Ford is recalling more than 741,000 SUVs and pickup trucks across the United States after federal regulators identified a transmission defect that can prevent vehicles from remaining securely in Park, creating a dangerous rollaway risk that has already been linked to dozens of property damage reports and multiple alleged injuries.
The recall affects several of Ford’s best-selling models, including the Ford F-150, Explorer, Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, and Lincoln Aviator. While Ford has outlined an interim repair process, the company says a permanent fix is not expected to be available until April 2027.
The latest action adds to growing scrutiny over Ford’s quality control as the automaker continues to lead the industry in safety recalls.
Millions of Drivers Could Be Impacted by the Transmission Issue
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the recall covers 741,195 vehicles, including:
- 2018-2021 Ford Expedition
- 2018-2021 Lincoln Navigator
- 2020-2021 Ford Explorer
- 2020-2021 Lincoln Aviator
- 2021 Ford F-150
The agency says a defect inside the transmission can damage the vehicle’s parking mechanism while the vehicle is moving.
If that damage occurs, shifting the vehicle into Park may no longer keep it securely in place unless the parking brake has also been applied. Regulators warn the defect increases the risk of a crash, property damage, or injury if a parked vehicle unexpectedly rolls away.
The Mechanical Failure Happens Before Drivers Even Notice It
Ford says the problem stems from a transmission valve body separator plate that can restrict fluid flow to the transmission’s park valve.
When fluid flow is restricted, the parking mechanism can briefly engage while the vehicle is still in motion. That premature engagement may damage internal transmission components, leaving the parking pawl unable to fully secure the vehicle after it has been shifted into Park.
Drivers may notice several warning signs before a failure occurs, including:
- A wrench warning light on the dashboard
- Unexpected activation of the electronic parking brake
- Difficulty keeping the vehicle stationary after shifting into Park
Until repairs are completed, owners are encouraged to always apply the parking brake whenever leaving their vehicle.
What Ford Will Repair and When Owners Will Hear From the Company
Ford says dealers will perform several repairs free of charge, including:
- Updating the vehicle’s powertrain control module software
- Inspecting the transmission for damage
- Replacing damaged transmission components when necessary
The company expects to begin mailing interim owner notification letters on August 3.
However, Ford says the permanent repair is still under development and is not expected to be available until April 2027. Once that remedy is ready, affected owners will receive a second notification instructing them to schedule the final repair.
Reports of Injuries Add Urgency to the Recall
According to federal safety regulators, the transmission defect has been linked to:
- 24 reports of property damage
- Nine alleged injuries
- Two reports involving emotional injuries
While no widespread fatal crashes have been reported in connection with the issue, regulators determined the defect presents a significant enough safety risk to warrant one of Ford’s largest recalls of the year.
Another Recall Adds to Ford’s Growing Quality Challenges
The latest recall comes as Ford continues working to improve vehicle quality after several years of elevated recall activity.
In 2025, the automaker issued more than 150 safety recalls, setting a record for the highest number ever issued by a single manufacturer in one year. That surpassed the previous record of 77 recalls set by General Motors in 2014.
Ford has maintained that the higher number reflects a deliberate strategy to identify and correct potential safety issues earlier rather than waiting for larger failures to emerge.
The company has also expanded its engineering and safety teams, saying it has more than doubled the number of technical experts reviewing critical vehicle systems while increasing testing across powertrains, braking systems, steering components, and vehicle software.
Even with those efforts, nearly every Ford model sold between 2020 and 2026 has been recalled at least once.
What This Means for Ford Owners and Investors
For current owners, the recall serves as an important reminder to verify whether their vehicle is affected and to use the parking brake every time the vehicle is parked until repairs are completed.
For investors, the latest recall highlights the ongoing balance Ford faces between aggressively identifying safety issues and managing the financial costs that accompany large-scale repair campaigns. Although proactive recalls can reduce long-term legal exposure, they also increase warranty expenses, place additional strain on dealerships, and can weigh on consumer confidence if quality concerns persist.
With more than 741,000 vehicles now included in this campaign, investors will be watching future earnings reports for any increase in warranty reserves or recall-related costs, while owners await a permanent repair that remains nearly a year away.
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