The problem identified involves a sensor malfunction that can unexpectedly shift the vehicle's transmission into first gear while in motion. This defect could potentially result in rear wheels locking or loss of control. Ford's investigation included reviewing 86 vehicle owner questionnaires, 300 warranty reports, about 96 field reports, and more than 124 customer complaints. Notably, this defect led to two injuries and one accident.
In response to these findings, Ford proposes a software update for the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) as a remedy, expected to be available by the third quarter of 2024. Vehicle owners will be alerted starting July 1 through formal notifications. Owners experiencing a dashboard warning light indicative of this downshift issue are urged by Ford to contact dealers immediately.
This recall echoes a similar issue from 2019 when Ford called back other models including the previous year's F-150s along with Expeditions and Lincoln Navigators - totaling an additional 107,857 vehicles. The repeated nature of such problems highlights ongoing challenges in automotive software reliability and safety standards.
Vehicle owners affected by this current recall may contact Ford for more information and service scheduling. It is crucial that those impacted take swift action to incorporate this necessary software update once available.
