2009 FORD F-150 Power Train Problems

Random downshift to first gear while traveling down the highway at 70mph resulting in wheel lock-up and engine redline.

My vehicle occasionally gets stuck in a low gear. It has also stalled in a busy intersection. I have taken it to be diagnosed at an independent service center that specializes in transmissions and was told that the problem was the lead frame which has been recalled on later models of my vehicle.

HARD TO STEER

Mileage: 106,000

THE REAR DRIVE SHAFT BETWEEN TRANSFER CASE AND REAR DIFFERENTIAL IS HELD BY A DRIVE SHAFT BRACKET/BEARING WHERE THE TOP OF IT IS WELDED TO THE FRAME CROSS MEMBER. DURING STOP AND GO TRAFFIC THE POORLY WELDED BRACKET CAME LOOSE. AS YOU CAN SEE FROM THE PICTURE THE WELD WAS POORLY DONE AND HAD NO PENETRATION INTO THE METAL. THE METAL WAS NOT TORN AT ALL AND BROKE COMPLETELY CLEAN OFF WHICH DICTATE A VERY POOR JOB ON THE WELD ITSELF. TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE THIS PART IS BASICALLY A DUAL SHARP BLADES AT THE WELD BREAK, CONNECTED TO THE DRIVE SHAFT AT FAST RPMS WOULD TAKE LITTLE TO NO TIME TO PUNCTURE AND IGNITE THE NEAR BY FUEL TANK. AS I WAS TRAVELING AT SLOW SPEEDS I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE RIGHT AWAY. IF THIS BREAK OCCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS I FEEL THAT IT WOULD HAVE EASILY PUNCTURED THE FUEL TANK AND IGNITED THE FUEL CAUSING CATASTROPHIC FIRE AND PROBABLE EXPLOSION THAT COULD CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH.

Mileage: 114,000

TRUCK STALLED AND LOST TRANSMISSION POWER IN THE MIDDLE OF BUSY HIGHWAY. WAITED 20MIN ON SHOULDER AND TRUCK STARTED AND RAN FINE. THIS HAS HAPPENED PERIODICALLY OVER THE LAST YEAR WITH NO ERROR CODES FOUND DURING DIAGNOSTICS RELATED. NOW HAPPING MORE FREQUENT AND YESTERDAY THE TRUCK STALLED AGAIN AND NOW WILL NOT START. RESEARCHED AND FOUND A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT ABOUT FORD PCM/TCM FAILURES WHICH DESCRIBED MY SYMPTOMS PERFECTLY. NEXT ISSUE IS AT 55MPH THE TRUCK TRIED TO GO INTO 4-LOW, WHICH SHUT THE TRUCK DOWN ON THE HIGH WAY AND ALMOST WENT OFF THE ROAD. ERROR CODE FOUND DURING DIAGNOSTICS WAS THE "COMMUNICATION TO TRANSFER CASE SHIFT MOTOR"

Mileage: 160,000

WHILE TRAVELING TO WORK BRAKES WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR AND THEN MY ABS & BRAKE CHECK SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON HAS NOT TURNED OFF. TRUCK IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE

Mileage: 180,000

HAD TO REPLACE COMPLETE DRIVE SHAFT BECAUSE OF BAD CARRIER BEARING, TWICE

Mileage: 100,000

I HAVE A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR THERE'S A HUMMING SOUND THE FASTER I GO THE LOUDER THE NOISE GETS.

Mileage: 75,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD F-150. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN REVERSE, IT ACCELERATED BACKWARDS AND CRASHED INTO A NEIGHBOR'S RESIDENCE WITHOUT WARNING. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED, BUT WAS SHAKEN UP AND TRANSPORTED TO THE EMERGENCY CENTER BY THE PARAMEDIC. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200,000.

Mileage: 200,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK AND IT ROLLED BACKWARDS AFTER REMOVING THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH AND EXITING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE KEY WAS REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH WHILE THE GEAR WAS IN REVERSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILLAGE WAS AT 95,000.

Mileage: 95,000

SINCE THE DAY I PURCHASED THE TRUCK, TYPICALLY AFTER BEING ON HIGHWAY FOR MORE THAN 100 MILES, WHEN I ACCELERATE IT WILL HESITATE THEN SLAM INTO GEAR. THERE IS A VERY LOUD BANG THAT ACCOMPANIES IT ALONG WITH A VIOLENT SLAM TO THE ENTIRE TRUCK. FREQUENTLY HAPPENS WHEN ASCENDING HILLS.

Mileage: 1,000

I CAME HOME AND NOTICED FLUID ON MY DRIVEWAY AND UPON FURTHER INSPECTION I FOUND IT COMING FROM THE WIRE HARNESS SLEEVE IN THE TRANSMISSION. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY ARE SO BACKED UP WITH THIS ISSUE AND OTHER TRANSMISSION ISSUES THAT IT WOULD BE A MONTH BEFORE THEY COULD TAKE MY TRUCK IN. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND THEY ARE TRYING TO CHARGE $650 DOLLARS TO FIX IT ( $120 IN PARTS AND MAYBE 1 1/2 HRS WORK).....THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. *TR

Mileage: 74,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND WAS UNABLE TO STOP. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ENGAGED. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN ORDER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE, THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE SHIFTED INTO THE NEUTRAL POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000.

Mileage: 71,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL OF THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE GROMMET HAD FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 71,100.

Mileage: 71,000

EXTREMELY HARD DOWNSHIFT MALFUNCTION.VEHICLE VIOLENTLY SHUDDERS AND SLAMS HARD INTO LOWER GEAR. *TR

Mileage: 47,500

DROPPED OFF VEHICLE WITH FORD DEALERSHIP SERVICE ADVISER AND PROCEEDED TO WAITING AREA. VEHICLE HAD A STEADY YELLOW ENGINE LIGHT INDICATING SERVICE IS REQUIRED. FIVE MINUTES LATER, LOUD ENGINE RACING NOISE, TIRES SQUEALING AND CRASH IMPACT SOUND FROM SERVICE BAY AREA. KNOWING IT WAS MY TRUCK, I WENT OUT TO THE SERVICE BAY TO SEE IT SLAMMED THROUGH THE FAR STONE WALL, ABOUT 75 FEET FROM THE SERVICE DESK. HYDRAULIC FLUID WAS ALL OVER THE FLOOR, OUTSIDE AND INSIDE OF THE TRUCK. SERVICE ADVISER WAS STUNNED AND CRAWLED OUT OF VEHICLE CLAIMING IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND HE COULD NOT PUT THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL OR PARK AS THE ENGINE RACED AT FULL RPM. SERVICE ADVISER WAS SENT TO HOSPITAL. FORD SERVICE MANAGER WAS CONCERNED AND AGREED TO CHECK ENGINE CODES, HE TALKED LIKE HE'D SEEN THIS HAPPEN BEFORE. ALL SERVICE ENGINEERS WERE CONCERNED ABOUT SPONTANEOUS ACCELERATION THEY ALL WITNESSED AS THE TRUCK MIRACULOUSLY BARRELED THROUGH THE SERVICE BAYS WITHOUT HITTING ANY OF THE WORKERS. LATER IN THE DAY, I RETURNED TO CHECK STATUS AND EVERYONE AT DEALERSHIP CHANGED THEIR STORY. THEY WILL NOT TELL ME WHY THE TRUCK ACCELERATED LIKE IT DID, BUT WILL NOT ADMIT THERE WAS HUMAN ERROR EITHER. *TR

Mileage: 37,009

I WA TRAVELING ON I-20 EAST TRAVELING FROM VICKSBURG, MS HEADING TO ATLANTA, GA. I HAD BEEN USING THE CRUISE CONTROL CONSISTENTLY FOR ABOUT 3 HOURS. I ALSO WAS USING THE ACCELERATE & DECELERATE BUTTONS ON THE STEERING COLUMN. I APPROACHED A SLIGHT CURVE IN BIRMINGHAM, AL WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL LOCKED IN AT 60 MPH, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FULL THROTTLE. I APPLIED FOOT PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN. IT CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE TO ABOUT 85 MPH. I THEN SOMEWHAT RAISED UP IN THE SEAT TO APPLY ALL THE FOOT PRESSURE I COULD TO THE BRAKE. IT SLOWED DOWN SLIGHTLY. WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE, IT BEGAN TO SPEED UP AGAIN. NEXT I FUMBLED WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL BUTTONS TO SEE IF THEY WERE STUCK. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. FINALLY, I MOVED THE GEAR SHIFT TO NEUTRAL & THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN. WHEN I PUT THE VEHICLE BACK IN DRIVE, EVERYTHING APPEARED TO BE NORMAL. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I DID NOT USE THE CRUISE CONTROL ANYMORE. THANK GOD, WE SURVIVED! *TR

Mileage: 47,560

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT INTO PARK BUT THE SHIFTER WOULD NOT HOLD IN PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT SHE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 71,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Mileage: 71,000

VEHICLE VIBRATES AT HIGHWAY SPEED SEEMS TO COME FROM RIGHT REAR. HAVE TAKEN IT TO THREE DEALERS THEY COULD NOT FIX PROBLEM. DEALER STATED ALL 2009 F-150S DO THE SAME. REPLACED TIRES BUT STILL HAS SAME PROBLEM. *TT

Mileage: 1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION EXHIBITED A DELAY IN SHIFTING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND HAD THE TRANSMISSION CALIBRATED, BUT THE REPAIR ONLY LASTED FOUR TO FIVE DAYS BEFORE THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER THEN TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED TO SHIFT IN THE MANNER THAT IS WAS AND THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE FAILURE WAS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THERE WAS A DELAY IN ACCELERATION GOING FROM SECOND TO THIRD GEARS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 24,152. UPDATED 11/18/11*LJ THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THERE WAS A DELAY GOING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE TCM/PCM AND RESET THE ADAPTIVE SHIFT STRATEGIES. UPDATED 03/05/12

Mileage: 18,500

I PURCHASED A FORD F150 CREW CAB 4X4 BRAND NEW IN 2009. AT 35000 KMS (+/-), 55000 KMS (+/-) AND NOW 90000 KMS, THE "CLUTCH PACKS" HAD TO BE REPLACED. WHEN PULLING A TRAILER OR BOAT AND THE DRIVE TRAIN GETS HOT, THE DRIVE TRAIN GRINDS AND SHAKES BADLY. I SPOKE TO SERVICE AT DEALERSHIP & WAS TOLD THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE AND SEVERAL OTHER OWNERS FROM THAT DEALERSHIP ALONE HAVE HAD THE SAME COMPLAINT. I AM WORRIED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS WITH A TRAILER ATTACHED THAT SOMETHING IS GOING TO LET GO AND CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE AT FORD TO FIX THIS MANUFACTURING DEFECT BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. *TR

Mileage: 35,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THE TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN EXHIBITING PROBLEMS SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR THE FORTH TIME FOR TRANSMISSION FAILURES. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS USING A DIFFERENT TYPE OF TRANSMISSION FOR HIS PARTICULAR YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS LEAKING ABNORMALLY, THE INTERNAL WIRING HARNESS WAS REPLACED AS WELL AS THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION GASKET. THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTING EXTREMELY HARD AND EXHIBITING A LOUD BANG SOUND WHEN SHIFTING BETWEEN ANY GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,337 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52,000. UPDATED 05/24/11*LJ UPDATED 2/8/12 *CN

Mileage: 40,337

EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE TRANSMISSION FAILURES AT LOW MILES (9,000, THEN 15,000, THEN 17,000). THE FORD DEALER WOULD NOT REPLACE TRANSMISSION UNTIL THE 3RD FAILURE OCCURRED. THE FIRST TWO TIMES, THE TRANSMISSION WAS BURNED OUT AND THEY REPLACED THE BAD PARTS. *TR

Mileage: 9,000

2009 FORD F-150 WITH AN AUTOMATIC SIX SPEED TRANSMISSION ROLLS BACKWARDS WHEN STOPPED ON A GRADE IF THE GEAR SELECTOR IS EITHER IN 2 OR 3. WAS ADVISED BY BOTH MY FORD DEALER AND FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE THAT THIS WAS "NORMAL". I HAVE NEVER OWNED A VEHICLE WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION THAT ROLLED BACKWARDS LIKE THE VEHICLE WAS IN NEUTRAL. SINCE FORD RECOMMENDS DRIVING IN "3 " WHEN ON GRADE, THE POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR ROLLING BACKWARDS AN CAUSING AN ACCIDENT AFTER STOPPING. I HAVE AN EMAIL FROM FORD'S CUSTOMER SERVICE STATING THAT THIS IS "NORMAL". IF FORD IS NOT GOING TO FIX THIS ISSUE, THEY SHOULD AT LEAST PROMINENTLY NOTE THE PROBLEM IN THEIR OWNERS MANUAL. I WAS NOT INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, BUT WAS SHOCKED WHEN THIS FIRST HAPPENED. I WOULD NOT HAVE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IF THIS WAS A KNOW PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 4,000

2009 F-150 W/ @ 15,000 MILES HAS ERRATIC SHIFTING AND HAS A FAILING "PARK" GEAR. APPROXIMATELY 20% OF THE TIME "PARK" WILL NOT ENGAGE AND ALLOWS THE VEHICLE TO ROLL ON AN INCLINE. NO REPAIR HAS BEEN MADE AT THIS TIME. *TR

Mileage: 15,000

TRANSMISSION SLIPS, CHATTERS, SURGES, AND HAS MOVED TRUCK AHEAD A FEW FEET (INTO INTERSECTION) STARTS TO SLIP LEAVES YOU SITTING IN TRAFFIC AND WON'T MOVE FOR A FEW SECONDS. IT GOES INTO A NEUTRAL STATE SLAMS INTO GEARS SO HARD IT CAUSES YOU TO LOSE CONTROL IN SLICK CONDITIONS. IT HAS ALSO STUCK IN BETWEEN GEARS CAUSING US TO HAVE TO STOP SHUT THE TRUCK OFF AND RESTART TO GET GOING AGAIN. *TR

Mileage: 500

VIBRATION FELT IN FEET SEAT AND IS NOTICABLE IN ITEMS WITHIN THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE HAS HAD TIRES REPLACED, DRIVELINE BALANCED. FORD DEALERSHIP SAYS THE VEHCILE HAS AN "INHERENT VIBRATION" AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. I WONDER IF THIS A SAFETY CONCERN?? WHY DOES IT VIBRATE AND WILL SOMETHING BRAKE? I BELIEVE THE "INHERENT VIBRATION" IS A DEFECT. *TR

Mileage: 50

2009 FORD F150 ROLLED BACK WHILE IN PARK*CW

WHEN STARTING OR STOPPING, VEHICLE HAS A THUMP AND SLIGHT SURGE FORWARD, DEALER SAYS PROBLEM IS FROM THE 2 SPEED REAR AXLE, AND FORD HAS YET TO GET A FIX FOR IT, CONTACTED FORD, AND THEY SAY THEY HAVE NO PROBLEM EVEN DEALER TOLD ME MANY SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 7,500

MY 2009 F 150 ROLLED BACKWARDS DOWN A HILL WHEN IN PARK WITH THE ENGINE OFF AND NO ONE INSIDE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER (UNDER WARRANTY) BUT THEY SCRATCHED THEIR HEAD AND SAID USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. I LEARNED OTHERS (GOOGLE SEARCH) HAD THE SAME THING HAPPEN. *TR

Mileage: 22,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD F150 WHICH WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW IN 2009. WHILE DRIVING SPEEDS OVER 20 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SHAKE VIOLENTLY WHILE SHIFTING GEARS. THE DEALER VERIFIED THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE AND REPROGRAMMED A SENSOR TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF ANY ISSUE THAT EXISTED IN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 14,000.

Mileage: 14,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD F150. WHEN STOPPED ON A HILL THE VEHICLE DOES NOT GO FORWARD IT ROLLS BACKWARDS AND THEN THE ENGINE STALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AT LEAST SEVEN TIMES AND WAS GIVEN A LETTER STATING THIS WAS A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE. HE ADDED THAT THE FAILURE WAS PROGRAMMED INTO THE COMPUTER SO NO REPAIRS COULD BE MADE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000. THE CONSUMER STATED 1ST GEAR WOULD BECOME INOPERABLE AFTER STOPPING AND TRYING TO TAKE OFF. THE ENGINE WOULD REV AS IF THE GEAR WERE IN NEUTRAL. UPDATED 02/11/10.*JB

Mileage: 6,000

MY 2009 FORD F-150 HAS THE REVERSE SENSING SYSTEM AND CAMERA AS WELL AS THE SYNC PACKAGE, SO WHEN IN REVERSE THE SCREEN SHOWS THE OBJECTS BEHIND AND HAS PARALLEL LINES "TRUCK WIDTH" & A CENTER BLACK LINE TO JUDGE WHERE THE TRUCK IS "AIMED" IN REVERSE. ON THE ABOVE DATE, ALL THE LINES DISAPPEARED FROM THE SCREEN. THE NEXT DAY THE TWO LINES (1/3 GREEN,1/3 ORANGE, 1/3 RED WERE BACK ON THE SCREEN AS WAS THE BLACK CENTER LINE. THAT EVENING AS I LEFT WORK I CHECKED, NO LINES AGAIN. SAME THING THE NEXT DAY, THEY ARE THERE ONCE OR TWICE IN AM, THEN DISAPPEAR. NOT A SHOW STOPPER PROBLEM, BUT MAKES BACKING UP WITH THE CAMERA A LOT MORE DIFFICULT. PLAN TO APPROACH DEALER ON THIS, BUT HOW DO I SHOW THEM THE PROBLEM IF I CAN'T "MAKE IT HAPPEN", HOPEFULLY I'LL GET LUCKY!!! IF SOMEONE HAS HAD SIMILAR EXPERIENCE WITH THIS SYNC COMPUTER SYSTEM, MAYBE THERE IS A SOLUTION EXISTENT ???? *TR

Mileage: 6,100