2016 Ford F-150: shudder or vibration when accelerating

Filed Nov 5, 2026 · Transmission · 102,173 miles · SC

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.

Filed Oct 26, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · AL

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.

Filed May 6, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · LA

1)Brakes were changed, rotors and pads. Brakes were bled 3 times and it still does not stop correctly. Even when the brakaes are on, it releases itself. 2)Truck keeps shuddering and loosing power. 3Electronics will not stay bluetoothed and it connects and disconnects all by itself all the time. Appears there are recalls on these 3 issues.

Filed Feb 17, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · 98,000 miles · VA

The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 MPH, the vehicle shuddered and stalled. The WRENCH symbol (Powertrain Malfunction Indicator Light) was displayed, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The failure had occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken back to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.

Filed Feb 8, 2026 · Transmission · OH

The truck suddenly downshifted to 6th to 2nd gear on the highway. Engine rpm hit more than 7000. Transmission now grinds, shudders and slips. Almost caused a wreck. Hasn't been documented to anyway, just by word. Has not been inspected as there is no way to inspect. No warning before incident, transmission now grinds 4th to 3rd gear, shudders in every gear and slips.

Filed Feb 5, 2026 · Transmission · OK

Transmission failure resulting in replacing transmission. Vehicle was shuddering when driving. This happened multiple times causing excessive shaking when driving on the hwy.

Filed Dec 27, 2025 · Transmission · KS

Sudden downshifts of my transmission. Traveling on the highway at 65mph and all of a sudden the transmission shifted down to a lower gear, causing my wheels to lock and vehicle to shudder. Then after stopping on the side of the road, it took the vehicle several minutes to re-engage. I was able to limp the vehicle to the dealer where they replaced the Molded Lead Frame and Transmission Control Module. Very unexpected repair cost.

Filed Dec 5, 2025 · Transmission · 108,200 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission was shuddering. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with heater exchange failure and coolant intrusion in the transmission. The contact was informed that the heat exchanger needed to be replaced, and the transmission needed to be flushed and refilled. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that the heater exchange part was on back order. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where the repair was performed. The contact visited a chat forum online, which advised the contact to report the failure to the federal safety agency. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that during the failure, there were no warning lights illuminated. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 108,200.

Filed Dec 4, 2025 · Transmission · 127,867 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to the dealer for an oil change and tire rotation, the contact was informed of an unstated fluid leak and that the rear brakes needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to Classic Ford of Madison (6251 N Ridge Rd, Madison, OH 44057); where additional repairs were performed. The dealer test-drove the vehicle and noticed that the vehicle was experiencing hard transmission shifts and shuddering. The dealer replaced the transmission, the front sway bar and links, and the stabilizing bar. Additionally, the transmission adaptive learning was reprogrammed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 127,867.

Filed Jun 29, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · FL

On 4 separate occasions approaching stops/stoplights the engine shuddered and died leaving me without power steering or power brakes. Three additional occasions while taking off from stops the engine did the same thing and dies suddenly causing the vehicles behind me to rear end one another. The electrical system has malfunctioned while driving, leaving me without blinkers, headlights or dash lights. The dealer as well as ford are aware of the problem and have issued reports regarding the faulty engines. This truck has been in the dealership multiple times without remedy from ford. There is no warning prior to the engine shuddering and cutting off. These issues have been reported since the first month of ownership. We purchased this vehicle new.

Filed May 28, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · PA

After vehicle warms up. There is a "shudder" in either the engine or the power train. It is random and makes the truck vibrate. RPM gauge also fluctuates.

Filed May 25, 2025 · Engine · WA

While at idle with a hot engine, the vehicle will intermittently shudder and stall. Once a check engine light appeared with the vault being cam shaft sensor. The check engine light has not reappeared to assist a mechanic as to the specific fault. The engine still has an idle issue which seems to be common with this engine and model year according to auto forums I have visited.