Recalls are set for nearly 1.5 million F-150 trucks.

Ford is recalling 1.48 million F-150 pickup trucks in North America, seeking to remedy a potential downshift issue in the 6-speed automatic transmission. According to the company, drivers of certain F-150s from the model years 2011-2013 could experience an unwanted downshift into first gear, a problem that could potentially result in loss of control.

This problem stems from 6-speed automatics that may experience an intermittent loss of the transmission output speed sensor signal to the powertrain control module. Left unchecked, it may potentially result in a temporary and unintended downshift into first gear.

The recall covers 1.26 million trucks in the United States and 221,000 in Canada. It is reported that Ford is aware of five accidents which could be related to this issue, including an incident in which a vehicle occupant sustained whiplash injuries.

There was a similar recall issued back in April 2016. Back then, the recall was limited to about 150,000 trucks from the 2011-2012 model years. According to the NHTSA website, the 2016 recall was intended to resolve a problem described as “an unexpected downshift into first gear that can cause the vehicle to slow down suddenly without warning”. Sounds similar to the recall announced today.

Ford says the affected 2011-13 F-150 pickup trucks were built at Dearborn Assembly Plant from April 28, 2010 to Oct. 28, 2013. Trucks assembled at the enormous Kansas City Assembly Plant from May 18, 2010 to Nov. 18, 2013 are affected by this recall as well.

Dealers will update the powertrain control module software in the affected vehicles. The Ford reference number for this particular recall is 19S07.