2016 Ford F-150 Transmission Problems

Which parts fail

• Automatic transmission › Control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
  2
• Manual transmission › Shift pattern indicator
  1
• Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (PRNDL)
  1
• Automatic transmission › Torque converter
  1
• Driveline › Differential unit
  1
• Automatic transmission › Internal › Shaft › Output
  1

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

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  2511%
• 25k–50k
  2511%
• 50k–75k
  3816%
• 75k–100k
  3214%
• 100k–150k
  7532%
• 150k+
  3917%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2016 Ford F-150 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle hesitated to maintain acceleration while the accelerator pedal was depressed, which caused the vehicle to jerk forward into the rear bumper of another vehicle in traffic. The front bumper struck the rear bumper of the other vehicle. A warning message reading "Cannot Exceed 80 MPH" and an additional unknown warning message were displayed. The air bags did not deploy. No injuries were reported. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the front bumper was replaced at the contact's expense. The vehicle was later repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V237000 (Powertrain); however, the repair failed to prevent the failure from recurring. …

The contact owned a 2017 Ford F-150 The contact stated while driving at 45MPH, in the rain the vehicle gear shift downshifted independently attempting to make a slight left turn causing the rear wheels stop working as intended for a one second causing the vehicle to merge into another lane causing the vehicle to crash into a ditch in order for the vehicle to come to a complete stop. The contact stated that air bags deployed in his vehicle. The contact stated sustain an injury to the head and small cut right to the right index finger .No medical attention was required. The vehicle was deemed a total loss. The contact stated that a police report was filed The contact mention he receieved the recall notice for the failure he experience after the accident. The contact was relating the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V237000 (POWER TRAIN). …

The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH the vehicle shifted down on its own and slid, she hit the breaks, while going on a curve and could not control the vehicle, causing to run into a dirt pile. The front of the vehicle collided into a dirt pile on the side of a road. The vehicle came to a full stop after the collision. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was not towed. No lights were illuminated on the cluster panel before the collision. No police report was filed. The contact was the only passenger in the vehicle. The contact suffered whiplash on her neck. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V237000 (Power Train) to be the cause of the incident. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 121,000.

The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted to first gear. The contact stated that there was a ten-second delay prior to the transmission downshifting. The vehicle was uncontrollable, and the vehicle crashed into a ditch before coming to a stop. The contact stated that the failure had occurred while the contact's wife and two minor grandchildren were inside the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure had occurred after an unknown recall repair was performed. The dealer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The manufacturer was contacted by phone, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 123,000.

The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, the transmission suddenly downshifted into an unknown gear, and the vehicle jerked and shuddered. Additionally, the engine revved loudly. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact to take the vehicle to a dealer for diagnostic testing. The failure mileage was approximately 46,000. 26 Apr 2022 update: Traded vehicle to dealership in York, PA on 25 Feb 2022 due to being told that the parts were unavailable from Ford. Later on, got a call from a different Ford dealership that they located a replacement part (AL3Z 7G276 D) Molded Lead Frame. I repurchased the vehicle from the dealership (at a higher price) and had the work performed by L&L Ford in East Berlin, PA. …

The contact's wife owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 75-80 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted from 6th gear to 3rd gear. The power train warning light was illuminated. The contact shifted to neutral(N) and pulled to the side of the road. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle operated as needed while driving. The contact stated that the failure recurred several times while driving. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer several times; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, the transmission failed to shift from third gear to first gear. The contact was able to continue driving. Additionally, the contact stated while attempting to drive from a complete stop, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to respond. …

The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V237000 (Power Train); however, the part required for the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle suddenly ran rough and shifted into neutral(N). The contact depressed the accelerator pedal, but the vehicle failed to respond and entered LIMP mode. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road, where the brakes were applied, and the vehicle was turned off. After about half an hour, the contact's son arrived and assisted the contact in driving to a nearby parking lot. The vehicle was then driven to the dealer below 40 MPH. The service traction control and power train warning lights illuminated. …

The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted and became stuck in a lower gear before shifting into the intended gear. The powertrain warning light was intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where DTC: P0705, P0706, P0707, and P1702 were retrieved, indicating a powertrain control module (PCM) and leadframe failure. The vehicle was not repaired because the warranty had expired the day prior. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V237000 (Power Train), and the vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the PCM software update was completed. The contact was advised to drive the vehicle for an extended period and return to the dealer to determine if the leadframe needed to be replaced. …

The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted. The powertrain warning light illuminated; however, the warning light was intermittent. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was informed of an unknown PCM software recall. The contact was informed that the recall repair needed to be completed. The dealer sent a tech to the residence, and the vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the failure occurred immediately after the PCM software was completed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with leadframe failure. The contact was informed that the leadframe needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that the required failure codes were not displayed. …

The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted and the vehicle decelerated to approximately 15 MPH. The powertrain warning light was illuminated during the failure. Occasionally, the vehicle was coasted over to the side of the road, and the contact attempted to turn off the vehicle, but the vehicle occasionally remained running. The contact waited for several minutes before continuing to drive. During the failure, the occupants inside the vehicle lunged forward. The contact stated that a niece's head struck the windshield, leaving a bruise, and the contact's partner lunged forward and struck her head on the side door handle bar, which left a bruise. The failure had occurred more than 25 times. The vehicle was taken to four certified mechanics, and the lead frame and all the sensors were replaced. …

Related recalls

NHTSA investigations

Transmission complaints in other F-150 years