Automotive
America’s best-selling vehicle, the Ford F-150, is once again under scrutiny as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opens a new investigation into transmission issues that could pose a serious safety risk. The probe affects an estimated 1.3 million F-150 pickup trucks from model years 2015 through 2017, all equipped with six-speed automatic transmissions.
The investigation, launched after 138 consumer complaints, focuses on reports of the trucks unexpectedly downshifting into lower gears — sometimes all the way into first gear — without warning while driving at highway speeds. The abrupt gear change has been linked to sudden deceleration and, in some cases, temporary rear-wheel lock-up. According to NHTSA, this mechanical behavior could increase the risk of a crash, though no incidents of accidents or fires have been reported so far.
One alarming report from a 2016 F-150 owner in Ohio describes the vehicle downshifting from sixth to first gear at 70 mph, nearly propelling the driver into the windshield. Other complaints echo similar scenarios, with some drivers experiencing skidding or loss of vehicle control, particularly when the rear wheels momentarily seize up during the gear drop.
This isn’t the first time Ford has faced pressure over its truck transmissions. In fact, this latest inquiry follows a troubling pattern. Back in June 2023, Ford recalled over 668,000 F-150s from the 2014 model year for the same issue. And going further back, the automaker began addressing transmission-related complaints with recalls as early as 2016, when 153,000 trucks from the 2011–2012 model years were brought in for fixes. That recall later expanded in 2019 to include 1.48 million trucks, including 2013 models, as the issue persisted. Even after those efforts, Ford recalled an additional 107,000 units from 2013 due to problems with the original repair.
The ongoing concerns have also fueled tension between the automaker and federal regulators. In a separate but notable development last November, Ford agreed to a $165 million civil penalty after NHTSA found it had delayed recalling vehicles with defective rearview cameras — further underscoring scrutiny over the company’s recall management practices.
For now, this latest investigation into the 2015–2017 F-150s remains at the preliminary evaluation stage. That means NHTSA is still gathering data before deciding whether to escalate the probe into a formal engineering analysis — the next step before any potential recall. Ford has stated that it is fully cooperating with NHTSA and working to support the investigation.
Owners of affected vehicles are encouraged to stay alert for updates from NHTSA and Ford, and to report any unusual transmission behavior to the agency.
Given the F-150’s status as a staple in American driveways and job sites, the outcome of this investigation could have significant implications — not just for the Blue Oval, but for millions of drivers who depend on these trucks daily.
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