Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the torque converter (5 reports), the transmission (4 reports) and the valve body (3 reports).

Recalls and investigations

One recall on the transmission and drivetrain covers the 2016 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.

All 14 recalls on the 2016 Ford F-150, with the owner complaints on each recalled system

NHTSA investigations into the transmission and drivetrain on the F-150

What owners paid

7 of the 107 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $1,600 to $7,000.

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 68,000 and 127,867 miles, from the 47 reports that gave a mileage.

What owners wrote

“Had issue with sudden downshifting ,not changing gears ,hard shift as well. Took the vehicle to AAMCO and was told the transmission needed to be rebuilt. So i did just, at 99,000 miles. Not sure if this helps your findings.”

Filed Feb 20, 2026 · 99,000 miles

“driving down the road and the transmission stopped driving at stop light, forced the gas pedal down, and finally kicked itself into gear to jerk the truck hard into another lane. had a horrible smell afterward”

Filed Mar 26, 2025

“The problem is my transmission a 6R80 my safety is put at risk when getting onto the highway. And the truck slips, third, and fourth gear causes me to gradually speed up on an interstate. The truck has been inspected by Ford. They replaced a torque converter, but not even a year later. Now it's slipping, gears and shuddering real bad.”

Filed Mar 25, 2025

“When traveling at a higher rate of speed (30-60mph) the truck tries to downshift into a lower gear by itself. When this happens, the truck lurches back and forth and makes a grinding noise, the RPM will increase for the second or so that this is happening. This problem is very sporadic.”

Filed Aug 19, 2024

Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works

Other problems on this car

• Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 339 reports
• Engine stalls or loses power while driving 183 reports
• Doors, latches or locks fail 159 reports
• Transmission drops into neutral or downshifts on its own 128 reports
• Check engine light or misfire 105 reports
• "Service Transmission" message or wrench light comes on 95 reports
• Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 92 reports
• Rear window shatters or explodes 90 reports
• Windshield cracks or distorts 82 reports
• Wheel bearing, tires or wheels 57 reports
• Brakes on its own (automatic emergency braking) 41 reports
• Airbag warning light or recall 35 reports
• Seat belt or seat problems 33 reports
• Windshield wipers stop working 33 reports
• Transmission fails or needs replacement 32 reports
• Power steering cuts out or goes heavy 30 reports
• Loses power when accelerating 29 reports
• Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 27 reports
• Turbo failure or loss of boost 25 reports