lied to. They got the extended warranty to pay for they're transmission leadframe recall that they didn't fix. They also added 4 degree pinion angle shims under my leaf springs and claimed that I put them on my truck and I did not, they did. They also lied to me and said they hadn't removed my transmission yet I could see fresh tool marks on every bolt on my transmission. They installed a thermal bypass valve in my transmission, I believe so that they could claim that I had installed aftermarket parts therefore ford isn't liable. Not long after Corning ford rebuilt my rear differential that had been destroyed due to the rear end lock up, I got a check engine light for turbine speed sensor fault. Corning ford denied any recall however bomarito ford in [XXX] confirmed that there was a recall for the lead frame that was issued 1 year after the truck was manufactured. Which is false because I bought the truck from a Chevrolet dealer in [XXX] and we went over all recalls and carfax online together and they printed everything. NO RECALL FOR LEAD FRAME OR TRANSMISSION. Corning ford employees were rude and had horrible attitudes towards me from the first visit. They claim to have fixed my vehicle but the rear axle housing is bent and I removed the rear drive shaft and placed it in 4 wheel drive and the vehicle wouldn't move indicating that the transfer case was damaged and they confirmed it should drive without the rear drive shaft but claimed there was nothing wrong with the truck. I had to spend my own money to replace the lead frame and I took it for the recall finally after it's 10 years old and t INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5
Questions about the 2016 Ford F-150 transmission
Does the 2016 Ford F-150 have transmission problems?
Owners have filed 618 complaints about the transmission of the 2016 Ford F-150, 29% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2016 Ford F-150 transmission problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 99,800 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2016 Ford F-150 transmission?
Yes, 1 recall: 26V237000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Ford F-150 have bad transmission?
The Ford F-150 model years with the most transmission complaints are 2013 (1,346 complaints), 2018 (1,022 complaints) and 2011 (830 complaints).
Other 2016 Ford F-150 problems
Engine 347Brakes 341Body 199Electrical 191Visibility 144Acceleration 103Fuel system 95Steering 64Driver assistance 57Wheels 53Locks 52Airbags 36Seats 21Suspension 18Lights 16Seat belts 14Tires 2
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