Ford F-150 experienced unexpected downshift on a highway post-recall service, leading to ensuing issues.
Pulled Over, Not Paid Off: One Man's Struggle with a Recalled Ford F-150
By: Dina Z from the "Car Chronicles"
Curtis Mabee hit the highway in his newly acquired Ford F-150, confident and excited about his latest ride. But when the truck starting downshifting erratically, his joy turned into worry.
With traffic whizzing by, Mabee could feel his truck pulling itself back as the speedometer hit 80. He had no idea that just a few weeks prior to his purchase, Ford had issued a safety recall warning about transmission problems.
After a service at Thor Motors Orillia, the dealership where he bought his truck, Mabee experienced the very issue Ford had warned about. So, he headed back to the dealership, asking, "What the heck happened to my vehicle?"
The Trouble with the Transmission: A Potential Recall Nightmare
In July 2024, Ford warned 2014 F-150 owners about a transmission issue. An intermittent failure of the output shaft speed sensor could result in an unintended downshift to first gear. Such a sudden downshift could cause the rear tires to slide, leading to a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Ford advised owners to schedule a free recall service at their dealership to update powertrain software and perform a diagnostic test. However, Mabee bought the rebuilt truck from Norfolk Fine Cars without knowing about the recall, paying $10,622 for the vehicle.
After reporting the downshifting problem to Thor Motors, Mabee requested a test drive with a service manager present. "It dropped right down into low gear on him," Mabee explained, "and the service manager confirmed that it was doing exactly what it was recalled for."
Both Thor Motors and Ford initially pointed fingers at each other. The manufacturer advised Mabee to go back to the dealership, while the dealership suggested he escalate his concerns with the manufacturer.
The Star Steps In: In Search of a Solution
Thor Motors notified Ford Canada about the problems with Mabee's truck soon after the initial safety recall service seemed to go awry. In a letter to Ford's technical support staff, a service manager at the dealership wrote that the transmission was downshifting erratically while driving.
Despite thorough troubleshooting and seeking help from Ford, Thor Motors determined that Mabee's truck needed a whole new transmission, which would cost about $8,700. With no work in three years due to a disability, Mabee couldn't afford such an expense.
The issue dragged on for five months. On March 4, Thor's service manager wrote Ford again, stating that the truck required a transmission because the concerns resulted from the program installed during the recall update. Still, both companies said there was nothing more they could do to help.
A Checkered Past: The Untold Story Behind Mabee's F-150
Using the truck's VIN, Mabee paid $79 for a vehicle history report from CARFAX, revealing a troubled past. The report showed that the truck had been regularly serviced since it first took to the road in June 2014.
However, in 2021, an insurance company wrote off the pickup for $16,600 after a collision that resulted in "moderate damage" to its front and sides. The report also noted that the truck had since been branded as "rebuilt."
Norfolk Fine Cars confirmed the truck passed structural and safety inspections before Mabee took it home. But these inspections do not act as a warranty or guarantee of the vehicle's condition.
Ontario's safety standards certification program for used vehicles includes a test drive, but there's no requirement for how that should be done, leaving different shops to take different approaches.
Nevertheless, it's clear that some internal components of the transmission could be hurt and go unnoticed until extra miles are added to the vehicle. That's the problem with buying a used vehicle, especially one with a checkered past.
The Lesson Learned: Buying a Used Vehicle the Smart Way
Six months after reporting the spontaneous downshifting problem with his Ford F-150, Mabee's truck is still sitting in the parking lot of Thor Motors in Orillia. He's still driving the dealership's loaner.
Was Ford right? Could Mabee's problem have been an issue since he bought the truck in August? To protect yourself from a similar predicament, it's crucial to conduct a comprehensive vehicle history check, inspect the vehicle thoroughly, check for warranty coverage, consider professional inspection, negotiate based on history, and be aware of potential legal and title concerns when buying a used vehicle.
- The industry, including media outlets like "Car Chronicles," assesses the dilemma faced by Curtis Mabee, who purchased a recalled 2014 Ford F-150 without knowing its history.
- As a result of the recall, Ford advised owners to update powertrain software and perform a diagnostic test, which Mabee did not receive from the previous owner, Norfolk Fine Cars.
- In Canada, the finance, transportation, automotive, and even lifestyle sectors agree that buying a used vehicle, particularly one with a checkered past, requires careful consideration and precautions.
- After experiencing downshifting issues with his truck, Mabee agreed to a test drive with a service manager present, who confirmed the vehicle was behaving as predicted by the recall.
- Despite the ongoing issue and Ford's initial resistance, the media continues to monitor Mabee's struggle, hoping for a resolution and industry-wide assessment of used vehicle sales practices.
- The sports and news world is keeping a close eye on the situation, as it highlights the need for consumers to invest in a vehicle history report, conduct thorough inspections, and negotiate based on the car's past.
- In light of Mabee's experience, the importance of car-maintenance Practices and warranties becomes increasingly apparent, as they could potentially save consumers from costly problems down the line.
- Eventually, the automotive industry may need to reevaluate the standards and practices for selling used vehicles, ensuring transparency and protection for consumers like Curtis Mabee.
