Ford F-150 Lightning Transmission / powertrain problems
125 of the 536 complaints about the Ford F-150 Lightning (23.3%) concern Transmission / powertrain, making it the model's second-largest problem area. That share is 2.0× the Transmission / powertrain share across all tracked vehicles.
Analysis
By model year, Transmission / powertrain complaints peak with the 2022 model (79, 26% of that year's complaints) and are lowest for the 2024 model (5). 18 Transmission / powertrain complaints were filed in the last 12 months versus 34 in the 12 months before — the pace is falling.
Owners most often describe: “axle”, “bolt”, “sheared”, “train” and “rear”. 2 of these reports (1.6%) describe a crash or fire, with 2 injuries and 0 deaths mentioned.
No recall campaign addresses Transmission / powertrain for the tracked model years.
When complaints were filed
Last 12 months: 18 · Previous 12 months: 34
Common terms in reports
- axle38
- bolt32
- sheared15
- train23
- rear43
- power48
What owners report
I was leaving my storage unit on Sunday October 6, 2024 at around 7 pm. I was traveling at 5 mph as I approached the exit gate code box. I stopped at the top of the steep hill by depressing the brake.
I made a left-hand turn during a snow storm, and the right rear wheel slid and I made contact with the curb at a relatively low speed. The rear right wheel assembly failed and snapped, leaving the wheel assembly 90 degrees to normal.
On August 20, 2026, while driving my 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning, the vehicle suffered a sudden, complete, and catastrophic loss of propulsion. The truck stopped abruptly while in motion on an active roadway.
I am reporting a safety-related transmission problem I'm experiencing with my 2022 Ford F-150 equipped with the 10R80 automatic transmission.
I am reporting a safety-related transmission problem I experienced with my 2022 Ford F-150 equipped with the 10R80 automatic transmission.
I am reporting a safety-related transmission problem I experienced with my 2023 Ford F-150 equipped with the 10R80 automatic transmission.
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Related recalls
No recall campaign addresses Transmission / powertrain for the tracked model years.
Problem areas · Ford F-150 Lightning
Ford F-150 Lightning problems, complaints & recalls by model year ›
Related reading
- Transmission problems explained: shudder, harsh shifts, CVTs and what to test on a driveHow the main automatic transmission types fail, why some designs generate far more owner complaints than others, and a practical test-drive checklist built from what owners report.
Frequently asked questions
How common are Transmission / powertrain problems on the Ford F-150 Lightning?
125 of the 536 complaints about the Ford F-150 Lightning (23.3%) concern Transmission / powertrain, making it the model's second-largest problem area. That share is 2.0× the Transmission / powertrain share across all tracked vehicles.
Which Ford F-150 Lightning model years have the most Transmission / powertrain complaints?
By model year, Transmission / powertrain complaints peak with the 2022 model (79, 26% of that year's complaints) and are lowest for the 2024 model (5).
Is there a recall for Ford F-150 Lightning Transmission / powertrain problems?
No recall campaign addresses Transmission / powertrain for the tracked model years.