06:03 AM EDT, 03/25/2025 (MT Newswires) -- (Updates with Ford's comment in the fourth paragraph.)

Ford Motor's ( F ) 2015 to 2017 model F-150 pick-up trucks are under investigation by the US National Highway Safety Administration over an alleged fault that can cause an "unexpected, unrequested transmission downshift to a lower gear while traveling at highway speeds without any prior warning or driver input," the regulator said Friday.

The NHTSA said its Office of Defects Investigation said it has received 138 consumer complaints about the possible defect which can "cause unexpected rapid vehicle deceleration" and in some cases the a locking or seizing of the vehicle's rear wheels "resulting in a loss of vehicle control increasing the risk for crash and injury."

The investigation is proceeding with a preliminary evaluation to determine the scope and severity of the problem, the regulator said.

Ford is working with the NHTSA to support the investigation, the company said in a statement e-mailed to MT Newswires.