2018 Ford F-150 Powertrain (other) Problems

Driving highway I70 over Vail Pass, vehicle downshifted on it's own nearly causing someone to rear-end my vehicle. Took it to three local automotive business's for a diagnostic service; they all reported the same issue PP07F7-00 CDF drum and the 10th-gear not engaging. This should not be occurring when I've maintained service of my vehicle. I've paid for one diagnostic and shouldn't have to pay for one at my Ford dealer where it was purchased by I will have to again. I know of several owners with the exact same issue and no one is supporting them for this. I've owned four Ford trucks and this is unacceptable. Ford Case# CXH-09395547-R9D3S2

NHTSA ID

11766743

Incident

Sep 14, 2026

The vehicle is stalling/jerking and long idling. I was told that the transmission needs to be replaced. Less than 80,000 miles. 2018 Ford 150

NHTSA ID

11766717

Incident

Jan 3, 2025

2018 Ford F-150 Limited with the 3.5L EcoBoost engine. At approximately 60,000 miles the engine began making a rattling noise from the front of the engine on cold start, lasting several seconds. Over the last three months the noise has become progressively worse and now occurs at every cold start and lasts longer. The check engine light is currently illuminated. The vehicle has not stalled or lost power. A Ford dealer (Wynne Ford, Hampton, VA) diagnosed the condition on September 24, 2026 at 104,661 miles as cam phaser failure, requiring replacement of the variable camshaft timing (VCT) units and associated timing components. This matches Ford's Technical Service Bulletin 23-2143, which covers 2017-2020 F-150 vehicles with the 3.5L EcoBoost engine built on or before November 30, 2019. Ford previously issued Customer Satisfaction Program 21B10 and warranty extension 21N03 for this same defect on March 2, 2021, but 21N03 expressly excluded the F-150 Limited trim, and both programs have since expired. The dealer additionally reported that it has submitted multiple other cam phaser repairs on 2017-2020 3.5L EcoBoost vehicles for manufacturer assistance in the past two months, including vehicles newer and with lower mileage than mine, and that all were denied. The quoted repair is $5,414.11 at my expense. I am filing this report because cam phaser failure in these engines can progress to timing chain damage and engine failure, and because Ford has documented this defect since at least 2021 without issuing a recall. I contacted Ford (case CXH-09424982) and was denied any financial assistance.

NHTSA ID

11766591

Incident

Sep 24, 2026

The 10-speed automatic transmission (10R80) shifts harshly and erratically, hangs in gear, and lost 2nd gear entirely, causing unpredictable acceleration and gear engagement in traffic. First reported to a Ford dealer on 6/8/2021 at 25,883 miles (dealer called it normal). Repairs: internal teardown at 32,920 miles (damaged clutch, input shaft, torque converter hub); valve body repair under TSB 24-2101 at 63,483 miles; CDF hub and friction plate failure diagnosed at 77,584 miles (TSB 25-2126 failure mode); loss of 2nd gear at 88,449 miles. Pre-repair scan 9/2026 shows P0732, P076F, P07F6 (incorrect gear ratio, gears 2, 7, 9). Transmission being rebuilt again 9/2026. The engine also suffered timing chain and crankshaft failures requiring a full engine replacement at 66,108 miles and another timing repair at 77,584 miles. Three catalytic converter failures. Nearly 200 days in Ford dealer service departments.

NHTSA ID

11766549

Incident

Aug 10, 2026

2018 Ford F-150 XLT Power Train / Transmission (10R80 10-Speed Automatic) ~100,000 miles (99,737) While accelerating, typically at neighborhood speeds, we sometimes get a hesitation/delay in shifting, which causes a pause and then a hard shift jerking forward, which makes it unreliable at times. Not getting any dashboard warning lights, and has had the transmission flushed at 80k miles by a Ford dealership. A Ford dealership diagnostic inspection confirmed an internal mechanical defect: a failure/migration of the internal Teflon-sealed sleeve on the CDF clutch drum. The dealership technician also noted harsh upshifting between gears 3 and 4, and harsh downshifting between gears 6 and 5. The sudden, unpredictable loss of power during low-speed acceleration creates an immediate safety hazard. It leaves the vehicle vulnerable to rear-end collisions when merging into moving traffic, navigating busy intersections, or pulling out onto roadways, as the truck fails to accelerate when commanded. Furthermore, the violent gear slamming can cause momentary loss of traction or driver distraction under low-grip road conditions. Researching, what we're experiencing is very common with the 10R80 transmission that we have, and documented in TSB 23-2152, and TSB 25-2126. From what I'm reading, Ford redesigned the CDF drum in 2023 to try and correct the manufacturing issue.

NHTSA ID

11766337

Incident

Sep 22, 2026

The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. While approaching a light and entering a loop while driving 55 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly shifted from 7th gear to 1st gear. The vehicle stalled, was shifted into park, and restarted. There was vibration in the floor at the time of the purchase. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where the torque converter was repaired under warranty. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer again, where it was diagnosed and the failure was associated with the valve body. There were no codes present. The vehicle stalled on Interstate I-20 while driving 60 MPH, causing an unsafe situation. The wrench symbol was displayed after the failure. The vehicle was taken to a transmission center for a scheduled repair. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V164000 (Power Train). The manufacturer was contacted on two occasions, and the contact was provided a case number. The failure mileage was approximately 108,000.

NHTSA ID

11765754

Incident

Aug 20, 2026

Mileage

108,000 mi

After Fords TCM recall the truck’s transmission has not acted correctly, very hard shifts, staggered shifting and warning lights for shifting issues or low power due to loss of signal from computer. It has gotten worse it now is sticking in 4th and 7th gear, acts as if slipping and completely stopped the truck in a busy intersection where I had to shut the vehicle off and restart before it would go in gear manually. Truck has lunged forward in reverse, went into low gear on the interstate and have given codes for fault detection. I’ve had the vehicle look at by a certified mechanic and his computer shows no connection between computer and transmission then shows partial connection and the full connection. Torque Converter shows good and so do the cliches and solenoids. This is dangerous and could cause an accident if not fixed, whatever ford’s update was has made my computer loose connection with the transmission and has put a fault that could possibly cause an accident or fire.

NHTSA ID

11765037

Incident

Aug 26, 2026

Transmission slips out of park. And starts like it's in gear , can vehicle feel the truck jump a little.also shifts stalls and feels like it's stopping when taking off from a intersection. Started doing this when truck was about 2 years old. Had dealer change trans filter and fluid last year but it's still doing it.

NHTSA ID

11764879

Incident

Aug 12, 2026

The 10 speed transmission does not shift smoothly and will periodically shift hard when downshifting from 4 to 3 and 3 to 2. Ford is aware of bushing walking which they addressed in 2022. I am one year out of my warranty which Ford would not address when under warranty but issue was less of an issue. Now that it is routinely shifting rough, they will not stand behind their transmission they knew was problematic. I have on numerous occasions been almost rear ended because they hard shift mimics a hard braking without warning.

NHTSA ID

11764678

Incident

Sep 8, 2026

Started with harsh shifting, lead to no shifting and no movement. Shifting came back and lunged forward and harsh stop. Happened multiple times and now vehicle will not move.

NHTSA ID

11763891

Incident

Sep 11, 2026

SAFETY HAZARD & RISK ​The 10R80 transmission exhibits sudden, unpredictable gear slipping, power loss, and violent slamming/lunging during gear shifts while navigating active traffic. This erratic behavior creates an immediate collision risk when merging, accelerating, or changing lanes, as the truck unexpectedly loses momentum or lunges forward. ​INCIDENT & REPAIR HISTORY ​The vehicle required two complete transmission overhauls under 68,000 miles at Apple Ford (Columbia, MD), both confirmed by certified technicians and warranty inspectors: ​Overhaul #1 (Invoice #273111 | Aug 14, 2024 | 42,571 miles): Diagnosed under TSB 24-2101 for shift failure. The dealer overhauled the valve body and replaced internal components, including the CDF drum (Part #JL3Z7H351B). ​Overhaul #2 (Invoice #351672 | Sep 11, 2026 | 67,587 miles): Less than 25,000 miles later, severe slipping and 5th gear binding recurred. Teardown revealed a sticking main pressure control valve, burnt E & F clutch packs, and an outdated CDF drum. The dealer replaced the complete valve body (Part #JL3Z7A100CRM), installed a redesigned CDF cylinder (Part #PC3Z7B177A), and replaced scorched clutch/steel plates. ​COMPLAINT RESPONSE SUMMARY ​System Failed: 10R80 Transmission (CDF drum sleeve migration, sticking valve body, burnt E & F clutches). Vehicle is available for inspection. ​Safety Risk: Sudden power loss and violent lunging in active traffic, creating severe collision hazards. ​Confirmed by Dealer: Yes. Diagnosed and verified twice by Apple Ford master technicians. ​Inspected By: Authorized Ford dealer technicians and an official warranty company inspector. ​Symptoms/Timeline: No warning lights appeared prior to failure. Physical symptoms (slipping, violent slamming) first appeared before Aug 2024 (42,571 miles) and recurred in July 2026 (67,587 miles).

NHTSA ID

11763889

Incident

Aug 12, 2026

I have a 10 speed automatic transmission that intermittently works in 2nd and third gears. It began doing this at 60,000 miles. I'm not sure if it is the adaptive learning transmission control module (TCM) or the transmission itself. Ford dealer wants over $10,000 to replace transmission. The car is unsafe when pulling into traffic and it won't accelerate half the time.

NHTSA ID

11762568

Incident

Jul 24, 2026

Loss of power while acceleration from a stop sign. Vehicle would not shift into gear and acted like it could only drive very slowly. Repair shop inspected it and stated that the transmission needed work and would cost 8200.00 to fix issue that has a TSB out meaning ford knows about the issue

NHTSA ID

11762538

Incident

Aug 15, 2026

My Ford F-150 Supercrew XLT 10R80 10-speed completely failed resulting Ford replacing it with a new transmission unit for a cost to be of $7,300. As the transmission failed at 96,000 miles the gears would be skipped with harsh shifting, not fully engaging 4th gear and at times while driving would refused to shift into any gear and high revs and me unable to accelerate. I was nearly involved in a crash when I would pull out into traffic legally but suddenly unable to accelerate and approaching cara from the rear needed to suddenly brake and change lanes to avoid a collision. All diagnosis was conducted by Ford. At first it cost me approximately $300 for them to drain and fill transmission fluid. When that didn't fix the problem they then said it was the DCF drum failure at a cost of $5000. When they were unable to fix it they informed me that they needed to install a brand new transmission at a cost of $7,300. Current mileage is approximately 98,300 miles. As a prior certified LEO Traffic Homicide Investigator, I was terrified driving the truck knowing what could happed if it failed as I was crossing traffic or pulling out and fail, as is had already and therefore I was unable to use my vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11762071

Incident

Aug 1, 2026

No oil in between changes check engine light came one

NHTSA ID

11761768

Incident

May 1, 2025

10R80 Transmission Delays when shifting and when it does engage its harsh shifts.

NHTSA ID

11761667

Incident

Apr 1, 2023

The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission was shifting erratically. The contact stated that the transmission shifted from 1st gear to 7th gear and back to 1st gear. The check engine warning light and an unknown warning light was illuminated after the failure. During an oil change service, the contact described the failure to an independent mechanic, who performed a diagnostic test but found no transmission failure. The contact was advised that NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V375000 (Power Train); recall repair could repair the vehicle; however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact notified the manufacturer by telephone. The manufacturer confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

NHTSA ID

11761627

Incident

Aug 2, 2026

Mileage

150,000 mi

1st problem transmission: Hard shifting up and down in certain gears. 3 gear seems the worst. When slowing down to almost stop it down shifts and lurks forward which can cause a safety issue. Loud banging noise when it does this hard shift. 2nd problem when starting the truck up get a loud chain rattle. Think it’s the phaser/cam rattle I keep reading about with no fix. Mileage on my truck is 63,000 miles never tow or haul anything. Crazy ford can sell something like this and be ok with it.

NHTSA ID

11761611

Incident

Aug 29, 2026

Direct failure of Cam phasers and confirmation. This led to erratic engine runtime leading to transmission shifting learned behaviors based on the bogus engine information. This causes erratic hardshifting into drive and most importantly dropping gears on the highway resulting in unsafe driving conditions at random. This includes both random downshifts at highway speed and a similar situation when accelerating the wrong gear is engaged both causing unsafe conditions for the driver and those surrounding. Upon phaser replacement the engine then ran correctly and transmission was reset both KAM tables and learned behavior to rectify the transmission safety challenges. This should at least be a TSB not just a mystery to owners and dealers alike.

NHTSA ID

11761411

Incident

Aug 10, 2026

The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while accelerating from a stop light, the vehicle failed to properly accelerate and jerked and hesitated. The contact stated that the transmission upshifted from 1st to 3rd gear and then from 3rd to 7th gear. During the failure the WRENCH symbol was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the transmission needed to be repaired, and the CDF drum need to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 96,000.

NHTSA ID

11760925

Incident

Jul 19, 2026

Mileage

96,000 mi

I own a 2018 Ford F-150 4WD with approximately 24,600 miles. While traveling approximately 70 MPH on the highway in 2H with cruise control operating, I suddenly heard an extremely loud metal-on-metal grinding/ratcheting noise from the driver's-side front wheel area. The noise caused immediate concern about a possible front wheel or drivetrain failure. I disengaged cruise control and the grinding stopped. Within approximately 50 miles on the same trip, the grinding occurred a second time while again traveling approximately 70 MPH in 2H without cruise engaged. Because of the severity of the noise, I pulled over on the side of the highway and inspected the vehicle. I found nothing visibly wrong and resumed driving. The condition has since occurred two additional times while accelerating from a stop in 2H. These incidents were less severe but involved the same metal-on-metal grinding/ratcheting from the driver's-side front wheel area. I have also noticed a brief air/vacuum-type "whoosh" immediately before the grinding occurs. My Ford service manager directed me to Ford TSB 24-2188, which addresses grinding/clicking/ratcheting from the front wheel area associated with partial engagement of the Integrated Wheel End (IWE). The truck is scheduled for diagnosis but has not yet been formally diagnosed. I contacted Ford Customer Satisfaction, case CXH-090-0329-26-V5R9-P-5. Ford declined assistance due to vehicle age despite the low mileage. I am reporting this because the condition has occurred four times, including twice unexpectedly at 70 MPH. I am concerned about the safety implications of a front wheel-end component potentially partially engaging at highway speed and believe this warrants NHTSA review.

NHTSA ID

11759735

Incident

Aug 18, 2026

While driving home from a work appointment in Rockwall, Texas, I entered an intersection with three lanes of uncontrolled cross traffic traveling approximately 35-45 mph. As I accelerated my Ford F-150 equipped with the 10R80 transmission, it started into the intersection and then began sporadically hunting for a gear. The truck suddenly lost nearly all acceleration and slowed to an almost complete stop while I was in the middle of the intersection. Vehicles were approaching me from the driver side, leaving me with almost no ability to get out of their path. I was extremely fortunate that I was not T-boned. This is the second time this truck has experienced a sudden and dangerous loss of acceleration, the first was with a 4th gear slip on an on-ramp. Neither incident was preceded by a warning light or other dashboard indication. I understand Ford has been aware of problems involving the CDF clutch drum in the 10R80 transmission and that the design was subsequently revised in later versions. My vehicles issues are textbook CDF Drum problems. Meanwhile, the known 10R80 problems have significantly reduced the vehicle's value, leaving me owing more than I can reasonably recover by selling it. This is not simply a reliability issue. A transmission that can unexpectedly eliminate a vehicle's ability to accelerate without warning is a serious safety hazard. Twice, this defect has put me in a situation where I could have been killed by cross traffic. I am asking NHTSA to investigate the 10R80 transmission, including the CDF drum/design issues, and determine whether these failures create an unreasonable safety risk and whether Ford has taken adequate corrective action.

NHTSA ID

11759143

Incident

Aug 19, 2026

Truck will not shift into 7th gear, will down shift to 1st gear once it reaches 6th gear around 40mph. Causing the vehicle back tires to brake and skid and lose control of vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11759042

Incident

Aug 22, 2026

The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH on the highway, the vehicle lost motive power, and the brakes became inoperable. The drivetrain and wrench symbol were displayed. The ABS warning light was illuminated and DTC: U100 (Failure of Communication for Engine and Transmission) was displayed. The codes were cleared after restarting the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with a communication error with the engine and transmission computer. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The transmission upshifted from first gear to seventh. After a while, the vehicle resumed normal operations, but then the vehicle drove abnormally. The RPM increased to high, and the temperature gauge was at HOT. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and was diagnosed with complete transmission failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 62,513.

NHTSA ID

11758290

Incident

Jul 22, 2026

Mileage

62,513 mi

My 10R80 transmission has failed at 79000 miles. This tranmission has been problematic during the life of this truck. Hard shifting, delayed shift, clutch flutter. Ford refused to honor my extended warranty that covers the power train beyond the 5/60000mile base warranty.

NHTSA ID

11757451

Incident

Aug 7, 2026