2020 Ford F-150 · symptom sheet
Transmission slips
- 43owner reports
- 72,200median miles
- $9,000median quote
- 1involved a crash
Newest report Sep 15, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
43 of the 193 reports of transmission shudder on the 2020 F-150 describe transmission slipping.
Part of Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard (193 reports) · also: jerking or hard shifts, hesitation when accelerating
Tick what matches of 43 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 clutch pack (4 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
13 of the 43 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $6,700 to $10,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 58,000 and 90,000 miles, from the 14 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“The 10-speed automatic transmission in my 2020 Ford F150 slips between gears and has failed to engage from a stop in multiple instances. There are no warning lamps or other indications that anything is wrong with the vehicle. The issue is known as a very common problem with this transmission, as confirmed by multiple mechanics when inquiring about a potential fix.”
Filed Apr 27, 2026
“Acceleration without foot on gas pedal, erratic & harsh shifting, and slipping gears”
Filed Sep 3, 2025
“The first transmission I had in my truck i had. Harsh shifting, Slipping gears, Delayed engagement, Transmission overheating, Loss of power and transmission stuck in higher gear while stopped. They replaced the transmission (at my cost ) now i have over heating issues. There should be a mandatory recall on this transmission, give me my money back and fix the issues for free.”
Filed Aug 6, 2025
“This truck when shifting from 4th to 5th will snap your neck! sometimes it just slips in gear., when I back up ity will stop like its in neutral and then bang into gear. sometimes you pull out on the road and it will not go just sit in neutral then bank in gear and take off. This is totally unsafe with this 10 speed trans.”
Filed Mar 25, 2025
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 43 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
- 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