NHTSA Opens Probe Into 1.3 Million Ford F-150 Vans Over Sudden Downshifts and Wheel Lock Threat : Automotive Addicts

Automotive

In the event you drive a 2015 to 2017 Ford F-150, there’s a brand new federal investigation value preserving in your radar. The Nationwide Freeway Site visitors Security Administration has opened an engineering evaluation protecting practically 1.3 million vehicles over complaints that the transmission can downshift unexpectedly with out warning or driver enter. In some instances, the allegation goes a step additional, with house owners reporting a brief rear wheel lockup that may rapidly flip an abnormal drive right into a white-knuckle second.

The vehicles on the middle of the investigation are outfitted with Ford’s 6R80 six-speed computerized. Investigators are wanting carefully at a situation the place a sign loss tied to sensors within the transmission can set off unusual habits, together with unintended shifts to impartial, an surprising upshift, or a speedy downshift. In plain phrases, the truck could all of a sudden decide a special gear by itself, and relying on pace and circumstances, that abrupt change can upset the chassis and traction.

Digging into the technical aspect, the problem seems related to electrical connection degradation inside a lead body over time from thermal biking and vibration, which might contribute to sign loss from the Transmission Vary Sensor. NHTSA paperwork additionally reference Ford’s programmed “shift map,” which outlines how the transmission reacts when these alerts drop out. One of many extra regarding particulars is that at speeds between 35 and 64 mph, the system might permit a downshift into second gear in a worst-case situation, and Ford has acknowledged that non permanent wheel lockup may be a part of that worst-case final result.

Proprietor suggestions is an enormous cause this has moved ahead. NHTSA says it reviewed a whole bunch of proprietor questionnaires tied to the problem, and a good portion of these house owners reported at the least one wheel lockup-related occasion throughout an surprising downshift. That sort of sample is precisely what tends to push an investigation deeper, as a result of it suggests the priority is just not a one-off glitch and could also be repeatable below sure circumstances.

It’s additionally value noting Ford’s place that this isn’t the identical drawback as earlier OSS sensor points that prompted a number of prior actions on older F-150 mannequin years. Nonetheless, the tip consequence drivers care about is analogous: a transmission doing one thing you didn’t ask it to do. In the event you personal one of many affected model-year vehicles, the sensible transfer is to control updates from NHTSA, verify for any future remembers tied to your VIN, and pay shut consideration to any uncommon shifting, abrupt deceleration, or odd habits when deciding on gears, particularly at reasonable speeds or when backing on an incline.

Lloyd Tobias is a seasoned automotive journalist and passionate fanatic with over 15 years of expertise immersed on the earth of automobiles. Whether or not it’s exploring the most recent developments in automotive expertise or preserving a detailed pulse on breaking business information, Lloyd brings a pointy perspective and a deep appreciation for all issues automotive. His writing blends technical perception with real-world enthusiasm, making his contributions each informative and interesting for readers who share his love for the drive. When he’s not behind the keyboard or below the hood, Lloyd enjoys check driving the latest fashions and staying forward of the curve in an ever-evolving automotive panorama.