Ford bulletin SSM 54976
What it saysSome 2023-2026 F-53 Motorhome Chassis/F-59 Commercial Stripped Chassis and 2024-2026 F-650/F-750/E-Series vehicles equipped with a 6R140 transmission may be limited to 5th gear and reverse gear only. NHTSA’s full summary ↓
Ford filed this with NHTSA as a service bulletin dated Jul 1, 2026, received Jul 7, 2026, about the electrical system. It names 20 model years (2023–2026). A service bulletin is not a safety recall: it is the manufacturer telling its dealers how to diagnose or repair a condition, and whether the work is paid for depends on the warranty in force. Quoting the number at a service desk can save a diagnosis.
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What the bulletin says
Source: NHTSA's summary of the manufacturer's communicationWhat it applies to, as NHTSA’s summary states it — build dates and equipment as the manufacturer filed them. The dealer checks the VIN and the build date on the door jamb; a vehicle outside the window is not covered by this bulletin.
Some 2023-2026 F-53 Motorhome Chassis/F-59 Commercial Stripped Chassis and 2024-2026 F-650/F-750/E-Series vehicles equipped with a 6R140 transmission may be limited to 5th gear and reverse gear only. Additionally, the driver will be able to shift back to park. Diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P2701, P2704, P0757, and/or P0733 may be stored in the powertrain control module (PCM). This may be due to PCM software being unable to command the transmission solenoid clutch actuators when the battery has a low state of charge (SOC) and/or the vehicle has been jump started. To restore proper transmission functionality, charge the battery as stated in the Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 414-01 Charging System > General Information. Cycle the ignition on then off and leave the vehicle off for 5 minutes to confirm the condition is no longer present. To prevent this issue from reoccurring, refer to the Owner's Manual > Storing Your Vehicle > Preparing Your Vehicle for Storage > 12V Battery. Replacement of transmission components will not resolve this condition. Inform the customer that the condition has no impact on tr
Trouble codes it names: P0733 P0757 P2701 P2704
Document filed under this number
| Document | Kind | Dated | NHTSA id | At NHTSA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SSM 54976 | Service bulletin | Jul 1, 2026 | 11034609 | PDF, 73 KB |
The summary is NHTSA’s abstract of the document, as filed under 49 CFR 579.5. One communication is usually filed as several documents — the bulletin, a dealer notice, an owner letter — and the number on any of them finds this page. A PDF link is shown only once NHTSA’s own server has been seen to serve that document; the rest are checked over the following nights. Quote the number at a service desk; it is what the dealer’s system is keyed on.
Model years it names
Source: as the manufacturer filed themAlso filed against model years this site has no page for: 2023 Ford F-53; 2024 Ford F-53; 2025 Ford F-53; 2026 Ford F-53; 2023 Ford F-59; 2024 Ford F-59; 2025 Ford F-59; 2026 Ford F-59; 2024 Ford F-650 Incomplete Chassis; 2023 Ford F-650 SD; 2024 Ford F-650 SD; 2025 Ford F-650 SD; 2026 Ford F-650 SD; 2023 Ford F-750 SD; 2024 Ford F-750 SD; 2025 Ford F-750 SD; 2026 Ford F-750 SD.
A vehicle page’s bulletin list shows the newest few communications filed against that model year; the count there is every one.
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What owners reported
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseOwners of the 3 model years this bulletin names have filed 12 complaints with NHTSA since 2015. 6 of them name Power Train, Electrical System — the same broad component group this bulletin is filed under. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so that means the same area of the vehicle, not necessarily the same fault.
Van does not always engage in reverse. Slips into neutral instead and rolls. Takes several attempts, sometimes over the course of 10+ minutes to get the transmission to engage into reverse. Problem has been intermittent over the past 30 days. May be related to NSTSA Recall 23V625 although not as described in notice 23S54
2024 Ford E-Series · Power Train · filed with NHTSA Nov 3, 2023 · ODI 11553422
The component that failed was the driveline on our RV. Specifically, the driveline was installed at an incorrect angle, which caused excessive vibrations and loud noises while driving at highway speeds. The improper driveline angle posed a serious safety risk to my family and others on the road.
2025 Ford E-Series · Power Train · filed with NHTSA Apr 19, 2025 · ODI 11655655
Description When your vehicle is in reverse gear, the vehicles exterior sounder backup alarm may only produce an intermittent warning sound or may be inoperative and produce no warning sound.
2026 Ford E-Series · Power Train · filed with NHTSA Jun 14, 2026 · ODI 11744042
A complaint is one owner’s account, not a defect finding, and a bulletin is not a recall. Nothing here says this bulletin was issued because of these complaints, or that the repair it describes fixed them. Complaint files on this site begin in 2015.
More bulletins about the electrical system
Source: same model, same component group27 other manufacturer communications filed against these Ford models under the same component group (electrical system), newest first. The eight newest are listed; the rest are on the Ford list.
| Number | Kind | Dated | NHTSA’s summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25N15 S1 | Other | Apr 20, 2026 | Customer Satisfaction Program 25N15 - Supplement #1 Certain 2015-2019 Model Year Multiple Vehicle Lines Rear View Camera Inspection For One… |
| SSM 54601 | Service bulletin | Feb 24, 2026 | Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with wired keyless entry keypad systems and accessory wireless keyless entry keypad systems may or may no… |
| 25H05 | Other | Nov 19, 2025 | This is a proactive investigation program by Ford Motor Company to inspect a limited number of affected vehicles that are customer-owned. F… |
| SSM 54190 | Other | Sep 1, 2025 | If the vehicle is built with minor feature code "(IEPAA) - LESS CELLPHONE INTERFACE SYSTM", the vehicle is not misbuilt. Do not submit a cla… |
| TSB 25-2322 | Service bulletin | Jul 18, 2025 | This article supersedes TSB 25-2200 to update the parts list to add the new camshaft and tappet service kit and add F-650/F-750. Some of the… |
| TSB 24-2210 | Service bulletin | Jul 9, 2024 | This article supersedes TSB 23-2426 to update the list of modules needing a software update in the Service Procedure. Some 2023 F-Super Duty… |
| SSM 52345 | Service bulletin | Mar 8, 2024 | Some 2022-2024 various Ford/Lincoln vehicles equipped with SYNC 4 may experience concern where customers are receiving an error message when… |
| SSM 52333 | Service bulletin | Mar 6, 2024 | Many body control module C (BCMC) warranty return parts are coming back with no trouble found. To verify that the BCMC is at fault prior to… |
Quote the number at the service desk. It is what the dealer’s system is keyed on.
Every manufacturer communication NHTSA holds for Ford, by the number printed on the letter.
Common questions
Source: NHTSA, 49 CFR 579.5Is Ford SSM 54976 a recall?
No. A service bulletin is a manufacturer communication filed with NHTSA under 49 CFR 579.5; a safety recall carries an NHTSA campaign number (two digits, a letter, six digits) and a federal duty to repair for free. Check the vehicle’s recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or on its page here.
Is the SSM 54976 repair free?
Not automatically. A service bulletin describes how to diagnose or repair a condition; who pays depends on the warranty in force, any extension, and the dealer. Quoting the number can save a diagnosis either way.
Which vehicles does SSM 54976 cover?
The manufacturer filed it against 20 model years: 2026 Ford E-Series, 2025 Ford E-Series, 2024 Ford E-Series, 2023 Ford F-53, 2024 Ford F-53, 2025 Ford F-53 and more. Whether one particular vehicle is affected is a matter of its VIN and its build, not its model year alone.