Ford's downshift defect recall could expand, NHTSA says

Federal safety regulators are investigating whether to reopen and expand a previous Ford recall by more than a million vehicles for unexpected downshifting.

The initial 2016 recall affected more than 153,000 Ford F-150, Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator and Ford Mustang vehicles from the 2011-12 model years. A second recall would increase that number to an estimated 1,375,577 vehicles affected, and expand into the 2013 model year.

Since the initial recall, NHTSA's Office of Defect Investigations received 123 complaints of select Ford vehicles with automatic transmission slipping unexpectedly into first gear, "causing the vehicle to slow down suddenly without warning," according to documents published Dec. 25.

The unexpected downshift can also lock up the rear tires, or cause them to skid. The defect investigations office said it has received reports of two crashes and no injuries.

Several complaints allege their vehicles were not included in the initial recall despite having the same defect. Other reports to the office say that attempts to fix the problem in recalled vehicles have been unsuccessful.

A spokeswoman for Ford said the automaker will cooperate with the agency in the investigation.