NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
50 reportsClear category filter127,000 miles · Feb 17, 2015
Power Train
REAR END DOES A SKIDDING WHEN COMING FROM A COMPLETE STOP TO MOVING. LOOKS AS THOUGH THE BRAKES ARE NOT RELEASING LIKE THEY SHOULD, BUT SOUNDS LIKE THERE IS GRINDING FROM THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. WHEN CALLING AUTO PART STORES ABOUT GETTING A REPLACEMENT, THEY HAVE ALL ADVISED THAT THIS YEARS (2008) FORD F-150S ALL HAVE THIS SAME P…
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REAR END DOES A SKIDDING WHEN COMING FROM A COMPLETE STOP TO MOVING. LOOKS AS THOUGH THE BRAKES ARE NOT RELEASING LIKE THEY SHOULD, BUT SOUNDS LIKE THERE IS GRINDING FROM THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. WHEN CALLING AUTO PART STORES ABOUT GETTING A REPLACEMENT, THEY HAVE ALL ADVISED THAT THIS YEARS (2008) FORD F-150S ALL HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM. ALL STORES SAY IT IS THE DIFFERENTIAL CLUTCH PACKS IN THESE 2008 FORD F-150S BUT FORD WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE MALFUNCTION OF THIS PART. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10683958
51,200 miles · Oct 15, 2014
EnginePower Train
VEHICLE WOULD STALL AT SLOW SPEED AND SEVERE RATTLING AND LOSS OF POWER TO VEHICLE WHICH COULD EASILY RESULT IN ACCIDENT. FORD SERVICE INDICATED THAT IT WAS CAM PHASING OR OTHERWISE KNOWN AS INTAKE CAMSHAFT POSITION TIMING OVER RETARDED PROBLEM. VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION WHICH SHOULD BE ADDRESSED VIA RECALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10644793
38,450 miles · Sep 26, 2014
Power Train
STARTED VEHICLE WITH NO ISSUES, DROVE FROM HOME TO LOCATION APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES AWAY. DURING THE DRIVE, I COULD FEEL A "HESITATION" DURING THE AUTOMATIC SHIFTING OF GEARS. HESITATION SEEMED TO PROGRESS DURING DRIVE TO LOCATION. ARRIVED AT LOCATION WITH NO FURTHER ISSUES. 3 HOURS LATER I LEFT LOCATION, IN ROUTE BACK TO MY H…
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STARTED VEHICLE WITH NO ISSUES, DROVE FROM HOME TO LOCATION APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES AWAY. DURING THE DRIVE, I COULD FEEL A "HESITATION" DURING THE AUTOMATIC SHIFTING OF GEARS. HESITATION SEEMED TO PROGRESS DURING DRIVE TO LOCATION. ARRIVED AT LOCATION WITH NO FURTHER ISSUES. 3 HOURS LATER I LEFT LOCATION, IN ROUTE BACK TO MY HOME, AND NOTICED SAME HESITATION. ON THE WAY HOME THE "TRANS FAULT" CODE CAME ON AND THE "O/D OFF" INDICATOR LIGHT BEGAN BLINKING ON AND OFF. I ARRIVED AT MY HOME WITH NO FURTHER ISSUES. WHILE AT HOME, I ATTEMPTED TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE AND IT DID NOT SHIFT FOR ALMOST 3-5 SECONDS, THEN THE TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO ABRUPTLY SHIFT INTO REVERSE. AT THIS POINT MY VEHICLE IS NOT OPERABLE FOR FEAR OF CAUSING FURTHER DAMAGE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10639315
72,000 miles · Jul 22, 2014
EnginePower Train
STARTED SHAKING AND SPUTTERING IN REVERSE AT LOW RPM. TWO TRANSMISSION SHOPS SAID IT WAS THE REVERSE BAND IN TRANSMISSION AND NEEDED REBUILD. HAD TRANS REBUILT (AT COST OF 2390.00). AFTER REBUILD, MECHANIC WAS DRIVING AND IT STILL HAD PROBLEM. AFTER RESEARCHING, HE THINKS IT IS THE CAM PHASERS CAUSING PROBLEM. HE HAD REPLACED MY…
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STARTED SHAKING AND SPUTTERING IN REVERSE AT LOW RPM. TWO TRANSMISSION SHOPS SAID IT WAS THE REVERSE BAND IN TRANSMISSION AND NEEDED REBUILD. HAD TRANS REBUILT (AT COST OF 2390.00). AFTER REBUILD, MECHANIC WAS DRIVING AND IT STILL HAD PROBLEM. AFTER RESEARCHING, HE THINKS IT IS THE CAM PHASERS CAUSING PROBLEM. HE HAD REPLACED MY PLUGS BEFORE TRANSMISSION WORK TO RULE THAT OUT (ALL 8 OF THE PLUGS BROKE WHILE TAKING THEM OUT, HE HAD NEVER SEEN ALL BREAK ON A F150 BEFORE). THIS ENGINE/TRANSMISSION IS A BAD DESIGN ALL AROUND AND FORD NEEDS TO STEP UP, ADMIT IT AND FIX AND OR REIMBURSE CUSTOMERS FOR REPAIRS. YOU CAN SPEND THOUSANDS CHASING PROBLEMS IN THIS POWER TRAIN! EVEN THOUGH THE TRANSMISSION REBUILD DID NOT FIX THE INITIAL PROBLEM, THE REAR BAND WAS WORN, AND THE PLATE IN THE TRANSMISSION HAD A SMALL DENT AND HAIR LINE CRACKS, SO IT WAS GOING TO FAIL EVENTUALLY! THE TRANSMISSION SHOP SAID THIS IS COMMON IN THESE. I WANT SOMETHING DONE! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10615213
81,000 miles · Jul 11, 2014
Power TrainSteering
MY TRUCK HAS 81K MILES ON IT AND THE TORQUE CONVERTER HAS GONE BAD. I HAVE NEVER IN THE PAST HEARD OF A BAD TORQUE CONVERTER FROM NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THE TOP OF MY STEERING WHEEL IS SHOWING MAJOR WEAR. MY WIFE'S 2000 MINI VAN HAS NO WEAR ON IT. WHY WOULD THE TOP OF MY STEERING WHEEL BE FALLING APART? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10609831
2,000 miles · Jun 25, 2014
Power TrainService BrakesSteering
I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK NEW WITH 26 MILES ON IT. I HAVE SINCE HAD BRAKES GO OUT...STEERING GO OUT, POWERTRAIN REPLACED WITH REFURBISHED ONE. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE STEERING ISSUE IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE AND ALL THE MECHANICS AT FORD SAY IT SHOULD BE A RECALL. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE SPARK PLUGS CAN'T BE REMOVED WITHOUT BREAK…
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I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK NEW WITH 26 MILES ON IT. I HAVE SINCE HAD BRAKES GO OUT...STEERING GO OUT, POWERTRAIN REPLACED WITH REFURBISHED ONE. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE STEERING ISSUE IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE AND ALL THE MECHANICS AT FORD SAY IT SHOULD BE A RECALL. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE SPARK PLUGS CAN'T BE REMOVED WITHOUT BREAKING OFF AND FORD IS TOTALLY AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. MY TRUCK STEERING ...I WAS TOLD A PART NEEDS TO BE REPLACED THAT HAPPENS TO ALL THESE TRUCKS...IT IS AT LEAST $1300.00...AND WHEN I ASKED FOR A TUNEUP AND WAS TOLD BECAUSE THE SPARK PLUGS BREAK OFF IT CAN BE OVER 800.00...I WAS ASTONISHED THAT WITH ALL THE TROUBLE WITH GM RECALLS YOU WOULD NOT TARGET THIS 2008 FORD F-150...THERE ARE MULTIPLE MAJOR SAFETY ISSUES. I ALREADY WENT UP AGAINST FORD ABOUT THE POWERTRAIN AND HAVE PAID $35,000.00 FOR THIS TRUCK, I OWE THOUSANDS MORE. CAN YOU HELP OR BE OF ANY ASSISTANCE FOR ALL FORD TRUCK OWNERS? OH, AND THE TRUCK STARTS SHAKING AND I HAVE TO STOP PUT IN 4WD AND THEN OUT AGAIN IN MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC TO GET IT TO RUN RIGHT, AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKES STICKS TOO. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10605976
87,000 miles · Apr 26, 2013
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE GEAR SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED SPORADICALLY AS THE CONTACT DROVE AT LOWER SPEEDS UNDER 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER HOWEVER, THE CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AW…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE GEAR SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED SPORADICALLY AS THE CONTACT DROVE AT LOWER SPEEDS UNDER 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER HOWEVER, THE CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
NHTSA ODI #10509673
1,200 miles · Feb 13, 2013
Power Train
WE BOUGHT OUR F150 5.4 IN JULY OF 2008. IN LATE AUGUST I NOTICED A SLIGHT VIBRATION UNDER MY FEET. THE VIBRATION CONTINUED TO GET WORSE. I HAVE TAKEN THE TRUCK TO A MY FORD DEALERSHIP FOR ALL MAINTENANCE AND EACH TIME I HAVE REPORTED THE VIBRATION. IN JULY OF 2011 I REPLACED THE TIRES AFTER THEY STATED IT WAS THE TIRES. THAT DI…
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WE BOUGHT OUR F150 5.4 IN JULY OF 2008. IN LATE AUGUST I NOTICED A SLIGHT VIBRATION UNDER MY FEET. THE VIBRATION CONTINUED TO GET WORSE. I HAVE TAKEN THE TRUCK TO A MY FORD DEALERSHIP FOR ALL MAINTENANCE AND EACH TIME I HAVE REPORTED THE VIBRATION. IN JULY OF 2011 I REPLACED THE TIRES AFTER THEY STATED IT WAS THE TIRES. THAT DID NOTHING TO FIX THE VIBRATION. THEY HAVE CONTINUED TO ROTATE AND BALANCE THE TIRES BUT I STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM. WHICH IS WEARING OUT MY TIRES. I OVERHEARD THE MECHANIC TALKING TO THE MGR. OF THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT HE TOLD HIM TO BILL IT AS A RECALL BUT THE PROBLEM IS NOT FIXED. ALSO IN APRIL THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS THAT IT MAY TAKE WEEKS TO FIND IT AT MY COST BECAUSE FORD WOULD PROBLEM NOT PAY FOR IT. I DON'T THINK THIS IS FARE. IT WAS A BRAND NEW TRUCK. WHAT IF SOMETHING BREAKS WHILE I'M DRIVING 50 MPH IN THE TRAFFIC. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10498031
50,000 miles · Jan 2, 2013
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
AT IDLE THE ENGINE KNOCKS LOUDLY VEHICLE STALLS ENGINE FAILS. NOT ABLE TO DRIVE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY FORD TECHS AND DEALERSHIP TO REPLACE ENGINE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10490823
34,250 miles · Oct 9, 2012
EnginePower Train
I BOUGHT MY FORD TRUCK USED IN APRIL 2012 WITH 33000 MILES. ABOUT A MONTH LATER I NOTICED THAT WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES TO STOP, THE ENGINE WOULD REV UP. IT HAS SINCE GOTTEN ALOT WORSE. NOW THE ENGINE HAS STARTED TO OVERPOWER THE BRAKES. I FIND THAT WHEN THE ENGINE STARTS TO REV, IF I LET OFF THE BRAKE AND REBRAKE IT WILL DROP …
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I BOUGHT MY FORD TRUCK USED IN APRIL 2012 WITH 33000 MILES. ABOUT A MONTH LATER I NOTICED THAT WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES TO STOP, THE ENGINE WOULD REV UP. IT HAS SINCE GOTTEN ALOT WORSE. NOW THE ENGINE HAS STARTED TO OVERPOWER THE BRAKES. I FIND THAT WHEN THE ENGINE STARTS TO REV, IF I LET OFF THE BRAKE AND REBRAKE IT WILL DROP THE RPM'S BACK DOWN. IT'S DANGEROUS TO HAVE TO LET OFF THE BRAKE ESPECIALLY IN TRAFFIC! IT'S SUCH A SAFETY ISSUE. IN RESEARCHING THIS FOR A RECALL, I'VE COME ACROSS OTHER COMPLAINTS LIKE THIS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10479486
NHTSA investigations
1PE08060 · Tire Valve Cracking
Opened Oct 14, 2008 · Closed Apr 9, 2009
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Tires:valve
ON OCTOBER 14, 2008, ODI OPENED PE08-060 TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF CRACKED AND LEAKING SNAP-IN TIRE VALVES IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2007 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY.THE VALVES WERE SUPPLIED TO FORD BY TOPSEAL AUTO-PARTS, A SUBSIDIARY OF THE SHANGHAI BAOLONG AUTOMOTIVE CORPORATION IN CHINA.VALVES MADE BY TOPSEAL FOR AFTERMARKET SALE WERE THE SUBJECT OF TWO RECENT SAFETY RECALLS BY TECH INTERNATIONAL (08T-018) AND DILL AIR CONTROLS (08T-028), THE LATTER OF WHICH WAS INVESTIGATED BY ODI IN PE08-036 AND EA08-022.THE DEFECT CONDITIONS ADDRESSED BY THE AFTERMARKET TIRE VALVE RECALLS BOTH INVOLVED INADEQUATE RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING DUE TO ISSUES WITH THE SUPPLY OF ANTI-OZONANT CHEMICALS TO TOPSEAL FOR A PERIOD FROM JULY TO MID-NOVEMBER 2006.THE AFTERMARKET VALVES WERE COMPOUNDED WITH A BLEND OF EPDM AND NATURAL RUBBER, USING A RELATIVELY LOW PERCENTAGE OF EPDM (EPDM PROVIDES INHERENT RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING).HENCE, THE NEED FOR ANTI-OZONANT CHEMICALS AND THE PROBLEMS WITH CRACKING WHEN THOSE CHEMICALS WERE MISSING OR OUT OF SPECIFICATION IN SOME LOTS OF VALVES.BOTH RECALL CAMPAIGNS INVOLVED INSPECTION PROGRAMS TO IDENTIFY AND REPLACE VALVES WITH VISIBLE SURFACE CRACKING.ALTHOUGH THE TOPSEAL VALVES SUPPLIED TO FORD ALSO APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THE ANTI-OZONANT SUPPLY ISSUES IN MID TO LATE-2006, FORD INDICATED THAT ITS VALVES WERE MADE AT A DIFFERENT TOPSEAL PRODUCTION LINE AND WERE COMPOUNDED WITH A HIGHER PERCENTAGE OF EPDM RUBBER TO MEET MORE STRINGENT SPECIFICATIONS FROM FORD.ODI'S ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA PROVIDED BY FORD SHOWED THAT PROBLEMS WITH CRACKED TIRE VALVES WERE SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER FOR MY 2007 VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM DECEMBER 2006 THROUGH MARCH 2007.FORD RESPONDED BY IMPLEMENTING CHANGES IN ITS MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR SNAP-IN RUBBER TIRE VALVES AND ALSO INCREASING THE QUALITY AND ACCEPTANCE STANDARDS FOR VALVES IMPORTED FOR USE IN ITS VEHICLES.WHILE THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY CLAIM RATES ARE ELEVATED FOR SUBJECT VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM DECEMBER 2006 THROUGH MARCH 2007, THE RATES OF LEAKING VALVES ARE WELL BELOW ONE PERCENT OF PRODUCTION FOR EACH OF THE PEAK MONTHS FOR ALL OF THE AFFECTED MODELS.A SUBSTANTIAL MAJORITY OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS (TPMS) WHICH WARN THE DRIVER WHEN ANY TIRE PRESSURES DROPS BELOW 25 PERCENT OF RECOMMENDED INFLATION PRESSURE. AS OUTLINED IN A LETTER TO ODI DATED APRIL 6, 2009, FORD HAS AGREED TO SEND LETTERS TO OWNERS OF CERTAIN MY 2007 AND 2008 FORD, LINCOLN AND MERCURY VEHICLES TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CRACKING CONCERN. LETTERS WILL BE SENT TO OWNERS OF VEHICLES BUILT FROM NOVEMBER 2006 THROUGH MAY 2007.OWNERS CAN OPT FOR A FREE DEALER INSPECTION.VALVES EXHIBITING SURFACE CRACKS OR AIR LEAKAGE RELATED TO OZONE ATTACK WILL BE REPLACED BY FORD UNDER ITS NORMAL WARRANTY TERMS.FORD EXPECTS TO SEND THE LETTER BY APPROXIMATELY MID-MAY 2009. BASED ON THE USE OF TPMS IN THE MAJORITY OF SUBJECT VEHICLES AND THE RELATIVELY LOW RATES OF REPAIRS ASSOCIATED WITH LEAKING VALVES AND RESULTANT TIRE DAMAGE, ODI BELIEVES THAT THE ACTIONS FORD HAS AGREED TO TAKE WILL PROVIDE EFFECTIVE AND EXPEDITIOUS RESOLUTION FOR VEHICLES THAT WERE BUILT DURING THE PERIOD WHEN VALVES WITH INADEQUATE RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING WERE MOST LIKELY TO HAVE BEEN USED IN VEHICLE PRODUCTION.FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF THIS MATTER WOULD NOT BE AN EFFICIENT ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO