DETROIT (AP) — Ford is recalling greater than 550,000 pickup vehicles within the U.S. as a result of the transmissions can unexpectedly downshift to first gear irrespective of how briskly the vehicles are going.
The recall covers sure F-150 pickups from the 2014 mannequin yr. Ford’s F-Collection pickups are the top-selling automobiles within the U.S.
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Ford says in paperwork posted Tuesday by U.S. security regulators that the downshifting may cause drivers to lose management of the vehicles, growing the danger of a crash.
The recollects come after U.S. auto security regulators in March started investigating complaints that greater than 540,000 Ford pickup vehicles from 2014 can abruptly downshift to a decrease gear and improve the danger of a crash.
Paperwork say the issue is brought on by a misplaced sign between a transmission velocity sensor and the powertrain management pc. There additionally might be corrosion and issues with connector pins.
Sellers will replace the powertrain management software program without charge to house owners, who will probably be notified by letters in early July.
Ford says in paperwork posted Tuesday by the Nationwide Freeway Site visitors Security Administration that it has 396 guarantee and area reviews and 124 buyer complaints about the issue, overlaying 482 vehicles.
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The Dearborn, Michigan, automaker says it is aware of of 130 complaints to the federal government, with 52 alleging that rear wheels locked up or that drivers misplaced management of the vehicles. Two of the complainants reported accidents and one reported a crash that might have been brought on by the issue, Ford mentioned.
NHTSA mentioned it began the probe in March after getting complaints about sudden downshifts within the vehicles’ automated transmissions.
The company is trying into whether or not these vehicles ought to have been included in earlier recollects for the issue.
Sure F-150 pickups from the 2011 and 2012 mannequin years had been recalled for a similar drawback in 2016. Ford later added 2013 fashions to the recall.
The corporate mentioned it’s working with NHTSA to assist the investigation.