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Federal safety regulators have launched an investigation into nearly 1.3 million Ford F-150 pickup trucks due to reports of sudden and unexpected transmission downshifts.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced on Monday that it received 138 complaints regarding 2015-2017 F-150 models equipped with six-speed transmissions.

Owners have reported instances where the vehicle downshifts abruptly to a lower gear without warning, causing a rapid deceleration.

Some complaints also mention that this sudden shift results in the rear wheels locking up, leading to skidding and potential loss of control.

The NHTSA's preliminary evaluation aims to determine the scope and severity of the issue before deciding whether a recall is necessary.

According to USA Today, Ford spokesperson Maria Buczkowski confirmed that the company is cooperating with the NHTSA's investigation. "We are working with the agency to support its evaluation," she stated.

The automaker has faced similar issues in the past, with multiple recalls dating back to 2016 over unexpected downshifting problems in F-150 models from earlier years.

One complaint filed in 2023 described a frightening experience on the highway: "The truck automatically shifted from 6th gear to 1st gear at 70 mph, nearly throwing me through the windshield."

Several other owners have also voiced frustration over delays in securing replacement parts and repairs.

Ford's Ongoing Transmission Woes: New Probe Follows 2014 Recall

This probe is the latest in a series of investigations into Ford's F-150 transmission issues. In June 2023, the company recalled 668,000 F-150 trucks from the 2014 model year for similar transmission-related concerns, IndiaToday said.

Previous recalls in 2016 and 2019 expanded to cover a combined 1.48 million vehicles in North America.

The NHTSA's decision to investigate follows concerns over safety risks associated with sudden gear shifts. Although no crashes or fires have been reported in connection with the issue, the potential for loss of vehicle control increases the danger for drivers.

Beyond the F-150 probe, Ford has recently issued recalls for other vehicles. The company recalled nearly 50,000 Ford and Lincoln models due to faulty backup cameras that may fail to display correctly.

Additionally, around 13,000 Bronco Sport and Maverick models were recalled over software issues affecting battery charge detection.

Ford also faces scrutiny for past recall fixes that proved ineffective. More than 2,250 Ford Edge vehicles from 2021-2022 were recalled for persistent rearview camera failures despite prior repairs.

Affected owners will receive notifications by mail, with dealers required to update software fixes free of charge.

Owners of 2015-2017 Ford F-150 trucks are encouraged to report any transmission-related issues to the agency as the evaluation continues.