Huge F-150 Recall

Ford is recalling 1,392,935 F-150 pickups after a transmission fault that can force an abrupt downshift into second gear. (nhtsa.gov) The recall covers 2015 through 2017 model-year F-150s with a six-speed automatic transmission, built from March 12, 2014, through August 18, 2017. Federal regulators said the problem starts with an intermittent signal between the Transmission Range Sensor and the Powertrain Control Module. (nhtsa.gov) That signal tells the truck what gear it is in. If the signal is wrong for a moment, the truck can drop into a lower gear without driver input, cutting wheel speed so suddenly that the rear tires can slide. (nhtsa.gov) Ford told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that degraded electrical connections in the transmission lead frame can trigger the bad sensor reading after repeated heat cycles and vibration. In some trucks, drivers may see a malfunction indicator light or a wrench light before the downshift issue appears. (nhtsa.gov) The recall follows a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration defect investigation that opened on March 21, 2025, and was upgraded to an engineering analysis on January 30, 2026. Ford submitted the safety recall report on April 14, 2026. (nhtsa.gov) Federal records say Ford is aware of two injuries and one crash that may be tied to the defect. Owner notification letters are scheduled to begin April 27, 2026. (cbsnews.com) The fix starts with software. Dealers will update the powertrain control module calibration, and Ford said affected components can also be updated or replaced through Ford or Lincoln dealers. (cbsnews.com) The timing lands in the middle of a wider quality debate around Ford. An iSeeCars study published this week said Ford recalled 19.6 million vehicles between April 2025 and March 2026, more than the rest of the industry combined over the same period. (usatoday.com) Ford’s own 2025 annual report says warranty coverage and field service actions, including safety recalls, add costs, and it warns that launch delays, recall actions, and higher warranty costs can hurt reputation and product acceptance. This F-150 campaign adds one more repair bill to the company’s most important vehicle line. (sec.gov) For owners, the next step is simple: wait for the letter or check a dealer with the truck’s vehicle identification number. For Ford, the recall reopens a problem on the F-150, the pickup that sells in the biggest volumes and draws the most scrutiny when something goes wrong. (nhtsa.gov)