2010 F-150 Transmission Problems, WORRIED!
 

Hi everybody. I have a 2010 F-150 XLT SuperCrew Cab with the 4.6L 3-Valve V8 with the 6-speed automatic transmission. What I'm here to discuss today is my transmission. It's really got me worried with the truck at almost 10,000 miles only. This has happened 2 times, both while on the highway. If I'm going about 65MPH on the highway and I start up a hill the transmission clunks and shifts down hard. The vibration can be felt under your feet all throughout the truck and then it goes away. Otherwise, this transmission shifts very smooth. Does anybody else have this problem? I'm debating with myself whether to take it in or not because it don't happen VERY often plus it shifts smooth 95% of the time. Let me know what you guys think below. I love my truck and it's been very handy, but this can't be happening. Thanks FTE!

Do you have a video camera? If so, find the nearest big hill and run the truck as many times as it takes to replicate the issue. See if you can figure out exactly what the cause is. And by cause I mean exactly what driver inputs and road conditions cause the vehicle to react abnormally. Then if you can video it. If you cannot video it, BUT you have figured out exactly how to replicate it, then can your dealer and request that a service manager do a ride along with you. Be very clear that it is a transmission issue which you want to show the manager how to replicate. They might fuss a little, but if you're clear and forecful, they will schedule a ride along. Then, take that manager out and replicate the issue.

Remember, the truck is brand new and under warranty, YOU NEED to get this issue on file. The point being that if you put this issue on file early in the vehicle's "life" you have proof down the road that an issue existed long before the warranty ran out. So in the future if there is premature failure, it is on record.

Don't be lazy, save yourself a future headache and lots of dough.

I would take it in. I posted something similair a few days ago. I have the FX2 model wit the same motor and transmission. My issue is not nearly as bad as what you are experiencing but mine does shift hard sometimes from 1st to 2nd gear however it has gone away lately. But I am going to bring it up in my first oil change since mine only has 2,000 miles. I was told from another member to have them check the PCM (powertrain control module). If you do take it in, please reply to your post and let me know what they tell you.

Thanks :)

I have 30,000 miles on my '09 and there is TSB 09-11-5 that I had done which addresses a hard downshift into 4th gear at highway speeds. I only experienced this twice and it was within the first 10,000 miles. Never had time to take the truck in so didn't take it to the dealer until about 28,000 miles and they updated the PCM.

I would think that this update to the PCM would already be done in '10 trucks but maybe not.

For your hard 1st to 2nd shifts, the 2011 transmissions have addressed that issue. You might talk to your dealer and see if their is a TSB for that issue on 2010 models

ditto on the TSB 09-11-5, I had it done and now i feel like I have a whole new truck.

Our 99 F250 with the 4R100 has that problem, as well as two Thunderbirds that I've had (4R75w). If the TSB's do not correct the problem, then your torque converter needs replaced. The shuddering you're feeling is from the torque converter. Both of my Thunderbirds would sometimes shudder during a shift into/out of overdrive, and also sometimes under load in 3rd or 4th gear (like going uphill). The F250 experiences shudder every time it shifts into overdrive; however, it's been doing this for the past three years and the condition hasn't changed or gotten worse (but differs depending on whether it's towing or not). It has 240k now and has been doing it since about 170k (original drivetrain) so I'm just waiting for it to die.

But yeah, another member here or on another forum experienced the same issues you are with his 2010. His dealer replaced the torque converter and problem went away.

2009 - 2010 TRANSMISSION
 

There are TSBs (Technical Service Bulletins) for the Shudder, vibration, metallic noise at low speeds, and Bump symptoms on some 2009-2010 F-150. They all seem to tie back to the Torque convertor.


21470 SOME 2010 F-150 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 6R80 TRANSMISSION MAY EXHIBIT BUMP ON LOW SPEED 2-1 COASTING DOWNSHIFT
EFFECTIVE DATE: 08/23/2010
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS
10-06.06
2010 F150 4SL AND 6R80 TRANSMISSION -TORQUE CONVERTER SHUDDER - 30-35 MPH (48-56 KMII) BUILT BETWEEN 6/1/2009 AND 11/1/2009
SOME F-150 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 46L ENGINE, 6R8D TRANSMISSION AND BUILT BETWEEN 6/1/2009 AND 11/1/2009 MAY EXHIBIT A SHUDDER WHICH IS FELT DURING LOW SPEED LIGHT THROTTLE ACCELERATION BETWEEN 30-35 MPH (48-56 KM/H), THE SHUDDER/VIBRATION EVENT OCCURS TYPICALLY WHEN THE VECHICLE DOWNSHIFTS AND THEN IS FOLLOWED BY A LIGHT THROTTLE TIP-IN. See TSB for complete details Effective date 4/01/2010
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS
10-06-06
2010 F-150 4.6L AND 6R80 TRANSMISSION -TORQUE CONVERTER SHUDDER - 30-38 MPH (48-58 KMII* - BUILT BETWEEN 06/01/2009 AND 11/1/2009
SOME F-150 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 4.6L ENGINE, 6R80 TRANSMISSION AND BUILT BETWEEN 6/1/2009 AND 11/1/2009 MAY EXHIBIT A SHUDDER WHICH IS FELT DURING LOW SPEED LIGHT THROTTLE ACCELERATION BETWEEN 30-35 MPH 48-56 KM/H, THE SHUDDER/VIBRATION EVENT OCCURS TYPICALLY WHEN THE VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTS AND THEN IS FOLLOWED BY A LIGHT THROTTLE TIP-IN, See TSB FOR, complete details EFFECTIVE DATE: 04/01/2010
<!-- / message -->

My 2010 F150 4x4 5.4L scab w/6.5' bed has a similar shudder/thump noise and feel at 35mph while driving up a 2% grade hill. It's happened twice in the past month. I bought the truck new 1 month ago from today. I only have 520 miles on the truck. The first time I heard the noise I thought perhaps a dog had jumped out of the road side ditch onto the road and I ran over it. I turned the truck around went back down the road, turned around again and re-drove up the route again at the same speed. The thump noise was replicated at the same speed. I live out in the country and was kinda relieved that I didn't run over someones hunting dog. But the thumping noise does bother me a little. Is there a TSB out there for my vehicle with regarding this situation?

tranny shifts
 

i have a 2010 F-150 4X4 FX4, 5.4 L 6 spd tranny about 1 month old 1600 miles. when taking off fast its doesnt. seems to slip between 1st and 2nd.. my 02 seemed quicker of the line. is it the new 6 spd doing this? anyone have similiar issues? would that TSB 09-11-5, relate to my issue?

I plan on talking with my dealers service department later this week about the shudder/thump noise and feel. I'd hate to think that Ford dealers would have any problems looking at the issue since my truck is under 600 miles.

My 2010 just got on the schedule to get worked on
 

Just got put on the schedule today to have a dealer look at the transmission shifting issue. Tech told me it can be fixed w/ computer update but I would have to pay for it as ford is not covering it. I subsequently called ford directly and explained what the dealer told me. They opened a case. I contacted a dealer again today and they found a TSB that they can charge the work to. This is really BS. I have only had the truck for 6 months and it has 3800 miles on it. It should be covered under warantee w/ no questions asked. Never had these types of issues when getting warantee work done on my Honda's and Harley's. Ford needs to do something with removing the customer from the issues between itself and it's dealers. In the mean time, I just have to keep my fingers crossed in hopes that they can solve the issue.

My 5.4L 2010 also does this. I was told it's normal.. Arrggg

Clearing codes......Try this!!
 

I brought my 2010 Screw 4.6 3V in for a tranny update but like some of you--no TSB available despite some hard downshifting issues. My VIN was outside the range (6/10 birth date). So the tech "cleared" the transmission so it could re-learn my driving habits. I had doubts.

RESULTS: transmission began "slipping" between 1st and 2nd gear shift, doing so just before the shift into 2nd. Never did that before. In tow mode it didn't do it, but in "regular" mode at full acceleration it did. Annoying.

CURE: I decided to drive aggressively from stops, unlike how I normally drive, to see if the transmission would change shifting habits..........shock, it did! Now the shifts are firm and deliberate. No slipping and very eager to downshift. This after only 300 miles on the "re-learning". Only question I have is when towing. Have yet to try the 4th gear downshift under load to see if it still "bangs" into 4th..

ADVICE: Drive it like you stole it and see what changes. I've read where a few others here experienced the same improvement so it's worth a try. Very happy with the results........it will cost you a bit of gas though:)

transmission problems
 

I have an F150 from 2010 and my problems is when you are driving at 30 and 35 miles an hour the hold trucks shakes like you are driving over rail road tracks. Does any one else have this problem. I have taken to the dealer twice and still they can not fix this. Major problem with ford.