Ford 6R80 reliability: years to avoid, problems & recalls

By CarWhere Research · Updated

NHTSA records show the 6R80's main documented defect is an unexpected downshift caused by faulty sensor signals in the transmission's lead frame. Ford recalled 2011–2014 F-150s and some 2012 Expedition, Navigator and Mustang models for sudden downshifts into first gear, then in 2026 recalled about 1.39 million 2015–2017 F-150s for downshifts into second gear. Ford also extended lead-frame coverage to 10 years/150,000 miles on 2011–2013 trucks.

Ford 6R80 at a glance

Ford 6R80 6-speed automatic (rear-wheel-drive): key facts
FactDetail
TypeConventional automatic
Forward speeds6
Built byFord (Livonia Transmission Plant, Michigan, lists 6R transmissions among its products)
Used byFord, Lincoln
Years in use2011–2017 F-150 and 2012–2013 Expedition, Navigator and Mustang documented in Ford/NHTSA records
Also known as6R80, 6-speed automatic
Transmission-related NHTSA recalls listed6
Warranty extensions / special coverage listed3
Court settlements listed0

What the Ford 6R80 is

The 6R80 is Ford's six-speed automatic for rear-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive vehicles. Ford and NHTSA recall documents identify it in the 2011–2017 F-150 and in the 2012–2013 Expedition, Lincoln Navigator and Mustang. Ford lists 6R transmissions among the products of its Livonia Transmission Plant in Michigan.

The transmission's control electronics include a molded lead frame carrying sensors such as the output shaft speed (OSS) sensor and transmission range sensor (TRS). Ford's recall filings tie the 6R80's main safety defect to intermittent signals from these sensors, which can trigger an unintended downshift at speed. Ford addressed it with powertrain control module (PCM) software and, on some trucks, lead-frame replacement under extended warranty.

Which vehicles use the Ford 6R80?

Makes, models and model years equipped with the Ford 6R80
MakeModelModel yearsNotes
FordF-1502011–20146R80 named in recall filings 16V-248, 19V-075 and the 24V-444 chronology[1][2][3]
FordF-1502015–20176-speed automatic trucks; Ford's 26V-237 filing names the 6R80.[4]
FordExpedition2012–2013[1][5]
LincolnNavigator2012–2013[1][5]
FordMustang2012–2013Automatic models[1][6]

Ford 6R80 years to avoid vs. safer years

“Years to avoid” here means the model years with the most documented action — recalls, manufacturer warranty extensions or court settlements — not a prediction about any single vehicle. A car from these years with completed repairs and good records can be a sound buy; one without them deserves a closer look.

Model years with the most documented problems

  • 2011–2014 Ford F-150 (6R80) — Recalled for unexpected downshifts into first gear (16V-248, 19V-075, 19V-433, 24V-444, 26V-378), with lead-frame warranty extensions 16N02 and 19N01 on 2011–2013 trucks.[8][10][5]
  • 2015–2017 Ford F-150 (6-speed automatic) — Recalled in 2026 for unexpected downshifts into second gear (26V-237), covering about 1.39 million trucks.[11]
  • 2012 Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator and Mustang (6R80) — Included in the 16V-248 first-gear downshift recall and the 16N02 lead-frame warranty extension.[7][13]

Known Ford 6R80 problems

Unexpected downshift to first gear (output shaft speed sensor signal) (2011–2014)

Ford's recall filings say an intermittent loss of the output shaft speed (OSS) sensor signal to the powertrain control module can cause a temporary, unintended downshift into first gear regardless of vehicle speed, which can make the rear tires slide or lock up and increase crash risk. Ford recalled 2011–2012 F-150s and 2012 Expedition, Navigator and Mustang models (16V-248), 2011–2013 F-150s (19V-075, with a follow-up 19V-433 for some 2013 trucks), and 2014 F-150s (24V-444, with follow-up 26V-378). The remedy is a PCM software update.[7][8][9][10][1][2]

Reported symptoms

  • Sudden, harsh downshift at speed
  • Rear tires sliding or locking briefly
  • Malfunction indicator light or wrench light
  • Transmission returning to normal only after the truck is stopped and restarted

Unexpected downshift to second gear (transmission range sensor signal) (2015–2017)

In April 2026 Ford recalled 1,392,935 F-150s with the 6-speed automatic (26V-237). Ford's filing says degradation of electrical connections in the transmission lead frame from thermal cycling and vibration can cause a faulty transmission range sensor signal and a temporary downshift as far as sixth to second gear. Ford's chronology notes NHTSA opened Preliminary Evaluation PE25-002 in March 2025 and upgraded it to Engineering Analysis EA26-001 in January 2026.[11][4]

Reported symptoms

  • Unintended downshift and abrupt slowing of the rear wheels
  • Rear tires sliding, especially on wet roads or when towing
  • Malfunction indicator light or wrench light

Whine from torque converter area (3.7L, narrow build window) (2012–2013)

Ford TSB 13-6-4 says some 2012 F-150 and 2013 Mustang vehicles with the 3.7L engine and 6R80 built from April 1 through July 1, 2012 may whine from the torque converter housing area during acceleration until the converter clutch locks up. The repair replaces the torque converter and pump seal.[6]

Reported symptoms

  • Whine during acceleration that stops when the converter clutch locks up

Ford 6R80 recalls

Transmission-related NHTSA safety recalls (campaign numbers link to NHTSA)
NHTSA campaignReportedVehiclesSummary
16V2482016-04-272011–2012 Ford F-150; 2012 Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, Ford Mustang (6R80)153,581 vehiclesTransmission may unexpectedly downshift to first gear regardless of vehicle speed; dealers reprogram the PCM (Ford 16S19).[7]
19V0752019-02-112011–2013 Ford F-150 with 6-speed (6R80) automatic1,263,051 vehiclesTransmission may unexpectedly downshift into first gear regardless of vehicle speed; dealers reprogram the PCM (Ford 19S07).[8]
19V4332019-06-102013 Ford F-150 with 5.0L or 6.2L engine107,857 vehiclesSoftware used under 19V-075 lacked updates needed to prevent the first-gear downshift; dealers reprogram the PCM again (Ford 19S19).[9]
24V4442024-06-172014 Ford F-150552,188 vehiclesLoss of output shaft speed sensor signal can cause an unexpected downshift into first gear; dealers update PCM software (Ford 24S37).[10]
26V2372026-04-142015–2017 Ford F-150 with 6-speed automatic1,392,935 vehiclesLoss of transmission range sensor signal can cause an unexpected downshift into second gear; dealers update PCM software and replace the lead frame under program 26N04 if certain codes are present (Ford 26S28).[11]
26V3782026-06-092014 Ford F-150 previously repaired incorrectly under 24V-44444,963 vehiclesSame first-gear downshift risk as 24V-444; dealers update PCM software (Ford 26S45).[12]

Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of age or owner. Check a specific car by its 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with the CarWhere recall check.

Ford 6R80 extended warranty coverage

Manufacturer warranty extensions and special coverage for the Ford 6R80
ProgramVehiclesCoverageNotes
Program 16N02: molded lead frame[13]Certain 2011–2012 F-150; 2012 Expedition, Navigator and Mustang with 6R8010 years / 150,000 milesFrom the warranty start date; one-time repair when output-shaft-speed-sensor codes or a first-gear downshift occur; transfers to later owners. Given the model years, this coverage has ended.
Program 19N01: molded lead frame[5]Certain 2011–2013 F-150 and 2012–2013 Expedition/Navigator with 6R8010 years / 150,000 milesFrom the warranty start date; one-time repair when specified codes are stored; transfers to later owners. Given the model years, this coverage has ended.
Extended Warranty Program 26N04: lead frame (with recall 26V-237)[14]2015–2017 F-150 covered by recall 26V-237Lead-frame replacement at no cost if specific transmission trouble codes are foundFord's owner letter and dealer notice reference this program; its time and mileage terms were not published in the documents reviewed. Ask a Ford dealer to check the VIN.

Extended coverage is tied to the VIN and usually measured from the original in-service date and mileage. A franchised dealer can confirm whether it still applies to a specific vehicle.

Buying a used car with the Ford 6R80: what to check

  1. Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm 16V-248, 19V-075, 19V-433, 24V-444, 26V-378 or 26V-237 (whichever applies) shows as remedied.
  2. Scan the powertrain control module for stored transmission codes; Ford's programs list P0720, P0722, P0731 and P1500 (OSS-related) and P0705, P0706, P0707 and P1702 (range-sensor-related).
  3. Ask a Ford dealer whether lead-frame work was done under 16N02, 19N01 or 26N04 and check whether 26N04 still applies to the VIN.
  4. On the test drive, watch for a malfunction indicator or wrench light and note any abrupt downshift at speed.

Related research

Year-by-year verdicts for models with the Ford 6R80

Engines and model known-issues pages

Compare other transmissions

All transmissions: reliability and years to avoid

Frequently asked questions

Which Ford F-150 years have the 6R80 downshift recall?

NHTSA records show recalls for 2011–2014 F-150s (unexpected downshift into first gear: 16V-248, 19V-075, 19V-433, 24V-444 and 26V-378) and for 2015–2017 F-150s with the 6-speed automatic (unexpected downshift into second gear: 26V-237, filed April 2026). Some 2012 Expedition, Navigator and Mustang models are also in 16V-248.

What causes the 6R80 unexpected downshift?

Ford's recall filings point to intermittent sensor signals in the transmission's lead frame. On 2011–2014 trucks it is a lost output shaft speed sensor signal; on 2015–2017 trucks Ford cites degraded lead-frame electrical connections giving a faulty transmission range sensor signal. The recall remedy is PCM software, with lead-frame replacement in some cases.

Is there an extended warranty on the 6R80 lead frame?

Ford's programs 16N02 and 19N01 extended lead-frame coverage to 10 years or 150,000 miles on certain 2011–2013 trucks, which has now ended by time. With recall 26V-237, Ford's owner letter says dealers replace the lead frame at no cost under program 26N04 if specific transmission codes are found.

Is the 2015–2017 F-150 recall repair available?

Ford's filing describes a PCM calibration update, and NHTSA's record says owner notification letters were mailed July 24, 2026. If the truck shows certain transmission codes before the update, Ford says the dealer replaces the lead frame under program 26N04. Check the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup for current status.

How CarWhere compiled this page

Every problem, recall, warranty extension and settlement above is CarWhere’s own summary of a primary record — NHTSA recall campaigns, manufacturer service bulletins and warranty-extension notices filed with NHTSA, manufacturer press material, and court or settlement-administrator records — and is numbered to its source below. We list a model year under “years to avoid” only when a manufacturer, regulator or court record ties it to the transmission. Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public owner-complaint data, counted once per complaint. We do not estimate failure rates or repair costs. See also the years-to-avoid methodology.

Sources

Descriptions are CarWhere’s own summaries of the records below. Recall details are as reported to NHTSA by the manufacturer.

  1. Part 573 Safety Recall Report 16V-248 (vehicles equipped with a 6R80 automatic transmission) — Ford Motor Company (via NHTSA)
  2. Part 573 Safety Recall Report 19V-075 (2011–2013 F-150 with 6-speed (6R80) automatic) — Ford Motor Company (via NHTSA)
  3. Ford recall 24S37 chronology (NHTSA 24V-444): 2014 F-150 with 6R80 six-speed automatic — Ford Motor Company (via NHTSA)
  4. Part 573 Safety Recall Report 26V-237 (2015–2017 F-150 with 6-speed automatic; chronology cites the 6R80) — Ford Motor Company (via NHTSA)
  5. Customer Satisfaction Program 19N01 – Supplement #3: 6R80 molded leadframe extended coverage (Nov 12, 2020) — Ford Motor Company (via NHTSA)
  6. TSB 13-6-4: 3.7L engine and 6R80 transmission – whine noise on acceleration (2012 F-150, 2013 Mustang) — Ford Motor Company (via NHTSA)
  7. NHTSA recall 16V-248: 2011–2012 F-150, 2012 Expedition, Navigator, Mustang – unexpected downshift to first gear — NHTSA
  8. NHTSA recall 19V-075: 2011–2013 F-150 6-speed automatic – unexpected downshift to first gear — NHTSA
  9. NHTSA recall 19V-433: 2013 F-150 5.0L/6.2L – earlier 19V-075 software lacked needed updates — NHTSA
  10. NHTSA recall 24V-444: 2014 F-150 – unexpected downshift to first gear — NHTSA
  11. NHTSA recall 26V-237: 2015–2017 F-150 – unexpected downshift to second gear — NHTSA
  12. NHTSA recall 26V-378: 2014 F-150 repaired incorrectly under 24V-444 — NHTSA
  13. Customer Satisfaction Program 16N02: 6R80 molded leadframe extended coverage (June 16, 2016) — Ford Motor Company (via NHTSA)
  14. Owner notification letter, Safety Recall 26S28 / NHTSA 26V-237 (references Extended Warranty Program 26N04) — Ford Motor Company (via NHTSA)
  15. Ford global plants: Livonia Transmission Plant — Ford Motor Company

Independent reference compiled by CarWhere Research — not affiliated with or endorsed by any manufacturer or transmission supplier. Product and model names are trademarks of their owners.