Florida Personal Injury Lawyers Blog
A Ford F-150 is the kind of truck many Florida drivers depend on without thinking twice. It hauls work equipment, pulls boats, carries families, and gets used hard in the heat, rain, traffic, and long stretches of highway that come with living here.
That is why a major recall involving certain Ford F-150 trucks deserves attention.
Ford is recalling nearly 1.4 million F-150 pickup trucks in the United States. This is due to a gearshift problem that could cause the vehicle to unexpectedly shift down into second gear while driving. The sudden change could lead to speed changes, loss of control, or rear tire slippage. This would be concerning on a dry, empty road, but can you imagine the implications of this downshift on a wet Florida Highway or during towing?
What Is the Recall About?
The recall involves certain 2015, 2016, and 2017 Ford F-150 pickup trucks with six speed automatic transmissions. The issue involves signal loss between the transmission range sensor and the powertrain control module.
Ford reported one crash and two possible injuries related to the issue. There have been hundreds of warranty claims. Likewise, customer service reports have also been received.
Could a Recall Affect an Injury Claim?
Yes, depending on the facts. After a crash, people often focus only on the drivers. But sometimes another question matters too: did a defective vehicle contribute to the crash?
A recall can help point investigators toward a possible mechanical or software problem. In a case involving an F-150, an attorney may want to review the vehicle’s recall status, repair history, electronic data, maintenance records, crash report, photographs, and witness statements.
Who Could Be Responsible After a Defect-Related Crash?
Every case is different.
Depending on what happened, a claim may involve another driver, the vehicle manufacturer, a parts supplier, a dealership, a repair shop, or more than one party. Product liability and defective vehicle cases can be technical, but the basic issue is straightforward: if a defective product causes harm, the injured person may have the right to seek compensation.
That compensation may include medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, future treatment, and other damages allowed under Florida law. At Whittel & Melton, our Florida personal injury attorneys are ready to protect your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.
A recall does not automatically prove a claim. It does, however, raise questions that should be looked at carefully.
What Should F-150 Owners Do?
Ford dealers are expected to update the powertrain control module software at no cost to owners. The important thing is to check the vehicle and get the repair scheduled if the truck is affected.
If you were already involved in a crash involving one of these trucks, keep whatever records you have. That may include the police report, insurance letters, repair invoices, medical records, photos, dash camera footage, and any recall notices.
Contact a Personal Injury Attorney
If you were injured in a crash involving a 2015, 2016, or 2017 Ford F-150, especially where sudden shifting, sliding, or loss of control occurred, it may be worth having the case reviewed.
The Florida Personal Injury Lawyers at Whittel & Melton handle injury claims throughout Florida and can help determine whether a recall issue, vehicle defect, or another party may be responsible for your injuries. To find out how we can help, please call us today at 866-608-5529 for a free consultation.
The easiest way to check whether your vehicle is included in the recall is to use the truck’s VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup tool.