NHTSA complaint #11757857

Owner complaint summary

Beginning approximately one year ago, my Ford F-150 has intermittently experienced a serious transmission problem during acceleration. The transmission appears to momentarily lose the connection between the engine and drivetrain. When this occurs, the truck hesitates or fails to deliver power when I press the accelerator, then suddenly and very harshly engages the next gear. The problem can occur when the vehicle is cold or fully warmed up. This creates a significant safety concern because the vehicle can unexpectedly fail to accelerate when needed, particularly when merging onto a highway, climbing a hill, or accelerating from a traffic light with other vehicles behind me. The sudden, harsh engagement that follows the hesitation is also unexpected and could affect the vehicle's stability or the driver's ability to control the vehicle. I contacted my Ford dealer on August 17, 2026, regarding the problem. The dealer indicated that they are familiar with this type of problem on this transmission and stated that their repair procedure is to replace the entire transmission rather than attempt to repair it. I was told the estimated cost would be approximately $10,000–$12,000. The truck currently has approximately 71,000 miles. Although it is no longer under warranty, I am concerned that a major transmission component is experiencing a potentially serious safety-related failure at this mileage. I believe Ford should investigate this issue and determine whether there is a defect or widespread failure affecting these transmissions. Given the nature of the problem and the potential safety consequences, I also believe Ford should provide financial assistance toward the repair, particularly if this is a known or recurring transmission problem.