Ford recalls nearly 1.4 million F-150 pickup trucks to fix gearshift issue Ford Motor Company is recalling approximately 1.4 million F-150 pickup trucks in the United States due to a transmission issue that may cause unintended downshifts and increase the risk of a crash. The recall, announced on April 14, 2026, covers specific model years equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) confirmed the recall after receiving complaints about unexpected downshifts into second gear. Ford investigated the issue and found that degraded electrical connections in the transmission range sensor, caused by thermal cycling and vibration over time, can lead to signal loss between the sensor and the powertrain control module. This may result in a temporary, unintended downshift, causing an abrupt reduction in wheel speed that could lead to rear tire slide and loss of vehicle control under certain conditions. According to Ford and NHTSA, the automaker is aware of two injuries and one accident potentially related to the issue. As of early April 2026, Ford had recorded 444 warranty claims, 121 field reports, 105 customer service reports, and 316 formal complaints filed with NHTSA concerning the problem. The affected vehicles include F-150 light trucks with the six-speed automatic transmission produced between March 12, 2014, and August 18, 2017. Specifically, the recall covers model year 2015–2017 F-150 pickups equipped with the 6R80 transmission. Ford will notify vehicle owners by mail and instruct them to bring their F-150 to a Ford or Lincoln dealer for a free powertrain control module software update. The remedy involves recalibrating the transmission control software to prevent erroneous downshift signals. There is no cost to owners for the repair. Owners can check if their vehicle is included in the recall by visiting the NHTSA website and entering their vehicle identification number (VIN) or by contacting a local Ford dealership. Ford encourages affected customers to schedule service promptly to address the safety concern.
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