Recall 17V669 affects 12,429 2018 Ford F-150 trucks for unintended gear selection when shifted from Park. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
Ford is recalling 12,429 2018 F-150 pickups with the 3.3L engine, 6-speed transmission, and column shifter because a quick shift from Park to Drive can erase the gear display and briefly select Reverse or Neutral. Unidentified or unintended gear selection can make the truck move against the driver's intent, increasing crash or injury risk; Ford dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The column-mounted shift lever in the 2018 Ford F-150 tells the transmission which gear the driver selected. On trucks with the 3.3L engine and 6-speed transmission, that lever works through a column shifter cable and the Powertrain Control Module, the computer that interprets the shift position and commands the transmission.
On affected trucks, a rapid move from Park to Drive can push the shifter cable past the intended position. The concern is tied to PCM software and a shifter cable installed at one end of its adjustment range. If the shift happens fast enough, about 30 milliseconds in Ford's testing, the computer can briefly read the wrong gear and command Reverse or Neutral before Drive takes over. The gear display on the instrument cluster can also lose the correct indication during that moment.
There is no warning sign before failure. The problem happens during a quick shift from Park to Drive, so the driver is not given a separate light, sound, or pedal change first.
Who's affected?
The scope lists the column shifter linkage and the transmission control module under the same automatic-transmission issue.
| 2018 Ford F-150 | automatic transmission |
|---|---|
| 2018 Ford F-150 | automatic transmission |
| Units affected | 12,429 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific pickup truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
Unidentified or unintended gear selection can make the F-150 move in a way the driver did not intend, increasing the risk of a crash or injury. There is no warning sign before the issue. Schedule the recall repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018 Ford F-150 is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the free powertrain control module reprogramming that corrects the gear-indication and unintended-gear-selection problem.
- Bring the recall notice if Ford has mailed one. If not, reference recall number 17V669 and Ford recall 17S35 when you call.
- Avoid quickly moving the column shifter from Park to Drive until the repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ford technician reprograms the powertrain control module so the transmission and instrument cluster handle the Park to Drive shift logic correctly. The software update and labor are free under the recall. Ford is not offering a separate reimbursement program for this campaign because the original warranty program already provides a free repair for this concern. If you have prior repair paperwork, ask the Ford service desk how the original warranty coverage applies.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| October 23, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 24, 2017 | Dealer notification began |
| October 24, 2017 | Dealer notification ended |
| November 20, 2017 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| November 20, 2017 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| December 5, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V669?
Recall 17V669 covers 12,429 2018 Ford F-150 trucks equipped with a 3.3L engine, 6-speed transmission, and column-mounted shift lever. A quick shift from Park to Drive can remove the gear indication and briefly select Reverse or Neutral before Drive engages, increasing crash or injury risk. Ford dealers reprogram the powertrain control module for free.
What should I do if my 2018 Ford F-150 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 17V669. If it is, contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the powertrain control module reprogramming. Reference recall number 17S35 or 17V669 when you call. The repair is free.
Does the recall repair cost anything?
No. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Ford will reprogram the powertrain control module free of charge at any franchised Ford dealer. Ask the service desk to attach recall 17V669 to the repair order.
Is it safe to drive my 2018 Ford F-150 before the recall repair?
Use extra care when shifting from Park to Drive until the recall repair is complete. The defect involves a loss of gear indication and brief selection of Reverse or Neutral before Drive engages, which can make the truck move in a way the driver did not intend.
What if I bought my Ford F-150 used?
The free repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific F-150 is included, then call a franchised Ford dealer and reference recall 17V669 or Ford recall number 17S35.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V669000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V669 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V669000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →