Ford and Lincoln have issued a recall for 741,195 trucks and SUVs after a transmission-related issue was found to increase the risk of a vehicle rolling away while parked, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The recall affects several Ford and Lincoln models from the 2018 through 2021 model years.
Recall Covers More Than 741,000 Ford and Lincoln Vehicles
According to NHTSA recall documents, the recall applies to exactly 741,195 vehicles across the Ford and Lincoln brands.
The affected vehicles include certain 2018–2021 Lincoln Navigator and Ford Expedition models, along with some 2020–2021 Ford Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and Ford F-150 models.
Transmission Issue May Damage Parking System
According to the recall documents, the issue involves a valve body separator plate in the transmission that may limit flow to the park valve. Depending on which gear shifts are commanded, this can cause the parking pawl to temporarily engage while the vehicle is moving.
The unintended braking caused by the parking pawl engaging may damage the parking system. According to the recall documents, that damage could later result in the parking brake not functioning properly, creating a potential rollaway risk when the vehicle is parked.
Warning Signs and Reported Incidents
If the parking pawl issue occurs, a warning light will illuminate on the instrument panel. The electronic parking brake will also be applied automatically if the transmission range sensor does not reach the Park position after the vehicle is shifted into Park.
As of the recall filing, Ford was aware of 24 allegations of property damage and nine alleged injuries. According to the recall documents, two of those alleged injuries were emotional injuries.
How Ford Will Address the Recall
Ford will notify affected owners by mail and instruct them to bring their vehicles to a dealership for repairs. Dealers will update the vehicle’s Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software and inspect the parking system, replacing damaged components as needed.
Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed between Aug. 5 and Aug. 9. Owners who believe their vehicle may be affected can check the NHTSA website to determine whether their vehicle is included in the recall.
The recall addresses a transmission-related issue affecting certain Ford and Lincoln trucks and SUVs, with software updates and inspections planned for affected vehicles through authorized dealerships.
