On March 25, the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said that they have started a probe into the Ford F-150 truck. NHTSA has started a preliminary probe into about 1.3 million Ford F-150 pickup trucks over complaints about unexpected gear downshift and a temporary rear wheel lock up. NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation received 138 consumer complaints will lead the investigation to assess the seriousness of the potential threat and how much damage it can have.
The preliminary evaluation was started on Friday, which included Ford’s F-150 truck model years 2015 to 2017. As it is a preliminary investigation, Ford has not recalled the vehicles yet. As the investigation proceeds, and if any defect is found, the company will have to recall 1.3 million Ford F-150 vehicles.
Ford F-150 Truck Under NHTSA Investigation
One of the best-selling Ford vehicles for decades in the US is now under a preliminary investigation because of its six-speed automatic transmission. The NHTSA didn’t specify which trim levels are affected. Ford used the 6R80 transmission in almost all F-150 models from 2015-17, while the 2017 Raptor got a 10-speed automatic, used in most 2018 models and later.
NHTSA has received several reports complaining about sudden decelerations that cause the locking up of rear wheels, and drivers end up losing control. As per Automotive News report, one truck driver experienced the unexpected drop from sixth to first gear while travelling on the highway with a speed of 70 mph. However, no accident was reported.
Recurring Problems with Ford F-150’s 6-Speed Transmission
This isn’t the first time with Ford F-150 transmission issue, as the company has earlier recalled almost 1.5 million trucks built between 2011-13 faced a similar issue in the 2010s. Ford was also using the six-speed transmission in the previous 12th-generation model of F-150. In June 2024, the company recalled around 668,000 2014 model F-150s for a similar issue. The recalls revealed a software issue, and owners were asked to take their trucks to dealers to have the powertrain control module reprogrammed.
Could NHTSA Trigger a Ford F-150 Recall?
NHTSA investigation is in the preliminary stage, and a recall will only be made if any defect is found on the vehicle. However, Ford has already made 25 recalls for its vehicles this year. If a defect is found, the only good change for Ford can be if the issue is resolved through a software update. Recalling 1.3 million vehicles for manual changes can take a significant toll on the company and the Ford F-150’s owners, too.
Ford Stock Update
Over the past week, Ford’s stock has experienced modest fluctuations. On March 18, the stock closed at $9.95, and by March 21, it had slightly decreased to $10.00. Currently, the stock is trading at $10.25, reflecting a 2.5% increase from the previous close.
