The Exact F-150 Downshift Recall for Your 2011–2014 Truck
Table of Contents
Which recall covers your F-150’s sudden downshift?
If your F-150 has dropped into first gear at speed, Ford has already recalled it, and the recall repair costs you nothing at a Ford dealer. Start with your model year:
- 2011–2013 with the 6R80 six-speed: Covered by 2016 and 2019 recalls. Confirm yours shows as closed.
- 2013 with the 5.0L or 6.2L: Needed a second reflash because the first 2019 software was incomplete.
- 2014: Covered by a 2024 recall, plus a June 2026 recall for about 45,000 trucks whose 2024 repair was logged but never correctly installed.
- 2015–2017: A different defect, recalled separately in 2026.
This page expands one entry in our F-150 problems by year, matched to documented Ford coverage guide.
ℹ️ Safety Note: Ford’s recall filings state that an unintended downshift into first gear can cause loss of vehicle control. This article is for general understanding. If your truck has done it, have a Ford dealer inspect it and check its recall status before you tow or haul with it.
What the “slams into first” downshift feels like
Ford and NHTSA describe the same event in every campaign: a sudden, unintended downshift into first gear regardless of vehicle speed.
Warning lights and stored codes
Many trucks also light the check engine or wrench light and store P0720, P0722, P0731 or P1500. Those are the four codes Ford’s bulletins use to decide whether the lead frame gets replaced. NHTSA’s 2024 review of 2014 trucks started from 86 owner complaints, and Ford reported 1,441 related warranty claims for that model year.
Not the same: 2015–2017 downshift to second
The 2015–2017 recall (NHTSA 26V-237, Ford 26S28) involves the transmission range sensor and a downshift into second gear, not first. It’s a separate campaign with a separate VIN list.
Why a cracked lead frame drops your truck into first
The molded lead frame is a circuit assembly inside the 6R80 transmission that carries the output shaft speed (OSS) sensor signal to the powertrain control module (PCM).
🔍 Why It Happens: The PCM relies on the OSS signal to manage shifts. When that signal drops out intermittently, the transmission can command first gear at any road speed. The rear wheels can then chirp or briefly lock.
The 2011 supplier solder-joint defect
Ford’s first investigation traced the failures to one cause. An equipment maintenance problem at the lead-frame supplier left a fatigue crack in the OSS circuit’s solder joint, on lead frames made between August 4 and December 1, 2011.
Why the cause widened after 2016
Failures kept appearing outside that build window. By 2024, Ford’s 2014 warranty data split mainly between the lead frame (38% of claims) and the transmission main control assembly (35%).
F-150 downshift recalls by year and build date
Five NHTSA campaigns cover the 2011–2014 F-150 downshift. Each one is a free PCM software update at a Ford dealer.
| Campaign (NHTSA / Ford) | Applies To | Build Window | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16V-248 / 16S19 (2016) | 2011–2012 F-150, 6R80 | Tied to suspect lead frames made Aug 4 – Dec 1, 2011 | PCM reprogram |
| 19V-075 / 19S07 (2019) | 2011–2013 F-150, 6R80 | Dearborn Apr 28, 2010 – Oct 28, 2013; Kansas City May 18, 2010 – Nov 18, 2013 | PCM update |
| 19V-433 / 19S19 (2019) | 2013 F-150, 5.0L / 6.2L, already reflashed under 19V-075 | Subset of 19V-075 | Corrected PCM software |
| 24V-444 / 24S37 (2024) | 2014 F-150, 6R80 | Dearborn Jun 17, 2013 – Aug 25, 2014; Kansas City Jul 26, 2013 – Dec 23, 2014 | PCM update; lead frame if codes stored |
| 26V-378 / 26S45 (2026) | 2014 F-150 logged as repaired under 24V-444 without the correct software | Built Jun 19, 2013 – Dec 23, 2014 (44,963 trucks) | PCM update |
Sources: NHTSA recall filings and Ford dealer bulletins. Status checked September 24, 2026.
2011–2013: three campaigns
19V-075 widened the narrow 2016 recall to every 2011–2013 6R80 truck in the build windows above. 19V-433 then recalled about 107,857 2013 5.0L and 6.2L trucks because the first 2019 software lacked the needed updates.
2014: the 2024 recall and its 2026 redo
📋 On the Record: Ford’s Part 573 report for recall 26V-378 states that certain 2014 F-150s were recorded as repaired under 24V-444 without the correct software installed, so the downshift risk may remain. Ford says the anti-downshift programming entered production with the first 2015 truck. Status: open, owner letters mailed July 2026, checked September 24, 2026.
What the recall repair actually does
The base remedy in every campaign is a PCM reprogram that prevents the unintended downshift. Hardware is replaced only when specific codes are stored.
Software for every truck
The reflash changes how the PCM responds; it doesn’t replace the lead frame. That’s why Ford’s bulletins pair it with a separate rule for the hardware.
Lead-frame replacement when these four codes are stored
📋 On the Record: Under 24S37 for 2014 trucks, lead-frame work is tied to P0720, P0722, P0731 and/or P1500 stored in the PCM. If those codes aren’t present, Ford’s 24S37 dealer bulletin says the recall does not apply to other transmission concerns. For 2011–2013 trucks, the same four-code rule ran through Customer Satisfaction Programs 16N02 and 19N01. Checked September 24, 2026.
Not sure what a stored code means? Look it up in our before your dealer visit.
Is the lead frame still covered in 2026?
For 2011–2013 trucks, the extended lead-frame coverage has almost certainly run out, but the recall software is still free.
Why the 16N02 and 19N01 windows have closed
Both programs covered the lead frame for 10 years or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date, per Ford’s 19N01 program bulletin. The last 19V-075 trucks were built in November 2013. To still be inside 10 years today, a truck’s warranty would need to have started after September 24, 2016, which is possible only for a truck sold years after it was built. The 19N01 refund offer for owner-paid repairs expired November 30, 2019.
Reimbursement and out-of-pocket reality
For 2014 trucks, 24S37 refunds apply only to lead-frame replacements documented with the four codes on a scan.
💵 What It Costs: We haven’t found a primary-source figure for an out-of-pocket lead-frame replacement on these trucks, so we’re not printing one. The job requires removing the transmission’s main control assembly. Ask any shop to itemize parts, labour hours, and fluid separately, and sanity-check the quote with our
What to do if your truck downshifts again
A repeat downshift after a recall visit is worth acting on right away, and the software fix is still free.
Check your VIN first
Enter your VIN in NHTSA’s recall lookup or our [Recall & VIN Lookup Helper]. 26V-378 exists precisely because some dealer records showed repairs that weren’t done.
Questions to ask the service desk
✅ Do This: Ask three things. (1) “Does OASIS show 24S37 or 26S45 open or closed on my VIN?” For a 2011–2013 truck, ask about 19S07, plus 19S19 on a 2013 5.0L or 6.2L. (2) “Are P0720, P0722, P0731 or P1500 stored? Please print the scan.” (3) “If codes are stored, will the lead frame be replaced under 24S37?”
F-150 downshift recall FAQ
1. Is the 2014 F-150 recalled for downshifting?
Yes. The 2014 F-150 downshift recall is 24V-444 (Ford 24S37), and 26V-378 followed in 2026 for incorrect repairs. Check your VIN.
2. What causes an F-150 to downshift into first?
An F-150 downshifts into first when the output shaft speed signal from the transmission’s lead frame drops out. Have a dealer confirm it.
3. Does the recall replace the lead frame?
The 2014 recall replaces the lead frame only when P0720, P0722, P0731 or P1500 is stored; otherwise it updates the software. Ask for the scan printout.
4. Is the 19N01 lead-frame warranty still valid?
Almost never. The 19N01 lead-frame coverage ran 10 years or 150,000 miles, and virtually every 2011–2013 truck is past it. Confirm by VIN.
5. What codes mean a lead-frame failure?
Ford’s lead-frame programs key on four codes: P0720, P0722, P0731 and P1500. Have a dealer read and print them.
6. My truck had the reflash — why is it recalled again?
Some 2014 reflashes were logged as complete without the correct software being installed, which triggered recall 26V-378. Check your VIN for 26S45.
7. Can I drive my F-150 before the recall repair?
Ford says a first-gear downshift can cause loss of control, so an unrepaired downshift recall is a real risk. Book the free repair promptly.
8. Does the downshift recall cover 2015 F-150s?
No. The 2015–2017 downshift recall is a separate campaign (26V-237) involving the range sensor and second gear. Check it by VIN.
9. Will Ford reimburse a repair I paid for?
For 2014 trucks, Ford reimburses only lead-frame replacements documented with the four codes. The 2011–2013 refund offer expired in 2019. Keep your receipts.
10. How do I check my F-150 recall status?
Enter your 17-digit VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup, then ask your dealer whether OASIS shows each campaign closed.
The short version for your model year
A 2011–2013 F-150 needs 19S07 closed, plus 19S19 on a 2013 5.0L or 6.2L. A 2014 needs 24S37 and, for about 45,000 trucks, the 26S45 redo. The software is free in every case; coverage for the lead frame itself depends on your year and stored codes. Run your VIN today.
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