By Ramon Castro
Ford has initiated a recall of more than 1,390,000 F-150 trucks manufactured between 2014 and 2017after detecting a defect in the 6-speed automatic transmission that represents a risk to the safety of drivers.
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The decision was made after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) collected hundreds of reports about serious failures in these vehicles.
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The official investigation began in October 2024when NHTSA identified multiple cases of unexpected gear changes. Technical analysis confirmed that the problem could occur in any affected unit, regardless of use, and that the risk of accident was accurate.
The sensor behind the failure
The origin of the failure is located in the transmission range sensor (TRS), responsible for informing the electronic system about the selected gear. Degradation of internal electrical connections, caused by vibrations and thermal cycling, can cause the TRS to send erratic signals to the powertrain defense module (PCM).
This can trigger abrupt and involuntary shifts from sixth to second gear, without driver intervention, which causes a sudden reduction in speed and sometimes locking of the rear wheels. The risk increases on wet surfaces, where loss of traction can lead to accidents.
The numbers that pressured Ford
The magnitude of the problem was reflected in the data collected by the company: 444 warranty claims, 121 field reports, 105 customer service reports and 316 owner questionnaires documented the failure.
In addition, at least two injuries and one accident directly related to the transmission defect were confirmed. Given this scenario, the NHTSA demanded a forceful response from Ford, which culminated in the massive recall of the affected models.
Ford will implement a repair program at no cost to owners. Actions include updating the PCM tool, improving the detection of faulty TRS signals and, if necessary, replacing the defender an eye on module. The new calibration will allow the system to wait longer before making a gear change, thus minimizing the possibility of sudden jumps.
Notifications to owners will begin to be sent from April 27. The service will be available in authorized workshops from July 13, 2026. In the meantime, Ford recommends drivers keep an eye out for any irregularities in gear changes and the engine warning light, known as “take a look at engine,” as well as avoid driving situations that require high transmission performance.
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