Southern California – A 2025 Ford F-150 Lariat driver dodged disaster Tuesday morning on Interstate 5 when the truck’s transmission mount failed at highway speed, sending the drivetrain into a violent shift during a lane change. The incident, reported around 9 a.m., forced the driver to slam on the brakes and nearly triggered a pileup. No collision occurred, but Ford has launched an urgent investigation into what sources call a possible design or material flaw affecting thousands of new trucks.
Truck Details
2025 Ford F-150 Lariat
5.0L V8 engine
10-speed automatic transmission
Transmission mount: Mexican-built, OEM part ML3Z-6068-B
Driver Account “I was merging at 75 mph when a huge shudder hit,” the owner said. “The whole drivetrain felt like it dropped. The trans shifted almost an inch, throttle went dead for a second, and the wheel yanked left.”
The driver eased off the gas and coasted to the shoulder. Vehicles behind locked up brakes, snarling traffic for several minutes.
Dealership Diagnosis Technicians found:
Rubber bushing ripped open
Steel bracket twisted
The failure likely accelerated under 500 pounds of cargo and 95°F heat, the service manager said. Ford internally labels the issue a “potential assembly concern” tied to the same 10R80 transmission family recalled earlier.
Broader Pattern Emerges NHTSA records show five low-speed crashes linked to similar mount failures. Online forums log at least two more close calls:
September, I-10 near El Paso: Mount gave way under tow load; truck fishtailed, narrowly missed barrier.
August, Chicago expressway: Mount shattered during merge; triggered three-car rear-end collision, two treated for whiplash.
Early failure rate for July–September 2025 builds sits at 8.5 per 1,000 vehicles—well above Ford’s internal benchmark.
Ford Statement “We are working closely with NHTSA and dealers to inspect affected trucks at no cost,” a company spokesperson said. Free mount checks and replacements are underway for owners who report symptoms.
Owner Action Steps
1.Inspect the mount every 10,000 miles—especially if you tow or drive in high heat. Look for cracks or fluid leaks.
2.Drive smart—at freeway speeds or under load, any odd vibration or sluggish shifting means ease off and exit immediately.
3.Demand proven parts—skip untested replacements; insist on validated mounts built to spec.
