Automotive
In case you drive a 2015 to 2017 Ford F-150, there’s a brand new federal investigation price keeping in your radar. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened an engineering evaluation covering nearly 1.3 million trucks over complaints that the transmission can downshift unexpectedly by surprise or driver input. In some cases, the allegation goes a step further, with owners reporting a brief rear wheel lockup that may quickly turn an peculiar drive right into a white-knuckle moment.
The trucks at the middle of the investigation are equipped with Ford’s 6R80 six-speed automatic. Investigators are looking closely at a scenario where a signal loss tied to sensors within the transmission can trigger strange behavior, including unintended shifts to neutral, an unexpected upshift, or a rapid downshift. In plain terms, the truck may suddenly pick a unique gear by itself, and depending on speed and conditions, that abrupt change can upset the chassis and traction.
Digging into the technical side, the problem appears connected to electrical connection degradation inside a lead frame over time from thermal cycling and vibration, which may contribute to signal loss from the Transmission Range Sensor. NHTSA documents also reference Ford’s programmed “shift map,” which outlines how the transmission reacts when these signals drop out. Certainly one of the more concerning details is that at speeds between 35 and 64 mph, the system could allow a downshift into second gear in a worst-case scenario, and Ford has acknowledged that temporary wheel lockup may be a part of that worst-case consequence.
Owner feedback is a giant reason this has moved forward. NHTSA says it reviewed tons of of owner questionnaires tied to the problem, and a significant slice of those owners reported a minimum of one wheel lockup-related event during an unexpected downshift. That style of pattern is strictly what tends to push an investigation deeper, since it suggests the priority shouldn’t be a one-off glitch and will be repeatable under certain conditions.
It’s also price noting Ford’s position that this shouldn’t be the identical problem as earlier OSS sensor issues that prompted multiple prior actions on older F-150 model years. Still, the tip result drivers care about is comparable: a transmission doing something you probably did not ask it to do. In case you own certainly one of the affected model-year trucks, the smart move is to keep watch over updates from NHTSA, check for any future recalls tied to your VIN, and pay close attention to any unusual shifting, abrupt deceleration, or odd behavior when choosing gears, especially at moderate speeds or when backing on an incline.
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Lloyd Tobias is a seasoned automotive journalist and passionate enthusiast with over 15 years of experience immersed on this planet of cars. Whether it’s exploring the newest advancements in automotive technology or keeping an in depth pulse on breaking industry news, Lloyd brings a pointy perspective and a deep appreciation for all things automotive. His writing blends technical insight with real-world enthusiasm, making his contributions each informative and fascinating for readers who share his love for the drive. When he’s not behind the keyboard or under the hood, Lloyd enjoys test driving the latest models and staying ahead of the curve in an ever-evolving automotive landscape.
This Article First Appeared At www.automotiveaddicts.com
