The Lemon IndexThe computer can't tell which gear the shifter is in. Full P0705 page
18 owner complaints · the #9 code Ford F-Series owners name · 3% of Ford F-Series complaints that name a code (every car: 0.3%)
Middle of 125,000 miles · most between 81,000 and 166,000 (9 owners gave it)
Ford F-Series owners named P0705 in 18 complaints to the U.S. government (NHTSA), most often on the 2016, 2011 and 2015 model years, at a middle of 125,000 miles. The part they name most is the valve body or shift solenoid (5 complaints). Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.
Ford F-Series model years that report P0705
Owner complaints naming P0705, by model year. Raw counts: years that sold more get more complaints, so this is each model year's record, not a failure rate.
Mileage when it happened
125,000 miles is the middle of what 9 owners entered. Half were between 81,000 and 166,000 miles.
The mileage on the complaint form, when the owner gave one.
What owners say caused it or fixed it
The most-named part is the valve body or shift solenoid, in 5 of the 18 complaints (28%). 4 of those mention it being replaced or repaired. Next: wheel speed (ABS) sensor (5), engine computer (ECM / PCM) (4) and engine software (a reflash) (4).
- Valve body or shift solenoid5 complaints4 mention a repair or replacement · what Ford F-Series owners paid
- Wheel speed (ABS) sensor5 complaints1 mentions a repair or replacement
- Engine computer (ECM / PCM)4 complaints3 mention a repair or replacement, 2 of them say the problem came back · what Ford F-Series owners paid
- Software update (reflash)4 complaints3 mention a repair or replacement, 2 of them say the problem came back
13 complaints mention a recall.
Counted from the owners' own words: a part counts when a sentence names it with a cause or repair word. What owners wrote, not a diagnosis. A shop should confirm the cause before replacing parts.
Symptoms owners describe with P0705
39% of these complaints say the check engine light came on.
- Loses power or goes into limp mode22%4 of 18 complaints
- Transmission slips or shifts hard17%3 of 18 complaints
- Warning lights and electrical faults11%2 of 18 complaints
Share of the complaints naming P0705 whose text also describes each problem. A complaint can describe more than one.
Codes owners report with it
P1702 7 P0706 7 P0707 6 P0720 5 P0722 3 P1921 2
Other codes named in the same Ford F-Series complaints, and in how many.
Repair costs
Ford F-Series valve body replacement cost · Ford F-Series ECM (engine computer) replacement cost
Recalls on these Ford F-Series years
- Transmission & drivetrain · 2015, 2016 · issued 2026
A loss of signal between the transmission range sensor and the powertrain control module can cause the transmission to unexpectedly downshift into second gear. NHTSA 26V237000 - Transmission & drivetrain · 2011 · issued 2019
The transmission may unexpectedly downshift into first gear, regardless of vehicle speed. NHTSA 19V075000 - Transmission & drivetrain · 2011 · issued 2016
The affected vehicles are equipped with an automatic transmission that may unexpectedly downshift to first gear, regardless of vehicle speed. NHTSA 16V248000 - Transmission & drivetrain · 2011 · issued 2012
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 FORD F-150, 2012 EXPEDITION AND LINCOLN NAVIGATOR, AND 2012-2013 MUSTANG VEHICLES, FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NOS. … NHTSA 12V190000 - Transmission & drivetrain · 2011 · issued 2011
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 F-150 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 9, 2011, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 22, 2011, AND MODEL YEAR 2012 F-250, F-350, F-450 AND F-550 HEAVY DUTY VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER … NHTSA 11V582000
5 recalls for the same systems (powertrain) on the Ford F-Series model years above. A recall for the same system isn't proof it's behind P0705. Recall work is free at any dealer: check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with our VIN check.
Keep going
- P0705: meaning, causes and every car that reports it
- Ford F-Series reliability by year
- 2016 Ford F-Series problems and recalls
Other codes Ford F-Series owners report
P0720 P0722 P2112 P0707 P0706 P1702 P0016 P0721 P07F7 P0430
The details
How we count
We read every owner complaint in the NHTSA file whose text names this trouble code, and count the ones filed about this model (matched by the make, model and model year on the complaint). Mileage is what the owner entered on the form.
Parts: a complaint counts for a part when one of the owner's own sentences names that part together with a cause word (failed, bad, diagnosed, caused by, leaking ...) or a repair word (replaced, repaired, new, reprogrammed ...). "Came back" means the same complaint also says the problem returned or the repair didn't fix it. These are counts of what owners wrote, not a diagnosis, and one complaint can name several parts.
Complaints are reports, not proof of a defect, and most owners never file one. Popular models get more complaints, so the counts are not a failure rate. The code meaning is the standard SAE J2012 definition in our own words, or the carmaker's meaning where we verified it for that make.
What P0705 means
The computer can't tell which gear the shifter is in. The car may not start, or may show the wrong gear.
Fix soon. Book a shop visit this week. Stop driving if the car slips, shakes, overheats or warns you.
- Failed range sensor
- Misadjusted linkage
- Wiring fault
Check the complaints yourself
NHTSA complaint numbers (search them at nhtsa.gov): 11770148, 11769670, 11769149, 11764463, 11761206, 11754965, 11754738, 11740613, 11673731, 11671167, 11547976, 11389831 and 6 more.
Quick answers
What does P0705 mean on a Ford F-Series?
Transmission Range Sensor A Circuit (PRNDL Input). The computer can't tell which gear the shifter is in. The car may not start, or may show the wrong gear.
Which Ford F-Series years have the most P0705 complaints?
In complaints to NHTSA, owners of the 2016 (9), 2011 (8), 2015 (1) Ford F-Series named P0705 most (18 complaints in all, 2011–2016). Raw counts, not a failure rate.
What fixes P0705 on a Ford F-Series?
Owners most often name the valve body or shift solenoid (5 of 18 complaints), then wheel speed (ABS) sensor and engine computer (ECM / PCM). That's what owners wrote, not a diagnosis: have a shop confirm the cause with a scan and tests before replacing parts.
At what mileage does P0705 show up on a Ford F-Series?
Owners who gave their mileage reported a middle of 125,000 miles; half were between 81,000 and 166,000 (9 owners).
Can I drive my Ford F-Series with P0705?
Fix soon. Book a shop visit this week. Stop driving if the car slips, shakes, overheats or warns you.
Sources: NHTSA owner complaints that name P0705 on the Ford F-Series, counted by The Lemon Index; NHTSA recalls; repair bills owners named. Meanings: SAE J2012 in our own words. Owner reports, not a diagnosis or repair advice for your car.