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Two months after federal safety regulators initiated an investigation into certain Ford F-150 models, the Dearborn-based automaker announced a recall of nearly 1.4 million pickup trucks as of Monday, April 14.
Ford has struggled with issues with the 6R80 transmission on its F-150 pickups, recalling 552,188 units in 2024 over inadvertent downshifts into first gear and then facing a federal investigation into 1.2 million trucks for similar issues in February. Recall documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show that 1,392,935 Ford F-150 units sold for the 2015-2017 model years are affected by the new recall, which focuses on a faulty transmission range sensor. Federal regulators say these trucks can downshift into second gear unintentionally, increasing the risk of rear tire slippage and a loss of vehicle control.
Ford
"Some vehicles may experience an intermittent selection signal of the Transmission Range Sensor (TRS) to the Powertrain Control Module (PCM), potentially resulting in a temporary, unintended downshift into second gear," recall documents read. "An unexpected downshift to a lower gear may cause an abrupt wheel speed reduction for a short duration, which in some situations could cause the rear tires to slide until the vehicle speed slows. This condition could result in loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash."
Affected F-150 owners may receive prior warning in the form of an illuminated malfunction indicator light in the instrument cluster. Ford became aware of this issue in October 2024, when the company's Critical Concern Review Group opened an investigation after NHTSA provided Ford with consumer questionnaires regarding unintended downshifts. Ford's investigation found that high-mileage F-150s were prone to degradation of electrical components due to thermal cycling. Degradation of the electrical components led to distortions in the Transmission Range Sensor, prompting unintended downshifts from sixth gear to second. Ford is aware of 444 warranty claims, 121 field reports, 105 customer service reports, and two injuries related to this issue.
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The fix is relatively simple: Ford technicians will update the Powertrain Control Module calibration to allow additional time for the control system to recognize failed or failing TRS hardware before commanding a downshift. If the truck has previously exhibited the unintentional downshifting behavior, Ford will also replace the lead frame in accordance with the corresponding extended warranty program.
A New York transplant hailing from the Pacific Northwest, Emmet White has a passion for anything that goes: cars, bicycles, planes, and motorcycles. After learning to ride at 17, Emmet worked in the motorcycle industry before joining Autoweek in 2022 and Road & Track in 2024. The woes of alternate side parking have kept his fleet moderate, with a 2014 Volkswagen Jetta GLI and a BMW 318i E30 street parked in his Queens community.