“An unexpected downshift to a lower gear may cause an abrupt wheel speed reduction for a short duration, which in some situations could cause the rear tires to slide until the vehicle speed slows,” states the recall.
“This condition could result in loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash," the NHTSA recall notice said.
The recall affects about 1,392,935 F-150 trucks with model years 2015 to 2017, with six-speed automatic transmissions built between March 12, 2014, and Aug. 18, 2017.
Ford attributed the issue to the degradation of electrical connections in the transmission lead frame over time, caused by heat and vibration.
The degradation of those electrical connections can result in incorrect signals from the transmission range sensor, potentially triggering an unintended downshift.
In some cases, drivers may see a malfunction indicator light or wrench warning on the dashboard before the issue occurs, the report said.
The issue came to Ford’s attention when NHTSA provided Ford with vehicle owner complaints in October 2024, and Ford opened an internal investigation the next day.
A preliminary evaluation was conducted in March 2025, and it was escalated to an engineering analysis in January 2026 as more complaints were reviewed.
As of April 2, Ford reported 444 warranty claims, 121 field reports, 105 customer service reports, and 316 complaints related to the issue.
According to the NHTSA report, Ford is aware of two injuries and one crash that may be connected.
NHTSA says that dealers will update the powertrain control module software at no cost.
Trucks that previously showed certain diagnostic trouble codes may also get a replacement transmission lead frame under an extended warranty program, it states.
Dealers were scheduled to be notified on April 15, with vehicle identification numbers (VIN) becoming searchable that same day as well.
Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed between April 27 and May 1, and additional letters are planned for July 13-17. Owners can also contact Ford or their local dealer to determine if their vehicle is affected and schedule repairs once notified.
The NHTSA recall number is 26V237 and Ford’s recall number is 26S28.
That recall affected 2021–2023 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator models, as well as 2022–2023 Ford Super Duty trucks, including the F-250 through F-600. The defective windshield wiper arm recall numbers are 26V204 for NHTSA and 26S24 for Ford.