Ford recalls 741,000 vehicles over transmission parking brake defect: NHTSA

Key Points:

• Ford is recalling over 741,000 vehicles in the U.S. due to a transmission defect that can damage the parking system, increasing the risk of rollaway incidents; this issue is linked to 24 property damage allegations and nine injuries.
• The recall affects certain 2018-2021 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator SUVs, 2020-2021 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator SUVs, and 2021 Ford F-150 pickups, with a transmission valve body separator plate causing fluid flow restrictions and parking mechanism failures.
• Dealers will update powertrain control module software, inspect transmissions, and replace damaged parts free of charge; interim owner notifications will begin on August 3, 2024, while a permanent repair is expected by April 2027.
• This recall adds to Ford’s record-setting number of safety recalls, with over 150 issued in 2025 alone, reflecting the company’s intensified efforts to proactively identify and resolve safety issues across nearly all models since 2020.
• Ford encourages affected owners to contact customer service or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline for assistance, while the company has yet to provide a public comment on the latest recall.