2020 Ford F-150: jerking or lurching

Filed Nov 2, 2026 · Transmission · OR

I am reporting a safety-related transmission problem I experienced with my 2020 Ford F-150 equipped with the 10R80 automatic transmission. While driving normally, the transmission suddenly lost power engine revved up and started to buck . This occurred while I was going down the coastal range pass while towing my boat, creating a potentially dangerous situation because the truck did not respond as expected when I needed predictable acceleration or propulsion. I believe this incident may be related to the known 10R80 CDF clutch-cylinder/sleeve problem. Ford technical information identifies axial movement of the CDF sleeve that can cause hydraulic-circuit leaks and harsh or delayed engagement and shifting. This condition can result in slipping, RPM flares, delayed engagement, unexpected gear changes, harsh downshifts, lurching, or loss of propulsion. This is a safety concern, not merely a transmission quality or reliability issue. Unexpected loss of propulsion or unpredictable shifting while merging, accelerating into traffic, crossing an intersection, turning, or traveling at highway speed can create a collision hazard. Because I personally experienced this unexpected transmission event, I request that the federal safety agency investigate the 10R80 CDF clutch-cylinder/sleeve condition in Ford F-150s. Please review Ford warranty claims, dealer repair records, transmission replacements, consumer complaints, and field-failure data to determine whether this is a safety defect requiring a recall. I believe owners should not have to wait for a potentially dangerous transmission failure before this known condition is addressed. Thank you for your consideration.

Filed Oct 30, 2026 · Transmission · TX

A sudden transmission slip or hard shift into 8th gear every time. feels like someone is hitting the brakes just slightly when driving 40-50mph transitioning from 7th to 8th. sudden jerk when shifting into 4th more irregular but once a day at least.

Filed Sep 24, 2026 · Transmission · 40,500 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the transmission jerked while shifting gear. The failure was a recurring failure. The dealer was contacted and the vehicle was diagnosed with CDF drum failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,500.

Filed Sep 15, 2026 · Transmission · CA

The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle jerked abnormally, experienced a transmission shifting delay between gears, and occasionally slipped out of gear. The contact stated that after slipping out of gear, the transmission failed to re-engage gear and slipped continuously. The vehicle was inspected by a transmission specialist, who confirmed the failure and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Aug 27, 2026 · Transmission · WI

I am reporting a safety-related transmission problem I experienced with my 2020 Ford F-150 equipped with the 10R80 automatic transmission. While driving normally, the transmission shifts hard (ie: jerks, clunks) between 4-5 and 5-6 gears, and has on occasion failed to grab 1st gear when starting from a stop (revs, doesn't go). This occurred while turning across traffic, creating a potentially dangerous situation because the truck did not respond as expected when I needed predictable acceleration or propulsion. I believe this incident may be related to the known 10R80 CDF clutch-cylinder/sleeve problem. Ford technical information identifies axial movement of the CDF sleeve that can cause hydraulic-circuit leaks and harsh or delayed engagement and shifting. This condition can result in slipping, RPM flares, delayed engagement, unexpected gear changes, harsh downshifts, lurching, or loss of propulsion. This is a safety concern, not merely a transmission quality or reliability issue. Unexpected loss of propulsion or unpredictable shifting while merging, accelerating into traffic, crossing an intersection, turning, or traveling at highway speed can create a collision hazard. Because I personally experienced this unexpected transmission event, I request that the federal safety agency investigate the 10R80 CDF clutch-cylinder/sleeve condition in Ford F-150s. Please review Ford warranty claims, dealer repair records, transmission replacements, consumer complaints, and field-failure data to determine whether this is a safety defect requiring a recall. I believe owners should not have to wait for a potentially dangerous transmission failure before this known condition is addressed. Furthermore, I have already had two transmission rebuilds under warranty, and it's going back to the shop for a third time with the same issues 9/8/26. THE SAME ISSUES. I bought this truck in 2024 at 70K miles and it has been nothing but problems.

Filed Aug 22, 2026 · Electrical, Transmission · UT

While driving I will get a wrench symbol with a bunch of codes pop up u0121:00:28 u0131:00:28 u0137:00:28 u0164:00:28 u0199:00:28 u0200:00:28 u0212:00:28 u0252:00:28 u0256:00:28 u1012:00:28 p0557:00:28 p1935:00:68 p193e:00:28 I have also had it jerk while driving ( went down into first gear) while having no power to my gauge cluster ac nothing

Filed Aug 11, 2026 · Transmission · MN

Harsh shifting in between gears. Jerky shifting and shudders while shifting as well

Filed Aug 7, 2026 · Transmission · CA

Our 2020 Ford F150 transmission failed at 80k miles. Ford USA offered to pay half of the repair cost but is not willing to take full accountability on a transmission that was never was put under stress. Our truck never towed anything and was only use to drive from the shop to the job site and with only 1 up to 2 passenger only max. Per google research: The 2020 Ford F-150, equipped with the 10R80 10-speed automatic transmission, commonly experiences harsh, erratic, or delayed shifting, sudden jerking or lunging between gears, and gear slippage. These issues stem from software calibration flaws in the adaptive learning system or mechanical wear on internal components. Common Symptoms and Issues Rough Shifting: Hard, delayed, or clunking engagement when shifting between lower gears, especially on cold starts. Lunging or Hesitation: Sudden forward surges or hesitation when trying to accelerate from a rolling stop. Gear Slippage: Temporary loss of power delivery or failure to catch the next proper gear cleanly. Shift Cable Clip Recall: A limited recall addressed a faulty shift cable lock clip where the gear indicator might show a different gear than what was actually selected, increasing rollaway risks

Filed Aug 4, 2026 · Transmission · TX

Transmission failed. Truck jerks at stop. Transmission went out at 68,000 miles. My dad has a 2019 with same problem and went out at 72,000 miles. Someone needs to hold ford accountable for this. Extended warranty didn't want to pay the full price. Now I am out of pocket $1,800. Going to file a lawsuit against Ford and the extended warranty company

Filed Jul 20, 2026 · Transmission · 30,000 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the transmission was shifting hard, jerking, and downshifting unexpectedly and randomly switching gear. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer on several occasions over the years for the recurring transmission failure. The transmission software updates were performed but the failures persisted. The vehicle later stalled and was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission CDF drum had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and was later towed to the local transmission specialist who confirmed the failure and replaced the CDF drum and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 30,000.

Filed Jul 11, 2026 · Transmission · KS

Drive a 2020 Ford f150 with a 2.7 l. XLT with a a 10r80 transmission. I was getting on the highway. Got up to 70 75 mph didn't make it very far and my transmission jerked real hard shut me forward and I hit the steering wheel and broke a tooth and it went from 70 to 75 mph down to zero from top gears all the way to one and now it won't go past 7th gear on the highway and if it does it's either at a slight downhill or level roadway and I might make it into 8th or 9th. But to continue with forward celeration to keep current speed, it stays in seven gear running at high RPMs and Ford won't do nothing about it because it's not on a recall list and I contacted Ford corporate and filed with them. Heard nothing filed with my Ford dealership that's in town for them to file it with Ford and nothing and Ford won't do their job to fix the problem that's been going on with the 10 already transmissions and the vehicle is not safe to operate or drive and it's my only vehicle and it puts me at risk driving it for my life. And with it being a safety concern, Dave won't do anything about it and I don't have $10 to $20,000 for them to replace the transmission and the labor and all that

Filed Jul 6, 2026 · Acceleration, Transmission · FL

Over the past year (2025) we have noticed that our F150 King Ranch occasionally was having a rough or harsh shift between the 7-8 gear. We took the Truck to the dealer where we purchased the Truck, Mullnax Ford of Central Florida, in the summer of 2025. We left the vehicle with the service manager, later he called us and indicated that the technician could not replicate the issue. Several months later in November, 2025, with the problem recurring all the time and also happening at other shift points. We took the truck back to the dealer, Mullnax Ford of Central Florida, 1551 E Semoran Blvd, Apopka, FL 32703. We left the vehicle with the service advisor, Sam. Later that day the service manager Sam said the technician “test drove the truck and said needs a new transmission at a cost of almost $10,000.” Based on research I conducted I determined that there was an existing TSB 25-2475 recently issued October 25, 2025 regarding this harsh/delayed shifting issue on the 10R80 transmission and applicable to our Truck. We have taking the truck to 2 Ford dealers asking them to perform the diagnostic process outlined in TSB 25-2475 The harsh shifting is not only annoying, the sudden sharp shift especially at lower speed presents a possible significant safety risk. The harsh shift many times causes the vehicle to lurch unexpectedly. The truck is only 5 years old and has less than 100k miles We sent certified letters to the CEO of Ford and to the Ford Customer Relationship Center, with no response. This is a wide spread problem and is well known to Ford.