2016 Ford F-150 · symptom sheet
"Service Transmission" message or wrench light comes on
- 94owner reports
- 82,000median miles
- $1,500median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Sep 23, 2026 · checked Sep 29, 2026
1261 of the 2,053 complaints on this car are about the transmission and drivetrain. 94 of those describe transmission warning light.
Tick what matches of 94 reports
Transmission warning light on other F-150 years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026.
What this problem usually is
This sheet is for a "Service Transmission" message, a transmission fault warning or a wrench light. Owners say it often shows up with lost power, a stall or a car that won't accelerate, and sometimes clears on the next start.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the transmission control module (8 reports) and the valve body or solenoid (3 reports).
Recalls and investigations
4 recalls on the transmission and drivetrain cover the 2016 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
A loss of signal between the transmission range sensor and the powertrain control module can cause the transmission to unexpectedly downshift into second gear.
The incorrect location could put the heater too close to hot engine components, possibly resulting in a damaged cable.
During the previous repair, the block heater cable's splice connector may have been damaged.
Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causing corrosion and damage.
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
Unintended transmission downshift and rear wheel lock-up. Open, led to recall 26V-237.
Unintended transmission downshift and rear wheel lock-up. Closed jan 30, 2026.
Low-pressure fuel pump failure. Closed sep 19, 2025, led to recall 25V-455.
Unintended transmission downshift. Closed jul 29, 2024, led to recall 24V-444.
Loss of motive power. Closed oct 31, 2024, led to recall 24V-635.
Unexpected transmission downshift. Closed oct 22, 2019, led to recall 19V-075.
Reduced power during hard acceleration. Closed apr 7, 2014.
Fuel tank strap failure due to corrosion. Closed aug 19, 2011, led to recall 11V-385.
Fuel tank strap corrosion/rust. Closed may 23, 2011.
Cng regulator leak. Closed feb 27, 2009.
Spark plug ejection from cylinder head. Closed jan 4, 2006.
Engine compartment fires. Closed aug 2, 2006, led to recall 05V-388.
Speed control deactivation switch fire. Closed mar 22, 2005, led to recall 05V-017.
Dual fuel tank crossflow/leakage. Closed dec 6, 2001, led to recall 00V-424.
Blow back during refueling. Closed sep 23, 1999.
Alleged loss of throttle control. Closed sep 30, 1999.
Ford f-series dual fuel tank leakage. Closed nov 4, 1999, led to recall 93V-125.
Loss of throttle control. Closed aug 31, 1998.
Automatic transmission control. Closed aug 27, 1998, led to recall 97V-147.
Ice formation in the throttle body. Closed may 22, 2000, led to recall 96V-251.
Failure transmission park engagement/loc. Closed sep 16, 1997, led to recall 97V-147.
Idle air spd ctrl vlv malf. Closed aug 31, 1994.
Idle air spd ctrl vlv malf. Closed jul 30, 1993.
Fuel expulsion. Closed aug 20, 1993, led to recall 93V-125.
Fuel expulsion. Closed jan 7, 1993.
Fuel expulsion. Closed nov 1, 1991, led to recall 91V-146.
Transmission fluid fires. Closed jul 5, 1991.
What owners paid
10 of the 94 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $1,100 to $1,800.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 46,200 and 130,000 miles, from the 44 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“My transmission started down shifting on its own while driving one morning and the check engine light and wrench light illuminated. I took it to the dealership that afternoon and had the conductor board replaced. They said it was the speed sensor that malfunctioned.”
Filed Feb 18, 2026
“I was driving down the highway and the transmission started shifting erratically and went to 3rd almost causing me to wreck. Check engine light and wrench icon came on and had to pull over immediately. Code says faulty transmission range sensor and lead frame are the cause.”
Filed Sep 16, 2025
“Transmission abruptly downshifts without warning. Cluster displays wrench icon and see manual but does not store a code in OBDII. Truck runs in âlimp modeâ restarting seems to clear the issue. Ford states no code no problem. I have video of issue happening.”
Filed Aug 2, 2025
“Truck suddenly downshift into 5th gear and bucked for second starting out to get up to 60 mph Wrench light comes on transmission at 60 mph. holding back due to communications from the output sensor and the PCM. Took it to a ford dealer and had transmission flushed it was diagnosed with code PO722. Dealer said earlier years of these type of transmission on F150 had same problems.”
Filed May 20, 2025
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 94 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
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 125 reports
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 106 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 105 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 91 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