2015-2017 Ford F-150 Probed for Unexpected Gear Shifts
Ford has a history of transmission problems and the 2015-2017 F-150 is the latest example. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation has received nearly 140 complaints from drivers alleging their trucks are prone to sudden and accidental gear changes.
Close to 1.3 million units across the U.S. are part of a preliminary investigation that was launched last Friday.
It appears that the transmission may shift into a lower gear while traveling at highway speeds without any prior warning or driver input. Drivers have reported that, in addition to the vehicle rapidly decelerating, the rear wheels may at times lock, seize or skid during the downshift, leading to a temporary loss of control.
It’s not immediately clear if and how many accidents have been directly caused by this particular transmission problem so far.
Incidentally, since affected F-150s cover the 2015-2017 model years, we have to assume the guilty part is the old six-speed transmission. The new 10-speed autobox (which has its fair share of troubles, too) debuted for 2017 but only with the 3.5-litre EcoBoost V6 before expanding to other engines and models starting in 2018.
The NHTSA will determine whether further investigation is necessary. A recall could follow, in which case F-150s sold in Canada are likely to be affected, as well. The most probable fix is a software update to the transmission module at the dealership.
Hopefully said fix will be performed properly and prove effective, which wasn’t always the case in several recent recalls from Ford.
