Ford and Lincoln Announce Major Recall for Rollaway Risk
Ford and Lincoln have initiated a significant recall impacting close to three-quarters of a million vehicles, according to information released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). This extensive recall targets 741,195 trucks and SUVs across both automotive brands, addressing a critical safety concern related to the vehicles' parking mechanisms. The core of the problem lies with the parking pawl, a component designed to secure a parked vehicle, which may not function as intended. This defect could result in an increased risk of the vehicle rolling away unexpectedly when parked, posing a serious hazard to occupants and others in the vicinity. The affected models span several years and include popular vehicles such as the 2018–2021 Lincoln Navigator and Ford Expedition, as well as certain 2020–2021 Ford Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and Ford F-150 units.
Delving deeper into the technical specifics, the recall documents indicate that a flaw within the transmission's valve body separator plate is the root cause. This plate may restrict the proper flow to the park valve, which in turn can lead to the parking pawl momentarily engaging while the vehicle is in motion. Such an unintended engagement of the parking pawl can cause damage to the entire parking system over time. Ultimately, this damage could compromise the parking brake's effectiveness, preventing it from securing the vehicle properly when placed in park. Ford has acknowledged awareness of 24 reported incidents of property damage and nine alleged injuries associated with this issue. Notably, two of these injuries were classified as emotional, highlighting the distress and concern this defect can cause to vehicle owners.
Should this parking pawl issue manifest, drivers will typically be alerted by a warning light illuminating on their instrument panel. Furthermore, if the vehicle's transmission range sensor fails to detect the 'park' position when the gear selector is moved there, the electronic parking brake is designed to automatically activate as a compensatory safety measure. To rectify this problem, Ford plans to inform affected owners via mail, directing them to authorized dealerships. Technicians at these dealerships will then perform a necessary software update on the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) to address the underlying fault. Additionally, any parking systems found to have sustained damage due to this defect will be thoroughly inspected and replaced if required. Owners are expected to receive notification letters between August 5 and August 9. For those concerned about their vehicle's eligibility for the recall, the NHTSA website provides a resource to check specific vehicle identification numbers against the recall list.
In summary, the recall initiated by Ford and Lincoln addresses a significant safety concern regarding the potential for vehicles to roll away due to a faulty parking pawl. This widespread action affects a substantial number of trucks and SUVs from recent model years. Vehicle owners are advised to heed the upcoming notifications and promptly take their vehicles to a dealership for the necessary repairs and software updates to ensure their safety and the proper functioning of the parking system.
