2001 Ford F-250 SD: stuck in gear or won't shift

Filed Sep 6, 2006 · Transmission · 76,200 miles · CA

I purchased the ford, f-250, diesel power stroke, 7.3 liter, auto transmission in late 2000. On august 20, 2006 I was traveling northbound highway 49 in auburn, california, from bell road. At the light, I proceeded forward and noticed my vehicle remained in first gear, and would not shift. I tried several times to let my foot off of the throttle in order to reduce the rpms. After several attempts, the vehicle shifted hard into 2nd gear and proceeded forward. This continued to occur until I was able to get home. I took the truck to cottman transmission in placerville calif on 8-30-06, as according to future ford, where I purchased the truck, the vehicle was out of warranty. After test driving the vehicle with a rep from cottman transmission, he determined 2nd gear was lost and there might be other problems. He also stated that rebuilding 2001 ford f250 transmissions was a common procedure for them. He explained one of the design problems and failure points on the transmission. I called other transmission shops to confirm the representatively comments regarding the 2001 fords. All concur that ford build an under performing transmission on that make and year, and that this truck is a common rebuild for them. I believe that the performance of drive train components, such as transmissions, are of a safety concern. Failure of these components will have different effects based on the driving situation encountered during failure. I was fortunate not to be on a steep mountain grade or in rush hour traffic. The random failure of vehicle parts is unavoidable due to differing reasons, however, this transmission made since 2001 has been failing in most 2001 fords. On the date of this complaint, I have had the transmission rebuild and have been advised there were more issues than simply 2nd gear. $3,000.00 worth. I am retaining all of the failed parts for evidence. 76471 miles on the truck.

Filed Apr 10, 2006 · Transmission · 62,187 miles · GA

While driving at approximately 50 MPH transmission shifted into second gear. Transmission is an automatic. Transmission would not shift out of second gear. The vehicle would not move at all when put in reverse. There was nothing abnormal noticed with transmission prior to this occurrence except a unexplained thud noise that I had taken the vehicle in for during the initial warranty period. I was told that this was a normal characteristic of the vehicle. Transmission had to be replaced per ford dealership. Ford dealership installed remanufactured transmission. This transmission was faulty and had to be replaced with another remanufactured transmission.

Filed Aug 10, 2005 · Transmission · 48,450 miles · CA

I stopped to grab a bite to eat and the truck would not shift into park. I had to turn off the engine in gear and set the parking brake. When I got back, I could hardly get the truck back into neutral to start the vehicle. It was also hard to find gears to drive back to work. We dropped the truck by the ford dealer and they replaced the shift shaft tube, 2 bushings and the shifter cable assembly. It seems to work fine now.

Filed Sep 19, 2004 · Transmission · 52,962 miles · IL

The transmission was down shifting hard and making a bang noise,while slowing down.on 7-18-04 when returning from the soccer fields with my 2 kids in the f-250 pick-up ,the trans tried to lockup a couple of times.proceding though intersetion instead of up shifting. It tried to downshift and stop.every stop sign or light this happened.3 times I had to pull over and put in neutral.my daughter was so scared she kept asking to just walk home.now the truck will not shift gears,unless manually shifted and still slips badly.the f-250 has only 52960 miles 90% highway miles,only towed a couple of snowmobles twice.

Filed May 10, 2004 · Transmission · 73,000 miles · MO

Transmission failure; low mileage; no warning; defective equipment needs recalled; I was driving down the highway on my way to work and stopped for construction, upon accelerating my f250 would not shift past 2nd gear. I had to have the vehicles towed to the nearest dealership who told me, before looking at the truck that I needed a new transmission. With no warning signs whatsoever, bam! I have heard from several other f250 owners that their transmissions had to be replaced with low mileage as well. This seems to be a continual problem and I believe ford knows it! The dealership must have seen enough of these failures to know immediately that the transmission is blown! What can be done to get ford or someone to take responsibility. I believe a recall is in order or at least have ford pay the bill instead of their customers.