2020 Ford F-150 · symptom sheet
Transmission jerks, lurches or bangs into gear
- 107owner reports
- 59,000median miles
- $6,219median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Sep 28, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
107 of the 193 reports of transmission shudder on the 2020 F-150 describe jerking or hard shifts.
Part of Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard (193 reports) · also: transmission slipping, hesitation when accelerating
Tick what matches of 107 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 transmission (9 reports) and the mounts (3 reports).
Recalls and investigations
One recall on the transmission and drivetrain covers the 2020 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The transmission shift cable lock clip may not be fully seated, allowing the transmission to actually be in a different gear than the gear shift position selected by the driver.
All 11 recalls on the 2020 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 2020 model year.
What owners paid
10 of the 107 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $3,700 to $8,630.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 30,000 and 80,000 miles, from the 46 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“Transmission shifting very harshly. Especially in gears 3-4-5. Transmission will stop with no control, then abruptly slam into gear. 80,000 miles. Issues since new. Dealership says vehicle needs new transmission. Will factory assist at $3,700, my share $5,600. Ford has history with this transmission. Why didnât they replace when in warranty?”
Filed Sep 28, 2026 · 80,000 miles
“While driving I will get a wrench symbol with a bunch of codes pop up u0121:00:28 u0131:00:28 u0137:00:28 u0164:00:28 u0199:00:28 u0200:00:28 u0212:00:28 u0252:00:28 u0256:00:28 u1012:00:28 p0557:00:28 p1935:00:68 p193e:00:28 I have also had it jerk while driving ( went down into first gear) while having no power to my gauge cluster ac nothing”
Filed Aug 22, 2026
“Harsh shifting in between gears. Jerky shifting and shudders while shifting as well”
Filed Aug 11, 2026
“My transmission hard shifts from 1st to 3rd. It really switches in 2nd gear. It also hard shifts into 5th and 8th gear. Sometimes it misses the gear almost like Iâm in neutral. This happens when Iâm in 7th or 8th gear. Plus, if Iâm on the highway and I need to accelerate, I feel a hard clunk while changing gears. This started in May.”
Filed Jul 26, 2026
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 107 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 86 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 75 reports
- Transmission fails or needs replacement 66 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 44 reports
- Transmission drops into neutral or downshifts on its own 32 reports
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 28 reports
- Engine rattles or ticks 26 reports
- Windshield cracks or distorts 25 reports