2015 FORD F-150 Complaints

This is a supplemental complaint to my earlier report regarding NHTSA Campaign 26V237 / Ford Safety Recall 26S28. The recall remedy (PCM software update) was performed at W.C. Sanderson Ford in Healdsburg, CA on XXX. The original downshift defect recurred within weeks, including a near-miss where I nearly lost control of the vehicle with my [XXX] son inside. Since then, I have had the vehicle independently scanned twice, including a full all-systems diagnostic scan. The scan shows a communication fault (U0401, "Invalid Data Received From PCM") present across five separate control modules: ABS, Airbag/Occupant Classification System, Power Steering Control Module, Tire Pressure Monitoring/Body Control, and the engine module. The scan's own assessment recommends repairing CAN-BUS wiring and connections. I believe this network-wide wiring fault may be the actual underlying cause of the condition recall 26S28 was intended to fix — the recall's software update assumes a signal-loss problem can be resolved in software, but if the root cause is physical wiring, the remedy would not correct it. This would explain why the defect recurred so soon after the software update was installed. A second code, P2112 (Throttle Actuator Stuck Closed), also appeared spontaneously while the vehicle was parked. This code is documented in Ford's own Technical Service Bulletin 16-0139 (issued 2018), indicating Ford had prior knowledge of related fault patterns on this vehicle range. Of particular concern, the Airbag/Occupant Classification System is affected by the same communication fault. This system governs airbag deployment behavior based on occupant detection, and my son rides in this vehicle regularly. The vehicle is currently not safe to drive. I am requesting NHTSA evaluate whether the 26S28 remedy adequately addresses the underlying defect, given evidence that a wiring-level fault — not solely a software issue — may be the true root cause. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)

I had Ford Safety Recall 26S28 performed on my 2015 F-150 for the unintended transmission downshift issue. Since the recall, my truck has experienced multiple unintended downshift events. Today, this happened twice — the second time I nearly lost control of the vehicle and almost had an accident. My [XXX] son rides in this vehicle frequently, including on many of the trips where this defect has occurred. I have had the vehicle scanned twice since the recall service. Both scans showed stored codes U0401-02 and U0401-00 (PCM communication failure) and U3013-16 (control module input power circuit fault) — all in the same system the recall software update was designed to address. The dealership that performed the recall, W.C. Sanderson Ford in Healdsburg, CA, has refused to diagnose the vehicle without an upfront fee I cannot afford. Ford Customer Relationship Center has also declined to assist. I am no longer able to safely drive this vehicle INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

I was driving on a 2 lane highway at approximately 50 mph and my truck started blowing white smoke and suddenly decelerated to 5 mph and a wrench appeared on my dashboard. I luckily was able to limp the vehicle to a parking lot. I then called AAA for a tow to my Certified Mechanic. He informed me the next day that the transmission line to the cooler failed. He replaced the cooler lines ($250). I definitely feel this problem should have a safety recall issued. If my wife and I were on a freeway when this happened- the outcome could have been a lot worse. SAFETY SHOULD BE PARAMOUNT FOR ME AND THE DRIVERS BEHIND ME!

The contact owns a 2015 Ford F-150. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at slow speeds, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted into second gear. The check engine warning light illuminated for a while before the power train warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V237000 (Power Train). The vehicle was taken to a dealer for the recall repair; however, during the repair, the dealer burned the PCM twice, and the recall repair was not performed. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue, and a complaint was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

After receiving Recall#26S28/NHTSA Rcall#26V237, I made appointment for the transmission module remedy upgrade.After getting upgrade, I didn't go a mile when it stuck in 3rd gear and wrench light came on..I took truck back to Ford garage and had to leave it there.A few days later I picked truck up and made it about 5 miles.I took it back ,as they wanted to drive it and try to get correct codes to come up, but all it did was keep coming up as a different code that wasn't warranted...We had a rejection from Ford on a conference call between Ford,Ford garage, and myself...they would only replace "lead frame"if the down shifting code came up...well, they already upgraded that but will not replace "lead frame" that shows a bad realy molded on it...I have truck back after 2 weeks sitting at their shop, but cannot drive it .When I take off from a stop it will do a hard shift into 3rd, wrench light and tranny fan comes on and I have to find a spot to pull over as it will not shift higher.Once shut off, I can restart and continue, but it usually does it several times before I can continue and shifting returns to normal...Recall from Ford shows if software upgrade doesn't rectify problem, they will replace "lead frame"- Ford garage wants me to drive it until code comes up that they need to warranty "lead frame", but its not safe to drive as it now has up-shifting problem.

Execution of manufacturer safety recall service resulted in immediate, catastrophic transmission malfunction and sudden loss of motive power upon leaving the franchised dealership, creating an imminent road hazard. Details of the Incident: Recall Intake: On XXX, the vehicle was driven into the authorized Ford dealership Cloninger Ford of Morganton in [XXX] under its own power for an open manufacturer safety recall involving the transmission molded leadframe and PCM software update to prevent sudden, unintended downshifts. Immediate Failure Post-Service: After technicians completed the recall service and returned the keys, the vehicle was driven out of the dealership lot. Upon reaching normal road speed and shifting from 3rd to 4th gear (less than 0.2 miles from the service bay), the transmission violently malfunctioned, lost forward drive engagement, and rendered the truck completely disabled and undrivable in active traffic. No road test was performed by the dealership prior to releasing the vehicle. Safety Risk: The sudden failure and inability to shift gears properly left the vehicle stranded in roadway traffic, presenting an immediate collision risk. The vehicle had to be limped back into the dealership service drive immediately. Remedy Failure & Denial: The dealership acknowledged that the recall-mandated PCM software calibration update triggered the severe transmission failure. However, both the manufacturer and the dealer are now claiming the failure is a "pre-existing condition," refusing to complete the safety remedy without charging the owner $7,000 for a full transmission replacement. The safety defect that prompted the recall was not remedied and was instead exacerbated to total mechanical failure during execution of the recall procedure. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2015 Ford F-150. The contact stated that after purchasing the vehicle, a Carfax report revealed a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 95,536; however, the Carfax report listed the mileage at 196,914.

Safety recall 26S28/26V237 was unable to be installed on my 2015 Ford F150. After receiving a "Check Engine Light" and a "Wrench Symbol Light", I took my truck to 3 different dealerships and all three could not perform the safety recall. At the first 2 dealerships, no solutions were tried. They called me to pick up the truck because they could not install recall. I took the vehicle to a 3rd dealership after recommendation from the 2nd dealership, and after 3 weeks they notified me as well that they could not perform install. A case number was created for this issue. I am still waiting for a solution from Ford to install this safety recall that is required by law to be installed.

The vehicle was previously taken to an authorized Ford dealership to complete Safety Recall 26S28 (NHTSA Campaign 26V237000) for unintended transmission downshifts. The dealer applied the mandated software patch. However, this safety remedy has completely failed.  While driving at highway speeds, the vehicle experienced severe mechanical gear grinding and twice suffered sudden, unprompted downshifts into a lower gear. This caused an immediate and dangerous spike in engine RPMs and a sudden deceleration, creating a high-risk highway crash hazard and a potential loss of vehicle control.  The physical hardware defect (the molded transmission lead frame) is actively failing and bypassing the software safeguard. The authorized dealer, Nielsen Ford of Morristown, is currently refusing to replace the defective hardware under the safety mandate without a permanent dashboard code, despite the vehicle displaying clear, dangerous physical symptoms of a failed recall remedy.

The contact's wife owns a 2015 Ford F-150. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V444000 (POWER TRAIN), and the vehicle was taken to the dealer where the recall repair was performed; however, the contact immediately began to experience intermittent transmission downshifts without warning. The dealer was notified of the failure, and the contact was made aware of Customer Satisfaction Campaign: 26N04. The dealer stated that the campaign was placed on the vehicle to address the failure experienced; however, the program only applied if a specific error code was retrieved. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the error code was not displayed. The vehicle remained unrepaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was given the same information as the dealer provided. The contact was provided a case number. The failure mileage was approximately 168,000.