2018 Ford F-150 · symptom sheet
Transmission slips
- 152owner reports
- 70,000median miles
- $8,000median quote
- 1involved a crash
Newest report Sep 25, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
152 of the 519 reports of transmission shudder on the 2018 F-150 describe transmission slipping.
Part of Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard (519 reports) · also: jerking or hard shifts, hesitation when accelerating
Tick what matches of 152 reports
Transmission slipping 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: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026.
What this problem usually is
This is the narrower sheet inside transmission shudder for slipping: the engine revs up but the car doesn't pick up speed to match, as if the transmission lost its grip for a moment. The wider sheet also covers jerks and vibration. Here, every report uses the word slip.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the transmission (18 reports) and the clutch pack (8 reports).
Recalls and investigations
4 recalls on the transmission and drivetrain cover the 2018 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
Quickly moving the shift lever from Park to Drive may cause a loss of gear indication on the instrument cluster display and a momentary selection of an unintended gear, such as Reverse or Neutral.
A roll pin may not have been installed in the transmission, potentially causing a loss of the "Park" function.
The gear shift cable clip may not be properly seated, allowing the transmission to be in a different gear than indicated by the gear shift lever position.
Quickly moving the shift lever from Park to Drive may cause a loss of gear indication on the instrument cluster display and a momentary selection of an unintended gear, such as Reverse or Neutral before the vehicle achieves Drive function.
All 19 recalls on the 2018 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.
None of these investigations covers the 2018 model year.
What owners paid
15 of the 152 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $7,000 to $9,035.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 50,000 and 90,000 miles, from the 68 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“Transmission shudders until it gets warm, then it slips when accelerating after it's warmed up. Sometimes it goes completely out of gear. I've had the recall update done on the TCM and it made it worse. It has been confirmed by a service center. There are no messages or warning lights and it started slipping 6-8 months ago and has gotten worse. I cannot drive it currently.”
Filed Aug 13, 2026
“Our vehicle has 79,500 miles and the transmission is slipping between 2nd and 3rd, and causing rpm surging. We had a diagnostic done and need the cdf drum replaced with the newly designed part as the current part has a defect. This is apparently a known issue and should be a recall so the defective part can be replaced. This will cost me 7k to 9k to either rebuild or replace my transmission.”
Filed Apr 23, 2026 · 79,500 miles
“CDF Drum - Transmission Transmission unable to find gear, repeatedly skips when downshifting. Slips when engine braking. Unable to safely exit traffic on the highway. Problem is reproduced at dealer. A common issue nation-wide. Hefty repair bill on a young truck. (90,000 miles) No warning lamps, messages, or symptoms.”
Filed Jan 28, 2026 · 90,000 miles
“The transmission slips from 3 to 4 and 7 to 8. Downshifts hard. Truck has been doing for no reason for a couple of months. Sometimes it accelerates itself.truck has 78k miles and no hard driving or tow has been done.”
Filed Jun 17, 2025 · 78,000 miles
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 152 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
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 251 reports
- Timing chain or cam phaser rattles 227 reports
- Engine rattles or ticks 195 reports
- Transmission fails or needs replacement 180 reports
- Doors, latches or locks fail 164 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 119 reports
- Transmission drops into neutral or downshifts on its own 114 reports
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 91 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 91 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 89 reports
- "Service Transmission" message or wrench light comes on 65 reports
- Burns oil or oil level rises 54 reports
- Tailgate or liftgate will not open or close 48 reports
- Wheel bearing, tires or wheels 47 reports
- Windshield cracks or distorts 42 reports
- Power steering cuts out or goes heavy 40 reports
- Airbag warning light or recall 38 reports
- Rear window shatters or explodes 38 reports
- Vehicle fire 32 reports
- Loses power when accelerating 30 reports
- Seat belt or seat problems 29 reports
- Auto start-stop will not restart the engine 29 reports
- Driveshaft, axle or transfer case problems 26 reports