Check a VIN

2016 Ford F-150: stuck in gear or won't shift

75 of the 2,098 complaints about the 2016 Ford F-150 describe stuck in gear or won't shift.

owner complaints
75
of this car's complaints
4%
typical repair cost reported
$1,300
typical mileage
79,000
recalls
1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 17 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below

Stuck in gear or won't shift by model year

What owners say

Filed Oct 26, 2026 · Transmission · 163,000 miles · MD

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.

Filed Oct 21, 2026 · Electrical · WA

The truck continuously went into limp mode upon acceleration. Numerous warning lights wrench, I have a 2016 2.7 with 159k miles that is stalling, loosing all power, stuttering and showing these codes on heavy acceleration. When I turn off the ignition and restart all codes go away.

Filed Oct 14, 2026 · Transmission · TX

2016 F150 with 6R80 transmission problem it had got worse after Ford 26S28/the federal safety agency 26V237 was done at Ford Dealership just days before Recall we put on hold and Ford then was recommended it not to be done.Safety risk is transmission down shifts hard and sometimes delays in shift commands.After recall done on 9/23/2026 it also derates,goes to limp mode in intersections and freeway.Check engine and wrench lights comes on.It’s been at dealership since 10/08/2026 because it is unsafe to drive in my opinion.Dealership has driven it and verbally told me over the phone,they drove it and my details and complaints are there.The dealership is telling me they have to get a specific code to replace components under the Customer Satisfaction Program 26N04, which their saying is not there.Even though all the symptoms and problems and unsafe drivability is there even after Recall 26S28 was done and was even put on hold because in my opinion made it a lot worse.Check engine light on because of transmission problems and wrench light on because of transmission problem.I have a letter stating if after Recall was done and problems still exists to contact Dealership and Ford RAC Center,which I did.The letter says replace part because of codes if present, but also says if vehicle exhibits conditions dealers are to replace the transmission molded Leadframe after Safety Recall 26S28 has been completed, but dealership says it can’t do, even after the day I drove home after having Recall 26S28 all exhibits for Leadframe got worse.

Filed Oct 13, 2026 · Transmission · PA

Our 2016 F-150 experienced a dangerous transmission sensor failure (Ford Service read code P0722). Ford's 26S28 safety update was performed prior to this, but the physical lead frame has now failed. Ford Corporate (Case #CXH-09620415) is refusing to replace the defective safety component under companion program 26N04 because the vehicle threw code P0722 instead of the four codes arbitrarily listed on their bulletin, leaving a known mechanical defect active on the road. In this case we pulled out from a driveway onto a road and the truck stayed stuck in 1st gear or was in limp mode and the check engine (wrench icon) lit. Had this been a busy intersection we could have been hit by another vehicle. With this part failing, which is known to cause other similar problems, the truck can shift erratically or get stuck in one gear or downshift or suddenly go into limp mode from any speed. Any problems associated with the defective lead frame should be fixed not just those that throw certain codes.

Filed Sep 16, 2026 · Transmission · UT

Performance Ford in Utah falsified a federal safety recall completion for Recall 26S28/19V446000 on my 2016 F-150. They only performed a software flash, manually wiped the transmission's safety fault codes from the memory cache, and joyrode my vehicle for 200 unauthorized miles. They returned the vehicle to me unrepaired, where it immediately suffered an erratic downshifting hazard and engine limp mode, endangering my safety.

Filed Sep 15, 2026 · Transmission · WA

Ford mailed me a XXX Customer Satisfaction Program 26N04 letter for my 2016 F-150, VIN [XXX]. That letter offered a one-time, no-charge replacement of the transmission molded lead frame if the dealer determined replacement was needed, and it described a malfunction indicator lamp and/or wrench light when that part fails. My truck did exactly that. It stored P0715 and P0717, went into limp mode, and the wrench came on. Titus-Will Ford in Tacoma confirmed the turbine speed sensor is part of the lead frame and replaced it (part AL3Z-7G276-D). They denied 26N04 because those codes are not P0705, P0706, P0707, or P1702 — a code list the customer letter never disclosed. The failed part is the part named in your letter. The symptoms are the symptoms named in your letter. I paid invoice XXX dated XXX. The lead-frame line was $1,630.02. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Sep 3, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · WV

The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact stated that vehicle was taken to the local dealer for a recall repair associated with the PCM reprogramming. Upon retrieval, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode while driving. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted to a lower gear, and the vehicle lost motive power. The dealer was contacted and provided the contact with an estimate for a diagnostic test. The contact spoke with a supervisor, but no additional assistance was provided.

Filed Sep 1, 2026 · Transmission · GA

Truck downshifts into low gear, yellow wrench and engine light come on and the truck goes into limp mode, no warnings or anything. These symptoms first started about 5 months ago and I have stopped driving the truck for that time. I took it to the dealer after looking it up and seeing there was a recall 26S28 for the molded leadframe. At the dealer they told me they couldn't perform the service because my truck was showing codes: P061A-00, P0720-00, and P0722-00 and they needed: P0705, P0706, P0707, P1702 to perform the recall service. My codes also point to the molded leadframe but the speed sensors instead of the range sensors.

Filed Aug 27, 2026 · Transmission · 200,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a dealer to be serviced under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V237000 (Power Train). The vehicle was not experiencing any failure prior to the recall repair; however, after the recall repair was completed, the transmission started downshifting roughly and would not shift beyond second or third gear, creating a severe road hazard while driving on the highway. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence. The dealer was notified of the failure but informed the contact that the issue could not be resolved. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to reach out to the dealer; however, the dealer was unwilling to assist. The failure mileage was 200,000.

Filed Aug 19, 2026 · Fuel system · VA

I made an appointment for July 22,2026 with Purvis Ford in Fredericksburg to have the 28S26 recall for a transmission issue outlined in the recall. The process was estimated to be 4-6 hours. Purvis Ford called said the software upgrade was completed and i could get my truck. The truck would not shift out of 1st gear so i turned around and went back to the dealer and told the service advisor the situation. He told me i had to drive it for about two hundred miles to get it adapted to my driving habits. I drove it about 20 miles to my home and never shifted out of low gear. I called the service advisor and he said it needed to be towed back to the dealership for a second recall procedure. That was scheduled for the following Friday. On Thursday they called and said it needed a new transmission. The transmission was working fine when i delivered it to them. I did exact all what they told me to do. I’ve made several calls to Ford customer Service with no help from them. Monday the service manager told me it was going to be test driven by a factory technician and they would get back to me. It’s now Wednesday and no word on what the results are. I called this morning and was supposed to get called back but as of this hour nothing. What course of action do i have at this point.

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 Aug 5, 2026 · Transmission · KY

On May 10, 2026, my 2016 Ford F-150 (6R80 transmission) went into limp mode and displayed a wrench warning light while driving. The truck lost normal transmission function and would not shift properly, creating a hazardous situation in traffic. The PCM has stored active Output Shaft Speed sensor codes P0720 and P0722, confirmed by a Paul Miller Ford IDS diagnostic scan, indicating a failing molded leadframe inside the transmission. When the OSS signal drops out at road speed, the PCM can command a sudden unintended downshift into a low gear, causing abrupt deceleration and potential rear-wheel lockup and loss of control — a serious safety hazard. Ford Recall 26S28 (26V‑237) / Program 26N04 for 2015–2017 F-150s only covers a PCM software recalibration for the Transmission Range Sensor codes (P0705/P0706). It does not replace the leadframe hardware for the OSS codes (P0720/P0722) my truck is actually throwing. Ford's system auto-rejected the claim, and a dealer SSSC prior-approval request was denied. I am being told to pay out of pocket for a known defective part. For 2014 trucks, Ford replaced this same leadframe for free under Recall 24S37 when P0720/P0722 were present. My 2016 has the same transmission, same part, and same failure, but the current recall remedy is software only. I'm filing so the federal safety agency has documentation that the OSS leadframe failure is occurring on 2015–2017 F-150s and to request the remedy be expanded to cover leadframe replacement. No crash or injury occurred; the defect was confirmed by a Ford dealer.

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 won't shift

Is stuck in gear or won't shift a common problem on the 2016 Ford F-150?

75 of 2,098 owner complaints about the 2016 Ford F-150 (4%) mention stuck in gear or won't shift. The model year with the most reports is 2013.

How much does it cost to fix stuck in gear or won't shift on the 2016 Ford F-150?

Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,300 (median of 8 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.

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 80Backup camera 56Jerking 53Fire or smoke 42Adaptive cruise 37Wipers 37Harsh shifting 36Transmission failure 36Engine failure 29Shudder 27Grinding brakes 25Hesitation 20Misfire 20Won't start 20Slipping 19Overheating 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

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 2016 Ford F-150?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history