Problems · by component

2023 Ford F-150 power train problems

160 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2023 Ford F-150 cite power train, 38% of all 419 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 4 recalls on this component.

Complaints
160
38% of all complaints
Crashes
4
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the power train

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“Spring of 2025 shortly after buying this truck I took it to Ford dealer to have theinspection for the axle bolts. They reported they were ok and closed the recall. On 10/5/2026 I took my truck to an independant mechanic for a leaking right rear axle seal. When he pulled the wheel off the axle bolt head fell to the ground. When he called me to let me know what was going on I told him about the recall and to wait untilI contacted Ford. When I called ford dealer who did the inspection they told me it was closed and no further action due by them. That I would be responsible for the repairs. They said they could not sell me new axles because they were kept for vehicles fixed under the recall. So, ai has my mechanic replace the sea, hub and bolt. A week later the seal failed again. I do not know if the bolt broke again or not I haven't had it to the garage yet. I have contacted customer service at Ford they refused to let me talk to someone higher up and hung up on me. I am currently driving the truck it is my main transportation. I contacted the social media group at Ford also they just gave me the run around and same answer - "the recall is closed and no further…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 24, 2026Power trainODI 11773362
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 5, 2026Power trainODI 11769083
“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 Service twice about the parts availability issue. Ford states the parts are available. The dealership states the parts are not available. According to the NTSB, recall repairs should happen in a timely manner. If they don't, NTSB suggests filing a complaint. I believe more than a year of waiting, with noting done, has given both Ford and the dealership ample time for repairs to be completed. This is an official complaint regarding the lack of expediency by both Ford and the local dealership.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 30, 2026Power trainODI 11767949
“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 related to the known 10R80 CDF clutch-cylinder/sleeve problem. Ford technical information identifies axial movement of the CDF sleeve that can cause hydraulic-circuit leaks and harsh or delayed engagement and shifting. This condition can result in slipping, RPM flares, delayed engagement, unexpected gear changes, harsh downshifts, lurching, or loss of propulsion. This is a safety concern, not merely a transmission quality or reliability issue. Unexpected loss of propulsion or unpredictable shifting while merging, accelerating into traffic, crossing an intersection, turning, or traveling at highway speed can create a collision hazard. Because I personally experienced this unexpected…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 11, 2026Power trainODI 11763650
“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 kept going it in stop and go traffic on the interstate, 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 related to the known 10R80 CDF clutch-cylinder/sleeve problem. Ford technical information identifies axial movement of the CDF sleeve that can cause hydraulic-circuit leaks and loss of gears causing no propulsion and possibly causing a tragedy”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 3, 2026Power trainODI 11761788
“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 the trailer to the vehicle. The contact was almost struck by the vehicle. The dealer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 26, 2026Power trainCrash reportedODI 11759664

Showing 6 of 160 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

4 recalls on this component

Power train: axle hubs

Remedy pending

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.

Power trainReported Aug 8, 2025NHTSA 25V512000

Power train: axle hubs

Free remedy

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.

Power trainReported Dec 22, 2023NHTSA 23V896000

Power train: axle assembly

Free remedy

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.

Power trainReported Feb 24, 2023NHTSA 23V128000

Power train: automatic transmission

Free remedy

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."

Power trainReported Feb 10, 2023NHTSA 23V070000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.