2016 Ford F-150 transmission & drivetrain problems

Related recalls

• Recall 26V237000Apr 14, 20261,392,935 vehicles
  POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

  Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 F-150 vehicles. A loss of signal between the transmission range sensor and the powertrain control module can cause the transmission to unexpectedly downshift into second gear.

  Risk: Unexpectedly downshifting into second gear may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 24, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S28. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on April 15, 2026.

What owners say

1. Filed Oct 8, 2026OHTransmission & Drivetrain

   Ford sent me a recall letter stating there was a remedy for my truck. I took the truck to a ford service center and was informed that the remedy they had in place to fix the recall does not resolve the problem. They also informed me that they have no idea when the new remedy will be out to fix my truck. Seeing that there is no remedy or any timeline of when I’m getting my truck back I called ford customer support to ask for a loan vehicle. They told me they was unable to…

   NHTSA complaint #11769866 · source
2. Filed Oct 8, 2026NVAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

   In mid-September 2026, I had safety recall 26S28 (NHTSA 26V-237) performed on my 2016 Ford F-150 at Corwin Ford Reno in Reno, NV. The recall remedy was a powertrain control module software update intended to prevent unexpected transmission downshifts. Before the recall repair, the vehicle had no drivability problems of any kind. About three days after the recall repair, the truck began repeatedly losing acceleration while driving at highway speed. The vehicle would stop…

   NHTSA complaint #11769769 · source
3. Filed Oct 7, 2026PATransmission & Drivetrain

   The automatic transmission has experienced repeated unexpected downshifts and other abnormal gear-selection behavior. Before the recall repair, the vehicle experienced multiple unexpected downshifts, including a shift from 4th to 2nd gear. Safety Recall 26S28 was performed on July 20, 2026, consisting of a PCM software update. The problem continued after the recall repair. Approximately one week later, while operating in 3rd gear, the transmission momentarily shifted into…

   NHTSA complaint #11769557 · source
4. Filed Oct 5, 2026GATransmission & Drivetrain

   Component Affected: Power Train / Electrical System / Transmission Description of Incident: My 2016 Ford F-150 was taken to a licensed Ford dealership to resolve Safety Recall 26S28 / NHTSA Campaign 26V237000 (PCM software update to prevent sudden downshifts). Prior to the recall, the truck drove fine with no issues. Immediately after the software update was performed, the vehicle suffered a catastrophic, uncommanded downshift from 4th gear into 1st gear while traveling at…

   NHTSA complaint #11769149 · source
5. Filed Oct 5, 2026180,000 miTXTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. While the contact's mother was driving 20 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted. The power train and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V237000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the…

   NHTSA complaint #11769064 · source
6. Filed Oct 5, 2026MDTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V237000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted; however, the contact denied the repair for being insufficient. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

   NHTSA complaint #11768969 · source
7. Filed Oct 2, 2026150,000 miAZTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving from a complete stop, the vehicle failed to shift into first gear unless the accelerator pedal was released for up to thirty seconds, after which the transmission shifted hard into second gear. The check engine and power train warning lights illuminated after the hard shift. Additionally, the vehicle only shifted between third and fifth gears while driving. The contact stated that the failure was a…

   NHTSA complaint #11768581 · source
8. Filed Oct 2, 202631,000 miMA2 injuredTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted and the vehicle decelerated to approximately 15 MPH. The powertrain warning light was illuminated during the failure. Occasionally, the vehicle was coasted over to the side of the road, and the contact attempted to turn off the vehicle, but the vehicle occasionally remained running. The contact waited for several minutes before continuing to drive.…

   NHTSA complaint #11768498 · source
9. Filed Sep 30, 2026123,000 miMNCrashTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted to first gear. The contact stated that there was a ten-second delay prior to the transmission downshifting. The vehicle was uncontrollable, and the vehicle crashed into a ditch before coming to a stop. The contact stated that the failure had occurred while the contact's wife and two minor grandchildren were…

   NHTSA complaint #11768054 · source
10. Filed Sep 30, 2026KYTransmission & Drivetrain

    My vehicle was covered under recall 26N04 and 26V237 that addressed a violent unexpected downshift in the transmission while driving. The Ford dealer reprogrammed the PCM and stated that is all that could be done. This did not fix the violent unexpected downshift while traveling at highway speeds. My vehicle has done so several times since the 'fix'. Truck was taken back to Ford dealer and checked again. I was advised that Ford would not be fixing this issue because my truck…

    NHTSA complaint #11767956 · source
11. Filed Sep 28, 2026112,000 miMITransmission & Drivetrain

    The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted to second gear. The dealer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was confirmed that the failure was associated with a previous recall repair. The contact was informed that the remedy was a temporary fix and that the engineers were developing a new remedy. In addition, the contact was informed…

    NHTSA complaint #11767542 · source
12. Filed Sep 28, 2026150,000 miMITransmission & Drivetrain

    The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V237000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission warning light illuminated and the transmission unexpectedly downshifted into a lower gear, causing the vehicle to hesitate while…

    NHTSA complaint #11767460 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology