Massive Ford Recall Impacts Thousands of Southern Tier Trucks and SUVs Over Rollaway Risk

After a long day, parking your vehicle is probably the last thing you think twice about. You shift into Park, turn off the engine, grab your keys, and head inside. It is such a routine part of driving that most of us assume our vehicle will stay exactly where we left it. A newly announced recall, however, says that may not be the case for some Ford and Lincoln owners.

Which Ford and Lincoln Models Are Affected by the Rollaway Recall?

Ford and Lincoln have recalled 741,195 trucks and SUVs because of a transmission issue that could increase the risk of a vehicle rolling away after it has been parked, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The recall includes certain 2018 through 2021 Lincoln Navigator and Ford Expedition models, along with some 2020 and 2021 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator vehicles, and certain 2021 Ford F-150 trucks. Not every vehicle from those model years is affected, so owners are encouraged to verify whether their specific vehicle is included.

What Causes the Ford Transmission Rollaway Risk?

According to recall documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the problem involves a component inside the transmission called the valve body separator plate.

In certain situations, it can restrict fluid flow to the park valve. That can cause the parking pawl to briefly engage while the vehicle is still moving. If that happens, the parking system can be damaged. Later, when you shift into Park, the parking pawl may not hold the vehicle securely, increasing the risk of it rolling away.

Ford Transmission Warning Signs to Watch For

The good news is that many drivers may receive a warning before the problem becomes serious.

If the system detects an issue, a wrench warning light may appear on the dashboard. The electronic parking brake may also apply automatically if the transmission does not properly reach Park. Even if your vehicle seems to be driving normally, those warnings should never be ignored.

Reported Injuries and Property Damage Linked to the Recall

According to the recall filing, Ford is aware of 24 reports involving property damage that may be connected to this issue.

The automaker has also received reports of nine injuries. The filing notes that two of those involved emotional injuries rather than physical ones. While those numbers are small compared to the total number of recalled vehicles, they show why owners should not wait to have the issue checked.

What Southern Tier Ford and Lincoln Owners Should Do Next

Ford will notify affected owners by mail. Notification letters are expected to be mailed between August 3 and August 7.

If your vehicle is included, your dealership will update the Powertrain Control Module software at no cost. Technicians will also inspect the parking system and replace any damaged components as needed. Because this is a phased recall, a full remedy is not expected to be available until sometime next year, so the software update is the fix owners will get in the meantime. Locally, Williams Ford of Binghamton handles Ford sales and service, and Lincoln owners can reach Maguire Lincoln in Ithaca.

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If you own one of the recalled models and are not sure whether your vehicle is affected, you can check your Vehicle Identification Number on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's recall lookup tool. And if you're parking on a hill or a sloped driveway, it's worth being extra mindful until that update is done.