2017 Ford F-150 · symptom sheet
Transmission jerks, lurches or bangs into gear
- 90owner reports
- 80,000median miles
- $2,000median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Sep 2, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
90 of the 162 reports of transmission shudder on the 2017 F-150 describe jerking or hard shifts.
Part of Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard (162 reports) · also: transmission slipping
Tick what matches of 90 reports
Jerking or hard shifts 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: 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026.
What this problem usually is
This is the narrower sheet inside transmission shudder for shifts that jerk, lurch or bang. Where the wider sheet also takes in slipping and vibration, these reports are about a shift that arrives too hard: the car lunges forward, or a clunk comes through the floor as it drops into gear.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the torque converter (3 reports) and the mounts (3 reports).
Recalls and investigations
4 recalls on the transmission and drivetrain cover the 2017 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.
A roll pin may not have been installed in the transmission, potentially causing a loss of the "Park" function.
The pin that attaches the transmission shift linkage to the transmission may come out, preventing the transmission from responding to movement of the shift lever.
In these vehicles, the instrument cluster may lose power after the initial vehicle start-up in cold ambient temperatures. Several gauges, including the transmission gear position indicator, may not illuminate.
All 18 recalls on the 2017 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.
Unintended transmission downshift. Closed jul 29, 2024, led to recall 24V-444.
Unexpected transmission downshift. Closed oct 22, 2019, led to recall 19V-075.
Automatic transmission control. Closed aug 27, 1998, led to recall 97V-147.
Failure transmission park engagement/loc. Closed sep 16, 1997, led to recall 97V-147.
Transmission fluid fires. Closed jul 5, 1991.
What owners paid
8 of the 90 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $1,800 to $8,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 48,000 and 115,426 miles, from the 41 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“While driving the trucks transmission gets stuck on a gear and then eventually shifts making the car jerk so hard that it cause some serious head banging. Scared to drive from horror stories of truck down shifting while on the highway. 10r80 problems.”
Filed Aug 10, 2026
“While driving down the roadway herd a loud pop loud bang vehicle rear end slid sled to side till I got it under control and pulled over the rear differential cover had a large hole in it metal parts all apart inside the rear end all oil/grease slung out leaving me parked on the roadway till I had the vehicle towed back to my home”
Filed Aug 8, 2025
“My truck is going me a P0720 code which tells me that my Shaft Output Sensor is bad. It is built into my lead frame. This is a known issue with F150âs I have seen. My transmission is clunky and downshifting randomly.”
Filed Jul 1, 2025
“The transmission will lurch often, which results in significant engine acceleration hesitation and overall sense of temporary loss of control.”
Filed Jul 10, 2024
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 90 reports involved a crash and 1 people were hurt. 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
- Timing chain or cam phaser rattles 164 reports
- Engine rattles or ticks 120 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 114 reports
- Doors, latches or locks fail 101 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 99 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 82 reports
- Transmission drops into neutral or downshifts on its own 69 reports
- Transmission fails or needs replacement 58 reports
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 54 reports
- Wheel bearing, tires or wheels 47 reports
- "Service Transmission" message or wrench light comes on 45 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 44 reports
- Rear window shatters or explodes 44 reports
- Power steering cuts out or goes heavy 37 reports
- Windshield cracks or distorts 30 reports