2023 Ford F-150 transmission & drivetrain problems
Updated from NHTSA data · How we count
158 owners have reported transmission & drivetrain problems with the 2023 Ford F-150, 39% of all complaints about this model year. The typical problem appeared around 33,000 mi.
- Transmission & Drivetrain complaints
- 158
- Crashes
- 4
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Related recalls
- 4
- Median mileage
- 33,000 mi
Specific components reported
Transmission & Drivetrain covers: transmission shifting, slipping, axles, driveshaft, transfer case.
| Component | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Power train | 153 |
| Power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:column shift | 2 |
| Power train:axle assembly | 2 |
| Power train:automatic transmission | 1 |
| Power train:axle hubs | 1 |
Transmission & Drivetrain complaints across Ford F-150 years
Mileage when the problem appeared
Related recalls
- POWER TRAIN:AXLE HUBS
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023-2025 F-150 vehicles equipped with the Trailer Tow Max Duty package and a 9.75-inch heavy duty axle with a 3/4 float axle design. The rear axle hub bolt may fatigue and break, which can result in damage to the axle hub splines.
Risk: Damaged axle hub splines can result in a vehicle rollaway when in park without the parking brake applied or cause a loss of drive power. Either of these conditions can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and right rear axle shaft assemblies, free of charge. This is a phased recall. Ford owners will receive letters in multiple phases, beginning August 2025 through Winter 2025. Phase 1 will include 2023 F-150 model year vehicles. Phase 2 will include 2025 F-150 model year vehicles and Phase 3 will include 2024 F-150 model year vehicles. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed August 22, 2025. Owner notification letters were mailed August 22, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S82. This recall expands previous NHTSA recall number 23V896.
- POWER TRAIN:AXLE HUBS
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 F-150 vehicles equipped with the Trailer Tow Max Duty package and a 9.75-inch heavy duty axle with a 3/4 float axle design. The rear axle hub bolt may fatigue and break, which can result in damage to the axle hub splines.
Risk: Damaged axle hub splines can result in a vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is in park without the parking brake applied or cause a loss of drive power. Both of these conditions can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and right rear axle shaft assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 9, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S65.
- POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 F-150, Expedition, and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The front axle pinion may not have been heat-treated, which can cause it to fracture.
Risk: A fractured pinion can result in a loss of 4-wheel drive and may cause the front wheels to lock up, increasng the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front axle pinion gear set. If there is a broken front axle pinion, the entire axle assembly will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 21, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S07.
- POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2023 F-150, Mustang, Explorer, Bronco, and 2023 Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. The transmission may contain a loose bolt which could prevent the transmission from engaging the park gear, although the gear shifter position may indicate that the vehicle has been shifted to "PARK."
Risk: The inability to secure the vehicle in the park position can result in a rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the transmissions, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 25, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S06.
What owners say
- Filed Oct 5, 2026KYTransmission & Drivetrain
2023 F150 28K miles. No warnings. Continious issues with Severe transmission shifting, loud clunk and jerking/whiplash and failure to engage when first put into gear. Shudder at times around 55 mph, reared backlash issue identified but within tolerance per dealership. transmission was rebuilt resulting in more sever shifting at high speeds 10-9-8 and 3-2-1 down shifting.
NHTSA complaint #11769083 · source - Filed Sep 30, 2026SCTransmission & Drivetrain
Rear axle half shaft and hub replacement assembly (Manufacturer Recall Number 25S82 NHTSA Recall Number25V512). Neither Ford nor the local dealership seem to care about repairing this issue in a timely manner. The truck was inspected soon after the recall was received. The dealer confirmed that my truck fell under the recall. They supposedly placed an order for parts at that time (October 2025). A year later the repair has not been completed. I have contacted Ford Customer…
NHTSA complaint #11767949 · source - Filed Sep 11, 2026PATransmission & Drivetrain
I am reporting a safety-related transmission problem I experienced with my 2023 Ford F-150 equipped with the 10R80 automatic transmission. While driving normally, the transmission suddenly shifts violently, lurches from P to D, delayed shifting. This occurred while while driving under normal conditions creating a potentially dangerous situation because the truck did not respond as expected when I needed predictable acceleration or propulsion. I believe this incident may be…
NHTSA complaint #11763650 · source - Filed Sep 3, 2026FLTransmission & Drivetrain
I am reporting a safety-related transmission problem I experienced with my 2023 Ford F-150 equipped with the 10R80 automatic transmission. While driving normally, the transmission suddenly lost the selected gear and rims spiked and then it violently slammed into gear. It feels like it thru my truck into a limp mode. It lost 5th would not catch it going up and down thru the gears. It happened randomly. This occurred while while accelerating to merge on the highway. It also…
NHTSA complaint #11761788 · source - Filed Aug 31, 2026TXTransmission & Drivetrain
While driving the button to engage shift gear came off causing me to not be able to switch gears to put vehicle in park. It fell off while driving
NHTSA complaint #11761130 · source - Filed Aug 26, 202620,000 miAZCrashTransmission & Drivetrain
The contact owns a 2023 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while attempting to park the vehicle, the gear shifter was sticking. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the gear shifter was shifted into park; however, the shifter gear independently shifted into reverse. The vehicle crashed into the garage at the residence. The contact stated that the failure had occurred after the vehicle was reversed to attach…
NHTSA complaint #11759664 · source - Filed Aug 25, 2026PAElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain
While driving at speed, my vehicle experienced a severe safety hazard: the transmission jerked violently and the engine completely stalled on the road, causing an immediate loss of power. The dealership diagnosed the truck and stated that tree debris had plugged the cowl drains at the base of the windshield. Because the drains plugged, rainwater backed up and overflowed directly into the passenger cabin, soaking the Body Control Module (BCM) and crashing the central computer…
NHTSA complaint #11759546 · source - Filed Aug 7, 2026KYTransmission & Drivetrain
I am reporting a safety-related transmission problem I experienced with my 2023 Ford F-150 equipped with the 10R80 automatic transmission. While driving normally, the transmission suddenly lost power and was totally unresponsive. It slammed into gear and went back to normal operation. The transmission has been reset by the dealership several times and I'm told it's normal operation for it to slam into gear on the upshift and downshift. There are no lights or warnings. This…
NHTSA complaint #11755461 · source - Filed Aug 2, 2026IATransmission & Drivetrain
Delayed/unexpected transmission gear changes. The transmission delays downshifts at slow speeds causing the vehicle to not accelerate when acceleration is needed. This causes a huge safety issue when maneuvering in traffic (for example). Please help me with a solution to this.
NHTSA complaint #11754322 · source - Filed Aug 1, 2026GATransmission & Drivetrain
I am reporting a safety-related transmission problem I experienced with my 2023 Ford F-150 equipped with the 10R80 automatic transmission. While driving normally, the transmission suddenly shifts down violently from 10th to 8th gear, and rapidly jumping from 10th to 8th to 10th, causing harsh shifts. This occurred while driving on a highway or above 60mph. Just cruising and traveling. creating a potentially dangerous situation because the truck did not respond as expected…
NHTSA complaint #11754209 · source - Filed Aug 1, 2026FLTransmission & Drivetrain
I am reporting a safety-related transmission problem I experienced with my 2023 Ford F-150 equipped with the 10R80 automatic transmission. While driving normally, the transmission has suddenly lost propulsion, jerked, and hard down shifted impacting braking. This occurred while trying to merge onto freeways and making turns into lanes containing traffic, creating a potentially dangerous situation because the truck did not respond as expected when I needed predictable…
NHTSA complaint #11754167 · source - Filed Jul 30, 2026MICrashTowedEngineTransmission & Drivetrain
I was practicing backing up while turning my new approximately 3,000 lb equipment trailer for safety & maneuvering skill purposes. There was no payload in my trailer that I was towing. While slowly maneuvering & turning my equipment trailer in reverse at 1–3 mph, our 2023 Ford F-150 XLT suffered a commanded, abrupt, unexpected sudden acceleration while in reverse, which was not via the gas pedal or my input. The trailer violently jackknifed, made a loud noise on impact to…
NHTSA complaint #11753728 · source
Other 2023 Ford F-150 problem areas
- Electrical System (83)
- Other / Unknown (68)
- Brakes (52)
- Driver Assistance & Safety Tech (36)
- Engine (28)
- Visibility & Wipers (27)
- Wheels & Tires (25)
- Lighting (23)
- Body & Structure (22)
- Acceleration & Cruise Control (18)
- Steering (16)
- Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion (10)
- Suspension (7)
- Seats & Seat Belts (6)
- Airbags (1)
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