US Opens Probe Into Ford F-150 Trucks Over Gear Shift Concerns
WASHINGTON – The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced on Monday that it has opened a preliminary investigation into nearly 1.3 million Ford F-150 pickup trucks.
The probe comes in response to reports of unexpected gear downshifts, which some drivers say can cause the vehicle to decelerate rapidly. The NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) is looking into the issue, which has prompted 138 consumer complaints.
According to the NHTSA, the ODI will assess how serious the potential problem is and any possible safety issues. Complainants have reported that the truck can unexpectedly shift to a lower gear at highway speeds without warning or driver input, causing the vehicle to slow down suddenly.
Some complaints also mentioned a temporary locking, seizing, or skidding of the rear wheels during the downshift, which led to a loss of control. This could increase the risk of crashes and injuries, the NHTSA stated. However, the report also noted that no crashes or fires related to the issue have been reported.
The preliminary evaluation, which began on Friday, covers model years 2015 to 2017 of Ford F-150 trucks.
