Overview
- Ford and U.S. safety regulators issued the recall Friday for 2015–2017 F-150s with the 6R80 automatic after reports of unexpected drops into second gear.
- Ford traces the problem to worn electrical connections in the transmission lead frame that disrupt a sensor’s signal to the engine-transmission computer, which can trigger a harsh downshift and a brief rear-wheel slide.
- Dealers will install a no-cost powertrain control module update that spots failing transmission sensors earlier, and trucks showing specific trouble codes will get a free lead-frame replacement.
- Owner letters start going out the week of April 27, dealers were notified April 15, and Ford says a permanent remedy is slated for mid-July.
- Ford told regulators it logged 444 warranty claims and two injuries tied to the issue, and it is running a parallel recall for about 144,000 F-150s in Canada.