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50,000 Ford F-150s Could Shift Into Neutral On The Freeway
April 11, 2022
by Chase Bierenkoven Recall / 2 Comments
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize this is bad news.
The Ford F-150 is a pretty popular truck. After all, it's one of the best, if not the best (at times) selling vehicles in America. However, that kind of volume can introduce some problems, especially when it comes to recalls. On account of the sheer number of units produced, a recall can affect vehicles out to five figures or more, whereas a lower-volume vehicle, like the Ford Maverick, might only see a few thousand examples recalled for an issue.
Well, that's exactly what's happened with the 2021 F-150 as Ford has filed paperwork with the NHTSA about another recall for America's best-selling truck. This time around, 47,084 Ford F-150 models are affected.
The recall? "low transmission fluid pressure may falsely activate and cause the transmission to unexpectedly shift into neutral." Basically, that means your new truck could go into neutral at any speed.
The NHTSA report is far more descriptive than that, however. It starts with a code thrown by the engine. Ford calls it the Transmission Fluid Pressure Low Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC). That code may falsely activate and cause the truck's trans to shift into neutral. If that happens, the truck will coast to a stop, and the shifter will try to throw the truck in "park" so long as it's below 2 mph.
2021-2022 Ford F-150 Front Angle View Ford
Ford has said that models produced in the Dearborn Truck and Kansas City plants are affected. It has also provided date ranges for each, from July 28, 2021, to November 22, 2021, and October 7, 2021, to December 20, 2021, respectively. Additionally, the recall affects vehicles equipped with Ford's 3.5-liter, 2.7-liter, and 5.0-liter engines with 10R80 transmissions and without auto start-stop.
Thankfully, the NHTSA says it believes that only around 1% of recalled vehicles will experience the defect. Ford says you can simply call your dealer to check your VIN to see if your Ford F-150 is part of this latest recall. You can also check the NHTSA's website with your VIN. Luckily, the fix is pretty simple; dealers simply need to update the affected F-150's Powertrain Control Module free of charge.
2021-2022 Ford F-150 Rear View
