Even the best-selling pickup truck in America can have a bad day, and this is the F-Series’ day. Ford is recalling a bit more than 16,000 F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450 and F-550 trucks. The issue is the switch that prevents a driver from shifting from Park into Neutral or Drive. Normally, it stops drivers from shifting out of Park unless the brake is pressed, but apparently some faulty switches were installed into the affected vehicles.
With the bad switch in place, a driver could inadvertently put their truck in Reverse or Drive, which the NHTSA is worried could lead to pedestrian injuries or vehicular accidents.
The following is the list of recalled trucks:
2011 F-150: Built between September 9th, 2011 and September 22nd, 2011
2012 F-250: Built between September 12th, 2011 and September 22nd, 2011
2012 F-350: Built between September 12th, 2011 and September 22nd, 2011
2012 F-450: Built between September 12th, 2011 and September 22nd, 2011
2012 F-550: Built between September 12th, 2011 and September 22nd, 2011
Ford will be inspecting the “Brake Shift Interlock Switch” and replacing it if necessary. Owners of affected vehicles will be notified soon, as the recall is supposed to begin on December 19th.
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 F-150 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 9, 2011, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 22, 2011, AND MODEL YEAR 2012 F-250, F-350, F-450 AND F-550 HEAVY DUTY VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 12, 2011, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 22, 2011. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NUMBER 114, THEFT PROTECTION. THE TRANSMISSION CAN BE SHIFTED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION WITHOUT PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL DUE TO BRAKE SHIFT INTERLOCK SWITCH PROBLEM.by John Suit
Source: NHTSA