A major Ford recall covers more than 741,000 vehicles after a transmission defect raised rollaway safety concerns nationwide.
Ford is recalling 741,195 vehicles across the United States after identifying a transmission-related defect that could prevent the parking system from holding a vehicle securely, increasing the risk of unintended rollaways and potential crashes.
The recall applies to select 2018-2021 Ford Expedition, 2018-2021 Lincoln Navigator, 2020-2021 Ford Explorer, 2020-2021 Lincoln Aviator, and 2021 Ford F-150 models equipped with the automaker's 10R80 automatic transmission and park-by-wire system.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the transmission's parking pawl can temporarily engage while the vehicle is still moving during certain shift events. That unexpected engagement may damage components inside the transmission's park system. If that damage occurs, the transmission may no longer be able to keep the vehicle stationary after it is shifted into Park, particularly if the parking brake is not applied.
Ford estimates that roughly one percent of the recalled vehicles are affected by the defect. Drivers may notice a wrench warning light on the instrument cluster, while the electronic parking brake is designed to apply automatically if the vehicle fails to enter Park when commanded. Even so, regulators warn that damaged park system components could still allow a parked vehicle to roll away.
As part of the recall, Ford and Lincoln dealers will update the Powertrain Control Module software and inspect each vehicle for transmission damage. Any damaged park system components will be replaced at no cost to owners.
The automaker has identified 24 reports of property damage potentially linked to the issue, along with nine reported injuries. Two of those injury reports involve alleged emotional distress.
Ford plans to begin notifying owners of the safety risk by mail in early August. A second notification will be sent once all repair parts and final remedies are fully available. The recall is identified internally by Ford as 26S48.
In a separate action, Ford is also recalling 36,046 2022-2026 Bronco SUVs because improperly secured fender flares could detach while driving, creating a road hazard. Dealers will inspect the affected vehicles and repair or replace the fender flares free of charge.