America’s Favorite Truck, Now Under Scrutiny
For years, the Ford F-150 has been the go-to truck for Americans. It’s always at the top of the sales charts, and full-size pickups still rule the market. The recipe is simple: lots of options, real capability, and a reputation built over decades.
When a truck is this popular, any problem hits harder. That’s what’s happening now: Ford just announced a recall for a huge number of older F-150s. These aren’t showroom-new, but they’re still working hard all over the country. It’s not the kind of thing that ruins the F-150’s reputation, but it does make you wonder about how these trucks hold up after years of real-world use.
Drew Phillips
What’s the Issue
The recall affects nearly 1.4 million F-150s from model years 2015 to 2017, all with the 6-speed automatic. Built between March 2014 and August 2017, these trucks are being flagged for a transmission issue linked to the Transmission Range Sensor (TRS).
According to the NHTSA’s recall report, the problem comes down to worn electrical connections inside the transmission lead frame. After years of heat and vibration, the signals between the TRS and the truck’s computer can get scrambled. That means the truck might briefly think it’s in the wrong gear.
Sometimes, that glitch makes the truck suddenly drop into second gear, even if you’re cruising at speed. It doesn’t happen all the time, but when it does, the sudden slowdown can catch you off guard. On wet roads, while towing, or at highway speeds, it could make the rear tires lose grip for a moment.
Ford began investigating after owners began complaining in late 2024. By early 2026, the NHTSA was digging deeper. Ford has now connected the problem to hundreds of warranty claims, a few injuries, and at least one accident.
Ford
The Fix and What Owners Should Do
Ford’s first fix is a software update. Owners will need to bring their trucks in so dealers can recalibrate the powertrain control module. The new software is supposed to detect faulty TRS signals before the truck tries to downshift, providing an extra layer of protection.
If the problem has already worsened and certain fault codes appear, dealers will swap out the transmission lead frame, too. Both the software update and any needed parts are free for owners.
That said, owners of the affected F-150s can check their VIN online or at a dealership to see if their truck is part of the recall.
Ford
