RoadVitals

2018 Ford F-150 Transmission Problems

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

Data refreshed

Transmission 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.
17
Latest Mar 18, 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.
<1%
of 2,265 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.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2018 Ford F-150 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 17 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 transmission

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Transmission
Filed Mar 18, 2026

Transmission (10r80) shifted rough, leading to no 1-4th gear and no 10th gear or reverse. Had to do a rebuild of the transmission @80k miles and it still shifts ruff/clunking into gears

NHTSA ID
11725156
Incident
Sep 30, 2025
Transmission
Filed Oct 14, 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission failed to shift properly. Additionally, the contact stated that while the transmission was shifting gear, there was a clunking sound coming from the gear shifter. The power train warning light was illuminated. The contact used a handheld scanner and retrieved DTC: P07F6-00 (Gear 9 Incorrect Ratio Detected by PCM). The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where DTC: P07F6-00; was retrieved again, and the vehicle was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 96,000.

NHTSA ID
11693330
Incident
Mar 1, 2023
Mileage
96,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Jul 31, 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and accelerating, there was an abnormal sound coming from underneath the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 87,000.

NHTSA ID
11677564
Incident
Jul 31, 2025
Mileage
87,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Jul 31, 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH, the vehicle hesitated, and the vehicle experienced hard transmission shifts while attempting to shift gear. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for further assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 164,000.

NHTSA ID
11677480
Incident
Jul 31, 2025
Mileage
164,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Jul 30, 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle unintendedly downshifted. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

NHTSA ID
11677187
Incident
Jul 30, 2025
Mileage
160,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Jun 13, 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at undisclosed speeds, the transmission failed to shift correctly, causing the vehicle to jerk. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer and was diagnosed and determined that the CDF drum on the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.

NHTSA ID
11666733
Incident
Apr 1, 2025
Mileage
120,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Mar 12, 2025
Crash reported

The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed, however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The transmission independently downshifted into first gear. The vehicle was uncontrollable and crashed into the median. The contact stated the failure was persistent and had occurred several times. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle sometimes jerked forward and hard-shifted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed transmission. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed of an unknown recall of the transmission, however, the contact did not receive updates regarding the repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not assist. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.

NHTSA ID
11647895
Incident
Dec 12, 2024
Mileage
89,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Jan 22, 2025

The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated while attempting to drive the vehicle, the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. The contact stated that the transmission was skipping gear, and shifted improperly, with the RPM revving abnormally. The contact stated that after depressing the accelerator pedal to the floorboard the vehicle failed to respond as needed. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that unknown technology needed to be upgraded. The local dealer was contacted, and the vehicle was diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

NHTSA ID
11637718
Incident
Jul 22, 2024
Mileage
120,000 mi
Powertrain (other)Transmission
Filed Apr 1, 2024

I have been experiencing random and harsh shifting. Starting from a stop, the truck would struggle to find a gear. Kind of scary when you are pulling out into traffic. Driving on the highway, the truck would randomly come out of gear for a few seconds and then back into gear. It would harshly downshift from 8th gear down to 2nd and back up again. All while driving 70mph. I took the truck to the transmission shop. They found the issues that I was having but no codes were coming up so they did not known where to begin trying to fix it. They recommended a new transmission since there was no other way to fix it. I just picked up my truck from the repair shop on 3/28/24 with a new transmission. I was not aware of all the issues that Ford was having with the 10R80 transmission. Ford needs to take responsibility for a faulty design and fix it instead of issuing countless TSBs which require the truck owner to pay out of pocket to have the TSB completed. Thanks for listening!

NHTSA ID
11580566
Incident
Feb 5, 2024
Mileage
108,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Mar 8, 2024

The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, he heard an abnormal rattling sound coming from underneath the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the flywheel. The contact was informed that the flywheel was cracked. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 36,000.

NHTSA ID
11576250
Incident
Mar 8, 2024
Mileage
36,000 mi
Driver assistancePowertrain (other)Transmission
Filed Oct 21, 2023

When I first start driving the transmission does not seem to know what gear it should be in. It will start in first, jump to four and even at a stop with remain in fourth. As I start to move it will drop back to first and then jump to eighth. It will bounce between gears like this for the first half a mile or so then seems to settle back down. When it is jumping around gears the shifting is extremely hard and causes the truck to lunge, shaking the passengers and driver. I have started to notice over the last couple weeks it is getting worse and lasting longer into the day.

NHTSA ID
11551176
Incident
Sep 15, 2023
Powertrain (other)Transmission
Filed Sep 7, 2023

Began shifting hard/sticking. Took to dealer in May 2023, said it was fixed. Same day issue still happening. Took back to dealer, again said it was fixed. Not even 5 miles and same issue. Again back to the dealer, kept truck for about 7 weeks and told me it was fixed, still having the same issue. Ford has not out a recap but mechanics from dealer are telling people that is “normal”. I highly doubt whole trying to merge onto a highway and you try to accelerate and truck does not pickup but stays in 3rd gear is normal. I almost got rear ended. This is a huge safety issue and as I did some research I see I am not the only one. As there is a class action lawsuit against ford for this exact reason.

NHTSA ID
11543167
Incident
May 31, 2023
EngineTransmission
Filed Aug 29, 2023

The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that during cold starts, he heard a ticking and tapping sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that after idling for five seconds, the ticking and tapping sound subsided. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed by the technician of a known issue and provided information regarding TSB: 20-2315 (Replace the VCT and Update PCM). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was advised to call the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall and advised to call the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 70,600.

NHTSA ID
11541508
Incident
Jul 19, 2023
Mileage
70,600 mi
Powertrain (other)Transmission
Filed May 23, 2023

The contact owns a 2018 Ford F150. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the contact heard a rattling sound coming from the vehicle, and the steering wheel started shaking abnormally. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the PCM was reprogramed but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and the contact was unformed that the timing chain needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but provide no assistance. The failure mileage was 100,172.

NHTSA ID
11523554
Incident
Dec 12, 2022
Mileage
100,172 mi
Powertrain (other)Transmission
Filed Nov 29, 2022

The transmission skips gears. It shifts from 1 to 3 and 3 to 5 skipping 2 and 4 gears and I took to dealership and they said it’s normal. When it shifts from 3 to 5 it’s jerks all the time and it’s not a smooth shift like every other shifts so there’s something wrong with transmission or software. Recently I had issues while driving on freeway around 70-75 mph the truck was on 10th gear and it automatically shifted to 1 and then 5 then 6 then 9 and then shifted to 10. It happened like 2-3 from when I had this truck. When it did that it lost acceleration momentarily. Feel really unsafe when it does that because it can cause a wreck. The truck don’t have engine light on but it definitely have some transmission issues and dealerships doesn’t respond as there’s no codes and I have extended warranty and dealership wants to charge me money for inspection. Please review my concern.

NHTSA ID
11495238
Incident
Nov 4, 2022
EngineTransmission
Filed Sep 1, 2022

The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH, the vehicle hesitated during acceleration and made an abnormal rattling noise. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the failure was related to Customer Satisfaction Programs: 21B10 (Cam Phaser Replacement) and 21N08 (PCM Reprogram Due to Engine Shudder) however, the warranty had expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the previous owner was mailed notification of Customer Satisfaction Program: 21B10 (Cam Phaser Replacement) and provided no further assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

NHTSA ID
11482431
Incident
Sep 1, 2022
Mileage
60,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Dec 13, 2021
1 injury reported

As thousands of drivers have reported and as NHTSA is clearly already aware yet puzzlingly remains silent about - my F150’s transmission creates whiplash when shifting, causes the vehicle to lurch, and loses power unpredictably. Ford refuses to admit the problem but the problem is the same as the rest of their poorly designed vehicles’ problems - they knew the transmissions had design flaws that made the vehicle unsafe to drive. I almost died on I-295 in Jacksonville when the vehicle randomly lost power and took it to the dealer. Now, because Ford has lied and won’t issue a recall that they know is their fault (they are being sued in multiple states for this exact issue) I am going to have to pay almost $10,000 to repair their flaw, by replacing their unsafe transmission with a safe version.

NHTSA ID
11443643
Incident
Dec 2, 2021

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .