Ford F-150 hesitation problems

Filed Oct 29, 2026 · Fuel system · PA

I first experienced an issue on this truck in XXX while vacationing in [XXX]. While attempting to cross a 4 lane highway with a median, the truck almost stalled and .was almost T boned. Upon returning to [XXX] the vehicle was taken to my servicing dealer and diagnosed with a fuel pump issue which within a few days was determined in a recall. I have been in constant contact with Ford only to be told no fix is available at this time and to keep the fuel level above a half tank. This hesitation / stalling has occurred many times since this first occurrence. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

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 Oct 25, 2026 · Transmission · PA

Transmission has hard/harsh shifts and delayed gear engagement that began around 56,000 miles and have become much worse at 68,000 miles. The delay in engagement when accelerating from a stop, pulling into traffic or merging is a safety concern. A Ford dealer performed a transmission adaptive relearn and software update, but the symptoms continued. The dealer did not verify hydraulic leakage or perform the full diagnostic described in Ford TSB 25-2126 (MC-11016931-0001, harsh/delayed shifts on 2017-2020 F-150), and the only recommendation was to replace the entire transmission at roughly $5,000 after the powertrain warranty expired at 60,000 miles. The incident date entered is today because the symptoms are ongoing and progressive: they developed gradually since about 56,000 miles and are heading toward ultimate transmission failure. Safety concerns: hesitation and delayed engagement when pulling into or merging with traffic, the truck possibly rolling back when engaged on hills, and loss of reliable power on hills.

Filed Oct 19, 2026 · Transmission · 105,000 miles · AZ

The contact owns a 2015 Ford F-150. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V237000 (Powertrain), and the recall repair was completed. The contact stated that after the recall repair was performed, the vehicle experienced transmission downshifting at high speeds and hesitation. The contact also received notification for Customer Satisfaction Program: 26N04 (Transmission Molded Leadframe Replacement). The contact stated that the failure initially occurred when an orange wrench icon illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the dealer refused to perform the program repair at no cost. The dealer stated that the failure originated within the output speed sensor located inside the molded leadframe and required the contact to pay for the repair out of pocket. The dealer stated that the component would not be replaced under the program because the vehicle did not display the specific Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) required for coverage. The contact stated that the code was absent because the dealer completed the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software update, erasing all stored Diagnostic Trouble Codes. Both the manufacturer and the dealer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 105,000.

Filed Oct 15, 2026 · Transmission · 120,000 miles · NV

The contact owns a 2017 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while accelerating at 70 MPH, the vehicle experienced a sudden loss of motive power followed by transmission gear hunting and hesitation, causing the transmission to improperly downshift. Additionally, the wrench warning light illuminated. The contact associated the failure with a recall notification received for the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V237000 (Power Train). The dealer was contacted; however, the parts to complete the recall repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

Filed Oct 5, 2026 · Engine · NJ

My truck has the 3.5 ecoBoost twin turbo engine with the known cam phaser problem. Ford dealership replaced cam phasers 4 years ago and told they were putting in new designed cam phasers to prevent this from happening again. Last week, I changed the v v t cylinder because of a p0018 code, and found that the replacement was the old cam phasers prone to break again. Truck is just now out of warranty. And ford is doing nothing to help. Drivability is not the same has hesitation. So far, and I'm sure it's going to get worse. Check engine light just went on last week. This truck is at dealership now. My biggest problem with this situation is Ford. Dealer lied said they put in new cam phasers, which they put in old ones. I would have got an extended warranty if I knew they were the old cam phaser. Now, I will be out 3 to 5 thousand dollars because ford dealership lied to me. I have all paperwork. Service reports everything on the truck. The truck was babied. There's no reason why in 70000 miles catastrophic engine failure twice. Fixing the problem with the same problem. Parts is not a fix. It's a bandade until warranties are over. And let the people deal with it.

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 28, 2026 · Transmission · 150,000 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V237000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission warning light illuminated and the transmission unexpectedly downshifted into a lower gear, causing the vehicle to hesitate while accelerating. The contact pulled over and waited before restarting the vehicle to correct the failure. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that the recall repair was on hold by the manufacturer. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

Filed Sep 23, 2026 · Transmission · OH

2018 Ford F-150 XLT Power Train / Transmission (10R80 10-Speed Automatic) ~100,000 miles (99,737) While accelerating, typically at neighborhood speeds, we sometimes get a hesitation/delay in shifting, which causes a pause and then a hard shift jerking forward, which makes it unreliable at times. Not getting any dashboard warning lights, and has had the transmission flushed at 80k miles by a Ford dealership. A Ford dealership diagnostic inspection confirmed an internal mechanical defect: a failure/migration of the internal Teflon-sealed sleeve on the CDF clutch drum. The dealership technician also noted harsh upshifting between gears 3 and 4, and harsh downshifting between gears 6 and 5. The sudden, unpredictable loss of power during low-speed acceleration creates an immediate safety hazard. It leaves the vehicle vulnerable to rear-end collisions when merging into moving traffic, navigating busy intersections, or pulling out onto roadways, as the truck fails to accelerate when commanded. Furthermore, the violent gear slamming can cause momentary loss of traction or driver distraction under low-grip road conditions. Researching, what we're experiencing is very common with the 10R80 transmission that we have, and documented in TSB 23-2152, and TSB 25-2126. From what I'm reading, Ford redesigned the CDF drum in 2023 to try and correct the manufacturing issue.