Ford F-150 Downshift Recall: Checking a Used 2014 Truck

If you are shopping a 2014 Ford F-150, check two recalls, not one. Recall 24V-444 (Ford 24S37) covers 552,188 trucks whose six-speed automatic can suddenly downshift into first gear when the output shaft speed sensor signal drops out, and the fix is a free powertrain control module software update. Then, in June 2026, Ford filed 26V-378 (Ford 26S45) for 44,963 of those trucks that were recorded as fixed but may not actually have the correct software. So a recall that shows as completed is not proof on these trucks. Run the VIN, and if 26S45 comes up open, get it done before you hand over money.

We read both of Ford's Part 573 reports, Ford's own recall page and NHTSA's recall data for the 2014 F-150 on November 8, 2026. The second report is the one that made us sit up. Ford audited software recall repairs going back years and found that some trucks were closed out without the remedy actually installed. If that does not make you double-check a "recall complete" line on a history report, nothing will.

What goes wrong

Ford's 24V-444 report says some trucks can lose the transmission output shaft speed (OSS) sensor signal to the PCM intermittently, which can cause a temporary, unintended downshift into first gear. Depending on speed, that can be abrupt, and Ford says it could result in loss of control. Ford's recall page adds that the rear tires can slide until the truck slows down, which is about as bad as it sounds on a wet highway.

The causes Ford lists are contamination, a short to ground, connector corrosion, connector pin swaging and incorrect outputs from the sensor itself. In other words, it is a wiring and signal problem as much as a sensor problem. Ford's recall page identifies the transmission as the 6R80. The population is 552,188 trucks from the 2014 model year built June 17, 2013 through December 23, 2014. They were not built in VIN order, and Ford estimates about 1 percent have the defect.

Warning signs, per the report: the check engine light may come on. Sometimes the signal recovers and the truck drives normally again, and sometimes you have to stop and restart to get normal shifting back. On a test drive, a sudden hard downshift, a lit check engine light, or a seller who mentions "it did that weird thing once" are all reasons to stop.

The fix, and why it was redone

Under 24S37, dealers update the PCM calibration. Ford says the new software adds a plausibility check on the OSS signal to prevent unintended downshifts into first gear and to turn on the check engine light if the signal goes intermittent. Ford's recall page says dealers will also run a diagnostic test to see whether additional transmission repair is needed. Owner letters went out starting July 1, 2024.

For a used buyer, the follow-up recall is the important part. In the 26V-378 report, Ford explains that an internal audit of software field service actions, starting in late 2024, turned up gaps around the switch from its older IDS service tool to the newer FDRS tool. In April 2026 Ford's review group concluded that several recalls done with the IDS tool may have been closed without the remedy installed. 26V-378 covers 2014 F-150s that either were confirmed to have the wrong software or had a closed 24S37 with records too incomplete to confirm. The remedy is the same software update, and this time the dealer has to validate the software part numbers before closing the recall. Ford says it knows of no accidents or injuries tied to this follow-up condition. NHTSA's data says owner letters for 26S45 were mailed July 8, 2026.

This has happened before on older F-150s

This is not the first round. NHTSA's recall data shows 16V-248 covering certain 2011 to 2012 F-150s plus some 2012 Expedition, Navigator and Mustang models for unexpected downshifts, then 19V-075 for 2011 to 2013 F-150s with the six-speed automatic, then 19V-433 for 2013 F-150s with the 5.0 or 6.2 that had been reprogrammed under 19V-075 with software that, per NHTSA, lacked the updates needed to stop the downshift. A redo of a redo, basically. NHTSA's data also ties 24V-444 to a recall query the agency opened, RQ24005, and CNN reported at the time that the 2014 problem first came to Ford's attention in February 2024. So if you are looking at any 2011 to 2014 F-150 with an automatic, run the VIN and read every transmission recall that comes back.

How to check a used 2014 F-150

• Run the VIN through NHTSA or Ford. Our Ford recall check guide covers both. If 26V-378 or 26S45 shows open, the earlier repair is in question no matter what the paperwork says.
• Ask for repair orders showing 24S37 and, if applicable, 26S45. Our guide on how to check if a recall was completed explains what a real dealer record looks like.
• Have a shop look at the OSS sensor connector for corrosion. Our speed sensor check explains what they are looking for.
• Confirm the build with our F-150 VIN decoder and read the used F-150 buying guide for everything else that ages on a 12-year-old truck.

What a history report adds

CARFAX and AutoCheck can show title brands, accidents, ownership and service visits that dealers report, sometimes including recall work. They are not a live recall database, and after 26V-378 we would not treat a "recall performed" entry as the last word on this truck. Our open recall on CARFAX guide covers how the two sources differ.

Pricing-wise, CARFAX sells single reports for around $39.99 to $44.99. CarVins resells CARFAX and AutoCheck under license and is not affiliated with CARFAX, AutoCheck or Experian. Lately a guest report has run about $5.50, members about $4.50, and both reports about $6.75, though that changes, so confirm at checkout. Pull it yourself instead of trusting a PDF the seller forwards.

Sources

• Ford Part 573 safety recall report 24V-444 (NHTSA)
• Ford Part 573 safety recall report 26V-378 (NHTSA)
• Ford: 2014 F-150 6R80 transmission sudden downshift recall 24S37
• NHTSA recall data for the 2014 Ford F-150
• CNN: Ford recalling 550,000 trucks that can suddenly downshift