Federal probe of Ford F-150 gear defect raises questions of rear-wheel lockup and safety for drivers

The Ford F-150 investigation is heating up with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opening a preliminary probe of nearly 1.3 million Ford F-150 vehicles in the United States. The investigation targets issues of sudden and unintended downshifting that also have the potential to lock the rear wheels, a critical safety risk for owners.

The vehicles in question are 2015 to 2017 Ford F-150 trucks with six-speed automatic transmissions. At least 138 consumer complaints have been filed through NHTSA, alleging the trucks shift into lower gears unexpectedly while driving at highway speeds — even without warning or driver action.

Reports Pinpoint Genuine Safety Hazards

Most problematical of all, perhaps, is the complaint by an Ohio motorist in 2023 claiming that his or her 2016 Ford F-150 dived unexpectedly from sixth to first gear at highway speed of 70 mph and almost tossed the driver through the windshield as it jolted to a sudden stop. Complaints such as these have indicated rear-wheel seizure, skidding, and traction loss, and all increase the risk of an automobile accident dramatically.

While officially no fires or crashes have yet occurred, NHTSA indicates this flaw could result in devastating safety accidents under the right conditions. Many consumers are also irate about having to wait for repair parts, raising questions about the reaction time of Ford.

Ford Cooperating with NHTSA As Investigation Is Ongoing

Ford Motor Company has conceded to the probe and is cooperating with the federal regulators. NHTSA’s preliminary review will determine whether or not an in-depth engineering analysis will be required, which may ultimately lead to an official recall should systemic defects be determined.

This is not the first time Ford has been under scrutiny for downshifting issues with its premium pickup truck lineup. In June, the automaker recalled 668,000 2014 F-150 trucks for the same kind of issues involving abrupt gear shifts and rear-wheel lockup. The historical data also show several prior recalls on the F-150 lineup:

• Ford recalled 153,000 F-150s from the 2011–2012 model years in 2016.
• In 2019, the recall was expanded to 1.48 million model year 2013 trucks.
• Later, in 2019, another 107,000 trucks were recalled due to failure of previous remedies.

The repeated actions shed light on a question of repeated transmission problems with certain model years of the Ford F-150, creating more and more questions regarding product dependability and consumer safety.

Broader Regulatory and Financial Consequences for Ford

The Ford F-150 investigation comes on the heels of a string of regulatory troubles for the automaker. In November, Ford agreed to pay a $165 million civil penalty after NHTSA concluded the company failed to recall the faulty rearview cameras in its vehicles in a timely manner, fueling public criticism of Ford’s safety protocols.

Besides, Ford’s shares have been under pressure. With a Zacks Rank of #5 (Strong Sell), the company is also dealing with stiff competition from other auto players. On the other hand, companies such as China Yuchai International (CYD), Dana Incorporated (DAN), and Strattec Security Corporation (STRT) have achieved the highly sought-after Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) position, due to positive growth prospects and increased earnings estimates.

Key Takeaways:

• The Ford F-150 recall affects 1.3 million trucks from the 2015-2017 model years because of complaints of sudden gear downshifts.
• The flaw could lead to rear-wheel lockup, a serious safety risk at high speed on the highway.
• NHTSA is making a preliminary assessment that may end in an official recall.
• Ford has already recalled more than 2 million F-150 trucks previously for transmission-related issues on earlier model years.
• The firm has come under increasing regulatory scrutiny, with recent financial sanctions reflecting systemic recall problems.

The ongoing Ford F-150 probe by federal regulators marks a milestone for Ford’s most sought-after and best-selling model vehicle. With NHTSA increasingly close to customers’ grievances and car performance statistics, the outcome has far-reaching implications on the image of Ford and road safety for millions of drivers on US roads. Under the specter of a potential recall, stakeholders and consumers are watching closely to see the automaker’s response to mounting pressure.