Ford Recall Affects More Than 741,000 Vehicles Over Rollaway Risk
- mike33692
- 26 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Ford Recall Affects More Than 741,000 Vehicles Over Rollaway Risk
Ford owners may want to check their mailbox—and their vehicle's recall status. A new Ford recall affects more than 741,000 vehicles across the United States after federal regulators identified a transmission software issue that could increase the risk of a vehicle rolling away.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the defect may cause the transmission's parking pawl to engage while the vehicle is moving, potentially damaging internal components. If that damage occurs, the transmission may fail to hold the vehicle in "Park" unless the parking brake is applied.
Ford says repairs will be performed free of charge, and owners will be notified by mail if their vehicle is included in the recall.
Ford Recall Includes Popular Trucks And SUVs
The Ford recall covers several of the company's most popular trucks and SUVs from the 2018 through 2021 model years, including:
2018–2021 Ford F-150
2018–2021 Ford Expedition
2018–2021 Ford Explorer
2018–2021 Lincoln Navigator
2020–2021 Lincoln Aviator
Federal safety officials say affected vehicles may experience temporary engagement of the transmission parking pawl while driving when certain transmission shifts occur. That unexpected engagement can damage the park system and prevent the transmission from securely holding the vehicle once it is shifted into Park.
According to NHTSA, Ford is aware of 24 reports of property damage and nine reported injuries potentially connected to the issue, including two reports involving emotional injuries.
The recall affects some of Ford's highest-volume vehicles, particularly the Ford F-150, which has consistently ranked among the nation's best-selling pickup trucks. Safety officials encourage owners not to delay repairs once they receive a recall notice.
Owners can check whether their vehicle is included by entering their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) through the NHTSA Recall Lookup Tool.
Ford Will Repair Affected Vehicles At No Cost
The Ford recall will be handled through authorized Ford and Lincoln dealerships nationwide.
Owners of affected vehicles will receive notification letters instructing them to schedule a service appointment.
Dealers will:
Update the vehicle's Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software.
Inspect the transmission for park system damage.
Replace any damaged transmission components if necessary.
All inspections and repairs related to the recall will be completed at no cost to vehicle owners.
Ford Customer Service can be reached at 1-866-436-7332 for additional assistance.
Additional recall information is available through the Ford Recall Center.
What Owners Should Do Next
While waiting for recall repairs, safety experts recommend drivers consistently use the parking brake every time they park their vehicle, especially on hills or inclined surfaces.
Using the parking brake provides an added layer of protection if the transmission's parking mechanism has been damaged by the software issue. Drivers should also pay attention to unusual transmission behavior and schedule repairs as soon as they receive their recall notification.
Consumers who are unsure whether their vehicle is affected should verify their VIN through the official NHTSA database or contact a local Ford or Lincoln dealership for assistance.
Additional vehicle safety information is available through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The Ford recall represents one of the automaker's largest safety actions this year and serves as an important reminder for owners to respond promptly to recall notices to help reduce the risk of crashes and unintended vehicle movement.
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