The initial recall affected over 153,000 Ford F-150, Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator and Ford Mustang vehicles from model years 2011-12. The expanded action would increase that number to an estimated 1,375,577 vehicles, and include cars from model year 2013, according to Automotive News.
Since the initial recall, NHTSA has received at least 123 complaints of Ford vehicles equipped with automatic transmission slipping into first gear unexpectedly, “causing the vehicle to slow down suddenly without warning,” according to documents published last month by the agency. The problem can also cause the rear tires to lock up and skid, NHTSA said.
A number of vehicle owners have complained that their vehicles were not included in the initial recall, despite having the same defect. Others say attempts to fix the problem in recalled vehicles have been unsuccessful.
To date, there have been at least two crashes linked to the Ford downshifting problem, according to the NHTSA. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported, the agency said.
Source: Autoweek