Ford Motor Company has issued a safety recall for nearly 1.4 million F-150 pickup trucks due to a critical gearshift issue that elevates crash risk. The affected vehicles include all F-150 light trucks with a six-speed automatic transmission produced between March 12, 2014, and August 18, 2017.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that some models may experience intermittent signal communication from the transmission range sensor to the powertrain control module. This malfunction can cause unintended downshifting into second gear, triggering an abrupt reduction in wheel speed. In certain driving conditions, this may lead to rear tire sliding until vehicle speed decreases—potentially resulting in loss of control.
Ford has documented two injuries and one accident linked to this issue as of early this month. Dealers will provide free software updates to the powertrain control module to resolve the problem. Owners receiving interim notification letters will receive guidance by April 27, 2026, with a final remedy expected by July 2026.
Affected drivers may also observe an illuminated malfunction indicator light or wrench symbol on their dashboard if transmission range sensor issues arise.