2018 Ford F-150: start-stop system problems

Filed Apr 1, 2026 · Electrical · MT

Was slowing down to turn, engine cut out and received an “auto start/stop, shift to P and then restart engine” error on dash. Almost got in an accident because of it.

Filed Feb 15, 2026 · GA

I was driving in town, less than 35mph, slowing down to stop at a traffic signal, when my engine stopped and a message came up on my dashboard that said something to the effect of "auto stop start, place transmission in park and restart engine". I did so and it cranked and ran fine. Hasn't happened again.

Filed Nov 3, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · TX

-Auto stop/start system failed and is available for inspection. I was driving down the road and braked for a vehicle about to pull in front of me, when I let off the brake and pushed the gas I noticed the vehicle had shut off there was an error message on the information center, Error message: "Auto startstop shift to P, then restart engine" -I could've been in an accident due to immobilized vehicle -Vehicle taken to dealer. Was told the failure was unlikely to be duplicated. Was told to unplug(deactivate) auto stop/start system to hopefully avoid recurrence. -No -No messages or symptoms prior to failure.

Filed Sep 4, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · KY

Auto start stop. This has happened on several occasions where I will be traveling at highway speeds and my 2018 F-150 10 speed 10R80 Transmisson with a 5.0-liter motor has died while traveling. I have talked to Ford Engineering reps, and they say they have never heard of this. I have done research into the subject and there have been hundreds of reports of the same issue. I have an appointment scheduled for Ford to look into the issue.

Filed Jul 16, 2025 · FL

While driving through an intersection, my truck unexpectedly shut down. An error message appeared on the dashboard stating: "Auto Start/Stop – Shift to P, then Restart Engine." I was in a lane with oncoming traffic at the time, so I had to come to a complete stop, shift the vehicle into park, and restart the engine. After restarting, the truck resumed normal operation and I was able to continue driving.

Filed Jun 27, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · 122,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. In addition, the vehicle stalled. The "Auto Start Stop" message was displayed. The contact restarted the vehicle and several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle returned to normal functionality. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The contact stated that one month prior to the failure, the vehicle had been repaired under Manufacturer Recall Number: 24E04 (Powertrain Control Module Software update). The dealer was contacted, and the vehicle stalled while one of the employees was test driving the vehicle. However, no cause for the failure was found. The contact was informed that the catalytic converter had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 122,000.

Filed Apr 20, 2025 · Engine · KS

I was stopped at a stop sign and then proceeded to press the gas and turn into the far lane. A quarter to halfway through the turn the engine shut off and I got the message “ Auto StartStop Shift to P, then Restart Engine”. Had to put the vehicle in park in the middle of the road and restart the engine. Luckily no one was coming but if there had been I could have been hit.

Filed Mar 28, 2025 · Electrical · 102,602 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that after stopping the vehicle, the vehicle would not immediately restart. Also, while at a stoplight with the Auto START/STOP feature activated, the vehicle did not immediately restart after depressing the brake pedal, and the vehicle had to be jump-started. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who indicated that there was no issue with the battery and was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 102,602.

Filed Feb 27, 2025 · Fuel system, Steering · WI

This has now happened 8+ times. While traveling on the highway towing either a boat or trailer, my engine shuts down. This has happened at 75 mph. The error code :Auto StartStop Shift to P, then Restart Engine" displays on the instrument panel. Power steering does not work, steering becomes quite difficult. I have found several other instances of this same issue in Ford forums. So... at 75mph, on a highway, I lost all power 3-5 times in one trip. Each time I coasted to the safety strip, put the truck in park, and restarted. Several times the vehicle would not restart immediately. I pulled off the highway and did some research and disables the Auto Start/Stop feature, which seemed to alleviate the issue. Unfortunately I cannot permanently disable the feature. I did stop at a Ford dealership and showed them a picture of the error code. The dealership did not have a fix, and stated it was not a known issue. The last instance was in November, I have not towed since then. Today another mechanic flashed the PM module that controls Auto Start/Stop for another issue, an emissions recall, but did not know if that update would also clear up the towing issue. I have found at least 5 other instances of the the same issue with other Ford F150s in online forums.

Filed Feb 22, 2025 · Acceleration, Transmission · CO

1. The Transmission 2. -While driving at highway speeds the vehicle slipped into neutral multiple times, other vehicles have swerved to avoid our sudden slow down. -Has lurched forward from stop when foot was removed from brake at intersection with pedestrian present. -Stalled completely when auto stop start engaged and impeded cross traffic at night 3. Yes the problem has been reproduced and confirmed multiple times by independent service center. 4. No, the transmission has not been inspected by FORD or anyone else 5. There were no warning lamps, or messages. The only symptom at first was rough shifting. Transmission no longer knows what gear to be in. For example it will move to tenth at 25mph or drop to first gear at 50mph. Adaptive learning computer has been reset multiple times. A warning light started coming on intermittently ("wrench" symbol) after changing fluid. Each time computer has been reset a different code pops up associated with the wrench light coming on.

Filed Dec 14, 2024 · Engine · MD

While slowing down an off ramp while towing a known trailer, vehicle engine turned off and screen said AUTO STARTSTOP SHIFT TO P, THEN RESTART ENGINE. That worked. had been running for an hour.

Filed Oct 2, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · PA

The Starter on my 2018 Ford F150 XTR (XLT trim to be sold new in Canada) with the 5.0L Coyote V8 engine failed @ only 46,000 miles. I have done my own auto repair for years, and have replaced a few failed or failing starters, none of which were @ less than 100,000 miles. After a little research, I found out that Ford "created" their Coyote engine with the Auto Stop/Start feature as a fuel economy measure to satisfy USEPA. However, this resulted in a several orders of magnitude increase in the number of starts within any given time frame (say, over the course of a year) and, since Ford did not re-design the starter to account for this radical increase in the sheer number of starts, starters are failing early. Mine failed @ 46,000 miles, and I've read multiple online posts from owners of this engine that had to replace the starter, one as early as 27,000. Check out owner comments @: [XXX] I should NOT have been required to pay for Ford Motor Company's design FAILURE. Respectfully, [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)