Dearborn, MI – May 23, 2026 – Ford (NYSE:F) is recalling close to 1.4 million 2015-2017 Ford F-150 pickup trucks whose transmissions can shift on their own, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle. The defect increases the risk of a crash and injury.
The recall comes on the heels of an ongoing U.S. government investigation and only affects trucks with 6-speed automatic transmission.
Recall summary
The automatic transmission in the affected trucks can unintentionally shift from sixth to second gear while driving. This happens due to degraded electrical connections inside the transmission control module.
The shift can cause the rear wheels of the car to lock up, resulting in the driver losing control of the vehicle.
Recall risks
A sudden loss of control can result in an accident and injuries to the occupants of the car and other motorists.
Warning signs
A malfunction indicator light (MIL) and a wrench symbol may illuminate on the dashboard.
The background of the recall
The recall is the result of an ongoing investigation by the U.S. government auto safety regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which was opened in March 2025 following 138 complaints alleging unwanted downshifts that would happen “without warning or driver input.”
Leading up to the recall, the manufacturer had been notified of two accidents and an injury.
Other Ford recalls
In April 2026, Ford recalled more than 420,000 trucks and SUVs whose windshield wipers could have stopped working.
In February 2026, nearly 120,000 Ford and Lincoln cars were recalled over a fire risk caused by a faulty engine block heater.
The repair
The dealers will update the transmission’s software. If needed, they will also repair the electrical components inside the transmission control module. This repair will be free of charge.
Notifications to the owners will be mailed between July 13, 2026 and July 17, 2026.
Is your vehicle a part of this recall?
Nearly 1.4 million trucks are affected by this Ford downshift recall. To do a Ford recall check and see if yours is one of them, please use MotorSafety’s free vehicle lookup tool.
