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2016 Ford F-150: transmission slipping

19 of the 2,098 complaints about the 2016 Ford F-150 describe transmission slipping.

owner complaints
19
of this car's complaints
1%
typical mileage
85,000
recalls
1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 17 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below

Transmission slipping by model year

What owners say

Filed Oct 11, 2026 · Transmission · FL

The vehicle is covered by Safety Recall 26S28 (the federal safety agency 26V237) for a transmission range sensor signal fault causing unintended downshift. Before the recall, the truck was slipping, shifting improperly, and downshifting unexpectedly. Dealer (Wayne Akers Ford, Lake Worth, FL) solicited the recall by text on [XXX] and performed the PCM reprogramming on [XXX] (RO [XXX]) at 201,991 miles. The repair order shows no DTC scan before or after the reflash, no road test, and identical mileage in and out. The same symptoms returned the day of pickup. Owner returned promptly and was told the dealer was too busy to accept the truck. The condition worsened to a sudden unintended downshift and deceleration while driving in traffic, after which the owner parked the truck for safety. Owner reported the worsening condition by text on or before [XXX] and brought the truck in on [XXX] where he was told a diagnostic fee would be required to look at the recall condition. The dealer now says the codes are “similar but different” from the recall codes, that the condition is outside coverage, and quotes about $6,500, with no written diagnosis, code list, estimate, written denial, or SSSC submission under Program 26N04. No crash, fire, or injury. Vehicle remains unrepaired at the dealer. The owner reports this because the 26V237 remedy performed did not correct the unintended downshift condition, and the dealer’s process may have cleared the codes that would have qualified the truck for no-cost leadframe replacement. Representative contact: [XXX], [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jun 30, 2026 · Transmission · NE

The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle and shifting into reverse(R), the transmission slipped back into park(P), and the vehicle needed to be restarted. The contact stated that the failure had occurred several times. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle had experienced unintended braking while driving. The contact pulled over, turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle operated as intended. The contact associated the failure with recent recall; however, the model year was not included. The dealer and the manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Jun 18, 2026 · Transmission · 180,000 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V237000 (POWER TRAIN); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while accelerating from a stop light, the transmission was slipping. During the failure the wrench icon was displayed. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 180,000.

Filed May 19, 2026 · Transmission · 80,000 miles · WV

The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V237000 (Power Train); however, the part for the repair was unavailable. The contact stated the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the remedy to be available. The contact stated that the transmission would slip when going up hill and downshifting. The contact noticed the transmission was not remaining in the correct gear. The vehicle was taken to a transmission repair shop, which diagnosed that the transmission needed to be rebuilt. The transmission was rebuilt approximately a month ago. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

Filed Apr 2, 2026 · Transmission · KY

Faulty trans conductor plate Trans slipping on the 2-3 and 3-4 shifts from the speed sensor issue that damaged the trans. Need rebuilt or replaced.

Filed Mar 23, 2026 · Transmission · TX

I have noticed transmission slipping when transitioning from 3rd gear to 4th. It has done this is owning the truck. There is also a noticeable lagging when accelerating.

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.

Filed Feb 8, 2026 · Transmission · TX

I have a 2016 f-150 5.0 L sport edition truck. Last year I had to replace the OSS on the transmission due to rear wheel lock up and transmission slipping/ down shifting while driving. I don’t see that my truck VIN is under the current recall or investigation that is taking place but I do have receipts of where I paid for a certified mechanic to replace that sensor. The truck has less than 100k miles on it currently and even less when that sensor was replaced. Any help regarding the current investigations or recalls so that I can be reimbursed would be great.

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 3, 2026 · Transmission · 40,000 miles · CT

The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission unexpectedly slipped. There was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, the transmission unexpectedly shifted upshifted and downshifted on several occasions. The vehicle was turned off and restarted to temporarily correct the failure. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000.

Filed Nov 6, 2025 · Transmission · GA

Transmission failing due to torque converter issues. It is available for inspection. Sudden loss of power or slipping transmission. It has been inspected by technician. No warning lights prior to experiencing the problem.

Filed Jun 6, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · 119,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and the vehicle decelerated to 40 MPH. The contact stated that the transmission was slipping. There was an unknown recording alerting the contact of the issue. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and confirmed there was no recall coverage on the vehicle for the failure. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact stated that while the mechanic was driving the vehicle, the transmission was slipping. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the failure was due to the turbo charger and the transmission. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 119,000. The VIN was not available.

Service bulletins that may apply

Related recalls

Power train: automatic transmissionReported April 14, 2026 · 1,392,935 vehicles affected
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

Questions about the 2016 Ford F-150 slipping

Is transmission slipping a common problem on the 2016 Ford F-150?

19 of 2,098 owner complaints about the 2016 Ford F-150 (1%) mention transmission slipping. The model year with the most reports is 2018.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2016 Ford F-150?

There is 1 recall and 17 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2016 Ford F-150

Check engine light 173Brake failure 149Door locks 135Stalling 101Loss of power 80Won't shift 75Backup camera 56Jerking 53Fire or smoke 42Adaptive cruise 37Wipers 37Harsh shifting 36Transmission failure 36Engine failure 29Shudder 27Grinding brakes 25Hesitation 20Misfire 20Won't start 20Overheating 18Screen failure 17Power steering loss 16No deployment 15Key fob 15Fuel smell 14Warning lights 14Water leak 13Airbag light 12ABS 8Collision warning 8Knocking 8Fuel pump 8Sudden acceleration 8Sunroof shattered 8Oil consumption 7Seat belt 7Spongy pedal 7Pulling 7Steering lock-up 6Headlights 5Steering noise 5

All model years of the Ford F-150

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