Ford and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have announced a recall affecting 741,195 trucks and SUVs in the United States due to a rollaway risk.A software glitch in certain models can cause the transmission to lose the ability to hold the vehicle in park, allowing it to move unexpectedly if the parking brake is not set.The campaign focuses on models equipped with park-by-wire functionality and 10-speed automatic transmissions.
The recall includes the following vehicles: 2018–2021 Ford Expedition 2018–2021 Lincoln Navigator 2020–2021 Ford Explorer 2020–2021 Lincoln Aviator 2021 Ford F-150 This latest recall from Ford follows a broader wave of major recalls in June 2026 from a number of other manufacturers, including Jeep, Honda, and Toyota.If your Ford vehicle experiences this park-by-wire fault, a wrench icon or a service message may light up on your instrument cluster to warn you.Why park-by-wire systems can fail The shift from mechanical to digital controls Modern gear shifters operate more like video game controllers than old-school mechanical levers.
When you twist a dial or push a button to park your vehicle, you are not pulling a physical cable.Instead, you are sending a digital signal to a computer called the Powertrain Control Module.The computer then tells an electronic actuator to lock the transmission.
This setup is known as park-by-wire.While park-by-wire frees up space throughout the center console, it relies entirely on precise communication between hardware and software.Because these digital systems directly control physical components, a software issue can sometimes lead to unexpected mechanical wear.
For example, Ford recently had to issue a separate recall for Focus and Fusion owners because dealership diagnostic tools failed to upload slip-detection software properly.Meanwhile, a hardware defect on a circuit board recently prompted a Honda airbag recall due to sensor failures.The current Ford recall stems from a physical blockage inside the transmission that alters fluid pressure, which tricks the transmission's computer into thinking it should deploy a mechanical parking pin, called a parking pawl, even though the vehicle is still moving.
The parking pawl, as its name suggests, should only engage when the vehicle is stationary.When a vehicle is placed in park by the driver, the parking pawl drops into a notched ring attached to the transmission’s output shaft, which prevents the gears from rotating.The software glitch incorrectly instructs the transmission to engage the parking pawl while the vehicle is in motion.
Forcing it into place like this causes an impact that can grind down, bend, or completely shear off the parking pawl.Once that internal piece fails, the transmission loses its physical ability to support the vehicle's weight, creating a rollaway hazard the next time it’s placed in park.Related The Story Behind Ford's EcoBoost Problems (And How They Are Being Resolved) Ford's EcoBoost engine issues have plagued the automaker and made headlines globally.
Here's what it's doing to ensure the problems are fixed.Posts 13 By Adam Gray How to find if your Ford or Lincoln vehicle is affected Using public lookup tools for active campaigns Ford plans to mail official notification letters to owners between August 3rd and August 7th, 2026.However, because this is a phased safety campaign, final remedy notifications are scheduled to stretch into April 2027.
In the meantime, you can see if your vehicle is affected by visiting the NHTSA recall lookup page.Simply enter your VIN number on the NHTSA website to see everything specific to your Ford or Lincoln vehicle.Your VIN number (17 characters) is easily accessible in one of three places: near the lower portion of your windshield and dashboard on the driver’s side, on your registration card, or on your insurance card.
You can also monitor real-time updates directly via the Ford Owners Support Portal.All recall repairs will be performed free of charge by any authorized Ford dealer and can be scheduled alongside other routine service work.You do not have to be the original owner of the vehicle in order to have recall work done.
Likewise, recall work is performed at no charge, even if the factory warranty has expired.How to use the electronic fail-safe If your vehicle is included in this recall from Ford, you can use a built-in safeguard while you wait for a service appointment at a dealership.Deals Deals on Car Accessories and Everyday Tech — Big Savings Discover discounts on car safety gear and everyday tech—dash cams, OBD‑II scanners, portable chargers, and emergency kits.
Browse accessories deals now to compare offers, secure savings, and shop smart for safer drives.Deals Explore Accessories & Everyday Tech Deals The physical parking pawl inside the transmission is separate from your electronic parking brake.While the software glitch may compromise the transmission lock, the electronic parking brake clamps the brake calipers directly to the wheels, preventing your vehicle from moving.
Get into the habit of pulling the electronic parking brake switch every single time you park.Apply the parking brake before you turn off the engine, and leave it engaged until you are back in the driver's seat with your foot on the brake pedal.Ford built an automatic rollaway detection feature into the software that commands the electronic parking brake if the vehicle rolls.
However, according to the official NHTSA Safety Recall Report, the vehicle's computer modules are not always "awake" to catch a rollaway after the engine is turned off.Applying the brake manually removes any reliance on a computer module, giving you peace of mind until a dealership can flash the updated software patch.No other automaker came close to Ford's recall volume in June 2026.
Seven different campaigns landed between June 1st and June 16th, 2026, touching most of the lineup.
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