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- Owners reported sudden deceleration, downshifts, and temporary rear wheel lock-up on 2015-2017 models.
- An investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration could lead to a recall.
- Ford has led all automakers in recalls in recent years, and so far this year it has led all automakers in recalls.
Ford Motor Co.’s quality struggles continue as federal law enforcement authorities begin investigating about 1.3 million F-150 pickups after a majority of owners reported transmission problems.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced on January 30 that it has upgraded its preliminary investigation into a 2015-2017 Ford F-150 pickup truck to a full investigation of the vehicle. The number of vehicles subject to the survey will be 1,270,970.
NHTSA began a preliminary investigation into pickup trucks in March 2025. However, after more than 60% of owners surveyed reported problems to NHTSA’s Office of Deficiency Investigation, the agency announced that it had decided to renew its full investigation.
The full investigation will conclude without a recall, but it could lead to a recall, given that the Dearborn-based automaker has led all automakers in recalls over the past several years. That’s probably something Ford would want to avoid. Ford set a record with 153 recalls last year, according to NHTSA data. In second place was Chrysler with 53 recalls, and in third place was GM with 28 recalls.
So far this year, Ford once again leads the pack with five recalls, according to NHTSA data. Hyundai and Toyota follow, with three cars each.
Asked for comment on the intensified investigation, Ford spokeswoman Sharyn Gatcham told the Detroit Free Press, part of the USA TODAY Network, “We are working with NHTSA to assist in their investigation.”
What’s the problem?
According to a filing on NHTSA.gov, a complaint was received that a pickup truck experienced a sudden sudden deceleration without warning or input from the driver. In many cases, “temporary rear wheel lock-up, seizure, or skidding occurs, resulting in loss of vehicle control and increasing the risk of collision and injury to all motorists, including those not in the affected vehicle.”
2015 and 2016 F-150 vehicles were equipped with a “6R80” transmission, and 2017 vehicles were equipped with a “6R80” or “10R80” transmission. NHTSA said the investigation focused on pickup trucks equipped with the “6R80” transmission.
The regulator identified 329 vehicle owner questionnaires (VOQs) in its investigation, with 60% of these consumers confirming details of the alleged issue. NHTSA says consumers have reported that the transmission suddenly downshifts to a lower gear, often first or second, without driver input or prior warning.
“Consumers describe downshift events as occurring regularly and repeatedly, and some consumers say they no longer drive their vehicles due to safety concerns,” the NHTSA report states.
The government said 43% of consumers questioned “reported experiencing at least one wheel lock phenomenon, where the rear tires lock, squeal, or skid” during an unexpected downshift.
Ford’s response to the Fed
Ford provided an evaluation of the potential root causes of failures for 2015-2017 models. The transmission failure is different from failures associated with 2011-14 F-150 pickups, which Ford fixed through four safety recalls, the company said.
NHTSA announced that it has moved its investigation into the 2015-2017 F-150 pickup to an engineering analysis that includes part-level testing, vehicle testing and other evaluations, and has confirmed that the alleged cause of the defect has been identified.
Last month, Ford announced a recall of more than 100,000 vehicles due to a defective engine block that could cause a fire. The recall affects 116,672 vehicles and an additional 2,633 engine block heaters. Vehicles affected by the recall include Escape, Focus, and Lincoln models manufactured between 2013 and 2019.
Jamie L. Lareau is senior auto writer for USA Today and covers Ford Motor Company for the Detroit Free Press. Contact Jamie at jlareau@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @Jalarowan. To sign up for our automotive newsletter. become a subscriber.
