Ford F-350 SD sudden acceleration problems

Filed Apr 19, 2026 · Acceleration, Brakes · IN

This is not a failed component, the issue is a design interaction issue. This truck when it gets stuck as it unfortunately very easily does even on wet grass goes into a traction control mode where the throttle is VERY damped but the issue is not only is the opening very dampened the closing is also VERY damped. This is made significantly worse by the fact that traction control cannot actually be disabled. There is a switch and it indicates it is disabled but the functionality remains the same. This combination means whenever you're working to get the truck unstuck, like yesterday when it was on wet grass you have to expect that the vehicle will suddenly accelerate as soon as it finds traction. normally you can counteract this by expecting to apply significant brakes as soon as it finds traction but if the front wheels are still on a slippery surface the ABS system will lose it's mind and essentially disable brakes as the vehicle accelerates violently backwards with the new found traction. This combination of software decisions makes it so you can very easily replicate an unintended acceleration scenario where the vehicle jumps back a solid 20' when this happens, not respecting any brake input given by the driver and certainly not respecting that the throttle was released long ago. The throttle closing should not be damped when traction control is running and the ABS system should not be behaving the way it does. I understand getting the vehicle unstuck from wet grass is not normal operation but that's what the traction control disable button should be for and Ford makes that button useless also. When taken together, all these engineering decisions make for a very unsafe situation that has zero reason to exist. I've attached pictures that show the overview of the situation as well as the characteristic ABS marks showing that it was disabling brakes.

Filed Sep 9, 2025 · Electrical, Fuel system · 72,000 miles · NY · crash

The contact owns a 2022 Ford F-350. The contact stated that while stopped at a traffic signal with his foot on the brake pedal, the vehicle suddenly accelerated as if he had applied the accelerator. The contact stated that his vehicle front end crashed into the rear end of the vehicle. The contact stated that he turned the vehicle off to stop it from continuing to gain forward momentum. The contact stated that he was able to restart the vehicle and pulled over. The contact stated that his lower front bumper was dented and had scratches. The contact stated that the vehicle he had crashed into had damage to the tail gate and rear bumper. The contact stated that no one was injured and both vehicles were able to drive away. The police were not called. The contact stated that prior to the crash the vehicle was having multiple electrical failures and numerous warning lights had illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be rebuilt. The vehicle repaired, however the contact stated that he was still having warning lights and that the vehicle was shifting roughly from park (P) to drive (D) or from park (P) to reverse (R). Additionally, the contact stated that the accelerator pedal was failing to respond when he applied the pedal. The contact had taken the vehicle back to the same dealer who replaced the battery junction box. The contact stated that the dealer had replaced the battery junction box according to a manufacturer technical service bulletin number 23-2133 (Electrical System). The contact stated that prior to the crash, again the accelerator pedal failed to respond when he applied the pedal. The contact stated that he had used a hand held scanner and was getting codes for electrical system failures, ignition cylinder codes, ABS faults, Body Control Module throttle control codes. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer and was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and advised the dealer not conti

Filed Mar 14, 2024 · Transmission · 113,000 miles · MN

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.

Filed Feb 14, 2024 · Electrical, Fuel system · 7,420 miles · KY

The contact owns a 2022 Ford F-350 SD. The contact stated while starting the vehicle with the brake pedal depressed, the RPM rose to the RED line. The contact turned off the vehicle and then restarted the vehicle made sure that the accelerator pedal was not depressed. After restarting the vehicle with the brake pedal depressed, the RPMs increased immediately, and the vehicle lunged forward. The contact placed the vehicle into drive which had caused the RPMs to immediately decrease. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure due to not being able to duplicate the failure. The dealer did not have the diesel mechanic-certified staff needed to repair the vehicle. The vehicle had not been repaired. The vehicle was towed to another dealer who had the diesel mechanic-certified staff needed for the repair. The second dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired due to an aftermarket air intake. The manufacturer had not been made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 7,420.

Filed Oct 4, 2021 · Transmission · 5,000 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2020 Ford F-350. The contact stated that the vehicle was hard to shift. The vehicle lunged forward about a foot. While driving, the vehicle skipped 4th, 5th, and 7th gear. The vehicle shutdown and went into limp mode. The power train message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and diagnosed with the PCM needing to be reprogrammed. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to another local dealer - Cole Ford LLC (410 E Chicago St, Coldwater, MI 49036, (517) 278-5661) and diagnosed that the vehicle was working as designed. The manufacturer was notified however, no further assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 5,000.

Filed Sep 22, 2020 · Transmission · 1,200 miles · CA

While negotiating steep grades (over 8 degrees) at moderate speeds (~30mph) with the engine brake in automatic a 3rd gear to 2nd gear or 2nd gear to first gear change is proceeded by a significant acceleration by as much as 5mph or more this can be simulated on less steep inclines by engaging the engine brake and manually shifting from 3rd to 2nd.. There will be an increase in speed that can be quite significant there is a minor reduction in braking when the truck performs a 4th to 3rd downshift but it doesn't cause acceleration to the degree that the 3rd and 2nd shifts do. The circumstances under which an engine brake would be used are exactly those circumstances where an unintended acceleration of any kind is most dangerous, such as mountain roads and switchbacks while towing heavy loads the dealer is aware of how to reproduce this event and has seen it first hand while on a test drive.

Filed Apr 25, 2013 · Electrical · 70,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford f-350 sd. The contact stated that the vehicle lunged forward and stalled. This failure occurred on more than one occasion. The contact stated that the vehicle would not always restart. The contact found the federal safety agency recall campaign id number: 05v270000 (electrical system) but the manufacturer stated the vehicle was not included. The dealer told the contact they were not sure of what caused the failure. The failure mileage and current mileages was 70,000.

Filed Jan 2, 2013 · Acceleration · 4,000 miles · NM

Since purchasing our vehicle new we have had several incidents of sudden acceleration. Our first complaint was filed within the 1st month (odi id number : 10330335). Within 16000 miles we had 3 incidents. All of these incidents were at highway speed with the cruise control off. Each time we were able to place the gear shift into neutral or stomp on the accelerator pedal until it stopped accelerating. Each time the vehicle was taken to the ford dealership, no explanation could be found however on the incident at ~16000 miles the dealership stated they had reprogrammed the computer. We had driven the truck without incident since that time until december 24, 2012 at approximately 0800 hours. My wife was driving westbound on I-40 at approximately 65 MPH when the vehicle accelerated on its own. Her first reaction was to try to put the vehicle in neutral, however she was unable to move the shift lever. The vehicle accelerated to maximum speed quickly as she attempted to apply the brakes. Her ordeal lasted for several minutes and she nearly lost control several times as this section of highway travels through a canyon and has significant curves. She was eventually able to place the vehicle in neutral and coast off the highway. By this point the brakes were ineffective from her trying to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to rich ford. They have had the vehicle from dec. 24 until today. Once again they can find nothing wrong with the vehicle. The advice given by the service manager was "when it happens again, turn off the key. Don't touch the accelerator at all, and have it towed here." not "if", "when". My wife's response was: "if I live through the next time, I'll do that."

Filed May 18, 2011 · Acceleration, Engine · 96,000 miles · FL

Tl*the contact owns a 2006 ford f-350 sd. The contact stated while the vehicle was idle with pressure applied to the brake pedal the it lunged forward with a sudden increase in the rpms. In addition, an unexpected acceleration occurred when the vehicle was in motion. The failure occurred sporadically. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer on numerous occasions for the similar failures. The technician stated the failure was contributed to the diesel fuel consumed in the vehicle. They also recommended the manifold and erg valve be replaced. After the erg valve was replaced the failure continued to occur. The manufacturer was not made aware of the acceleration defect. There were no additional repairs performed on the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000.

Filed Jan 4, 2011 · Brakes · 47,646 miles · NY · crash

I have a 2005 ford f350 4 wdr, super duty with v10, 4 sp. Auto, VIN no. [xxx]. I experienced sudden vehicle acceleration, ie. From a stopped position with vehicle in drive and foot on brake the vehicle, lunged forward, heavy braking would not stop vehicle it only caused acceleration. Only impact with mail box and snow bank stopped vehicle. I compared what had just happened with pressing on the accelerator and brake at the same time and this was different and did not result in loss of control. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).