Investing.com -- The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced on Monday that it has initiated a preliminary investigation into nearly 1.3 million Ford F-150 pickup trucks. The probe follows reports of an unexpected gear downshift coupled with a temporary rear wheel lock-up.
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation received 138 consumer complaints regarding the issue. The office will now assess the severity of the potential problem, as well as its implications for safety.
Those who lodged complaints claimed that the transmission would unexpectedly downshift to a lower gear while the vehicle was moving at highway speeds. This occurred without any prior warning or input from the driver, causing the vehicle to decelerate rapidly.
Additional complaints indicated that the vehicle’s rear wheels would temporarily lock, seize, or skid during the downshift, leading to a loss of control. According to NHTSA, this could increase the risk of crashes and injuries. However, the report stated that no crashes or fires had been reported so far.
The preliminary evaluation, which commenced on Friday, is looking into Ford’s F-150 model years 2015 to 2017.
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