The Ford Motor Company is recalling 741,195 vehicles that may have damaged parking systems leading to possible vehicle rollaways, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced on June 30.
The recall involves certain 2018-2021 Navigator and Expedition models as well as some 2020-2021 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2021 F-150 vehicles, according to a report posted on X by the NHTSA.
The report indicates that the transmission park pawl in affected vehicles may engage while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in park system damage.
According to the website of Tampa, Florida-based Street Smart Transmissions, a vehicle transmission dealer, the parking pawl is used in automatic transmissions to lock the output shaft and wheels from rotating when the shifter lever is placed in the “park” position.
The website further indicates that if a vehicle rolls forward or backward more than an inch after being put into “park,” the parking pawl may be badly worn. If a vehicle rolls more than a few inches or rolls freely after being placed in “park,” the parking pawl may be broken.
Notification letters to owners of potentially affected vehicles are expected to be mailed on Aug. 3. Owners may also call Ford’s customer service line at 1-866-436-7332, using the recall number “26S48.” Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall are searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Local Ford dealers will update the powertrain control module software, as well as inspect and replace any damaged transmission parts, free of charge.
NHTSA first became aware of the issue in early April, following nine reports of vehicles moving after being put in “park.” Additional issues included vehicles stuck in the park position, or driver inability to shift into park.
As a result, Ford’s Critical Concern Review Group (CCRG) opened an investigation on April 14 and determined that eight of the vehicles’ symptoms could relate to transmission park system damage. From April through May, the CCRG continued its review of warranty claims and field data, and found that the vehicle’s powertrain control module may not be awake in some instances following vehicle shutdown.
As of May 20, Ford has identified 220 reports of the problem in North America and is aware of 24 allegations of property damage and nine alleged injuries related to the issue.
Meanwhile, another Ford recall that NHTSA notified on the same day involves 36,046 vehicles with fender flares that may detach, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of an accident.
The recall includes certain 2022-2026 Bronco vehicles with fender flares that may not be properly secured.
Owners of affected vehicles will be notified by mail, and letters are expected to be sent on Aug. 10. Owners may also contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332 with the recall number “26S47.” VINs will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning Aug. 7.
Dealerships will inspect and repair or replace the fender flares as necessary, free of charge.
As of June 5, Ford is aware of 370 warranty claims, 36 field reports, and two customer reports globally related to loose or detached fender flares. The automaker is not aware of any reports of accidents or injuries related to this issue.
