Ford has issued another large U.S. safety recall as automakers continue facing close scrutiny from federal regulators over defects that can increase crash risk. This time, the action centers on 741,195 Ford and Lincoln vehicles that may not stay securely in Park because of a transmission-related problem.
Ford names five vehicle lines in recall tied to rollaway risk
Ford submitted the safety recall report to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on June 24, and NHTSA assigned it recall number 26V402 while Ford labeled it 26S48. The company said 741,195 vehicles in the United States are potentially involved, and estimated about 1% may have the defect. Reuters and the Associated Press both reported the recall on June 30 after the federal filing became widely circulated.
The recall covers certain 2021 Ford F-150 pickups, 2020-2021 Lincoln Aviators, 2020-2021 Ford Explorers, 2018-2021 Lincoln Navigators, and 2018-2021 Ford Expeditions, according to Ford’s Part 573 report filed with NHTSA. The largest group is the Ford Explorer at 313,147 vehicles, followed by the Expedition at 246,202, the F-150 at 82,570, the Navigator at 59,079, and the Aviator at 40,197. Ford said affected vehicles are not produced in VIN order, so model year alone does not confirm whether a specific vehicle is included.
Federal regulators said the transmission defect may damage the park system and could allow a vehicle to roll away after being shifted into Park. Ford told NHTSA that owners will need a Powertrain Control Module software update, and dealers will also inspect transmissions for park system damage and replace damaged parts if needed. The repair will be performed at no cost to owners, according to Ford’s filing.
The recall is national, and Ford has not released a state-by-state breakdown of affected vehicles. That means drivers in any U.S. market, including large Ford-heavy regions where F-150s, Explorers and Expeditions are common, will need to rely on VIN-specific lookup tools rather than a local dealer list or statewide count. Ford’s filing says the affected vehicles were built across specific production windows between March 2017 and November 2021, depending on the model.
Ford said VINs became searchable on June 26, 2026, before owner letters were scheduled to go out. Interim owner notification letters are expected to begin mailing August 3, 2026, and run through August 7, 2026, while remedy letters are expected to be mailed in phases during the second quarter of 2027 because the recall includes both software updates and inspections for existing transmission damage.
For drivers wondering whether their vehicle is on the list, Ford says recalls are VIN-specific and owners can check through Ford’s recall page or the Ford app. The company also says recall letters are mailed to the last known registered owner and recall repairs are completed free of charge by authorized Ford dealers. NHTSA also maintains a VIN recall lookup system for vehicle owners.
Ford’s defect report says the issue begins when the transmission valve body separator plate may limit flow to the park valve. That condition can cause temporary engagement of the transmission parking pawl while the vehicle is moving during certain commanded shifts, potentially damaging park system components. If damage occurs and the parking brake is not applied, the vehicle may not remain secure in Park, increasing the risk of a crash or injury, according to the filing.
The chronology in Ford’s filing shows NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation contacted the automaker on April 6, 2026, about 11 vehicle owner questionnaires involving nine vehicles, mostly 2020 Explorer and Aviator models. Ford opened an internal investigation on April 14, reviewed warranty claims, connected vehicle data and diagnostic trouble codes through April and May, and approved the field action on June 16. Ford said it was aware of 24 allegations of property damage and nine alleged injuries, including two allegations of emotional injuries, related to the issue.
Ford said affected vehicles have roll-away detection designed to automatically apply the electronic parking brake if movement is detected while the vehicle is in Park, but the company determined the Powertrain Control Module may not always be awake after the vehicle has been powered down for a period of time. That is why the remedy includes updated software intended to prevent the transmission from commanding the shifts that can lead to temporary park pawl engagement, along with inspection and replacement of damaged transmission components where necessary.