Ford Recalls Nearly 1.4 Million F-150 Trucks

Automaker cites unexpected transmission downshift issue in affected vehicles

Apr. 18, 2026 at 6:05am

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An abstract, blurred image of a Ford F-150 pickup truck in motion, with streaks of blue, silver, and black representing the vehicle's speed and power.A recall of nearly 1.4 million Ford F-150 trucks highlights the automaker's commitment to addressing potential safety issues in its best-selling model.Oklahoma City Today

Ford Motor Company has issued a recall for nearly 1.4 million of its popular F-150 pickup trucks due to a potential issue with the vehicles' six-speed automatic transmissions. The recall applies to F-150 models produced between March 2014 and August 2017, where the transmissions may unexpectedly downshift into first gear, posing a safety risk.

Why it matters

The F-150 is Ford's best-selling and most profitable vehicle, so a large-scale recall like this can have significant financial and reputational impacts for the automaker. Unexpected transmission issues can also raise safety concerns for drivers and passengers, making this a critical recall for Ford to address promptly.

The details

According to the recall notice, the affected F-150 trucks may experience an unexpected and abrupt downshift into first gear, which could cause the vehicle to slow down rapidly and increase the risk of a loss of vehicle control and a crash. Ford says it is aware of five reports of accidents potentially related to this issue, though no injuries have been reported.

  • The recall applies to F-150 trucks produced between March 12, 2014, and August 18, 2017.
  • Ford first became aware of the potential transmission issue in September 2019.

The players

Ford Motor Company

The American multinational automaker that manufactures the popular F-150 pickup truck.

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What’s next

Ford says it will begin notifying affected owners in May 2026 and will instruct them to take their vehicles to a Ford or Lincoln dealer to have the powertrain control module software updated, free of charge.

The takeaway

This recall highlights the importance of automakers proactively addressing potential safety issues, even in their best-selling and most profitable models. The swift action by Ford to initiate this recall demonstrates their commitment to customer safety and maintaining trust in the F-150 brand.