RoadVitals

2017 Ford F-150 Powertrain (other) Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the powertrain system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Powertrain (other) reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
534
Latest Sep 14, 2026
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
37%
of 1,437 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
13
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
3

What this page shows

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2017 Ford F-150 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 534 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming powertrain

The 25 most recent of 534, in the owner's own words

Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 14, 2026

The contact owns a 2017 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V237000 (Power Train); however, the failure occurred after the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission started slipping. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that a diagnostic test was needed to determine the cause of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.

NHTSA ID
11764048
Incident
Sep 4, 2026
Mileage
93,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 10, 2026

The torque converter has malfunctioned and the vehicle is currently at the dealership for repairs. The truck experiences significant vibration and shuddering at speeds above 45 mph. There is an existing recall for this exact issue; however, our VIN is not included in the affected vehicle population. With only 60,000 to 70,000 miles on the truck and less than 10 years of service, a major component such as the torque converter should not require replacement, especially on a vehicle that has been properly maintained throughout its life.

NHTSA ID
11763384
Incident
Aug 3, 2026
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 9, 2026

My vehicle's transmission changed gears suddenly and unexpectedly causing a slight difficulty to control. Following the sudden gear change, some lights on the dashboard began flickering erratically. I have video of the dashboard after the gear change. For this incident, I was driving about 25 MPH. I experienced similar behavior before and at highway speeds. Since then, the vehicle was serviced by Ford for a Safety Recall Notice 26S28/NHTSA Recall 26V237. The service performed under the recall did not fix the problem. The local Ford dealer told me they would charge me to have the problem investigated, so I have not brought the vehicle in to them.

NHTSA ID
11763161
Incident
Sep 5, 2026
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 8, 2026

In 2025 my 2017 Ford F-150 started randomly downshifting. We took the car to the ford dealer who could not assess what the problem was exactly (Rowe Ford in Westbrook, Maine). They suggested a new transmission to be safe and clearly indicated that this was not a safe truck to drive at the time. We took the truck to another ford dealer to try to get an actual determination of what was wrong (Casco Bay Ford, Maine). They also advised that no codes were being given but that the truck was clearly downshifting and not safe. With no real alternatives or clear problem, we paid $8,000+ for a new transmission. Then, months later we get the recall notice: (Campaign 26S28 / NHTSA Recall 26V237) - Ford F-150's were downshifting... We had Ford do the software update as this is now a new transmission, but when we asked about the Recall and if there was anything we could do about the $8,000 we just paid lower and upper management (we talked to both) advised that because they could not definitively put a label to the problem before we fixed the transmission that they could not attribute the downshifting to the same problem and so will not help or otherwise reimburse us for the cost of having to fix the problem that was recalled later. No remedy was offered by Ford.

NHTSA ID
11762793
Incident
Sep 1, 2026
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 8, 2026

My 2017 Ford F-150 V8 with the 6-speed automatic transmission has been experiencing a serious and recurring transmission malfunction. The truck has consistently, almost on a daily basis, gone into limp mode and become stuck in 5th gear. It also frequently fails to downshift to 1st gear when coming to a stop. Instead, it remains in 3rd gear, requiring the truck to pull away from a complete stop in 3rd gear. The dealership did perform the software update on 08/20/2026 ,yet the issues remain the same. The vehicle has set diagnostic trouble code P0722 for the transmission output speed sensor. I have been informed that the output speed sensor is molded into the transmission lead frame and cannot be replaced separately, requiring replacement of the lead frame. Today, the transmission malfunction created an immediate and potentially life-threatening safety situation. As I pulled out of my driveway, the truck remained in 1st gear and would not properly progress through the gears. It then abruptly jumped into 2nd gear and caused the vehicle to stall/lose forward progress while I was entering the roadway. Oncoming traffic was nearly upon me and I was almost struck. The vehicle eventually engaged the proper gear and continued moving, but by that time I was in a dangerous, life-threatening situation. This is not an isolated incident or an occasional inconvenience. The transmission has been repeatedly malfunctioning, including going into limp mode in 5th gear and failing to downshift appropriately when stopping. The vehicle's inability to properly select and engage the appropriate gear creates a serious risk when pulling into traffic, stopping, accelerating, or attempting to avoid another vehicle. Ford has a customer satisfaction program related to the transmission lead frame/output speed sensor issue. However, I was told that my vehicle is not covered because P0722 is not one of the diagnostic codes included for coverage.

NHTSA ID
11762766
Incident
Sep 8, 2026
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 7, 2026

The vehicle has a ten speed transmission. It started with the transmission making minor down shifts from 3 to 1 and then 7 to 1. Without any engine warning light. It has subsequently started a severe shift from 3 to 1 and 7 to 1 and the engine light has now come on. This creates a dangerous situation when it down shifts from 7-1 when your speed is 45 mph of above. I contacted a dealership regarding a repair but was told there is no recall and it would cost $215 to diagnose and from $4,500 - $8,000 for the repair. It is a known issue to the Ford dealers but without a recall they are gouging the consumers who is at risk of accident.

NHTSA ID
11762515
Incident
Sep 6, 2026
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 2, 2026

The 4-5-6 drum ring in my transmission went out on my truck that has 70, 318 miles on it. Vehicle was missing shift points and would not always shift properly causing power to not be available when expected - especially dangerous when trying to merge onto a highway. Vehicle was inspected by a Ford dealership and by ABC transmissions of Tacoma WA. I paid ABC Transmissions $9,693.98 to fix the problem. The transmissions would clunk badly and was very obviously missing shift points. They first appeared 30k miles ago but Ford lied to me saying it was a "software problem".

NHTSA ID
11761678
Incident
Sep 10, 2019
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Sep 1, 2026

Vehicle is subject to active Safety Recall 26S28 for transmission lead frame and range sensor failure causing unexpected downshifts into 1st gear. Vehicle experienced downshifting symptoms creating severe road hazard and risk of rear-wheel lockup. Dealership cleared diagnostic trouble codes without saving freeze-frame logs, mis-entered VIN on billing estimates, and refused to complete the recall repair. Vehicle is available for inspection.

NHTSA ID
11761459
Incident
Apr 1, 2026
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 31, 2026

Driving back from tri cities and when we were on I5 the transmission abruptly shifted down and went to a very high RPM. Was able to limp off the freeway by UW, and then drove home slowly. Had it trailered by the dealership i had just bought it from and they brought it to a shop where they said the transmission needed replaced.

NHTSA ID
11760894
Incident
Feb 19, 2026
EnginePowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Aug 31, 2026

On XXX, my [XXX] son was driving this 2017 Ford F-150 when the transmission suddenly downshifted while traveling on the road. The downshift was severe enough that the rear tires lost traction and the vehicle fishtailed, nearly resulting in an accident. The vehicle was taken to an authorized Ford dealer on 8/18/2026. We reported the sudden downshift, but the dealer was unable to duplicate the condition. The dealer performed Ford Recall 26S28/NHTSA 26V-237 and campaign 19G01, and the vehicle was returned on XXX. On XXX, only two days after the recall repair, the engine unexpectedly shut off while the vehicle was being driven. It restarted afterward. On XXX, the engine again unexpectedly stalled while the vehicle was moving. When the engine stopped, power-steering assist was lost and the driver had to coast the vehicle safely to the side of the road. The engine restarted immediately. When attempting to drive away, the transmission appeared to be starting in approximately third gear rather than first gear. After the vehicle was moving, the transmission eventually began operating normally again. Ford Customer Relationship Center was notified on XXX and formally documented these incidents. The vehicle is available for inspection. I am concerned because the original sudden downshift closely resembles the safety defect addressed by Recall 26V-237/26S28, and serious intermittent stalling and abnormal transmission operation have continued after the recall remedy was performed. I am requesting that NHTSA document and evaluate these post-recall safety symptoms and whether the recall remedy adequately addresses the underlying defect. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11760892
Incident
Aug 30, 2026
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Aug 28, 2026

This lead frame issue is never ending. Well over a decade without a proper remedy. I’m very familiar with it. but this one nearly ended my life. After the near collision I called my mechanic and bought a new ford lead frame from a dealership. It’s doing fine now, it’s been 1 year. the incident caused my truck to go into park or possibly reverse at highway speed just as I passed a semi truck and returned to the right lane. If the trucker had not been paying attention it would have been bad. There was nothing I could do. . On top of this, he was under the impression that it was intentional. So I almost got into a physical altercation until I convinced him to look inside my truck as my gear indicator light was dancing from gear to gear while not touching anything.. To add to the seriousness, my taillamps never came on because I didn’t touch the brake. It was a horrible timing.. . Shortly after this i received a notice from Ford explaining the cause and symptoms of this issue, but then stated there was no fix at the time, but the vehicle was “safe to drive.” That is irresponsible. This was the only time mine did it, no prior issues. I got new ford parts and had it replaced. my mechanic said they deal with this weekly! Then I get a letter from Ford saying there is a fix and it’s a computer programming issue which is totally not true. That’s just a smoke screen, but it also goes on to say it could be a lead frame and if you’ve already fixed it before you got a letter, they will refund your money, but I highly doubt that. But they should stop claiming these vehicles are safe to drive because they absolutely are not if they’re having an issue regarding recall 26S28. So not only did i use new Ford parts, I paid a reputable EX Ford Technician Who owns his own business to perform the services because ford didn’t offer a fix. only to waste my time reprogramming the ecm. I work, I don’t have time.It’s irresponsible to say it’s not a safety concern. It’s just bad policy

NHTSA ID
11760515
Incident
Sep 25, 2025
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 25, 2026

The contact owns a 2017 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted to first gear, causing the rear wheels to lock up. The contact pulled over, turned off and restarted the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the transmission was rebuilt, but the failure persisted. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V237000 (Power Train). The vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair; however, the failure reoccurred. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that a diagnostic test was needed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 71,200.

NHTSA ID
11759399
Incident
Apr 1, 2026
Mileage
71,200 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 25, 2026

I am filing a formal complaint regarding improper service practices, breach of safety recall protocols, and severe resulting vehicle damage committed by Fox Grand Traverse Ford. On April 23, 2026, independent facility Kinney’s Complete Auto Repair replaced the lead frame connector on my vehicle. During service, the transmission pan was dropped and inspected. The transmission was certified clean, free of metal shavings, and operating normally. On August 3, 2026, a mobile service technician from Fox Grand Traverse Ford performed Safety Recall 26S28 (PCM Software Update) at my workplace parking lot. Ford Motor Company’s official support guidelines explicitly state: "Ford Mobile Service is unavailable for Recall 26S28." Servicing requires in-dealership PCM reprogramming and post-flash adaptive calibration. Because the service was performed in a parking lot, the technician omitted the mandatory post-flash adaptive learning drive cycle. The vehicle immediately suffered harsh shifting, hydraulic pressure spikes, and forward rolling while in Reverse. Fox Ford now demands $7,883.73 for a complete transmission replacement, falsely claiming there metal shavings in the gear box and that the damage was a "pre-existing condition," despite the recent clean pan inspection from April 2026.

NHTSA ID
11759380
Incident
Aug 3, 2026
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 23, 2026

My 2017 Ford F-150 equipped with the 10R80 10-speed automatic transmission experiences repeated harsh and unpredictable shifting. The transmission will hesitate or delay during shifts and then engage very hard, sometimes producing a severe bang or jolt through the truck. It also experiences abnormal gear hunting and inconsistent shifting behavior. These symptoms can occur during normal driving and create a safety concern because the transmission does not always respond predictably to driver input. Ford has issued technical service bulletins addressing harsh engagement, delayed engagement, harsh shifting, and delayed shifting on 2017-2020 F-150 vehicles equipped with the 10R80 transmission. My vehicle is experiencing these same types of symptoms. I am reporting this because I believe the 10R80 transmission in affected 2017 F-150 vehicles should be investigated for a potential safety defect.

NHTSA ID
11758935
Incident
Aug 15, 2026
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 20, 2026

The contact owns a 2017 Ford F-150. The contact stated that after receiving notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V237000 (POWER TRAIN), the dealer was contacted, and a mechanic was sent to the residence to perform a software update on the vehicle. After the software update was performed, the vehicle experienced hard shifting, and the gear became stuck in 5th gear and 3rd gear on occasion, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed that the transmission leadframe was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was 155,062.

NHTSA ID
11758280
Incident
Aug 20, 2026
Mileage
155,062 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 20, 2026

See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA ID
11758194
Incident
Jun 4, 2026
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 19, 2026

The contact owns a 2017 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted and the powertrain warning light illuminated. The transmission was stuck between third and fifth gear. In addition, the transmission failed to shift from park to drive until the vehicle was turned off. The failure was a persistent failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and a portable scanner was attached; DTCs P0722 and P061A were retrieved. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V237000 (Power Train). The vehicle was not repaired under the recall. The contact was informed that the failure codes were not the required failure codes associated with the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.

NHTSA ID
11757980
Incident
May 14, 2026
Mileage
95,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Aug 18, 2026

I purchased a 2017 Ford F-150 on July 9th. It is covered under Safety Recall 26S28 (NHTSA Campaign 26V23700). On July 25th, the vehicle entered highway limp mode due to an Output Speed Sensor failure (Code P0722). A Ford dealership performed the 26S28 software flash but left the failing physical lead frame hardware in the vehicle. On August 15th, the truck reverted to a dangerous limp mode on the highway due to the same unaddressed P0722 hardware failure. Ford Corporate is refusing to authorize the physical hardware replacement under the safety recall framework, leaving the vehicle fundamentally unsafe to drive.

NHTSA ID
11757699
Incident
Aug 15, 2026
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 17, 2026

The transmission started skipping 4th gear a couple days later started randomly changing gears from 1st through 10th, and neutral while driving after reaching speed limits. While making a left hand turn it went into neutral and was almost hit broadside by an 18 wheeler with my grandson in the truck. There is a TSB and 3 class action lawsuits on this issue. My vehicle is a 2017 f150 with 50,365 miles which is EXTREMELY low miles for its age. I asked for goodwill assistance but was told no by the dealership and customer support. I called EXECUTIVE AFFAIRS twice and have yet received a call. I written a letter to Ford Consumer Affairs about my situation with contact information but have not received a response. A vehicle with this mileage should not be having a major issue regardless of its age. This is a life threatening safety issue that needs immediate attention. My vehicle is currently at the dealership having this 8600 dollar repair. Ford should be waving this charge or at least financial assistance with it but all I get is being told NO or IGNORED.

NHTSA ID
11757366
Incident
Aug 1, 2026
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 13, 2026

The contact owns a 2017 Ford F-150. The contact stated that after taking the vehicle to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V237000 (Power Train); the transmission abruptly downshifted to a lower gear soon after leaving the dealer. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that prior to the recall repair, the vehicle experienced the failure and discovered the recall upon investigation. The dealer was made aware of the failure but offered no assistance. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ID
11756806
Incident
May 1, 2026
Mileage
100,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 13, 2026

The contact owns a 2017 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V237000 (Power Train); however, the repair failed to prevent a failure. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from underneath the vehicle, and the vehicle failed to move as intended while shifting gears. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle suddenly unintendedly accelerated while shifted into drive(D). The vehicle was restarted as a temporary fix, and the vehicle was parked in a nearby parking lot. The local dealer was contacted, and an authorized Ford mechanic arrived on scene to take the vehicle back to the local dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure; however, the manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 181,000.

NHTSA ID
11756763
Incident
Aug 3, 2026
Mileage
181,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 13, 2026

The contact owns a 2017 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the vehicle had not experienced a failure associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V237000 (Power Train); however, the vehicle was taken to the dealer to be inspected and serviced under the recall repair to keep the vehicle up to date. The contact stated that after the recall repair was performed, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted to a lower gear, and the vehicle decelerated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer due to failure, and it was diagnosed with transmission failure and that there was oil leaking through the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

NHTSA ID
11756759
Incident
Aug 10, 2026
Mileage
180,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 13, 2026

The contact owns a 2017 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the transmission downshifted and upshifted erratically. The power train and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V237000 (Power Train), and the vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the PCM software update was performed; however, the failure persisted. The contact later received a notification that the molded leadframe would be replaced as necessary under an extended coverage program. The vehicle was returned to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the leadframe had failed and needed to be replaced; however, the contact was informed that the repair was not covered under the program because the diagnostic trouble codes did not meet the required specifications. The contact stated that the manufacturer failed to honor the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the repair would be at the owner's expense, and the contact was advised to retain the receipts. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 168,000.

NHTSA ID
11756662
Incident
Apr 13, 2026
Mileage
168,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 12, 2026

I scheduled an appointment for a recall on my truck. The appt was set for Monday. The dealership in Pensacola, FL picked up my vehicle and claims they do not have the ability to service the recall. However, prior to scheduling the appt, the truck was driven from Seguin, TX to Pensacola without any issues because we have a family emergency with my father in the hospital. Upon arriving in Pensacola, the issue that has the recall started so I immediately set the appt. The dealership has had my truck for 3 days and plans on holding it for an unknown amount of time as they do not know how to service the recall. The recall service would fix the issue my truck is experiencing, and I know the remedy does not take multiple days to perform. I need my truck back, but the dealership does not understand that I need to go back to Texas with my truck functioning properly. So, I just wanted to make a complaint about the dealership in Pensacola, FL having little to no knowledge about to perform the recall remedy and attempting to perform multiple services that will cost me money I do not have because I was not prepared to pay when the recall service should be free. Highly disappointed with them and the fact that I have no way to go back to Texas with my truck.

NHTSA ID
11756587
Incident
Aug 12, 2026
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 12, 2026

The contact owns a 2017 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted to a lower gear, causing the powertrain warning light to illuminate. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V237000 (Power Train), and the vehicle was taken to a dealer where the PCM software update was completed; however, the failure recurred two days later. An independent mechanic was contacted, but the contact later received a remedy notification letter that the molded leadframe would be replaced as necessary under an extended coverage program. The vehicle was returned to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the leadframe had failed and needed to be replaced; however, the contact was informed that the repair was not covered under the recall or program because the diagnostic trouble code did not match the required specifications. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The contact stated that the manufacturer had failed to honor the recall repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 185,000.

NHTSA ID
11756512
Incident
May 12, 2026
Mileage
185,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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