Ford F-150 shudder problems

Filed Nov 5, 2026 · Transmission · 102,173 miles · SC

The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle shuddered and the rear wheels locked up. The Power Train warning light was illuminated, and the messages "Collision Warning not Available" and "Hill Start Assistance Not Available" were displayed on the instrument panel. The contact stated that prior to the failure, there was an abnormal burning odor and an abnormal scraping sound coming from the front driver’s and passenger’s side. The vehicle was taken to a dealer; however, the diagnosis information was unavailable. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. 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. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, the diagnosis information was unavailable. The independent mechanic suggested that the vehicle should not be driven. The failure mileage was approximately 102,173.

Filed Oct 26, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · AL

My truck was driving fine since I bought it 9 years ago. Ford sent me a letter saying to come in for a recall (Recall 26S28). I went to my local Ford dealership for the recall work, and after that my truck started driving very poorly. The transmission would shudder, and studder at all RPMs (unsafe at highway speeds). I called the dealership and was given the run around. I was told by the dealership that the 'transmission learning' was reset and that it was fine now. Their fix didn't do anything and the truck still had transmission problems. I then found out that the recall that was performed on my truck was 'paused' due to it causing 'issues'. Ford refuses to tell me why the recall was paused, and insists that the recall did not break my truck (even though it was obviously paused for a reason). After driving it for a few months and it getting worser and worse, I called another branch of the dealership. They told me that my transmission was basically broken now, and that it would be $9000 to replace it. The truck has 72000 miles on it. The truck ran perfectly fine for almost a decade and now the transmission fails after the transmission recall work was done. I read of other F150 owners who had the recall done, and their trucks spontaneously missed a shift on the highway which is very unsafe. The Ford dealership told me to call the Ford help line, which is basically a black hole with a rep reading from a script. Ford has made my truck unsafe, nearly undrivable and unsellable, and refuses to take any action or responsibility.

Filed Oct 23, 2026 · Acceleration · TN

On XXX at approximately 6:50 AM, I was backing out of my driveway. After entering the roadway, I came to a complete stop and shifted from Reverse to Drive while in Normal drive mode. Immediately upon shifting into Drive, the vehicle lurched forward and rapidly accelerated without any accelerator pedal input. My foot was not on the accelerator. The vehicle accelerated to approximately 15-16 MPH and continued moving under power. I had to quickly steer to avoid striking my brick mailbox. The vehicle continued moving until I applied the brakes and brought it to a complete stop. After stopping, the engine RPM returned to normal and the vehicle then operated normally. No warning lights or messages were displayed. This event created a significant safety hazard and nearly resulted in a collision. In addition, the vehicle has experienced intermittent transmission and driveline issues since it was new. Symptoms include harsh upshifts and downshifts, gear hunting, shuddering, driveline clunks, RPM fluctuations under steady throttle, and jerking during acceleration and deceleration. Some downshifts have been severe enough to make the vehicle lurch as if lightly rear-ended. Other events have felt similar to placing a vehicle in Park while still moving. I have experienced abrupt downshifts while slowing from approximately 40 MPH, rapid multiple-gear downshifts accompanied by shuddering, harsh shifts while coming to a stop at low speeds, and repeated gear hunting in traffic. The symptoms occur intermittently, often at low speeds, during the first few miles of driving, and sometimes while traveling uphill. I have returned the vehicle to Ford of [XXX] three times for these concerns. The dealership has been unable to duplicate the condition and no repairs have been performed. I am concerned that the unintended acceleration event and longstanding transmission/driveline abnormalities may be related to an underlying powertrain, transmission, or electronic control defect. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT

Filed Oct 21, 2026 · Transmission · 90,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed with children inside the vehicle, the transmission shifted erratically and began shuddering. The vehicle decelerated unexpectedly. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was intermittently illuminated. The manufacturer and the dealer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.

Filed Oct 20, 2026 · Transmission · 78,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the vehicle was scheduled for repair under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V402000 (Power Train); however, the part to complete the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle suddenly shuddered, and manual mode was utilized to bypass 5th gear and upshift into 6th gear. A warning message reading "Service Recall" was displayed. The local dealer was notified on several occasions. Another local dealer, where the vehicle was originally purchased, was contacted for a second opinion. The manufacturer was notified of the failure via telephone. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.

Filed Oct 13, 2026 · Transmission · KS

Transmission shudders while accelerating and is prone to overheating seemingly sporadically.

Filed Oct 5, 2026 · Transmission · KY

2023 F150 28K miles. No warnings. Continious issues with Severe transmission shifting, loud clunk and jerking/whiplash and failure to engage when first put into gear. Shudder at times around 55 mph, reared backlash issue identified but within tolerance per dealership. transmission was rebuilt resulting in more sever shifting at high speeds 10-9-8 and 3-2-1 down shifting.

Filed Oct 3, 2026 · Transmission · IA

Vehicle: 2021 Ford F-150 Tremor Mileage: Approximately 103,000 miles My 2021 Ford F-150 Tremor developed a severe shudder and vibration during acceleration. The condition progressively worsened and became significant enough that I had the vehicle professionally inspected. The vehicle was diagnosed with a failing torque converter as the cause of the acceleration shudder/vibration. The truck has been well maintained throughout my ownership. It is garage kept and receives regular maintenance through an authorized Ford service facility. I have maintenance records documenting the vehicle’s service history. My concern is that the torque-converter failure produces a severe vibration/shudder during acceleration and has progressively worsened. I am concerned about the potential safety implications if the torque converter or transmission continues to deteriorate while the vehicle is being driven. I contacted Ford regarding the failure and requested assistance with the repair. The vehicle is outside Ford’s original powertrain warranty at approximately 103,000 miles, and Ford declined to provide assistance. I am submitting this complaint so the federal safety agency has a record of this torque-converter/transmission failure and the severe acceleration shudder occurring in my 2021 Ford F-150.

Filed Sep 11, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · MO

I am reporting a severe safety defect where Ford Motor Company's sequential safety recall software updates are actively corrupting powertrain modules and inducing physical mechanical failures while the vehicle is in operation.Following the completion of the 24S55 Engine Intake Valve Recall (which reflashed the PCM and wiped the transmission's adaptive learning tables), my 2021 Ford F-150 developed an immediate operational shudder. Shortly after, a forced Over-the-Air (OTA) update for the 26C10 Trailer Brake Module triggered a secondary network reset via the CAN-bus. The intersection of these two software-driven actions caused an operational fault that physically broke the torque converter clutch.A compromised torque converter clutch can cause sudden vehicle stalling, unpredictable acceleration lags, and catastrophic powertrain locking while driving at highway speeds, creating an imminent crash hazard. The local Ford dealership service department confirmed the hardware failure and noted that pushing automated software updates over unstable tables leaves the entire transmission highly vulnerable to total systemic failure.Ford is currently refusing to open an escalation file or address this issue. Because Ford's official remedy for safety recalls 24S55 and 26C10 directly introduces a secondary, severe safety risk to the vehicle's powertrain integrity, I request that the federal safety agency investigate the technical compatibility and safety of these sequential software updates.

Filed Sep 10, 2026 · Transmission · KY

The torque converter has malfunctioned and the vehicle is currently at the dealership for repairs. The truck experiences significant vibration and shuddering at speeds above 45 mph. There is an existing recall for this exact issue; however, our VIN is not included in the affected vehicle population. With only 60,000 to 70,000 miles on the truck and less than 10 years of service, a major component such as the torque converter should not require replacement, especially on a vehicle that has been properly maintained throughout its life.