DETROIT — Ford is recalling more than 550,000 pickup trucks in the U.S. because the transmissions can unexpectedly downshift to first gear no matter how fast the trucks are going.
The recall covers certain F-150 pickups from the 2014 model year. Ford’s F-Series pickups are the top-selling vehicles in the U.S.
Ford says in documents posted Tuesday by U.S. safety regulators that the downshifting can cause drivers to lose control of the trucks, increasing the risk of a crash.
The recalls come after U.S. auto safety regulators in March began investigating complaints that more than 540,000 Ford pickup trucks from 2014 can abruptly downshift to a lower gear and increase the risk of a crash.
Documents say the problem is caused by a lost signal between a transmission speed sensor and the powertrain control computer. There also could be corrosion and problems with connector pins.
Dealers will update the powertrain control software at no cost to owners, who will be notified by letters in early July.
In a statement Tuesday, Ford said it expects repairs to be available in the third quarter of this year. Owners will be able to use mobile service or pickup and delivery at participating dealers.
Ford says in documents posted Tuesday by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that it has 396 warranty and field reports and 124 customer complaints about the problem, covering 482 trucks.
The Dearborn, Michigan, automaker says it knows of 130 complaints to the government, with 52 alleging that rear wheels locked up or that drivers lost control of the trucks. Two of the complainants reported injuries and one reported a crash that could have been caused by the problem, Ford said.
Ford’s statement said that before the trucks downshift, drivers could see a malfunction indicator light on the dashboard. In some cases, signals can be restored while the trucks are moving, and they can be driven normally. In other cases drivers may need to stop and restart the engine to get the transmissions to work properly.
The company says it expects fewer than 1% of the recalled vehicles to have the problem.
NHTSA said it started its investigation in March after getting complaints about sudden downshifts in the trucks’ automatic transmissions.
The agency is looking into whether those trucks should have been included in previous recalls for the problem.
Ford started recalling trucks and other vehicles from the 2011 and 2012 model years in 2016, and added two recalls in 2019 covering pickups from the 2011 to 2013 model years. The recalls covered about 1.5 million vehicles.
The company said it’s working with NHTSA to support the investigation.
Ford has issued a recall for over 550,000 pickup trucks due to a potential transmission issue that could cause sudden downshifting to 1st gear. The affected vehicles include certain 2017-2020 Ford F-150 and 2018-2020 Ford Expedition models equipped with a 10-speed automatic transmission.
The problem stems from a software glitch that can cause the transmission to unexpectedly downshift to 1st gear while driving at high speeds. This sudden downshift can result in a loss of control and increase the risk of a crash.
Ford has stated that they are not aware of any accidents or injuries related to this issue, but they are taking proactive measures to address the problem. Owners of the affected vehicles will be notified by mail and instructed to bring their vehicles to a Ford dealership for a software update to fix the issue.
It is crucial for owners of these vehicles to take this recall seriously and have their vehicles inspected and repaired as soon as possible. Ignoring the issue could lead to potentially dangerous situations on the road.
If you own a 2017-2020 Ford F-150 or 2018-2020 Ford Expedition with a 10-speed automatic transmission, you can check if your vehicle is affected by visiting Ford’s website and entering your vehicle identification number (VIN). You can also contact your local Ford dealership for more information on how to proceed with the recall process.
Ensuring the safety of drivers and passengers is paramount, and Ford’s swift action to address this transmission issue is commendable. By taking the necessary steps to have their vehicles repaired, owners can help prevent any potential accidents or injuries caused by this software glitch.
