U.S. Expands Probe into Ford F-150 Unintended Downshifts, Affecting 1.3 Million 2015–2017 Trucks

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is expanding its investigation into 2015–2017 model-year Ford F-150 pickup trucks, covering approximately 1.3 million vehicles equipped with the 6R80 six-speed automatic transmission. Owners have reported that while cruising at highway speeds, their vehicles unexpectedly downshift without warning, causing sudden deceleration—and in severe cases, brief rear-wheel lockup leading to skidding. Some vehicles have even lost transmission signals while reversing uphill, automatically shifting into neutral and rolling forward. Despite owners replacing components such as wiring harnesses and valve bodies, the issue persists. Ford states this problem differs from a prior recall linked to vehicle speed sensor failures, suggesting instead that internal electrical wiring may be wearing due to heat and vibration, disrupting signals from another sensor. The investigation has not yet determined whether a recall will be ordered, but if a safety defect is confirmed, Ford may be required to provide a remedy.