NHTSA Probes Ford F-150s for Transmission Problems

Recently, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has initiated an investigation involving over 1.3 million Ford F-150 pickup trucks due to a concerning issue related to their automatic transmission system. Specifically, the focus of this investigation is on 1,270,970 Ford F-150s manufactured in the years 2015, 2016, and 2017.

This investigation, which commenced on January 30, 2026, targets trucks equipped with Ford’s 6R80 six-speed automatic transmission. The problem at hand stems from potential signal loss in the output shaft speed sensor, likely caused by degraded electrical connections in the lead frame. This signal loss can also extend to the Transmission Range Sensor, leading to operational issues.

Uncovering the Issue Prompting the Ford F-150 Investigation

According to the NHTSA, signal loss in the Transmission Range Sensor can trigger the vehicle to shift unexpectedly, such as moving to neutral, upshifting, or downshifting without driver intervention. Ford’s gear “shift map” governs these shifts, with a programmed maximum downshift into second gear between speeds of 35 and 64 mph.

The design of the “shift map” represents a worst-case scenario for the impacted vehicles. Furthermore, Ford acknowledges that a severe outcome of such downshifting could involve temporary rear wheel lockup, resulting in tire screeching or skidding during the transmission process.

The NHTSA’s Office of Defect Investigation has reviewed 329 vehicle owner questionnaires completed by owners of the affected trucks. Among these, 60% substantiated the reported issues, while 40% mentioned experiencing at least one wheel lockup incident.

Ford’s Reaction to the Investigative Findings

Ford has responded to the investigation by asserting that the signal loss issue linked to the earlier recall of F-150 models from 2011 to 2014 is distinct from the current concerns under scrutiny.

Additional Insights from the NHTSA

Further defects on the affected vehicles were identified by the NHTSA after conducting tests at the Vehicle Research Test Center. The analysis revealed an additional consequence of the TRS defect, which could lead to a change in the vehicle’s direction. In instances where TRS signal loss occurs during vehicle reversal on an incline, the vehicle might shift to neutral, causing unintended forward movement.