Ford Motor Co. is recalling more than 550,000 full-size pickups due to a problem with a sensor that may cause the truck’s transmission to downshift, potentially resulting in a loss of control of the vehicle.
Ford is recalling more than 550,000 full-size pickups due to a problem that may cause the truck’s transmission to downshift.
The automaker plans to recall 552,188 F-150 full-size pickups from the 2014 model year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. A faulty sensor may cause the truck to downshift to first gear for no reason.
A loss of signal between the transmission output shaft speed sensor and the powertrain control module can cause a downshift, regardless of vehicle speed and lead to a loss of vehicle control, the agency said.
Trucks affected by the issue were built at the company’s plants in Dearborn, Michigan from June 17, 2013 to Aug. 25, 2014 and Kansas City in July 26, 2013 to Dec. 23, 2014, according to the automaker.
What is happening
Some of the affected vehicles may experience an “intermittent loss” of the transmission Output Shaft Speed (OSS) sensor signal to the powertrain control module. Ford identified various factors that could cause the loss of the signal. Those issues include contamination, power short to ground, connector corrosion, connector pin swaging and incorrect outputs from the OSS sensor.
A faulty sensor may cause the truck to downshift to first gear for no reason.
Drivers may get a warning the downshift to first gear is about to occur when the Malfunction Indicator Light, which looks like a wrench when illuminated.
In some cases, the OSS signal could recover while driving and the vehicle will resume normal function; in other cases, the vehicle may need to be stopped and restarted to regain normal transmission operation.
As of April 8, Ford is aware of 300 warranty reports, 96 field reports and 124 customer complaints, corresponding to 482 vehicles in the U.S. and U.S. territories received from March 24, 2014, to March 29, 2024, related to unexpected transmission downshifting on 2014 MY F-150 vehicles.
According to the reports, 40 vehicles had alleged rear wheel lock-up and/or loss of vehicle control. Ford is aware of 130 reports from Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQ) related to unexpected transmission downshifting, of which 52 alleged rear wheel lock-up and/or loss of vehicle control. Two VOQs allege injury and one VOQ alleges an accident that may be attributable to this condition.
The faulty sensor could cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
Next steps
Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 1. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 24S37.
Ford provided the general reimbursement plan for the cost of remedies paid for by vehicle owners prior to notification of a safety recall in May 2023. Owners who have paid to have these repairs completed at their own expense may be eligible for reimbursement, in accordance with the recall reimbursement plan on file with NHTSA.
Why is ford just now fixing a problem that been around since 2013, I had to fix my 2013 model out of my own pocket, after it malfunctioned.