Ford has announced a safety recall for approximately 144,000 F-150 trucks in Canada, citing concerns over a gearshift issue that could affect drivers’ vehicle control. The affected vehicles, equipped with six-speed automatic transmissions manufactured between 2015 and 2017, are part of a larger recall affecting nearly 1.4 million vehicles in the United States, including certain 2014 models.
The problem stems from degraded electrical connections within the internal transmission lead frame, leading to signal disruptions from a transmission sensor. This could result in unexpected downshifting to a lower gear while the vehicle is in motion, potentially causing a temporary reduction in wheel speed and, in some cases, rear tire sliding until the vehicle slows down.
Reports indicate that two injuries and one accident may be linked to this issue. Ford has stated that dealers can resolve the problem by updating the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software. Additionally, for vehicles showing specific diagnostic trouble codes associated with the sensor, Ford will replace the transmission lead frame at no cost.
F-150 owners can check if their vehicle is affected by entering their Vehicle Identification Number on Ford’s recall webpage. This proactive measure aims to address safety concerns and ensure the continued reliability of the affected vehicles.