The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has initiated a preliminary investigation into nearly 1.3 million Ford Motor Co.'s (NYSE:F) F-150 trucks.
What Happened: The probe focuses on reports of unexpected gear downshifts that are accompanied by a temporary rear wheel lock-up, Reuters reported.
The NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation has received 138 consumer complaints regarding this issue. Complainants reported that the transmission unexpectedly downshifts to a lower gear while driving at highway speeds, without any prior warning or driver input.
This sudden downshift causes the vehicle to decelerate rapidly.
Some complaints also mentioned that the vehicle’s rear wheels would temporarily lock, seize, or skid during the downshift, potentially leading to a loss of control.
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The NHTSA highlighted that this issue could increase the risk of crashes and injuries. However, the report noted that there have been no crashes or fires reported so far.
The preliminary evaluation, which began on Friday, covers Ford F-150 models from 2015 to 2017. The investigation aims to assess the severity of the potential problem and its safety implications.
Why It Matters: The NHTSA’s scrutiny of Ford is part of a broader trend of increased regulatory oversight in the automotive industry.
Additionally, the NHTSA has been investigating other Ford vehicles, such as the Ford Flex, over claims of rearview camera failures.
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