Vehicle was placed into Ford’s Neutral Tow mode according to the owner’s manual before being recreationally towed behind a motorhome. The instrument cluster displayed Ford’s confirmation that Neutral Tow was enabled and the vehicle was ready for four-wheel-down towing. The transmission failure occurred during the second day of towing. After highway travel, the transmission severely overheated, expelled transmission fluid and lost all ability to move in forward or reverse. Diagnostic code P0218, transmission over-temperature, was present. Neutral Tow was no longer enabled when the vehicle was subsequently checked. The Ford dealer states that the vehicle does not retain logs confirming whether Neutral Tow was enabled or remained enabled. Ford’s GSB 22-7086 directs the dealer to inspect for transmission damage associated with the drivetrain being rotated during recreational towing. However, the resulting damage cannot establish whether the owner failed to activate Neutral Tow or whether Ford’s electronically controlled Neutral Tow system confirmed activation and later failed to maintain the required mechanical state. The fact that the vehicle was successfully towed during the first day before failing on the second day raises concern that the transfer case, shift-control system or related electronics may have lost or failed to maintain Neutral Tow after it had been successfully activated. There are other reported incidents involving Ford Ranger, F-150 and Bronco vehicles in which owners state that Neutral Tow was confirmed but the drivetrain subsequently re-engaged, overheated or suffered catastrophic transmission damage during recreational towing. This condition presents a safety risk because Ford’s system may display that the vehicle is ready and safe to tow while potentially failing to keep the drivetrain mechanically isolated. In this incident, extremely hot transmission fluid was expelled onto the vehicle, tow equipment and surrounding roadway, creating a poss
No injuries · No fire · No crash
Transmission. Total mechanical failure. TSB. 23-2250 TBS 24-2101 TBS. 25-2134. Transmission fluid was replaced at 83709. Replaced at 104263. Factory schedule 150000. Ford is aware they are selling a product that has Factory mechanical issues.
No injuries · No fire · No crash
Complete transmission failure with normal driving use just outside of warranty
No injuries · No fire · No crash
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Inspection available if needed. The ignition coils and spark plugs failed due to Ford’s negligence to provide an engine cover. Water has gotten in to the engine and caused these systems to fail How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The engine violently shakes and causes you to lose speed. I was going 20 under the limit on the highway due to this and could have caused an accident. The vehicle felt as if it was shutting off and I got off at the next available exit. It placed my family at risk and others as it could have caused a bad accident if someone would have rear ended me due to the slow speed. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes, this is a known issue and Ford refuses to repair the vehicle and advises it is out of pocket. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? The vehicle has been inspected by a repair facility. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? The check engine light was flashing and then stayed solid. This first appeared on 1/27/26
No injuries · No fire · No crash
Engine Valve Cover has Cracked. High Pressure Pump Seals and gaskets needed to be replaced. Confirmed by 2 dealerships It has been inspected No warning lamps messages.
No injuries · No fire · No crash