2015 Ford F-150 Transmission Problems

Which parts fail

• Automatic transmission
  4
• Automatic transmission › Control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
  2
• Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (PRNDL)
  1

Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  1811%
• 25k–50k
  1710%
• 50k–75k
  3119%
• 75k–100k
  2616%
• 100k–150k
  4125%
• 150k+
  3420%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2015 Ford F-150 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2015 Ford F-150. The contact stated that he parked the vehicle in the garage and as he exited the vehicle, the vehicle inadvertently started reversing on its own. The contact stated he attempted to jump back in the vehicle to depress the brake pedal but he was unable to do so as the vehicle was moving fast. The contact stated he jumped out of the way. The vehicle reversed down the driveway and crashed into a transformer across the street. The contact stated he got into the vehicle and switched gears to neutral, however, the indicator light would still indicate that the vehicle was in park. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact sustained bruised ribs, lacerations on the arms and legs. The contact did not seek medical assistance. The dealer was notified of the failure but did not provide any assistance. …

The contact owned a 2015 Ford F-150. While driving approximately 10 MPH inside a shopping center parking lot, the contact initiated a turn. Suddenly and without warning, the vehicle experienced a sensation of "gliding" and the contact was unable to maintain control. The vehicle then accelerated unexpectedly, which resulted in a total loss of steering and vehicle control. This sudden loss of control caused the vehicle to crash into a music academy building. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaigns Number: 26V237000 (Power Train) to be the cause of the incident. The front bumper and windshield of the vehicle were heavily damaged. The property damage include a building for a music academy. The contact stated the vehicle stopped immediately upon impact. The Air Bags were not deployed. The vehicle was towed to a insurance lot. …

The contact owns a 2015 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed uphill, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the transmission was operating at a high speed, but the vehicle operated at a low speed. Within seconds, the speed independently increased, and the vehicle became uncontrollable. The vehicle rolled backward into an embankment and then into a concrete-lined ditch, bouncing out the other side. In addition, the contact noticed smoke coming from the tailpipe. The vehicle was driven to a nearby friend's residence. A police report was filed. The contact was taken to a local medical center, having sustained a bruised forehead, a bruised left ankle, and a bruised left knee. …

The contact owns a 2015 Ford F150. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V237000 (POWER TRAIN). The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed on the highway, the vehicle unexpectedly downshifted to a lower gear, and an abnormally loud noise was heard from the vehicle. In addition, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended and was rear-ended from behind. No injuries were reported. No police report was file. The engine revved up; the rear tires made an abnormal grinding noise. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The powertrain warning light and lamp wrench warning light were illuminated. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the engine revved up, and the vehicle failed to accelerate past 35 MPH. The other driver assisted the contact and helped tow the vehicle back to the residence. …

The contact's parents own a 2015 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted from sixth gear to second gear, causing the vehicle to jolt and the wheels to lock up. The brake pedal was depressed, but the wheels remained locked, causing the vehicle to crash into the rear of another vehicle, which then struck a second vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The air bags failed to deploy, and no injuries were reported; however, emergency personnel responded to the scene and evaluated an infant occupant of the second vehicle. A Police report was filed. All three vehicles were driven away from the scene. The contact received notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V237000 (Power Train); and contacted the dealer. The contact was referred to the manufacturer to determine whether the crash was caused by the recall. …

The contact owned a 2015 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power while approaching a stop. The contact depressed the brake pedal; however, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated and crashed into a Chevrolet Tahoe. The wrench symbol warning light was illuminated. There were no reported injuries. The air bags deployed as intended. A Police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The insurance company towed the vehicle to the total loss yard, where the vehicle was deemed a total loss. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 310,000. The VIN was not available.

The contact owns a 2015 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted to 3rd gear, and the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The message "Hill Start Assist Unavailable" was displayed, and the traction control warning light was illuminated. The message Automatic Cruise Active turned off was displayed. The contact stated that on another occasion, while driving at 20 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted. The contact stated that before the transmission downshifted, the accelerator pedal felt loose. The message "Hill Start Assist Unavailable" was displayed, and the traction control warning light was illuminated. The message Automatic Cruise Active turned off was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed due to the cost. …

The contact owns a 2015 Ford F-150. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V237000 (Powertrain), and the recall repair was completed. The contact stated that after the recall repair was performed, the vehicle experienced transmission downshifting at high speeds and hesitation. The contact also received notification for Customer Satisfaction Program: 26N04 (Transmission Molded Leadframe Replacement). The contact stated that the failure initially occurred when an orange wrench icon illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the dealer refused to perform the program repair at no cost. The dealer stated that the failure originated within the output speed sensor located inside the molded leadframe and required the contact to pay for the repair out of pocket. …

The contact owns a 2015 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission was shifted abnormally. The transmission unexpectedly downshifted and upshifted. The contact stated that occasionally the transmission was stuck in fifth gear. In addition, there was an abnormal clucking sound coming from the vehicle, and the power train warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with an unknown sensor failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact later received notification of Customer Satisfaction Program: 26N04. The dealer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the repair was completed. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that four days later the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer. …

The contact owns a 2015 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission independently shifted. The contact stated that the failure occurred when approaching a stop sign. The contact stated that the transmission shifted from first gear to fifth gear. No warning lights were illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the failure occurred only when the outside temperature was 50 degrees or below. The contact parked the vehicle and turned the vehicle off. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle started. The transmission independently reset. The vehicle was taken to a independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed lead frame. The contact was informed that the lead frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was made aware of the failure. …

Related recalls

NHTSA investigations

Transmission complaints in other F-150 years