The contact owns a 2017 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly failed to operate as intended while attempting to shift into first gear. The contact stated that the vehicle intermittently went into LIMP Mode. On one occasion, the transmission warning light illuminated during the failure. The contact stated that the transmission failure had occurred after the dealer completed a software update associated with the transmission. The contact stated that a service center confirmed the transmission failure by telephone. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure by telephone and referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was 89,820.
2017 Ford F-150: complete transmission failure
59 of the 1,469 complaints about the 2017 Ford F-150 describe complete transmission failure.
- owner complaints
- 59
- of this car's complaints
- 4%
- typical repair cost reported
- $8,000
- typical mileage
- 108,000
- recalls
- 3
Complete transmission failure by model year
What owners say
In 2025 my 2017 Ford F-150 started randomly downshifting. We took the car to the ford dealer who could not assess what the problem was exactly (Rowe Ford in Westbrook, Maine). They suggested a new transmission to be safe and clearly indicated that this was not a safe truck to drive at the time. We took the truck to another ford dealer to try to get an actual determination of what was wrong (Casco Bay Ford, Maine). They also advised that no codes were being given but that the truck was clearly downshifting and not safe. With no real alternatives or clear problem, we paid $8,000+ for a new transmission. Then, months later we get the recall notice: (Campaign 26S28 / the federal safety agency Recall 26V237) - Ford F-150's were downshifting... We had Ford do the software update as this is now a new transmission, but when we asked about the Recall and if there was anything we could do about the $8,000 we just paid lower and upper management (we talked to both) advised that because they could not definitively put a label to the problem before we fixed the transmission that they could not attribute the downshifting to the same problem and so will not help or otherwise reimburse us for the cost of having to fix the problem that was recalled later. No remedy was offered by Ford.
The 4-5-6 drum ring in my transmission went out on my truck that has 70, 318 miles on it. Vehicle was missing shift points and would not always shift properly causing power to not be available when expected - especially dangerous when trying to merge onto a highway. Vehicle was inspected by a Ford dealership and by ABC transmissions of Tacoma WA. I paid ABC Transmissions $9,693.98 to fix the problem. The transmissions would clunk badly and was very obviously missing shift points. They first appeared 30k miles ago but Ford lied to me saying it was a "software problem".
I am filing a formal complaint regarding improper service practices, breach of safety recall protocols, and severe resulting vehicle damage committed by Fox Grand Traverse Ford. On April 23, 2026, independent facility Kinney’s Complete Auto Repair replaced the lead frame connector on my vehicle. During service, the transmission pan was dropped and inspected. The transmission was certified clean, free of metal shavings, and operating normally. On August 3, 2026, a mobile service technician from Fox Grand Traverse Ford performed Safety Recall 26S28 (PCM Software Update) at my workplace parking lot. Ford Motor Company’s official support guidelines explicitly state: "Ford Mobile Service is unavailable for Recall 26S28." Servicing requires in-dealership PCM reprogramming and post-flash adaptive calibration. Because the service was performed in a parking lot, the technician omitted the mandatory post-flash adaptive learning drive cycle. The vehicle immediately suffered harsh shifting, hydraulic pressure spikes, and forward rolling while in Reverse. Fox Ford now demands $7,883.73 for a complete transmission replacement, falsely claiming there metal shavings in the gear box and that the damage was a "pre-existing condition," despite the recent clean pan inspection from April 2026.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted and the powertrain warning light illuminated. The transmission was stuck between third and fifth gear. In addition, the transmission failed to shift from park to drive until the vehicle was turned off. The failure was a persistent failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and a portable scanner was attached; DTCs P0722 and P061A were retrieved. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V237000 (Power Train). The vehicle was not repaired under the recall. The contact was informed that the failure codes were not the required failure codes associated with the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the vehicle had not experienced a failure associated with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V237000 (Power Train); however, the vehicle was taken to the dealer to be inspected and serviced under the recall repair to keep the vehicle up to date. The contact stated that after the recall repair was performed, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted to a lower gear, and the vehicle decelerated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer due to failure, and it was diagnosed with transmission failure and that there was oil leaking through the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.
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.
Transmission failure/malfunction (known issue), Harsh/Delayed Shifts, downshifting erratically, loss of power on the highway. I stopped driving the truck after having random loss of power going 75 mph, to having no acceleration and almost getting rear-ended twice. I took the truck in to Holmes Tuttle Ford in Tucson, Arizona to get the TCM reflashed. They confirmed the harsh/delayed shifting and told me it got worse after the reflash, but they were not able to reproduce the random loss of power. Whenever I experienced the truck going into "limp mode" there was a wrench warning lamp turning on. This is a known defect on the 10R80 transmissions, yet there is no safety recall on it. The truck has 100,242 miles on it.
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.
As of May 23, 2023 Ford issued a TSB 22-2428, TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 10R60/10R80/10R80 MHT Automatic Transmission - Harsh/Delayed Engagement And/Or Harsh/Delayed Shift - Built On Or Before 23-Dec-2022 " Ford issued a TSB and not a recall since they knew the affected vehicles would be out of warranty and they could then charge the owners pay for repair cost of $8,000- $12,000 for a new transmission replacement. Ford refuses to replace these transmission at their expense, if you are out of warranty, which I am and most are unless you have a extend warranty. How it is even legal that they aren't required by law to replace these transmission at the full expense of Ford since they clearly sold us vehicles with known defective transmission from the beginning and refused to address when the vehicles were under warranty. My safety concern is the transmission will fail in open traffic from these harsh engagement, harsh & delayed shifts. I made multiple remarks to the Ford service departments about harsh transmission problems, once around 30,000 miles and again around 60,000 miles. Ford never admitted identifying operation flaws during their evaluations. They stated transmission was operating within normal specifications.
Ford f150 10 speed transmission failure, third replacement of defective oil pan, and replacement defective rear main seal. Transmission was taken for service/repair while still under warranty. Local dealer advised problem not found. Hard shifts and skipped shifts persisted until recently I had to pay for tranny rebuild and third replacement of defective oil pan. FORD should have to reimburse me for these repairs. It is a known fact that ford knew about this problem for years and has had thousands of complaints.
Vehicle had a transmission failure at ~49,500 miles. Vehicle currently at Cypress Coast Ford in Seaside, CA. Issues are directly related to FORD TSB 22-248.
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 transmission failure
Is complete transmission failure a common problem on the 2017 Ford F-150?
59 of 1,469 owner complaints about the 2017 Ford F-150 (4%) mention complete transmission failure. The model year with the most reports is 2018.
How much does it cost to fix complete transmission failure on the 2017 Ford F-150?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $8,000 (median of 11 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 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 64Stalling 49Loss of power 45Knocking 34Engine failure 33Slipping 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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