2017 Ford F-150 · symptom sheet
"Service Transmission" message or wrench light comes on
- 45owner reports
- 92,750median miles
- $1,200median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Sep 25, 2026 · checked Sep 29, 2026
1066 of the 1,439 complaints on this car are about the transmission and drivetrain. 45 of those describe transmission warning light.
Tick what matches of 45 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 (6 reports) and the valve body or solenoid (5 reports).
Recalls and investigations
7 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.
The instrument cluster may lose power after initial vehicle start-up in cold ambient temperatures. Several gauges, including the transmission gear position indicator, may not illuminate.
A loss of signal between the transmission range sensor and the powertrain control module can cause the transmission to unexpectedly downshift into second gear.
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.
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.
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
5 of the 45 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $800 to $1,200.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 60,000 and 120,000 miles, from the 17 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“PCM not communicating with throttle body causes wrench light to come on and we loose control of the gas and slows the car abruptly.”
Filed Aug 21, 2026
“I live in Canada.While driving, my 2017 Ford F-150 with the 6R80 automatic transmission suddenly shut off without warning. The vehicle lost power while in motion, creating a dangerous situation. The incident was accompanied by multiple powertrain fault codes (5 P-codes). This appears to be related to sudden transmission faults and loss of gear position. No prior warning lights before shutdown.”
Filed Feb 7, 2026
“Driving in a 45 mph sped zone transmission went from high gear to second..would not up shift or down shift⦠Because the truck was traveling 45 and then slowed others had to go around. The wrench light came on about the same time the transmission locked The dealer rep said that there were problems with this transmission and would be better with a replacement transmission.. 77032 miles on truck”
Filed Jun 10, 2025 · 77,032 miles
“Drive at highway speeds and transmission down shift's on its own. The transmission indicator on the dashboard is gone or flashing. Sometimes get a service light then it goes away.”
Filed May 6, 2025
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 45 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
- Timing chain or cam phaser rattles 164 reports
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 162 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 81 reports
- Transmission drops into neutral or downshifts on its own 68 reports
- Transmission fails or needs replacement 58 reports
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 54 reports
- Wheel bearing, tires or wheels 47 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