What 1,686 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Ford F-150 (regular Cab) Gas

I’m a single mother driving a 2016 Ford F-150, my only vehicle, while transporting small children daily. I’ve been experiencing sudden, violent shaking and unexpected downshifting while driving, especially at highway speeds. On more than one occasion, it has felt like the rear wheels try to lock, causing the entire truck to jolt and decelerate rapidly, putting my safety and the safety of my children at serious risk. I’ve taken the truck to the dealership and multiple independent mechanics, but no one can diagnose the issue because no error codes appear related to the transmission or shifting. The only code that comes up is for a faulty catalytic converter, but both catalytic converters have already been replaced. The dealership confirmed that the check engine light keeps coming on anyway, even though there’s no actual issue with the new parts. They said it’s as if the system is being triggered by something else, but they don’t know what. I was relieved to learn that NHTSA is investigating this exact issue in 2015–2017 F-150 models, because what I’m experiencing matches it exactly. I depend on this truck for everything, school drop-offs, groceries, and survival, and I have no backup vehicle. I am asking NHTSA to prioritize this investigation and take action. This is not just a transmission defect, it’s a public safety threat, and families like mine are being forced to drive dangerous vehicles simply because there’s no help yet. Please step in and hold Ford accountable before someone gets seriously hurt.

NHTSA ODI 11653978

Vehicle downshifts unexpectedly sometimes and it also kicks hard when slowing down or coming to a stop. Brought it to Hempstead Ford and test drove it with Charlie the senior service advisor, he said he understands and feels what I’m explaining, but Ford says its normal.

NHTSA ODI 11651325

The truck wrench symbol showed up. The second time it showed the truck didn’t seem to shift correctly. It hesitated to progress in speed like usual, creating a situation that I could have been hit by cross traffic because it was moving at a lot slower speed than expected for trying to accelerate. I had ford inspect my vehicle for what might be working incorrectly and they couldn’t diagnose the issue. It has not acted up since I had it looked at. As far as I know they couldn’t determine what created the shifting problem and no course of action to repair it was taken.

NHTSA ODI 11650705

Occasionally on startup will hard shift then get stuck in 5th,3rd,or 1st gear and will move slowly upon accelerating.This will also happen when driving at different speeds.Cooling fan will also be running on high speed.Had lead frame and valve body replaced($2000) but within two weeks symptoms returned.Truck is now in dealer waiting for replacement transmission to come in($7000) Will add receipt when vehicle is returned.

NHTSA ODI 11650379

When shifting the truck into gear the lights such as the parking, driving, neutral, reverse and lower gears lights as well as the lights showing which gears the trucks shifting into do not light up! Therefore, you cannot tell what gear the truck is currently placed into. Also, if the lights do light up, they flicker very erratically, and the truck will change gears on its own. When driving the vehicle, the truck will just suddenly change gears and makes a hard shift into lower or higher gear or gears which is extremely dangerous. This makes the truck feel like I've been hooked up to another vehicle that is trying to snatch me backwards. I was driving on the highway the other day and the truck went from 6th gear doing over 70mph to all of a sudden downshifting and dropping down to 40mph on the highway. I thought the engine and transmission were both going to explode on me and cause an accident. This was extremely terrifying and if I didn't keep my cool it could have easily caused a wreck. Most people would have freaked out had an accident. The truck barely made it home because of the gears shifting all over the place and the truck wanting to lose power and shut down. This is extremely dangerous and the representative I spoke to from Ford agreed that considering the mileage of the truck and with the recent recalls concerning transmissions being recalled for the exact same issues that my truck is experiencing that I needed to call you guys and get my tuck added to the Ford F-150 recall list for the transmission issues ford trucks have been having. The Truck is a 2016 Ford F-150 XLT. This is the case number provided to me from Ford to give you Ford Case # CXH03020325

NHTSA ODI 11628366

Driving down the expressway at 70 mph, vehicle gear light indicators started to flash between gears, and vehicle abruptly entered limp-home mode and downshifted to 3rd gear, causing the vehicle to aggressively decelerate to the point of the back wheels squealing. If another car was in standard following distance, it would have been a certain accident.

NHTSA ODI 11608646

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The transmission lead frame failed. It was replaced by the mechanic. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The transmission suddenly shifted to a lower gear and locked up the rear tires. This suddenly decreased the speed while traveling in traffic. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? The service center scanned the truck and recorded the error codes. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? The transmission shifted erratically and the gear indicator on the dash blinked. After the sudden downshift the check engine and see service manual light came on.

NHTSA ODI 11603486

Transmission does not shift into gear when idle and pushing in the gas pedal. Truck randomly shuts off when at stop lights and have to restart it. Transmission shifts randomly into different gears at different speeds while driving. Transmission struggles to shift into gear and when it does the whole truck shakes and loud clunk noises happens. Cruise control speeds go up and down while driving and engine has trouble shifting into gears to keep up speed.

NHTSA ODI 11603168

Vehicle is exhibiting issues consistent with the recalled lead frame part on previous year models, despite my 2016 having the same transmission as they do. Truck will randomly downshift into first at slower speeds causing engine to rev very high and not want to shift into next gear. Often times it will get “stuck” in 3rd gear even when coming to a complete stop and leaving a stop in 3rd still. On one occasion the truck shuddered and began to decelerate even as the accelerator was being pressed on the highway causing a significant safety issue, I had to put in neutral and restart the truck while still driving to regain forward mobility of the vehicle. When these things occur typically a little gear wrench symbol will appear on the dash and on one occasion has raised a check engine light with code P0720.

NHTSA ODI 11597700

Transmission started shifting eratacely eventually went out in 2023 replaced late or early 2024, transmission still exhibiting same problems,biggest problem is not shifting out of 5th gear when coming to a stop.have to shut off truck to disable safe mode,doesn't always work.code is 720,721,723

NHTSA ODI 11596801

I was driving on [XXX] in the City of Chester, PA, at the merge with [XXX]; this is a high traffic, multi-lane, confusing merge for drivers unfamiliar with the road ( I know it well). My truck just shut down, and I had to put it in neutral to re-start it. I knew there was a problem, because it had previously shifted roughly at times. But I just had it inspected at the Garnet Ford dealership, told them about the problem, and they could not diagnose/fix it. It passed inspection, and I thought that it would iron out, but instead, I could have been in real trouble. I took it to another mechanic, and they told me it was something else. I paid $1,206 and the problem was still there. I finally think I figured it out by going on a chat with other Ford owners. I just made another appt. with Garnet to do the repair. This should be re-called. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11589732

The 6r80 transmission lead frame cause my truck to slam into first gear when going 55 miles an hour.

NHTSA ODI 11589244

This has happened quiet a bit I'm driving on the highway going 75mph set my cruise control and I go to pass or up a hill and the truck engine and tranny light start flashing the truck losses power it won't go even when u push petal to floor it also spits and sputters if u turn of the cruise control put the car n neutral and shut it off then back on it stops this seems to b an constant thing there's no engine light or tranny lights on after it happens it

NHTSA ODI 11587152

Car abruptly switched gear and slowed down while driving. Stepped on the gas but the car did not move while the rpm was spiking

NHTSA ODI 11585985

Transmission will down shift to first while driving on highway. Code come up for transmission speed sensor short. Same as in the 2011 to 2013 models. That tab should be extended to later models. It is unsafe and could cause an accident/ death in high speed driving.

NHTSA ODI 11580212

2016 Ford F150 Platinum 5.0L V8 with automatic 6R80 transmission. Erratic gear shifting while driving. Sometimes not getting out of/stuck in 3rd gear and sometimes not downshifting below 3rd gear. Orange wrench or illuminated MIL light came on followed by a solid check engine light. Took it to dealership - DTC P0720 and P0722 appeared. Dealership tech states that he reprogrammed the PCM and output shaft speed sensor, and that the next step is to drive it and see how it does and if it didn’t fix the problem then he will have to change the molded leadframe. This issue is exactly the same issue as the customer satisfaction program 19N01. The safety concern is I don’t want to drive it around, waiting for the leadframe to fail one day while I’m driving down the freeway with my family in 6th gear and have the truck shift abruptly to 3rd or 1st gear and lose control. This issue is exactly like the 19N01 with the same 6R80 transmission.

NHTSA ODI 11578725

The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 55-60 MPH, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode and lost motive power. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The contact turned off the vehicle and restarted the vehicle after a while. The contact continued driving; however, the failure recurred several times while driving. The contact was able to drive to the residence. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where unknown repairs were performed. Additionally, the contact stated while driving 20 MPH on a slight incline and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond. The message "Hill Assist Not Working" was displayed. The contact stated that she reversed at 3 MPH to her residence. The contact stated that the failure recurred several times while driving on a level road. The contact veered to the side of the road and shifted into Sport(S) mode, and was able to drive 30-35 MPH. The vehicle was taken to Rocky Mountain Yeti Pinedale Jeep RAM (153 S Entertainment Ln, Pinedale, WY 82941), where it was diagnosed that the throttle body had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that the windshield wipers failed to disengage and remained on slow intermittent mode. The dealer reset the windshield wipers setting; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

NHTSA ODI 11568079

The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while approaching a stop, the brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle accelerated to unknown speeds. The driver continuously depressed the brake pedal, but it failed to respond. The driver crashed into a mailbox, brick decorations, a stop sign, a golf cart, a gas line, and a tree. The driver pulled the emergency brake, and the vehicle stopped.  There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a collision center. The contact sustained injuries to her hip, but medical attention was not provided. A police report was filed. There was no reported fire or air bag deployment. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.

NHTSA ODI 11562985

I was driving at 75 mph on the freeway when suddenly I lost acceleration and the ability to accelerate. There was a message "Hill Descent Control". I did not have time to see if it said error or failure. Then "Check Manual". I was very lucky to get 3 lanes over to get off to the side of the road without being rear ended. I turned the vehicle off in order to regain my composure, then back on with no warning messages. I drove home slower.

NHTSA ODI 11548891

Driving up a hill on interstate 70MPH when an engine light with Hill Climb Assist disabled error came on. Accellerater shut down and had to coast to side of road. I shut vehicle off and started back up and was able to proceed till I got off highway and proceeded up another hill and same thing happened stalled and came to a stop. I found dozens of other F150 owners having the same problem stalling in the highway. All the posts indicate they had a bad "Throttle Body". Ford has had similar problems on other models but doesn't aknowledge this one.

NHTSA ODI 11524516

I was cruising on the highway normal speed them out of nowhere, my engine lost power and then a hill decent fault warning popped up. I pulled over then when I came to a complete stop my truck was shaking like if it had a misfire. So then I turned it off then back on. It turned back on on the first try but it struggled. When it turned on everything went away like nothing happen. Warning lights and the shaking went away.

NHTSA ODI 11502953

Transmission refused to down shift from 5th gear or go over 55 mph. Truck began to shutter and the powertrain wrench error code appeared on the dash. Truck also began to have a clanking sound. The truck jerked violently at 50 mph causing the safety of myself and 3 other passengers at risk. The Marshal Mize Ford dealer in Hixson, TN confirmed the transmission lead frame was faulty, just like the Ford recall for the 2011-2013 F150 truck.

NHTSA ODI 11489946

Downshifting while I was driving happened without warning. Besides the gear switch, I noticed problems with the speedometer, erratic gear shifting, and the transmission stuck in one gear. I could have caused a major accident by the vehicle as I was at moderately high speed in motion when the vehicle began to fail. I did also bang my head on the steering wheel when the truck began to decelerate on its own! Mechanics told me it was a problem with the OOS (Output Speed Shaft Sensor). I could have got in a major accident had I not had a quick reaction to the truck automatically downshifting while at a high rate of speed. There is currently NO recalls for the 2016 F-150 model however, I did research and found that there are issues recalls for this VERY same problem for older F-150 models. This is an incredibly dangerous problem. My truck at this time only has 66,000 miles. Not very many miles on it for a 2016 to have this type of issue. Major research needed to get this resolved asap! People’s lives are at stake with this truck!

NHTSA ODI 11466151

I was driving vehicle to work. Going approximately 70 mph, the truck suddenly lost the ability to accelerate and starts running very rough, like it lost a cylinder. Then the collision warning comes on the dash and advanced trac icon and then the manual icon with the wrench that says check manual. I coast down the hill from the far left lane to the slow lane and take the first exit off the freeway and pull to the side of road. Shut the vehicle off, wait 30 seconds, try again starts right up and acts like no problem. Happened three times since. Same thing every time

NHTSA ODI 11465257

during normal highway crusing, the transmission gear indicator started flashing and experienced loss of power, as if the car was in neutral causing me to decelerate. sometimes when the transmission "catches" again, it'll catch in a lower gear such as 2nd, which will cause rapid deceleration. Multiple times I've been worried about getting rear ended when this happens. This issue happens about 3 times per week. Dealership can't diagnose and I even have a video of this happening. Dealership states tranmission repairs are over 3 weeks out. Simply unnacceptable.

NHTSA ODI 11442528