The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating approximately 1.3 million Ford F-150 pickup trucks in the United States. The investigation concerns reports of unexpected downshifts that can lead to rapid deceleration and potential rear wheel lock-up.
According to the safety administration, the initial evaluation involves F-150 trucks from the 2015 to 2017 model years. The investigation began after NHTSA received 138 complaints from consumers.
These complaints allege that, without warning or driver input, the trucks unexpectedly downshifted to lower gears while traveling at highway speeds. This action resulted in rapid deceleration.
A Ford spokesperson stated that the automaker is “working with NHTSA to support its investigation,” and that the issue pertains to vehicles equipped with six-speed transmissions.
The NHTSA’s preliminary evaluation will determine whether a more in-depth engineering analysis is required, which could lead to a recall.
A 2023 complaint, from an Ohio owner of a 2016 F-150, described a harrowing experience. While driving approximately 70 mph on the highway, the truck “automatically shifted from sixth gear to first gear nearly throwing me through the windshield.”
Many owners have reported experiencing extended waits to receive replacement parts. Additionally, some complaints state that the vehicle’s rear wheels would lock, seize, or skid during the downshift, leading to a potential loss of control. The NHTSA has indicated that this could heighten the risk of a crash. The agency reports that no related crashes or fires have been reported.
This investigation is the latest in a series of NHTSA probes into potential downshifting issues affecting F-150 trucks.
In June, Ford recalled 668,000 2014 model year F-150 trucks due to comparable reports of unexpected downshifts into first gear, resulting in a loss of driver control or rear-wheel lockup. The recall followed a March 2023 investigation into the issue.
Ford also recalled 153,000 2011-2012 Ford F-150 vehicles equipped with six-speed automatic transmissions to address the downshift issue in 2016. Moreover, an investigation commenced in December 2017, and in 2019, Ford expanded its recall to include 1.48 million F-150 trucks in North America, including the 2013 models. Ford later recalled 107,000 2013 F-150 vehicles due to a fault with the repair.
In November 2024, Ford agreed to a $165 million civil penalty after the NHTSA determined that the automaker had failed to recall vehicles with faulty rearview cameras in a timely manner.
