The Ford F-150, a perennial best-seller in the United States for close to five decades, is once again the subject of significant attention. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has announced a major safety investigation that could impact approximately 1.3 million F-150 pickups.
Built from 2015-17, the 13th-generation F-150 models are the focus of this investigation. The probe specifically targets models equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission. Ford used this transmission, the 6R80, in almost every F-150 model built between 2015 and 2017. The 2017 F-150 Raptor received a 10-speed automatic, which became standard across most models starting in 2018.
The NHTSA has received 138 complaints from Ford F-150 owners regarding unexpected downshifts. These events caused abrupt decelerations. In some instances, they temporarily locked the rear wheels, causing drivers to potentially lose control of their vehicles. One report detailed a truck unexpectedly shifting from sixth gear to first gear while traveling at 70 mph on a highway. No crashes have been reported in connection with these complaints.
This initial evaluation could lead to an engineering analysis to find the cause of the reported issues. If a defect is found, a recall could be issued.
This isn’t the first time that Ford’s six-speed transmission has come under scrutiny. The automaker had to recall nearly 1.5 million trucks from the 12th generation F-150 built between 2011 and 2013 to address a similar problem. In June 2024, Ford also recalled about 668,000 of its 2014 model F-150s after receiving similar complaints. Those recalls found the problem was software-related, and owners were instructed to bring their trucks to dealerships to have their powertrain control modules reprogrammed.
Ford safety recalls are not uncommon; the company has issued 25 recalls on vehicles this year. Currently, the investigation is in its preliminary stages, which means Ford has yet to determine if a recall is required. Owners of 2015-17 F-150s don’t need to take any action at this point. However, should Ford issue a recall, it is advisable for owners to address the issue as quickly as possible. If the issue is software-related, it would prove to be one of the better outcomes for Ford. Repairing hardware on over a million trucks could prove costly.
