Ford Motor Co. is recalling more than 741,000 vehicles in the United States after federal regulators said a transmission defect could damage the park system and allow vehicles to roll away, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the recall covers 741,195 vehicles equipped with park-by-wire functionality and 10R80 or 10R60 transmissions. Affected models include certain 2018-2021 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator SUVs, 2020-2021 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator SUVs, and 2020-2021 Ford F-150 pickup trucks.
The agency said the issue can cause the transmission parking pawl to temporarily engage while the vehicle is moving during certain transmission shifts. That can damage components of the park system, potentially preventing the transmission from securely holding the vehicle in park if the parking brake is not applied.
If the park system is damaged, the vehicle could move unexpectedly after being shifted into park, raising the risk of crashes or injuries.
Federal regulators said Ford is aware of 24 reports of property damage and 9 reports of injuries connected to the issue. Two of the reported injuries involve allegations of emotional injuries.
Ford estimates that about 1% of the recalled vehicles are affected by the defect.
Drivers may notice a wrench warning light illuminated on the instrument panel if the problem occurs. The electronic parking brake is also designed to automatically engage if the vehicle does not successfully shift into park when commanded.
To address the issue, Ford dealers will update the vehicles’ Powertrain Control Module software to the latest version. Dealers will also inspect transmissions for park system damage and replace damaged components as needed, at no cost to owners.
Owners of affected vehicles will receive notification letters instructing them to schedule service with a Ford or Lincoln dealership.
In a separate action, Ford is recalling 36,046 Bronco SUVs from model years 2022 through 2026 because improperly secured fender flares could detach while driving, creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will inspect the Bronco fender flares and repair or replace them as necessary, free of charge.
Vehicle owners seeking more information about the transmission recall can contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.
