Ford recalls 144,000 F-150s in Canada due to gearshift issue

Ford is issuing a safety recall for some 144,000 F-150s in Canada, the company said Friday, due to an issue with the vehicles’ gearshift that can impact the drivers’ control of the vehicle.

The safety issue impacts some vehicles with six-speed automatic transmissions made between 2015 and 2017. In the U.S., almost 1.4 million vehicles are affected, including some 2014 model years as well.

In some of the trucks, deteriorated electrical connections in the internal transmission lead frame can cause a signal issue from a transmission sensor, according to the company.

“This may lead to an unexpected downshift into a lower gear while the vehicle is in motion,” a Ford spokesperson told CBC News in an emailed statement.

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s safety recall report said the issue may cause an abrupt reduction in wheel speed for a short period of time, which in some situations could cause the rear tires to slide until the vehicle speed slows.

The automaker is aware of two injuries and one accident possibly related to the issue, according to The Associated Press.

Ford says dealers can update the vehicles’ Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software, which should fix the issue. Alternatively, if an affected vehicle previously displayed “specific diagnostic trouble codes” related to that sensor, Ford says it will replace the transmission lead frame for free.

F-150 drivers can determine if their vehicle is impacted by entering their Vehicle Identification Number online on Ford’s recall webpage.