Recall News: Ford & Volkswagen

Automakers are recalling a combined 820,000+ vehicles popular among commercial fleets.

Among the reasons for the two recalls, announced by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) are a potential for vehicles to unexpectedly downshift into first gear, and possibly faulty air bags.

Late-Model Ford F-150s: Unexpected Downshift Can Cause Loss of Control

Ford is recalling certain 2014 F-150 pickup trucks. A loss of signal between the transmission output shaft speed sensor and the powertrain control module can cause the transmission to unexpectedly downshift into first gear, regardless of vehicle speed.

According to paperwork filed by Ford to NHTSA, Ford's Critical Concern Review Group opened an investigation into the matter in February 2024 after receiving an increasing number of reports related to unexpected transmission downshifting on the 2014 model year pickups equipped with 6R80 six-speed automatic transmissions.

Previous model year F-150s have been recalled for the same issue in the past.

As of April 2024, Ford is aware of 300 warranty reports, 96 field reports and 124 customer complaints, corresponding to 482 vehicles in the U.S. received between March 2014 and March 2024 for the issue.

Of these reports, 40 vehicles had alleged rear wheel lock-up and/or loss of vehicle control. Ford is aware of 130 reports related to unexpected transmission downshifting, of which 52 alleged rear wheel lock-up and/or loss of vehicle control. Two reports allege injury and another one alleges an accident that may be attributable to this condition.

Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 1, 2024.

Volkswagen Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport SUVs: Front Passenger Air Bag May Not Deploy

Volkswagen is recalling certain 2021-2024 Atlas and 2020-2024 Atlas Cross Sport SUVs.

According to documents submitted to NHTSA, passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may experience a fault in the wiring and deactivate the front passenger air bag when the seat is occupied.

Dealers will replace the PODS sensor mat and wiring harness, free of charge. Owner notification letters for this recall are expected to be mailed August 16, 2024.

The recall decision, according to NHTSA documents, was based on 1,730 warranty claims for replaced PODS parts.