The Blue Oval has faced a handful of investigations conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) as of late, most recently, one pertaining to a loss of engine power and electrical system failure in select 2021 Ford Bronco Sport crossovers, as well as well as select 2021-2022 Ford E-Series E-350 and E-450 vehicles with dual rear wheels that may suffer a sudden loss of power steering fluid. Now, that list has grown to include a new NHTSA investigation, this time, pertaining to transmission issues with 2011-2014 Ford F-150 pickups.
A recall was issued for this particular matter back in 2016, which included 2011-2012 Ford F-150 models equipped with the six-speed 6R80 automatic transmission. That action stemmed from an intermittent loss of the Transmission Output Speed Sensor signal to the Powertrain Control Module, which could potentially lead to a temporary, unintended downshift into a lower gear, or worse – temporary rear wheel lock-up, loss of vehicle control, and an increased risk of a crash and/or injury. To fix this problem, Ford instructed dealers to reprogram the Powertrain Control Module.
Roughly one year later, the NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a query into the effectiveness of this remedy, which led to a second recall in 2019 that expanded its scope to include 2011-2013 Ford F-150 pickups, and a few months later, another recall was issued for 2013 model year F-150 models specifically.
To date, ODI has received 86 customer complaints regarding 2014 Ford F-150 pickups with similar issues, with owners stating that their vehicles are suffering from sudden, unexpected downshifts without warning, which in some cases can lead to rear wheel lockup – at least one of which reportedly caused an accident. As such, the NHTSA has decided to investigate this matter formally to determine if additional action is needed on Ford’s part.
We’ll have more on this investigation soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for the latest Ford F-Series news, Ford F-150 news, and continuous Ford news coverage.
Comments
Built Ford tough!
In March of 2023 while driving my Ford F150 21014 truck the bask wheels locked up, the tires squealed very loudly and the truck swerved severely. Fortunately I did not lose control or wreck. Long diagnosis period, $1700.00 repair for PCM replacement. Fast forward to June 2024, process for retroactive reimbursement since recall started today. Glad I’m alive.
I have a 2011 f150 that I like alot but since last October I haven’t driven because of the downshift. I have checked on a recall that comes up but when I call they say it’s not The last time I drove it downshifted on me and the wheels locked it made me slide in on coming traffic lane but I was able to getting truck back under control just glad it happened when the traffic had past me because it could have bad so I parked it .