Automatic didn't shift - RPM 4K

[MyFirstF150]

We were towing a light fiberglass trailer (~6K lbs) in tow/haul mode on a very slightly rolling and winding two lane road (speed limit ~45 mph). Twice the truck seemed to get stuck in gear and wouldn't shift to a higher gear (in automatic mode). The RPM would hold at ~4K in 3rd gear. I tried accelerating and deaccelerating, but with no change. After several minutes, the truck upshifted with no discernable trigger. It happened twice during a 60 mile trip. The truck (2024 4x4) has ~9K miles and is less than a year old. Any thoughts on what might be wrong and/or how to respond if it happens again. I will be getting an oil change at 10K miles at the dealer. Is there a known transmission issue I should have them check.

We have the 3.5 EB with a 10 speed transmission. I recently purchased a device to read the engine codes, but haven't used it yet. Any chance the truck would show a code for a transmission issue like this? Any help would be appreciated!

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[Ricksc]

Were you using the brakes? That will cause it to not shift and continue to down shift

 

[MyFirstF150]

Were you using the brakes? That will cause it to not shift and continue to down shift

No I wasn't braking. Thanks for the input - I didn't know that.

 

[JohnTrigger]

Improper trans fluid level could certainly cause your described issue. Many have had transmission fluid too low from factory. Some had the level too high. Dealers don’t check it any more it seems at the sale. There is no under hood dipstick so it’s a relative PITA to do. The small plastic dipstick is under a screw on cover on the passenger side of the transmission pan near the hot catalytic converter. Must check fluid at temp over 205 deg while idling. Wear pizza oven mitt to avoid 3rd degree burns. Between 5-6 near the tip of dipstick is proper level while hot for your ecoboost engine.

 

[Porpoise Hork]

It really sounds like the transmission adaptive tables got jacked up even though you were in toe/haul mode. Since all you have available is a code scanner best option would be is to post in your regional section to see if someone in your area has Forscan and can perform a reset of the adaptive transmission tables for you. After the reset is performed you'll want to put around 100+ miles on it in sport mode but just drive it calmly and try to avoid taking it on the freeway during that time. It'll also shift a little erratically at first as the system adapts but will settle down quickly.

After the 150 mile mark flip it to tow/haul and manually lock out gears 8-10 and see how it shifts. if it continues to act up and you can replicate the issue easily when in that drive mode take it into the dealer and request the tech do a ride along with you so you can show them what it's doing.

 

[22stx]

My 5.0 does that when towing the boat. Usually when I brake in sharp curves then gas on it coming out. It doesn't do it every time. I feel like it's something to do with the programming. I have 30000 miles on mine and I think it has only done it maybe 2 or 3 times now.

 

[JohnTrigger]

Disconnecting the battery for a bit of time is supposed to reset the transmission learning tables. See last paragraph above “removing the battery”…
https://www.fordservicecontent.com/...A&div=f&vFilteringEnabled=False&buildtype=web

 

[rsolberg52]

I have a 2025 powerboost and it has done the same thing when in tow mode. It seemed that if I pressed the upshift button on the shifter, it would then get unstuck. It has never done this in normal mode. Good luck getting a dealer to diagnose when it only happens on rare occasions.

 

[JumboJVT]

I have a 2025 powerboost and it has done the same thing when in tow mode. It seemed that if I pressed the upshift button on the shifter, it would then get unstuck. It has never done this in normal mode. Good luck getting a dealer to diagnose when it only happens on rare occasions.

This gets to the question I was going to ask: Did the OP try shifting manually?

 

[MyFirstF150]

This gets to the question I was going to ask: Did the OP try shifting manually?

I thought about it, but I had never used manual mode and didn't want to try for the first time on a narrow windy road. If the behavior repeats, I am ready to attempt it as I subsequently tried it in a less demanding driving situation and it was easier than expected.

 

[rsolberg52]

I thought about it, but I had never used manual mode and didn't want to try for the first time on a narrow windy road. If the behavior repeats, I am ready to attempt it as I subsequently tried it in a less demanding driving situation and it was easier than expected.

Just so you know, I was not in manual mode when I tried the upshift. It would eventually upshift if I did nothing, so maybe it was just coincidental that I pressed the butting and it shifted.

 

[JumboJVT]

Just so you know, I was not in manual mode when I tried the upshift. It would eventually upshift if I did nothing, so maybe it was just coincidental that I pressed the butting and it shifted.

It certainly shouldn't shift up if not in manual. It should start locking out the upper gears if you hit the "minus" button. Two different functions of the +/- in or out of M.

I'd guess both you and the OP had specific conditions (load. grade, braking, acceleration) that the truck was just following its T/H programming. Not defending Ford's choices in that programming.

 

[Davexxxx]

This has happened to me twice.

Only when towing in the mountains, lasted a few seconds, never red lined, never changed speed appreciably. It worked itself out in a few seconds. Didn't think to try the upshift button.

Its not really a repeatable thing for me. 19K total miles, with 8 or 9K of that towing.

 

[Ricksc]

I can up shift or down shift automatic mode. Doesn’t need to be on manual

It certainly shouldn't shift up if not in manual. It should start locking out the upper gears if you hit the "minus" button. Two different functions of the +/- in or out of M.

 

[JumboJVT]

I can up shift or down shift automatic mode. Doesn’t need to be on manual

So you if you can down shift, how can you lock out upper gears? I suppose if you lock out down to the gear you're in, it will down shift to the next available gear, then back up when the next higher gear is made available again. Can you explain more about what you're seeing?

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