My transmission has been slipping. To the point where it has made me stop, especially on hills and in cold. 10 Spd auto. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2017 Ford F-150: transmission slipping
33 of the 1,469 complaints about the 2017 Ford F-150 describe transmission slipping.
- owner complaints
- 33
- of this car's complaints
- 2%
- typical mileage
- 85,000
- recalls
- 3
Transmission slipping by model year
What owners say
The contact owns a 2017 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. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission started slipping. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that a diagnostic test was needed to determine the cause of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.
While driving on the highway on several occasions, the transmission drops from 6th gear to a lower gear, either seeming to slip, or locking the wheels causing a bad jerk. i have an appointment in two days , but am concerned that there may be more damage to my vehicle that will show up later due to this issue. I had another dealership try to charge to to repair my truck. i am hopefull that the new dealership will do right by me.
The April 2026 recall for the 6R80 transmission (2015- 2017 F-150s) involves a software update to prevent unintended downshifts to first gear, which, if left unaddressed, can cause significant damage to the transmission and torque converter. The recall aims to prevent this damage, not cause it, though the underlying defect—if it causes violent, abrupt downshifts-can lead to transmission failure, including issues with the torque converter. The pcm tells the transmission what gear to shift into. The trs is what signals the pcm to tell the transmission what gear to shift into. I am saying all of this because I am have a bad downshifting problem almost like it’s causing the transmission to slip it has been doing this for months and I think it is causing more failure in my truck. It is getting worse and worse and this is my only reliable vehicle to get to work. I’ve called ford and they told me to keep driving but I don’t feel safe. They also quoted me for a new transmission saying the problem will occur again if I get one so I don’t get the point in doing that but I think it’s causing my transmission to go out and my torque converter to go out. I am out of ideas and don’t know what to do. I cannot afford a new transmission and it’s unfair to me that it’s their problem and I got quoted a new transmission. Also if I keep driving it and it messes up they are going to deny that that recall isn’t the problem I’m not sure what to do.
I am submitting this complaint regarding the failure of the 10R80 automatic transmission in my 2017 Ford F-150. My truck developed progressively worsening transmission problems that were ultimately diagnosed as a failed CDF drum, requiring a complete transmission replacement at a cost exceeding $9,000. Before the transmission failed, the vehicle exhibited harsh shifting, delayed gear engagement, slipping, erratic shifting between gears, and unpredictable transmission behavior. The transmission would hesitate during acceleration, shift unexpectedly, and fail to respond normally to throttle input. These issues created dangerous driving conditions while merging onto highways, crossing intersections, and driving in traffic because I could no longer predict how the vehicle would respond. The repair facility confirmed that the root cause of the failure was the CDF drum within the 10R80 transmission. After researching this issue, I discovered that many other Ford owners have experienced the same failure. Ford has issued Technical Service Bulletins addressing CDF drum-related problems and has revised the CDF drum design, indicating that the original component had a known defect. This is not simply a reliability issue. The unpredictable shifting and loss of normal transmission operation present a serious safety concern that could increase the risk of a crash. I respectfully request that the federal safety agency continue investigating the Ford 10R80 transmission and the known CDF drum defect to determine whether a safety recall or other corrective action is warranted. Owners who have incurred substantial repair costs due to this apparent design defect should also be considered for reimbursement. I have retained repair invoices and documentation confirming the CDF drum failure and transmission replacement and can provide them upon request.
10r80 Cdf drum issue Car doen shifts on own Cant drive on road will just slip out of gear
Sudden and harsh downshifts happening at speeds above 40mph in normal drivign conditions. The vehicle now shudders while crusing and clunks into and out of gears. The 6R80 transmission now feels like it is slipping when giving the vehicle gas from a standstill.
Torque converter failed. Started with slipping feeling in the rear end. Then got worse and worse before it was a constant slippage. Local dealer and repair shop both diagnosed as a torque converter and both strongly recommend replacing the torque converter and the transmission. Around $10,000
While driving my 2017 Ford F-150 equipped with the 10-speed automatic transmission, the vehicle began experiencing progressive slipping and delayed shifting between multiple gears, including failure to upshift beyond higher gears during normal driving. The transmission would flare between shifts and hesitate before engaging. During one drive, the vehicle would not shift properly and displayed a wrench warning message instructing the driver to see the owner’s manual. The transmission appeared to enter a reduced performance or limp mode. The issue has worsened over time despite a recent transmission fluid service and computer relearn/flash performed by a service center at a cost of approximately $1,100. No overheating occurred, but slipping continued and spread to additional gears. Prior to purchasing the vehicle, abnormal shifting and clunking were noticed during the test drive and brought to the dealer’s attention. The behavior was described as normal operation for the 10-speed transmission. The transmission has since deteriorated into failure requiring replacement. This malfunction creates a safety risk due to unpredictable acceleration, delayed power delivery when merging or crossing traffic, and loss of normal shifting operation. Independent repair facilities have diagnosed the transmission as internally failing and recommended full replacement with estimated repair costs of approximately $8,000. Symptoms began gradually and progressed to active fault behavior with warning message activation.
The transmission for this vehicle is failing. When accelerating it shifts to a lower gear without warning. It appears to be slipping into gears that it should not be shifting into. When first putting the vehicle into drive it often lurches forward so a hard braking action is required when shifting from park to drive. Dealer is so overwhelmed by transmission issues they require months in advance to see vehicle. Once received they need a week to just evaluate then “up to two months” to repair it. They indicate it’s a known issue with the Ford 10 speeds. A warning notice is constant and cannot be reset. “See manual”
Truck has roughly 185,000 miles & is equipped with the 10r80 transmission. Transmission recently began experiencing harsh & hard shifts, skipping or slipping gears, gear searching and randomly shifts to neutral. Had transmission fluid/filter changed with little to no change in erratic transmission. Issues have been intermittent and I am unable to reproduce manually. 4 transmission shops and a ford dealership have all advised the most likely diagnosis is a failed CDF drum that has been a common issue with these transmissions but they cannot confirm without a teardown of the transmission. Vehicle is still drivable, if issues occur I park, turn the truck off for at least 1 minute. After starting the truck again the issue resolves itself. This issue leaves the vehicle susceptible to stalling/neutral on the roadway and at highway and city speeds.
The transmission has been chattering, slipping, and making weird noises since I bought the truck. There are times where the truck will roll forward several feet after I've placed the shifter in park and remove my foot from the brake pedal. In my opinion these issues are definitely dangerous and can get someone seriously injured or fatalities could occur.
Service bulletins that may apply
- Customer Satisfaction Program 26N04 Certain 2015-2017 Model Year F-150 Vehicles Equipped with a 6R80...
- For 20172026 vehicles equipped with a 10R transmission, a revision to the Road Testing Vehicle procedure...
- This bulletin supersedes TSB 25-2301
- Various vehicles equiped with 10R80/10R80 MHT/10R100/10R140 transmissions may require replacement of the...
- This article supersedes TSB 24-2046 to update the Service Procedure LTIS statement
- During service and repair requiring removal and replacement of a crankshaft bolt and/or crankshaft damper,...
- Harsh/delayed engagement and/or harsh/delayed shift, an illuminated malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) with...
- Whine noise at idle and/or while driving
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
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ford F-150 and 2018 Ford Expedition and Mustang and Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with 10-speed automatic transmissions. A roll pin may not have been installed in the transmission, potentially causing a loss of the "Park" function.
- Risk
- Despite the transmission shift lever being placed in 'Park' and the instrument panel display indicating 'Park,' the vehicle may roll away after it has been exited if the parking brake has not been applied, increasing the risk of injury or a crash.
- Remedy
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmission to make sure it has the roll pin, installing one if it is missing, free of charge. The recall began on April 13, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S09.
Recall number 18V213000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017 F-150 vehicles equipped with ten-speed transmissions. The pin that attaches the transmission shift linkage to the transmission may come out, preventing the transmission from responding to movement of the shift lever.
- Risk
- The disconnected linkage may cause the vehicle to not move forward or backward as selected by the driver with the shift lever. Additionally, despite selecting 'Park', if the parking brake is not applied, the vehicle may roll. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the roll pin with an updated part, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin December 2017. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 17S36.
Recall number 17V671000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2017 Ford F-150 slipping
Is transmission slipping a common problem on the 2017 Ford F-150?
33 of 1,469 owner complaints about the 2017 Ford F-150 (2%) mention transmission slipping. The model year with the most reports is 2018.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2017 Ford F-150?
There are 3 recalls and 44 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2017 Ford F-150
Check engine light 113Door locks 97Jerking 71Harsh shifting 64Won't shift 64Transmission failure 59Stalling 49Loss of power 45Knocking 34Engine failure 33Fire or smoke 32Hesitation 29Brake failure 26Grinding brakes 25Power steering loss 25Adaptive cruise 21Backup camera 21Overheating 21Shudder 21ABS 12No deployment 12Won't start 12Start-stop 11Misfire 10Wipers 10Key fob 9Screen failure 7Warning lights 7Tire blowout 5
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