2023 Ford F-150 Transmission & Powertrain Problems
NHTSA lists 156 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2023 Ford F-150, 38% of its 407 total complaints, with a median failure mileage of 33,500 miles. Four related recalls cover axle bolts, front axle pinion gears, and a loose transmission bolt.
- Transmission & Powertrain complaints
- 156
- 38% of 407
- Crashes reported
- 4
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 0
- Median mileage
- 33,500 mi
- Related recalls
- 4
Typical transmission symptoms owners report
- Gear shifter reportedly self-shifts from park into reverse while the truck is parked or being exited, in some cases causing a crash.
- The 10-speed automatic transmission is described as hesitating, shifting harshly, or delaying engagement when accelerating from a stop or merging.
- Owners report the gear shift jumping from drive to park on its own while the vehicle is moving, including while stopped at a traffic light.
- Front differential noise is described as clanking that progresses to a growl or grind under acceleration and deceleration.
- Drivers report severe vibration through the floorboard, steering wheel, and gas pedal, in one case linked to a failed torque converter.
- A humming or rumbling noise from the front end, tied to the IWE (Integrated Wheel End), appears and disappears when switching between 2-wheel and 4-wheel drive.
When 2023 Ford F-150 transmission complaints were filed
First complaint Mar 30, 2023, latest Sep 11, 2026.
Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2023 Ford F-150
- NHTSA 25V512000Aug 8, 2025Transmission & Powertrain103,174 vehicles
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.
- NHTSA 23V896000Dec 22, 2023Transmission & Powertrain112,965 vehicles
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.
- NHTSA 23V128000Feb 24, 2023Transmission & Powertrain240 vehicles
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.
- NHTSA 23V070000Feb 10, 2023Transmission & Powertrain1,138 vehicles
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.
Transmission & Powertrain complaints by F-150 model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many transmission and powertrain complaints does NHTSA have for the 2023 Ford F-150?
- NHTSA lists 156 complaints in this area for the 2023 F-150, which is 38% of the 407 total complaints filed for the model year.
- Is there a transmission recall for the 2023 Ford F-150?
- Yes. Recall 23V070000 covers 2022-2023 F-150 automatic-transmission trucks with a possible loose bolt, and separate recalls (23V128000 and 23V896000/25V512000) cover front axle pinion gears and rear axle hub bolts.
- At what mileage do 2023 F-150 transmission problems typically show up?
- The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this problem area is 33,500 miles.
- Have transmission or powertrain issues caused crashes in the 2023 F-150?
- NHTSA data tied to this problem area for the 2023 F-150 lists 4 crashes and 0 fires or injuries.
- How does the 2023 F-150's transmission complaint share compare to other years?
- The 2023 model year's 38% share matches 2011 and 2017, but is lower than 2019's 55% and 2018's 44%, based on NHTSA complaint data across model years.