After last year’s record number of recalls, Ford is forced to issue another massive callback. This time Ford is recalling 741,195 2018-2021 trucks and SUVs because a problem with the transmission may allow the vehicle to roll out of park. The recall affects Ford Explorers, Expeditions and F-150s, as well as Lincoln Navigators and Aviators. A roll away vehicle could cause an accident. Ford is aware of 24 allegations of property damage and 9 alleged injuries (2 of these are allegations of emotional injuries) related to this issue.
Vehicles Being Recalled
- 2020-2021 Ford Explorers 313,147
- 2018-2021 Ford Expeditions 246,202
- 2021-2021 Ford F-150 82,570
- 2018-2021 Lincoln Navigator 59,079
- 2020-2021 Lincoln Aviators 40,197
Why the Vehicles Are Being Recalled
According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Ford was first notified that a number of Ford Explorers had rolled away after being turned off and left in park. Ford also received complaints about other Ford Explorers and Lincoln Aviators that were “unable to shift into Park, the vehicle was stuck in Park, or vehicle moves with brake applied on 2020 Model Year (MY) Explorer and Aviator vehicles.” After reviewing customer complaints and owner questionnaires, Ford determined that a defect allowed certain vehicles to occasionally engage their transmission parking pawl while the vehicle is in motion, which could damage the park system components. According to the NHTSA Safety Recall Report, Ford’s investigation determined that while all affected vehicles have “roll away detection”, which will automatically apply the emergency parking brake if vehicle movement is detected while the vehicle is in Park, the vehicle’s Powertrain Control Module (PCM) may not be awake in some instances after the vehicle has been powered down after a period of time and unable to detect movement.
In all, Ford’s investigation found nearly 300 complaints concerning the five different models of vehicles.
How Ford Will Fix the Problems
Owners will be notified by mail and instructed to take their vehicle to a Ford or Lincoln dealer to have their vehicle’s Powertrain Control Module (PCM) updated to the latest level software. Dealers will also inspect the vehicle’s transmission for park system damage and replace damaged transmission components as needed. The updated PCM software will prevent the transmission from commanding those shifts which may result in temporary engagement of the transmission parking pawl while the vehicle is motion.
While Ford will start notifying owners by mail starting August 3, 2026, the company does not expect to be able to start repairing the vehicles until at least April 05, 2027.
The NHTSA number for the recall is 26V402. Ford’s number for the recall is 26S48.
Image by Ford
About the Author
Mary Conway is a professional automotive journalist and has decades of experience specializing in automotive news analysis. She covered the Detroit Three for more than twenty years for the ABC affiliate, in Detroit. Her affection for the Motor City comes naturally. Her father ran a gas station while Mary was growing up, in Wisconsin. Follow Mary at @MaryConwayMedia on X and on Facebook, and send her car news tips for future stories. Mary Conway is an esteemed automotive and business reporter who was inducted into the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame in 2019. Mary is a member of the Automotive Press Association, Rocky Mountain Automotive Press, Society of Professional Journalists, and NATAS.
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