2021 Ford F-150: hesitation when accelerating

Filed Oct 2, 2026 · Transmission · 50,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the vehicle jerked and hesitated while shifting into drive(D). The contact later discovered that the gear shifter was stuck in park(P) and the vehicle was undriveable. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, who diagnosed that the parking pawl solenoid had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact was notified of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V402000 (POWER TRAIN); but was informed that the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The failure mileage was 50,000.

Filed Sep 29, 2026 · Transmission · 19,605 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the transmission unexpectedly downshift. Additionally, the vehicle hesitated and jerked while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on several occasions; however, the dealer failed to duplicate the failure. The failure persisted and the dealer disassembled the transmission and replaced the hub assembly, Part Number: ML3Z7H351B; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was returned to the dealer where a service technician test drove the vehicle with the contact and the technician stated that the transmission needed to be replaced. After months of waiting for a response, the contact took the vehicle to another dealer for assistance. The second dealer test drove the vehicle and disassembled the transmission and recommended that there was an adjustment of the clutch clearance, replace the necessary seals, and replace the C-clutch and seal. The technician acknowledged the failure and provided the recommendation, and the contact was later informed that the dealer would only clear the codes. The technician suggested that the contact monitor the vehicle for future issues. The contact stated that the failure immediately returned after the codes were reset. The failure mileage was 19,605.

Filed Sep 16, 2026 · Transmission · 113,468 miles · TX

The contact's son owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that her son reported that while accelerating from a complete stop, the vehicle hesitated significantly and shifted hard while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The dealer determined that the transmission needed to be replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V402000 (Power Train), which the contact associated with the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that reimbursement could only be provided when the recall remedy became available in April 2027. The failure mileage was approximately 113,468.

Filed Aug 11, 2026 · Transmission · CO

My F150 10R80 transmission is throwing a P076F code. And the shifting has become very harsh and eratic all across the 10 gears. Hesitations, high revs, hard shifts, etc. This is a known issue by Ford and they have issued TSBs on the issue. They acknowledge that it is a design flaw within the transmission and have issued fixes. But if you are outside of the 60,000mi warranty, the burden of the costs falls on me, the owner. $9400 to replace the transmission with a new Ford transmission here in Colorado. This is a known problem in the design but Ford is not stepping up to help. They let the burden fall on the owner.

Filed Aug 1, 2026 · Transmission · TX

I am reporting a safety-related transmission problem I experienced with my 2021 Ford F-150 equipped with the 10R80 automatic transmission. While driving, the transmission would unexpectedly hesitate before engaging the selected gear and then shift harshly with a noticeable bang. On multiple occasions, the engine RPM would flare before the transmission engaged, resulting in delayed or inconsistent acceleration. The transmission has also exhibited harsh shifts, delayed engagement, and unpredictable gear changes. These events occurred during normal driving, including accelerating from a stop, merging into traffic, and driving at highway speeds. The transmission did not respond as expected when I needed predictable acceleration, creating a potentially dangerous situation. Delayed engagement and sudden harsh shifts make it difficult to judge available power when entering traffic or changing lanes. 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, resulting in harsh or delayed engagement and shifting. This condition can cause 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 hesitation, delayed engagement, or loss of propulsion while merging, accelerating into traffic, crossing an intersection, or traveling at highway speed creates an increased risk of a crash. Because I personally experienced these unexpected transmission events, I request that the federal safety agency investigate the 10R80 CDF clutch-cylinder/sleeve condition in Ford F-150 vehicles. Please review Ford warranty claims, dealer repair records, transmission replacements, consumer complaints, and field-failure data to determine whether this represents a safety defect

Filed Jul 1, 2026 · Fuel system · TX

The truck’s fuel system can cut out under acceleration. This is very dangerous. Various times it has nearly stalled out under acceleration while trying to merge. The worst time was driving up a bridge, the truck began to hesitate nearly causing a crash. Every time it signals cylinder misfire, but that whole system has been replaced. Very dangerous, very disappointing.

Filed May 13, 2026 · Transmission · VA

My 2021 Ford F-150 with the 10-speed transmission has started shifting very hard and making grinding noises while accelerating. The truck will sometimes hesitate between gears and then slam into gear unexpectedly. I have also experienced sudden hard downshifts while driving at normal speeds. The issue seems to be getting worse over time. The grinding noise and harsh shifting are most noticeable during acceleration, but the transmission also feels rough during normal driving. At times it feels like the transmission is slipping before catching again. This creates a safety concern because the truck can unexpectedly jerk, hesitate, or downshift hard in traffic and at highway speeds. I have seen many similar complaints online involving the Ford 10R80 transmission, including issues related to harsh shifting and internal transmission problems. Ford has also issued technical service bulletins related to this transmission. No warning lights consistently appeared before the issue started. The problem has happened multiple times and can be reproduced during regular driving. The vehicle has not yet been fully repaired or diagnosed at the time of this report. The transmission and vehicle are available for inspection upon request.

Filed Apr 19, 2026 · Transmission · MD

Vehicle: 2021 Ford F-150 XLT Issue: Transmission Malfunction and Safety Concern I am submitting a formal complaint regarding a serious and ongoing transmission issue with my 2021 Ford F-150 XLT. The vehicle has exhibited multiple dangerous and unpredictable transmission behaviors that raise significant safety concerns. First, the truck experiences a pronounced 3–4 shift flare. During this shift, the engine RPM rises abnormally high before the transmission engages the next gear. This creates a noticeable delay in acceleration and reduces driver control, particularly when merging into traffic or accelerating from lower speeds. Second, there is a severe hard engagement when shifting from Park into Drive or Reverse. The vehicle produces a loud and forceful clunk, accompanied by a jarring motion. This issue occurs consistently and gives the impression of excessive internal wear or mechanical failure within the transmission system. Third, the transmission intermittently becomes stuck in gear or behaves erratically. This includes sudden, harsh downshifts without driver input, bringing the vehicle to a stop, and occasions where the vehicle resists changing gears altogether. These events are abrupt and can be dangerous, especially at highway speeds or in heavy traffic conditions. Additionally, there have been instances of delayed engagement and hesitation when selecting Drive or Reverse, further compounding concerns about reliability and safety. These transmission problems are not only disruptive but also pose a real risk of accident or injury due to loss of predictable vehicle operation. I am requesting that this issue be formally investigated, as it may indicate a broader defect affecting similar vehicles. Thank you for your immediate attention to this matter.

Filed Mar 8, 2026 · Fuel system · MT

There is no fix or remedy available for this recalled fuel problem. The recall and fuel pump replacement isn't available and is taking too long. There is hesitation due to this issue.

Filed Feb 18, 2026 · Fuel system, Transmission · 60,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while stopped, the vehicle hesitated and shuddered while depressing the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle stopped in the middle of the road and failed to move even while in neutral(N). Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a defective fuel pump. The contact was informed that the VIN was included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V455000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the parts for the recall repair were not yet available. The contact was provided with an estimate for the repair, which the contact approved. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

Filed Dec 23, 2025 · Acceleration, Engine · CO

Description of Incident: The vehicle exhibits a severe and unpredictable transmission "shudder," "stutter," and hesitation during gear synchronization, specifically during 1st–3rd and 8th–10th gear transitions. This manifest as a violent "shaking" sensation and a loss of momentary acceleration while merging into high-speed traffic. This issue was first reported to an authorized Ford dealership on December 17, 2024. At that time, the vehicle exhibited harsh shifting and "shuddering" consistent with Ford Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 22-2428. Despite being under a 150,000-mile service contract, the dealer misdiagnosed the mechanical transmission defect as an engine misfire, resulting in ineffective repairs. The defect has persisted and worsened. The internal failure has been identified as a defective CDF Clutch Drum (Cylinder) where an internal bushing moves out of place, obstructing fluid flow and causing mechanical "slip." This is a known manufacturing defect documented in multiple Ford TSBs (22-2428, 23-2250, and 24-2101). Safety Risk: The failure causes unpredictable power delivery. On multiple occasions, the vehicle has hesitated or "stuttered" while attempting to merge onto highways or cross intersections, leaving the vehicle vulnerable to side-impact or rear-end collisions. The lack of consistent throttle response and the violent nature of the shifting creates a significant safety hazard for the driver and surrounding motorists. Verification/Inspection: The symptoms were reported to a Ford dealership multiple times. As of December 2025, the dealership has opened a formal case with the manufacturer to verify the internal "cause of failure" by the Shop Foreman. No warning lamps or Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) appeared on the dashboard, as the failure is a mechanical internal bushing slip that does not always trigger a software sensor until total failure occurs. The vehicle is available for inspection.

Filed Dec 5, 2025 · Fuel system, Visibility · 32,962 miles · MO

The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact received notifications of the federal safety agency Campaign Numbers: 25V455000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) and 25V729000 (VISIBILITY); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the vehicle started then hesitated and stalled. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to a dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the failure had started since the vehicle was purchased. The failure mileage was 32,962.