Ford F-150 Previously Repaired Vehicles May Still Be At Risk

A new issue has been identified with certain 2021 Ford F-150 vehicles that were previously repaired under recall number 22V-188. Despite the initial repair, a small number of these vehicles may still experience a false Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) for low transmission fluid pressure, which could cause the transmission to unexpectedly shift into neutral.

The problem was first brought to Ford's attention in November 2024, when an audit was requested to review software part numbers applied to vehicles remedied under various field service actions. The initial investigation revealed insufficient data to confirm that the correct software had been applied to all affected vehicles using the FDRS service tool. Further investigation by a cross-functional team found that while most vehicles had the correct software installed, there were some cases where the software state on the service tool did not match the intended software release. Ford notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of this concern in December 2024 and began auditing the current software level for every vehicle identification number (VIN) repaired under several previously launched field service actions.

The audit, which was completed in February 2025, found that 98.8% of repairs conducted under recall 22S15 had the correct software installed. However, a small percentage of vehicles were identified as still being at risk due to mismatched software. On March 7, 2025, Ford's Field Review Committee reviewed the concern and approved a new field action to address the issue. The company is not aware of any reports of accidents or injuries related to this condition.

To rectify the problem, owners of affected vehicles will be asked to return to their dealerships to have the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software updated. This update will ensure that the vehicle's transmission operates correctly and does not unexpectedly shift into neutral.

The recall is identified as Ford's number 25S24 and NHTSA campaign number 25V-169. Owners who receive notices should contact their local dealership to schedule an appointment for the software update.

This recall highlights the importance of thorough quality control measures in the automotive industry. While Ford has taken steps to address the issue, it serves as a reminder that even minor defects can have significant consequences on vehicle safety and performance.