2019 Ford F-150: hesitation when accelerating

Filed Oct 28, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · UT

I am filing a safety complaint regarding a known manufacturing defect in the Variable Cam Timing (VCT) system of my 2019 Ford F-150 equipped with the 2nd Generation 3.5L EcoBoost engine. The vehicle currently has approximately 80,000 miles. The vehicle is experiencing severe cam phaser degradation due to failing internal locking pins, a widespread issue previously acknowledged by Ford under Customer Satisfaction Program 21N03. This mechanical failure causes a violent rattling noise upon cold starts, indicating a lack of oil pressure retention. More critically, as the component degradation worsens, it causes significant engine lag, severe hesitation during acceleration, and intermittent stalling. This presents a severe safety hazard, as the vehicle has experienced sudden power loss and hesitation while attempting to merge into high-speed highway traffic and execute turns, creating an immediate risk of a collision. Despite this being a well-documented factory defect in the 2017–2019 model years, Ford corporate has declined out-of-warranty or goodwill assistance to resolve the issue. I am requesting that the federal safety agency investigate this systemic powertrain defect, as the unpredictable loss of propulsion and stalling poses a direct threat to driver and passenger safety.

Filed Sep 10, 2026 · NJ

My 2019 Ford F-150 3.5L EcoBoost with the 10-speed 10R80 transmission has developed severe shifting and acceleration problems that create a safety risk. The transmission frequently appears to skip 2nd gear and bangs very hard into 3rd. This 1st-to-3rd harsh shift is persistent and does not go away after the truck warms up. I also experience delayed shifts including 3rd-4th, 6th-7th, 8th-9th and sometimes 9th-10th. Downshifts into 4th can also cause a hard bang. More concerning, the truck intermittently hesitates and loses forward momentum when accelerating. This happens with light, moderate or heavy throttle. It commonly occurs during the first 3-4 miles but can happen with a cold or warm start. It can also return after the truck has been driven, parked briefly, and restarted. This creates a serious crash risk when I pull onto a main road or merge onto a highway. After I commit to entering traffic, the truck can hesitate and lose momentum instead of accelerating. I must wait for an unusually large gap in traffic because I cannot predict whether the truck will accelerate normally. I regularly have my two young children in the vehicle and no longer feel safe driving it. There are no warning lights. An independent mechanic found the transmission fluid low and topped it off. The PCM/TCM programming was also updated. Neither corrected the problem. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by Ford for this condition and is available for inspection. I am requesting that the federal safety agency investigate this as a potential safety defect because the unpredictable loss of acceleration while entering or merging with moving traffic creates a risk of collision. The hesitation can occur without warning after I have already entered moving traffic, leaving little opportunity to avoid an approaching vehicle. I believe the unpredictable loss of acceleration creates an immediate risk of a side-impact or rear-end collision.

Filed Aug 28, 2026 · Transmission · MI

10 speed cvt transmission. Truck was struggling with 1-3 shift, reving, hesitating, and then jumping. Hard shifts, and clunking. Took it to transmission shop got valve body replacement... less than a week later transmission could not hold 10th at highway speed kept down shifting to 9 and then going back to 10 again and again. After 15 min the display showed it in NO GEAR then 1st GEAR at highway speed and then through a wrench warning light and went into limp mode. Back to transmission shop... cdf drum failure, bad bushings and an over haul to get it back up and running again. 8,000.00. First repair 7-24 second repair 8-22.

Filed Aug 19, 2026 · Transmission · FL

Beginning approximately one year ago, my Ford F-150 has intermittently experienced a serious transmission problem during acceleration. The transmission appears to momentarily lose the connection between the engine and drivetrain. When this occurs, the truck hesitates or fails to deliver power when I press the accelerator, then suddenly and very harshly engages the next gear. The problem can occur when the vehicle is cold or fully warmed up. This creates a significant safety concern because the vehicle can unexpectedly fail to accelerate when needed, particularly when merging onto a highway, climbing a hill, or accelerating from a traffic light with other vehicles behind me. The sudden, harsh engagement that follows the hesitation is also unexpected and could affect the vehicle's stability or the driver's ability to control the vehicle. I contacted my Ford dealer on August 17, 2026, regarding the problem. The dealer indicated that they are familiar with this type of problem on this transmission and stated that their repair procedure is to replace the entire transmission rather than attempt to repair it. I was told the estimated cost would be approximately $10,000–$12,000. The truck currently has approximately 71,000 miles. Although it is no longer under warranty, I am concerned that a major transmission component is experiencing a potentially serious safety-related failure at this mileage. I believe Ford should investigate this issue and determine whether there is a defect or widespread failure affecting these transmissions. Given the nature of the problem and the potential safety consequences, I also believe Ford should provide financial assistance toward the repair, particularly if this is a known or recurring transmission problem.

Filed Aug 11, 2026 · Transmission · SC

I am filing a safety complaint regarding the transmission in my 2019 Ford F-150 equipped with the 5.0L V8 and 10-speed automatic transmission. My vehicle currently has approximately 88,000 miles. The transmission began experiencing abnormal shifting, including skipping/hesitating between gears, harsh shifting, shuddering, and delayed engagement. At times it would appear to skip 2nd gear and go directly into 3rd. I brought the vehicle to a Ford dealership for diagnosis. Ford of Spartanburg performed testing and a road test. Their written diagnosis states that the PCM was tested and had no related DTCs. The technician documented delayed 1-2-3, 2-4 and 3-4 shifts, a 400-500 RPM flare during the 2-4 and 3-4 shifts, and a shudder during the 1-2 shift. The technician checked the transmission fluid and documented that the level was good but that the fluid appeared “super burnt.” The technician further stated “suspect CDF drum bushing shifted” and recommended replacement of the entire transmission assembly. The Ford dealership's estimate for the recommended transmission replacement is $8,737.05. I am concerned that a major internal transmission failure involving the CDF drum/bushing can occur at approximately 88,000 miles and result in delayed, erratic, harsh or unexpected shifting. I am particularly concerned about the potential safety implications if the vehicle unexpectedly loses acceleration or does not respond normally while entering traffic, passing, or traveling at highway speeds. I am requesting that the federal safety agency document this complaint and investigate whether this represents a broader safety-related defect affecting Ford vehicles equipped with this transmission. I have retained the Ford dealership's diagnostic documentation and can provide it if needed.

Filed Aug 11, 2026 · Transmission · MD

I started noticing hard and delayed shifts from 7th into 8th gear. My RPM's were not increasing when this happened, and then on a very crowded major road I lost all power, vehicle shut off and drifted, then started up and jerked again very hard. This failure could have caused a severe accident and jeopardized the well being of my wife, daughter, her friend and myself along with any other people that could of potentially been involved in a collision if one had occurred. My dash showed no warning lights. After lots of research and consultation with a private owned mechanic shop, I learned the 2019 F150 has a sever and known transmission issue with the learning tables and the transmission control module resulting in failure. Further research reveled a law suit against ford ([XXX] v. Ford Motor Company (Case No. [XXX] in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, targets Ford over alleged defects in the 10R80 10-speed automatic transmissions equipped in 2017–2020 Ford F-150 trucks) regarding this exact issue I was having with my truck, with only 72,000 miles on it! Bob Bell Ford in Glen Burnie Maryland, was less than helpful and the staff was rude when I was explaining what was happening and the information I learned, and quoted me a price of around $12,000.00 to replace the transmission, and that they knew there was a problem with that transmission. I had the vehicle repaired by Glen Burnie Transmission in Glen Burnie Maryland for $8,200.00. That shop told me that they replace several of these transmissions a month (confirming it is a sever issue) and the service tech could tell me what the 8th digit in my vin was based on the symptoms, and he was spot on! I was told the CDF drum and bushings failing—that cause harsh, erratic shifting, sudden lunging, jerking, hesitation, and gear slipping This repair costed me $8200.00 to replace, and another $450 to Bob Bell Ford for them to repeat to me what I already told them. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.

Filed Aug 9, 2026 · Transmission · PA

Transmission was shifting erratically and harsh. Hesitation in shifting from a stop and when accelerating on highway. Shutter when starting from a complete stop in lower gears. The vehicle would not slam into gear but the hesitation was enough to jolt driver and passenger when it would finally shift through the higher gears. Gears 7-10 seemed ok but 3-6 had definite hesitation.

Filed Jul 29, 2026 · Transmission · 85,000 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2019 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated unexpectedly after coming to a complete stop and making a right turn. There was no warning light illuminated. During the failure, the transmission skipped second gear and lunged forward after shifting into third gear. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technicians confirmed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The vehicle was repaired out-of-pocket. The failure mileage was 85,000.

Filed Jul 16, 2026 · Acceleration, Transmission · 35,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2019 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse, there was a loud sound coming from the front of the vehicle. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed; however, the diagnostic result was unknown. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the issue would be escalated. The approximate failure mileage was 35,000.

Filed Jul 3, 2026 · Driver assistance, Engine · NJ

While driving on a highway, my 2019 Ford F-150 suddenly lost power during acceleration due to a transmission malfunction. The truck hesitated and failed to respond to the accelerator, nearly causing a rear-end collision. The transmission required a major overhaul at approximately 53,000 miles, yet the same symptoms returned shortly after the repair. Around 56,000 miles, the engine also developed a cam phaser/timing chain failure requiring extensive repairs. These major drivetrain failures at such low mileage raise serious safety concerns and indicate a potential manufacturing defect. I believe this vehicle poses an unreasonable safety risk to drivers and the public.

Filed Jun 24, 2026 · Electrical, Transmission · GA

Our 2019 F150 four-wheel-drive began jerking, hesitating, and gear slipped from 1st to 3rd to 3rd and fifth when we attempted to cross an intersection, our car would not shift at all, and we had to coast across the intersection and it finally caught and began moving forward. The vehicle also displayed a warning light in the dashboard, but it said our trailer was disconnected. We didn’t have a trailerWe brought the vehicle home called the dealership. The next day the vehicle was on a tow truck going to the dealers. I thought we were going to get hit my car’s not paying attention in front of us Behind Us and coming through the intersection. This was a very scary moment for me. I was afraid the power train was gonna lock up while we were driving 45 miles an hour home. The dealership said the train. The powertrain was shot and needed to be repaired but offered no assistance no help and I’m fighting with the dealership who offered us a lifetime warranty on our powertrain as long as we own the vehicle and will not honor the free powertrain replacement. This makes me believe that Ford has known all along that they have a very huge safety issue both my husband and myself have to drive on the interstate to get to work and we spend about an hour in traffic each way I would hate to see what would happen if the wheels did lock up or the gears would just strip out I believe more than just a powertrain could possibly be wrong with this vehicle as well

Filed May 13, 2026 · Acceleration, Transmission · VA · 1 injury

1.unexpected downshift into second gear while driving - like the engine is falling - causes severe jerk and sometimes truck revs/ goes into neutral - just revs. 2. frozen tailgate latches and door latch defects 3. additionally the transmission harsh shifting when cold (safety/drivability defect): When the vehicle is cold, the 10‑speed transmission shifts harshly, hesitates, clunks, and delays engagement. This matches Ford’s transmission TSBs for calibration and adaptive learning issues. The dealership acknowledged the shifting issue but did not perform the required calibration or TSB procedures. The dealership refuses to document my reported symptoms or perform the TSB repairs unless the failure is happening in front of them. This prevents known defects from being repaired and leaves the vehicle in an unsafe condition. Ford Customer Service confirmed the shifting issue exists but the dealership still did not perform the calibration. ford corp customer service didnt understand and manager didn’t even know what a tsb is:/ so no help at corporate. as chuck the manager stated he didn’t know what document i was referring to and i told him the number as well ? I contacted Ford Customer Service and a case was opened. A customer service manager named Chuck returned my call. He stated that the TSB is “not a warranty” and that the dealership “has to duplicate the condition” before Ford will authorize the repair. I explained that the tailgate freezing issue cannot be duplicated on demand because it only occurs in cold overnight temperatures, not during daytime service hours. Despite this, Ford insisted the dealer must reproduce the failure, even though Ford’s own TSBs describe this exact cold‑weather condition.