Automatic Transmission Control Module problems of the 2014 Ford F-150

Took in my vehicle to my local Ford dealership after I experineced sudden downshift of the transmission and getting stuck in 1st gear. I asked for a reantal vehicle or a loaner to which they said, it would depend whether or not there would be any pcm related codes that came back after connecting the car. According to them no codes came back, and explained to me that, that being the case that they would just need to reprogram my pcm. The next day I went and picked up my truck, and after just about roughly 7 miles into driving, I started experiencing sudden downshift again and my truck started slowing down rapidly almost causing an accident and getting rear ended. I was able to pull over and noticed this time my truck had gotten stuck in 4th gear. I was able to drive it back to the dealership and left it parked in the their parking lot as it was after hours at this point. The very next morning by 7:30am I was at their service desk explaining what had happened the night before after picking up my truck from them. They refused to give me any further service as they said that they had already completed the service related to the 24s37 recall, and that if I continued to experience issues, that it was a completly unrelated issue and if I wanted to get it diagnose and repaired that it would be out of pocket. After doing more reserach online, I came to find out that on some of this recall issues related to 24s37, in some cases the dealership would have to replace the entire lead frame which holds the transmission output shaft speed sensor which goes bad and causes the transmission to go crazy and thus the downshifting, and in other cases they don't have to replace this part. In my case, while there were no other codes that showed, they determined that only a reprogramming was necessary. However, given that I continue to experience the same sudden downshift issues, I suspect that it is a bad output shaft speed sensor which should be replaced under the current safety recall.

I was driving about 75mph when my 2014 Ford f150 suddenly downshifted from 6th gear to 2nd. As a result of the unexpected downshift, my body was pushed into the steering wheel, and the rear end of the truck slid sideways as it slowed down to 65mph. The truck had a loss of power and I couldn’t accelerate. When I pulled over on the side of the highway, I used my code reader to read the codes that came up. The codes that came up pointed to powertrain control module. When I looked at the pcm, it said p0720, output speed sensor. I looked up the issue online and found that there is an open recall on the 2014 Ford f150 with the 6r80 transmission, and the recall is the issue I stated above. I went to two different Ford dealerships and they said that my VIN isn’t listed under the recall so they won’t fix it. This is the manufacturers issue and they won’t fix it. The truck is unsafe to drive now.

After receiving a call from mullinax Ford in mobile, al regarding a recall for our 2014 Ford F-150 raptor (recall related to unexpected downshifting), I brought the vehicle to my workplace on [xxx], where a technician performed the software update (flash) on-site. Before the update, the vehicle was functioning without issue. That same evening while driving home, I experienced extremely hard downshifting, initially in lower gears, and worsening over time. The truck now violently downshifts, primarily into 4th gear, and sounds as if the transmission is slipping. I drove the truck again the next morning and the symptoms persisted. I contacted zachary, the original representative at the dealership, who said it may be part of the “relearning” process. My husband drove it a week later after returning from a business trip and he confirmed the issue. It has progressively worsened to the point of being undrivable. We returned the truck to mullinax Ford for evaluation on 7/29/25, and they claimed the failure was unrelated to the update and that the transmission needed to be replaced, at our expense. The truck unpredictably drops gears at high speeds, creating a sudden jerk that could lead to loss of control. This poses a serious safety risk to both the driver and others on the road. The dealership performed the recall software update and later diagnosed the truck with transmission failure, but is denying responsibility. No other third-party inspections have been done at this time. There were no warning lights or issues prior to the update. The issue started immediately after the recall software was flashed and worsened over the next 24–48 hours. The vehicle is currently at the dealership and available for inspection. We believe the issue stems directly from the pcm/tcm update applied under recall conditions. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

The contact owns a 2014 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at approximately 50 mph, the vehicle lost motive power and had downshifted independently to first gear and nearly stopped due to the rear wheels almost locking up. The contact pulled over and turned off and restarted the vehicle and regained normal transmission operation. The contact stated that no warning lights were illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer who advised the contact that the pcm software needed to be updated. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the vehicle was downshifting unexpectedly but was only downshifting to third gear. The contact stated that the "wrench" symbol was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle back to the same dealer and dtc p0722 (output shaft speed sensor, no signal) was retrieved. The contact was advised that the leadframe on the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact informed the dealer that he had received a letter for NHTSA campaign number: 24v444000 (power train); however, the contact was informed by the dealer that the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was informed of the issue and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 121,000.

After recall 24s37 was performed on my Ford F-150 to address potential sudden downshifting to first gear, my truck began experiencing serious transmission issues that had never occurred prior. The recall required pcm reprogramming, and immediately afterward, the vehicle started hard shifting and unexpectedly downshifting at highway speeds (one example 5th to 3rd gear and also while passing or decelerating). This was alarming and unsafe. Before this recall, the transmission operated perfectly with no symptoms, warning lights, or signs of malfunction. I returned the truck to the Ford dealership that performed the recall. Their road test confirmed the issue, and they diagnosed it as damage to the overdrive clutch. However, they stated the damage was “likely present before” the recall work—despite no prior symptoms—and recommended full transmission replacement at a cost of nearly $10,000, which I declined. The issue clearly began immediately after Ford’s recall remedy and fits the exact risk the recall was supposed to prevent. The vehicle is available for inspection. I believe the recall work either caused or triggered the failure and that Ford should be held accountable.

Received safety recall notice 24s37/ NHTSA recall 24v444 for my 2014 f150. Recall appears to address a safety issue resulting in the pickup downshifting into 1st gear while driving. My pickup was doing this back in 2022. It sat at the dealer for 3 months because it was too dangerous to drive (or sell) and needed a new lead frame to correct the problem, but Ford was unable to supply this part. I ultimately had to take it to a transmission shop, where they installed an after market lead frame that fixed the problem at that time (for around $1200). At that time there was a recall for 2015 models and up, but not 2014 models. Recently my pickup began going into safe or limp mode while I was driving, with a big wrench icon appearing on the dash. My mechanic said the engine code indicated the transmission was not communicating with the engine, and that it appeared to be related to this recent recall. Dealership updated the pcm, but this did not fix the problem. Ultimately, had to get a new lead frame installed ($1400). Error codes p0721 and p0722 were found, which would seem to apply to the recall. Supposedly the dealership was told that the truck was too old (2014) and and the mileage was too high (102,000) to cover the repair (although, this is a fairly recent recall). Ford customer service told me that the recall only covered the update, not any repairs to fix the underlying problem. Ford will not reimburse me for any of these repairs, but they appear to be related to exactly what the recall was for. Curious what the NHTSA's opinion is. I believe that I put in a complaint with NHTSA for this issue when it first happened. Thanks for your time.

Ford motor company issued a recall for my truck (the transmission could suddenly shift into neutral), stating that they needed to update the pcm, and my local dealership service center said they could send an employee out to fix it remotely. I had not experienced the shifting into neutral prior to the "fix". Less than a week later, as I was driving around 35mph, the speedometer dropped to 0 and the transmission stuck in 3rd gear. I waited until the next stop sign and turned off the engine and started it again and it went back to normal. The next day the same issue occurred. The speedometer would drop to 0 and the transmission would stick in whichever gear it was last in. This time is was 5th gear on a highway. I had to pull over and restart it 3 times before it resumed normal driving. I went back to the dealership and they said the electronic update wouldn't have caused the oss to malfunction and that it was a coincidence that the exact issue I was having was the same as the cause and reason for the recall. I went to an independent transmission mechanic to have the oss replaced and it has now been over a month and the problem has not returned. I don't know if the cause of the oss malfunctioning was a coincidence or if it was related to a faulty electronic update (like if the Ford mechanic didn't disconnect the battery or overloaded an electric charge when he updated the pcm). The warning sign of a wrench did appear each time the oss would drop to 0. The check engine light went on the first time but not after that.

The contact owns a 2014 Ford F-150. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds the vehicle downshifted intermittently in fourth and first gear, and did not accelerate as intended. The air bag and power train warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the pcm module needed to be reprogrammed. The vehicle was repaired but the failure reoccurred two days later. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure milae was approximately 104,000.

I received the NHTSA letter campaign number: 24v-4444 dated June 24, 2024. I took my 2014 Ford F-150 to my local dealer for service along with the NHTSA letter. The dealer told me the power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) was ok and did not need to be changed or replaced. Obviously I'm still concerned that a downshift to first gear could cause a major issue. How would you advise me to proceed? VIN [xxx] . [xxx] [xxx] [xxx] [xxx] January 10,2025 information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

The contact owns a 2014 Ford F-150. The contact stated that after the dealer had performed the pcm software update under NHTSA campaign number: 24v444000 (power train); the power train warning light illuminated the following day. The contact stated that the power train warning light was illuminated while driving and shifting from 3rd to 4th gear. The contact stated that the failure recurred while driving uphill and shifting from 3rd to 2nd gear. Additionally, the contact stated while driving 60 mph and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle unintendedly downshifted to 2nd gear. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission lead frame had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the recall remedy caused the transmission failure and had failed to correct the transmission issues. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 73,000.

My 2014 f150 XLT experienced recall s4s37. I brought the truck in for the recall after experience a sudden downshift into 1st gear while driving at 70mph. The pcm software update was installed during my first visit to my local Ford dealership (team fod in steubenville, OH). The issue occurred once more after the pcm update and team Ford dismissed me after they could not replicate the issue. The sudden downshift happened twice more and I was again dismissed as team Ford could not replicate the issue. After the downshift had occurred 4-6x, team Ford reached out to Ford support at my request to resolve the issue. They informed me I should consider replacing the lead frame. With the ongoing recall issues of the 2011-2013 f150s (which included a lead frame replacement as part of the recall), this should have been recommended at my first appointment. The sudden downshift continued over the course of 6-8months prior to team Ford recommending I replace the lead frame which then led to my transmission blowing. 1. The lead frame should be included as part of recall s4s37. 2. My transmission should be covered by Ford as the ongoing sudden downshift while team Ford failed to inform me of the correct fix inevitably resulted int he gradual deterioration of my transmission. For reference, my vehicle has 65,000miles. Ford knows the lead frame was the fix for the 2011-2013 models and cheaped out on 2014 (and potentially other years) due to the quantity of vehicles that experienced this recall.

The contact owns a 2014 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission experienced rough shifting and unintended downshifting into first gear. Additionally, the transmission inadvertently shifted to fifth gear while idling from a stop. The transmission warning light was intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who updated the pcm software, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to technical service bulletin: 13-6-8 (transmission high gear engagement from a stop); however, the vehicle was not covered under the TSB. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

The contact owns a 2014 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted to first gear. The contact also stated that the transmission shifted to the incorrect gear while driving, causing the vehicle to fail to respond as needed. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was sluggish while driving with the power train warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 24v444000 (power train); however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the pcm had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.

This began in November of 2022 as an intermittent concern. At first, it appeared that I could temporally correct by pulling over completely shutting off the truck and re-starting (re-booting) but is rapidly becoming worse and today (02/09/2023) became untenable, no matter what I did; the speedometer would not work or behaved erratically for brief periods; the information center display disappeared and then became dashes; the transmission randomly down-shits gears causing the wheels to lock up briefly or does not shift at all, causing engine rpms to spike. While thankfully this has only occurred at speeds below 40 mph, I feel that this is a safety concern for myself and others as operation of my vehicle becomes haphazard and unpredictable and I am very concerned that it may happen at higher speeds causing a crash. While I have not had the "wrench" displayed, I have read the following codes: u0401 invalid data received from ecm/pcm; p0316 misfire at start; p0722 output speed shaft sensor the local dealer sates that he believes it to be a molded lead frame issue that was recalled in previous F-150 models but as mine was a 2014, it was not covered. Obviously, the problem has not been resolved for subsequent models. Additionally, the needed replacement part is unavailable and on indefinite back-order, or as the dealer put it, on "inter-galactic back-order" so now, I have an expensive paper weight in my driveway, waiting for a part that may be months or even up to a year to arrive.

The contact owns a 2014 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 mph, the vehicle decelerated independently. The contact had not depressed the brake pedal. The contact stated that the vehicle inadvertently downshifted to first gear without the contact using the shift lever. The contact pulled over and placed the vehicle into park(p) and turned off and restarted the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle began to operate normally once he shifted back into drive(d). The contact stated that the wrench symbol and service engine warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent and occurred at various speeds. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the powertrain control module (pcm) needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the part was on a national backorder. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 19v075000 (power train). The failure mileage was approximately 155,000.

Vehicle down shifted from 6th gear to 1st gear, while going 70. Rear tires locked up and slide. Vehicle repeat the issue after a brief stop on the side of road to check for broken parts and determining there was nothing visually broken and no warning lights, error codes, or weird sounds when cranked. Pulled vehicle over and called for a trailer. Trailered vehicle to residence. Found where Ford has a recall for similar event in the 2011-13 models related to oss and pcm.

The contact owns a 2014 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 70 mph on the highway, the vehicle shifted down to 1st gear and the tires locked up. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to take the vehicle to an independent mechanic. The mechanic had repaired the pcm and the vehicle speed sensor. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 147,047.

I have a 2014 f150 ecoboost and there is a recall from Ford for a temporary loss of signal with the output shaft speed sensor however not for my year. I tried to go to Ford to have them reflash the pcm like the other years they could not do it I have had my truck go into 1st gear on several occasions while on the freeway at 60+ mph. I have had it stutter in 1st gear and then shift to 5th with the wrench light turning on while trying to pull out into traffic.

Major transmission failure that causes sudden unintended downshift to first gear, even at high speeds. This occurs often and randomly without warning, causing the engine to "redline", rear tires to slide and the vehicle to come to a near sudden stop. This is an extreme safety concern, especially in slippery road conditions as the vehicle could overturn or slide off the road or at a minimum be rear-ended for suddenly stopping unexpectedly on a freeway. This is a widely known problem by Ford. The local Ford service manager admitted that his 2013 f150 has the same issue and he continues to drive it because he tried fixing it by replacing the molded lead plate in the transmission and that didn't resolve the problem. Remember, I noted this is a Ford service manager! Ford has issued a recall (24s37); however, the prescribed solution is to have the powertrain control module (pcm) software updated and that prescribed fix actually makes the sudden downshifting happen more often. This is the cheapest, band-aid solution that Ford hides behind so they can say that they are addressing this issue. A second Ford dealership down the road actually admitted that they have identified that the recommended software update actually makes the problem worse and they practically refuses to perform the software update for their customers. After several discussions with Ford's recall assistance team and several discussions with a local dealership's service manager, Ford is not willing to do anything more, despite this major safety issue not only not getting resolved, but actually has gotten worse due to their band-aid approach of a software update. In my case, if further diagnosis is to be performed, I have to be the one that covers that cost and also I would be the one to cover the cost of repairs. To me, this is completely unacceptable. The rational that Ford uses to deny accountability is that the vehicle's computer doesn't register any dtc codes when the incident occurs.