On June 9, 2026, the vehicle received a PCM reprogramming under Ford Recall 21E01. Before the update, the transmission had no symptoms: no slipping, no warning lights, and no diagnostic trouble codes. Between June 9 and August 11, the vehicle accumulated 1,894 miles. On August 11, 2026, while driving about 60 mph, the vehicle suddenly downshifted from sixth to fifth gear without input. A clunk was felt, followed by complete loss of all gears. There were no warning lights, no diagnostic trouble codes, and no limp‑mode activation. The failure was sudden and total. A diesel shop retrieved the strategy values after the incident, which showed no recorded indication of transmission degradation prior to the PCM update. The failure occurred less than 2,000 miles after the PCM reprogramming. The vehicle was in factory‑stock condition. The incident raises concern that the updated PCM calibration may have affected torque calculation, shift coordination, or diagnostic monitoring, resulting in an uncommanded downshift and loss of all gears without protective response.
Ford F-350 SD harsh shifting problems
24 of the 3,653 owner complaints about the Ford F-350 SD describe harsh or hard shifting, most of them for the 2020 model year.
- owner complaints
- 24
- worst model year
- 2020
- typical mileage
- 79,000
By model year
- 20241
- 20231
- 20221
- 20209
- 20192
- 20181
- 20172
- 20152
- 20091
- 20012
- 20001
- 19991
Often reported together
Transmission failure 3Slipping 3Hesitation 2Knocking 2Check engine light 2Grinding brakes 2Ball joint 2
What owners say
Vehicle randomly hesitates to shift (slip/flare), usually from 3-4 or 8-9 gears. It is sometimes accompanied by a clunk/slam before/after engaging the higher numbered gear. It seems to happen more often when the transmission is at/approaching normal operating temperature. The slip/flare has been becoming more frequent and is now randomly accompanied by the clunk/slam. I first noticed the slip/flare changing from gears 3-4. At that time the vehicle had 43,000mi on it.
The transmission began malfunctioning by having hard shifting issues and losing power in some gears. An indicator on the dash lit up resembling a mechanics open-end wrench. Research online showed that the vehicle should not be driven and taken immediately to a mechanic or dealership. If driven especially pulling a heavy load like the fifth wheel that I bought the truck to tow the transmission could fail causing a serious safety issue. I immediately took the vehicle to a certified Ford dealership. At the dealership they informed me that parts in the transmission had failed and that it was the same exact condition as shown in recall 20S33. The noted recall was for trucks manufactured in January and February of 2020. My truck was manufactured March of 2020. The time warranty had expired for the vehicle but the mileage warranty was for 60,000 mi and the truck failed at $29,800. The transmission failed due to a manufacturing defect but I was billed over $9,800 for the repair. I have attached photos of the work order and receipt.
2022 F350 SRW, King Ranch, Tremor Steering column began making clunking sound when hitting rough patches on highway. I then noticed that I was able to lift the steering wheel an inch or two up and also pull it towards me two to three inches and freely push it back in. I could wobble the steering wheel side to side as well. Felt very unsafe as I was on a 7 hour trip home. No warning lights or incident that contributed to problem
The truck has a clunk in the steering when pulling trailers and does not do this when not laden. The vehicle has only 2,480 miles on it. I was told at the dealership that this will not be fixed because they are not able to replicate the issue. There is a TSB on the issue: SSM 53169 2023-2024 F-Super Duty - Popping/Thumping/Clunking/Knocking Noise From The Steering Column - Built On Or Before 12-Jul-2024 The vehicle was built prior to 12-Jul-2024.
Transmission lunges forward or reverse when placed into gear from park. Transmission fails to shift or hard shifts while moving through low range. Shifting is soft or prolonged in some higher range with a noticeable lag.
CDF cylinder failure in transmission leading to multiple hard shifts that could cause loss of traction and slick roads.
The transmission slips and hard shifts. I honestly believe the dealership knew and sold it to us knowing since we found out afterwards it's a known issue and in the bulletin about the truck.
Ford 10R140 Transmission Issues: Transmission has harsh engagement, clunks and slams into gear. Transmission gets stuck in between gears while in motion at all speeds while driving on city streets or on the freeway. Transmission LURCHES forward when shifting from park into drive even when applying the brake and when the parking brake is engaged. This transmission is UNSAFE and UNRELIABLE!!!!
The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-350. The contact stated that while driving at various speed, the transmission was slipping while downshifting and upshifting. The contact also stated that there was a hard shift, and the vehicle would lose motive power and lunge forward. The wrench warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that a dealer representative went to the residence to perform a software update however, the failure persisted, and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 113,000.
Related recalls
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026-2025 F-250 SD and F-350 SD vehicles. The driveshaft friction weld may fail, resulting in rear driveshaft separation and a sudden loss of drive power.
- Risk
- A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the driveshaft serial number and replace the driveshaft as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 6, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S13. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on on March 4, 2026.
Recall number 26V119000 · Recall details
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Super Duty F-250 and F-350 vehicles. The right rear axle shaft may have been improperly heat-treated during manufacturing and may break.
- Risk
- A broken rear axle shaft can result in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is placed in park. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the right rear axle shaft date code and replace the axle shaft as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 15, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SD8. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on on December 15, 2025.
Recall number 25V866000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Super Duty F-250, F-350, and F-450 vehicles. The steering column shifter may have been improperly welded and detach from the steering column.
- Risk
- A detached shifter will prevent the driver from shifting into park, which can result in a vehicle rollaway and increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the steering column serial numbers and replace the steering column as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 28, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S20.
Recall number 25V163000 · Recall details
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 Super Duty F250 and F350 vehicles equipped with single rear wheels and a 10.5-inch rear axle shaft. The left rear axle shaft may have been improperly heat-treated during manufacturing and may break.
- Risk
- A broken rear axle shaft can result in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is placed in park. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the left rear axle shaft date code and replace the axle shaft as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 17, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S49.
Recall number 23V595000 · Recall details
Power train: driveline: driveshaft
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2018 F-Super Duty F-250, F-350, and F-450 4x4 vehicles. A radial damper inside the driveshaft may move out of position over time, which can cause a driveshaft imbalance and result in a fracture.
- Risk
- A fractured driveshaft can cause a loss of drive power. Additionally, a vehicle rollaway could occur while parked if the parking brake is not engaged. Either of these scenarios increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the driveshaft, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 27, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S74.
Recall number 22V880000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 vehicles equipped with 6.7L diesel engines. A washer within the vehicle's transmission can disintegrate, causing metallic debris to become lodged in the 'Park' mechanism.
- Risk
- Debris lodged within the 'Park' mechanism may prevent the vehicle from achieving or holding 'Park,' increasing the risk of a vehicle rollaway and a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace a gearset within the transmission, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 19, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S22.
Recall number 22V256000 · Recall details
Power train: axle assembly
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 F-350 Super Duty pickup trucks equipped with 6.7L diesel engines and Dana model 275 rear axles. The rear axle housing may not support the load of the pickup truck and deform, which could result in driveshaft separation.
- Risk
- Driveshaft separation may result in a loss of drive power, or unintended vehicle movement if the vehicle is in park without the parking brake applied, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the axle housing for deformities, and repair or replace the housing, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on September 3, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall 21S31.
Recall number 21V536000 · Recall details
Power train: axle hubs
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 F-350, F-450, F-550, and F-600 vehicles equipped with dual rear wheels and front wheel hub extenders. The front wheel hub extenders may be improperly attached to the front rotor hub assemblies, which could result in separation of the wheels and wheel extenders from the vehicle.
- Risk
- A detached wheel and wheel extender can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Owners are instructed not to drive their vehicles until the torque of the wheel extender nuts can be verified. Dealers will inspect and tighten the front wheel hub extender nuts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 18, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S26.
Recall number 21V390000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Super-Duty F-250, F-350, and F-550 diesel pickups. The transmission torque converter damper plate was not tempered, resulting in a brittle damper plate that may fracture and cause the engine to stall or require increased brake pedal effort in order to stop the vehicle.
- Risk
- An engine stall or requiring additional braking effort to stop the vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission assembly, free of charge. This recall began July 6, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S33.
Recall number 20V365000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty and F-450 Super Duty vehicles. An incorrect transmission case casting may cause the park pawl assembly to not be secured, possibly resulting in unintended vehicle movement.
- Risk
- Unintended vehicle movement can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Ford will notify owners and dealers will inspect the transmission case, replacing the transmission as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 7, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S36.
Recall number 18V802000 · Recall details
Questions about the Ford F-350 SD harsh shifting
Which Ford F-350 SD years have harsh or hard shifting problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2020 (9 complaints), 2001 (2 complaints) and 2015 (2 complaints).
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