Ford is no stranger to recalls. Along with being the most-recalled brand of the past two years, the Blue Oval set a record in 2025 with a whopping 12.96-million vehicles recalled. Less than two weeks ago, Ford recalled 420,000 vehicles due to the windshield wipers potentially flying off. Now, the American giant is back in the spotlight with a recall that more than doubles that. For new-model Ford owners, this recall, thankfully, will not send you back to the dealership.
Nearly 1.4 Million 10-Year-Old F-150s Are Being Recalled Due To Unexpected Downshift
Ford just issued a recall for approximately 1.39 million 2015-2017 F-150 models equipped with the six-speed automatic 6R80 transmission produced between the dates of March 12, 2014, and August 18, 2017, for an issue that could cause the transmission to randomly downshift from sixth gear into second gear.More specifically, a loss of signal between the transmission range sensor (TRS) and the powertrain control module (PCM). This can cause abrupt wheel speed reduction for a short time, and in some situations, cause the rear tires to slide until the vehicle speed catches up to the transmission speed.
This is a very dangerous situation to be in, considering the defect can cause drivers to drift their F-150 at speeds far beyond the realm of control, taking the risk of a crash exponentially higher. If you’re lucky (and have experience going sideways), you may be able to reel it in before it wraps itself around a pole, but for the average driver caught by surprise, there is little chance they or the vehicle will walk away unscathed if the transmission downshifts and initiates a loss of control.
NHTSA’s Investigation And Damage Tally
The investigation that identified this issue began on October 31, 2024, following National Highway Traffic Safety Aministration (NHTSA) VOQs (Vehicle Owner Questionnaire) regarding reported issues with transmission downshifting. The following month, information on the effects of degradation on high-mileage vehicle transmissions showed that numerous subcomponents were prone to failure as the vehicle aged, including the outputs of the TRS. The TRS-related faults can result in a maximum unintended downshift from sixth gear to second.
TheNHTS Aand co. continued to investigate owner reports related to the transmission downshift issue, and observed that the condition had varied impacts on drivers’ experiences depending on driving situations and conditions, among themtowing trailersand driving on wet surfaces. In other words, drivers towing a trailer on the highway and drivers hitting sixth-gear in the rain had different outcomes when the transmission downshifted — both no doubt very dangerous. The investigation concluded that degradation of the electrical connections in the transmission lead frame due to thermal cycling and vibration can result in a momentary detection of incorrect TRS signal position by the PCM, which can lead to an unintended downshift.
As of writing, Ford is aware of 444 warranty claims, 121 field reports, 105 customer service reports, and 316 VOQs in the US potentially related to this issue, representing a total of 891 VINs. So far, two injuries and one accident potentially related to the downshifting transmission have been acknowledged by Ford.
What You Should Do If Your Vehicle Falls Under The Recall
Notifications to dealers have already been sent, and owners should receive interim notifications by mail after April 27, 2026; remedy notifications are set to begin mailing on July 13, 2026. The remedy put forth by Ford will have owners bring their affected vehicles to their local Ford dealership, where it will be assessed to determine the extent of damage to the transmission components responsible for the failure. All vehicles will receive a software update to the PCM’s calibration, though if your vehicle has already begun showing signs of failure, dealers will replace the lead frame in accordance with the corresponding extended warranty program. All remedy protocols will come at no cost to the owners.
Sources: Ford, NHTSA