DETROIT – Greater than 550,000 Ford pickup vehicles are being recalled due to an issue with their transmissions that may trigger the automobiles to unexpectedly downshift to first gear, no matter how briskly the truck is touring.Ford mentioned the downshifting can improve the danger of a crash, in keeping with paperwork posted on-line this week by the federal authorities. The recall entails F-150 pickups from the 2014 mannequin 12 months, doubtlessly greater than 552,000 vehicles.Ford’s F-Collection pickups are the top-selling automobiles in the USA.The issue happens when a sensor that detects the transmissions pace experiences a failure, interrupting alerts to the automobile’s powertrain management module. That has the potential to trigger an unintended downshift.The issue can “trigger the transmission to unexpectedly downshift into first gear, no matter automobile pace,” the paperwork mentioned. “Unexpectedly downshifting into first gear might lead to a lack of automobile management.”Ford plans to inform homeowners by mail with directions to take their vehicles to a Ford or Lincoln seller for updates and repairs. There might be no cost for this service.Automobile homeowners who’ve paid to have repairs accomplished at their very own expense could also be eligible for reimbursement, the Nationwide Freeway Visitors Security Administration mentioned.In a press release Tuesday, Ford mentioned it expects repairs to be out there within the third quarter of this 12 months. Homeowners will have the ability to use cellular service or pickup and supply at taking part sellers, The Related Press mentioned.