Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2010 Ford F-150 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2010 Ford F-150. The contact stated that after exiting a store and entering the vehicle, the contact secured the seat belt, depressed the brake pedal, and shifted into reverse(R), and the vehicle unintendedly accelerated across the parking lot. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal was not depressed during the failure. The contact stated that the vehicle came to a stop after crashing into a guard rail, stopping the vehicle from driving into a pond. The air bags did not deploy. There was no injury sustained, and medical attention was not needed. There was no Police report filed. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and a case was filed. The approximate failure mileage was 117,000.
The contact owns a 2010 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving approximately 60-65 MPH, the vehicle violently surged forward. The contact stated that the vehicle felt like the rear end was being snatched. The driver pulled over to the median and the wrench symbol was displayed. The contact stated that the vehicle lost motive power. The contact shifted to neutral or reversed and the vehicle to work as designed. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle several times however, the transmission had seized in first gear. The vehicle was towed to two transmission specialists, who were unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, and the contact was informed that there were no open recalls on the VIN. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. …
The contact owns a 2010 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 - 65 MPH, the transmission inadvertently downshifted to first gear. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. The contact restarted the vehicle and continued driving; however, the failure reoccurred several times while driving. The vehicle was taken to several independent mechanics who could not replicate the failure; however, an unknown sensor was replaced. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that they could not assist since his VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V433000 (Power Train). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
The contact owns a 2010 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted into first gear. The transmission failed to shift out of first gear immediately as needed. The vehicle then lost motive power. The transmission warning light was illuminated, and the traction control message was displayed. The vehicle was restarted, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, the vehicle had not yet been diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V075000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
The contact owns a 2010 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 40-50 MPH, the vehicle started jerking with an abnormal slamming sound coming from the transmission, but there was no warning light illuminated. While accelerating the vehicle operated normally. The vehicle was taken an independent mechanic who stated that the vehicle was experiencing a similar failure as TSB Number: 14-0153 and 16-0032. The contact was advised to contact the local dealer. The dealer was contacted and stated that there were no recalls under the VIN. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the VIN was not included in a recall. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 125,000.
The contact owns a 2010 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle hesitated and shifted out of gear independently. The contact stated that the vehicle rolled into a parking lot and a tow truck was called. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to report the failure to the NHTSA Hotline. The contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 19N01 (Vehicles Equipped with A 6R80 Transmission 6R80 Sudden Transmission Downshift); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 74,977.
The vehicle was placed in 4 wheel drive (high range) and operated normally. Stopped the vehicle and placed it back into 2 wheel drive (indicated on dashboard as in 2 wheel drive). Placed transmission setting into "Park" but did not apply emergency brake. Turned off engine and exited vehicle. Vehicle proceeded to roll backwards down a slight hill until it crashed into tree (damage was limited to body panel). In summary, although the transmission was in park, it acted like it was in neutral. After several attempts of placing the vehicle in and out of 4 wheel drive, it did reestablish the Park mechanism. I have been able to recreate the situation with it continuing to fail.
The contact owns a 2010 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving approximately 75 MPH with the cruise control feature activated, the power train warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the transmission unexpectedly downshifted into first gear and the rear wheels locked up. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and restarted the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was diagnosed by a mobile mechanic with a handheld scanner and retrieved DTC: P0723. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 152,000.
The contact owns a 2010 Ford F-150. The contact stated while turning the ignition key to start, the vehicle failed to start immediately. The contact stated that the starter fuse was disconnected, and the vehicle was started. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the lead frame had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the lead frame was not sold separately, and that the contact needed to purchase the valve body which included the lead frame. The failure mileage was about 120,000.
The contact owns a 2010 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the transmission shifted to a lower gear and the vehicle came to a complete stop. An unknown warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to a dealer where the contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,000.
Transmission complaints in other F-150 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2010 Ford F-150?
NHTSA has 121 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2010 Ford F-150, 14% of the model year's 843 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (17 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2010 Ford F-150 transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2010 Ford F-150, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2010 Ford F-150 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 31% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 10 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.