Ford issues second recall for 2018 F-150 trucks after faulty transmission fix falls short

Ford is recalling 10,742 model-year 2018 F-150 pickup trucks because a transmission software defect could cause the vehicles to move in an unintended direction, increasing the likelihood of a crash or injuries.

The latest action is part of a series of Ford recalls tied to previous repairs that were not successfully completed, leaving some vehicles with unresolved safety issues.

The recall also follows a federal agreement requiring the automaker to take a closer look at past recall campaigns after regulators concluded the company had failed to give sufficient priority to public safety.

According to Ford, a software error may prevent the truck from correctly identifying the selected gear. As a result, the vehicle could shift into reverse when the driver intends to move forward.

If that happens, the truck could unexpectedly travel in the wrong direction, creating a risk of striking nearby vehicles, pedestrians, or other obstacles.

Ford previously recalled more than 12,000 F-150 pickups in October 2017 to update their transmission control modules, a repair intended to eliminate incorrect gear selection.

However, the automaker said an internal processing issue prevented the software update from being completed on every affected truck, leaving some vehicles with the original defect.

The latest recall comes as Ford remains under heightened oversight from the U.S. auto safety regulator, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, following a consent order reached with the agency in November 2024.

Under that agreement, Ford agreed to pay a $165 million civil penalty for violating federal safety requirements and failing to provide regulators with complete and accurate recall information. The company also committed to improving its recall decision-making process, accelerating safety actions, and reviewing previous recalls to confirm that every affected vehicle was included.

Dealers will install the updated software at no cost to owners.

Ford plans to mail owner notification letters between July 6 and July 10, 2026.