Overview
- Ford issued a formal recall for about 1.4 million 2015–2017 F-150 pickups after a federal probe into sudden downshifts that have been linked to two injuries and one crash.
- Investigators found heat and vibration can degrade wiring between the transmission range sensor and the powertrain computer, which can trigger an abrupt shift into second gear.
- Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, and they will replace the transmission lead frame free of charge if trouble codes show the part has failed.
- Owner letters go out first as an interim notice April 27–May 1, with repair notices planned July 13–17, and the campaign covers trucks built March 12, 2014 to August 18, 2017 under NHTSA 26V-237.
- The recall deepens Ford’s broader quality strain, with more than 7.3 million vehicles recalled by March 2026 and a $165 million penalty plus an independent compliance monitor for earlier delays.