The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened a probe into nearly 1.3 million Ford F-150 pickup trucks over reports of unexpected gear shifts.
The investigation, announced on Tuesday, involves Ford F-150 models from the 2014-2017 model years, according to a NHTSA document. The agency is looking into reports that the trucks may unexpectedly shift into neutral, which could lead to a loss of propulsion and increase the risk of a crash.
NHTSA said it has received 1,187 complaints related to the issue. The agency will examine the frequency and severity of the problem to determine whether a recall is warranted.
Ford has not yet commented on the investigation. The company is required to cooperate with NHTSA’s investigation, providing data on the affected vehicles and any related repairs or updates. This inquiry is the latest in a series of investigations involving Ford vehicles by NHTSA, reflecting the agency’s commitment to address potential safety issues in the automotive industry.
