Ford Motor Company announced a recall affecting more than 740,000 vehicles from model years 2018 through 2021 because a transmission defect could let the vehicle slip out of park and roll away.
Models and numbers involved in the recall
The recall covers several of Ford’s most popular trucks and SUVs. It includes 313,147 2020‑2021 Explorers, 246,202 2018‑2021 Expeditions, 82,570 2021 F‑150 pickups, 59,079 2018‑2021 Lincoln Navigators, and 40,197 2020‑2021 Lincoln Aviators. Together these add up to a total of 741,195 vehicles slated for inspection and repair.
What prompted the safety action
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said Ford first learned that some Explorers had rolled away after the driver turned the engine off and left the transmission in park. Additional complaints involved Explorers and Aviators that could not shift into park, remained stuck in park, or moved while the brake was applied. In total, the automaker’s investigation recorded nearly 300 complaints across the five models.
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The agency’s safety recall report says the issue stems from the transmission’s parking pawl, a component that locks the drivetrain when the vehicle is in park. In certain circumstances the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) may not be awake after the vehicle has been shut down for a period, preventing it from detecting movement. When this happens, the parking pawl can engage temporarily while the vehicle is still in motion, potentially damaging the park system and allowing the vehicle to roll.
Ford’s own investigation confirmed that all affected vehicles are equipped with “roll‑away detection,” a system that automatically applies the emergency parking brake if movement is sensed while the car is in park. However, the PCM software flaw can leave the system inactive, so the automatic brake may not engage. The recall is identified by NHTSA as 26V402 and by the automaker as 26S48.
Remediation plan and timeline
Owners will receive mailed notifications beginning August 3, 2026. The letters will direct them to a Ford or Lincoln dealer for a software update to the PCM and a check of the transmission’s park system. If damage is found, dealers will replace the affected components.
Repairs are not expected to start before April 5, 2027, reflecting the scale of the program. So far, the company has learned of 24 reports of property damage and nine alleged injuries linked to the defect, two of which involve claimed emotional distress.
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This recall illustrates how modern vehicles rely heavily on software to manage mechanical functions. When a single module like the PCM fails to activate, it can undermine safety features that drivers assume are fail‑safe. As cars become more digitized, manufacturers may need to prioritize over‑the‑air updates and more rigorous testing of critical control software to avoid similar issues in the future.
Customers who receive the recall notice are urged to schedule service promptly. The repair is covered under the warranty, and there is no charge to the owner for the software update or any needed part replacements. Dealers will use the latest PCM software version, which is designed to keep the transmission from commanding shifts that could engage the parking pawl while the vehicle is moving.
Owners should act quickly.