About this problem
Automatic transmission complaints describe harsh or delayed shifts, jerking at low speed, hesitation when pulling away and flaring between gears. Newer transmissions with many gears rely heavily on software, and some problems are fixed by updates or by relearning shift patterns. Others come from worn valve bodies, torque converters or clutch packs and need a rebuild or replacement.
Across all owner complaints filed about the Ford F-150 since 2012, 2,292 (12.1%) describe 10-speed transmission harsh and erratic shifting, making it the most reported problem we track on the F-150. The reports cluster on the 2013, 2018 and 2019 model years, and the 2018 drew the most, with 455. It tends to show up at higher mileage: half of the owners who gave a mileage were between 64,000 and 135,000 miles. 28 reports describe a crash or fire linked to it. One recall is related to it, and recall repairs are free at any dealer.
What owners report
Complaints describe the F-150's automatic transmission slamming into gear, downshifting harshly when slowing down, and on the 10-speed trucks shifting erratically or dropping into the wrong gear. Some owners say the problem shows up mostly when cold or in stop-and-go traffic, others at highway speeds. The 2013, 2018 and 2019 model years drew the most reports.
How it gets fixed
Dealers usually start with a transmission software update (a re-flash) and a fluid change. If that does not help, a valve body, torque converter or full transmission replacement may follow.
Typical cost: A software update is often free or under $200. A torque converter or valve body job runs $1,000 to $2,500, and a replacement transmission $3,500 to $6,000.
Complaints by model year
In owners' words
"2013 F-150 with 6r80 transmission problems. (1) on 8/17/2015 took truck in to dealer at 40,000 miles due to erratic shifting and shudder, no available error codes. They performed a reprogramming and said a tire was out of balance."
2013 Ford F-150, 84,000 miles
"The transmission started slipping around 5000 miles. The problem occurs after start up when transmission is cool. During the first drive cycle when the transmission shifts from 3rd-4th gear, it will slip really bad."
2018 Ford F-150, 15,000 miles
"I bought new in june 2019 the following month the transmission upshifts downshifts extremely harsh from gears 3,4,5,6 transmission also over revs like clutch is held in when upshifting. Vehicle will drop down 5 gears from highway speeds."
2019 Ford F-150, 3,800 miles
Excerpts from public owner complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, lightly trimmed.
Related recalls
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 F-150 vehicles.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. Check a specific car by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Service bulletins
Ford has sent dealers 49 bulletins that mention this problem on the F-150. A bulletin tells technicians how to fix a known fault. It is not a recall, so the repair is usually free only while the car is under warranty or covered by an extension.
Some 2021-2024 F-150 non-Lightning vehicles may exhibit a condition where the SelectShift/SelectShift transmission will downshift to a lower gear when in drive (D) and shifting to a higher gear will be unavailable in the IPC.
This article supersedes TSB 24-2253 to update the labor times associated with the Service Procedure from M-time to AP-time and add a limit.
Some of the vehicles listed in the Model statement above may exhibit at least one of the following conditions: * Harsh 3-4, 4-5 upshifts * Harsh 5-3, 4-3 downshifts * Harsh reverse engagements These symptoms may be worse when c...
This bulletin supersedes 25-2587.
This bulletin supersedes 26-2241.
This bulletin supersedes 26-2309.
Government investigations
Engineering analysis EA26001 · 2015–2017 · opened Jan 2026
Preliminary evaluation PE25002 · 2015–2017 · opened Mar 2025, closed Jan 2026
Recall query RQ17010 · 2012, 2013 · opened Dec 2017, closed Oct 2019
Recall query RQ24005 · 2014 · opened Mar 2024, closed Jul 2024
Before you buy a F-150
- On the test drive, accelerate gently and firmly, and pay attention to the 1-2 and 2-3 shifts and to coasting down to a stop.
- Ask whether transmission software updates or a fluid flush have been done.
- Walk away from a car that clunks into gear or flares the engine speed between shifts.
Questions
Which Ford F-150 years have 10-speed transmission harsh and erratic shifting?
Complaints are highest for the 2013, 2018, 2019 model years. The 2018 drew the most, with 455 reports.
At what mileage does it usually start?
Among owners who gave a mileage, the middle figure was about 100,000 miles, and half reported it between 64,000 and 135,000 miles.
How much does it cost to fix?
A software update is often free or under $200. A torque converter or valve body job runs $1,000 to $2,500, and a replacement transmission $3,500 to $6,000.