Ford Recalls 273,000 Vehicles Over Faulty Parking Module Rollaway Risk
Ford Motor Company has issued a major safety recall affecting nearly 273,000 vehicles due to a critical defect in the integrated parking module. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the module may fail to lock the vehicle into park, creating a potential rollaway hazard that increases crash risk. The recall impacts specific model years of the F-150 Lightning, Mustang Mach-E, and Maverick. Ford plans to notify owners in February 2026 and will provide a software update to resolve the issue, which can be applied remotely or at dealerships.
In a significant automotive safety action, Ford Motor Company is recalling nearly 273,000 vehicles due to a potentially dangerous defect in the parking system. According to a notice from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the integrated parking module in certain vehicles may fail to properly engage when the driver shifts into park, creating a risk that the vehicle could roll away unexpectedly. This recall highlights the increasing complexity of modern vehicle electronics and the critical importance of software reliability in automotive safety systems.
Scope and Details of the Ford Recall
The recall, designated by Ford as number 25C69, affects a substantial number of popular models across Ford's lineup. The vehicles involved are not limited to a single type but span electric vehicles, hybrids, and traditional pickups, indicating the widespread nature of the parking module issue. The recall notice specifically identifies the integrated parking module as the component that may fail to lock the transmission into the park position, even when the driver has selected that gear. This failure could occur without warning to the driver, leaving the vehicle potentially able to move if the parking brake is not also engaged.
Affected Vehicle Models
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has identified three specific vehicle lines impacted by this recall. The affected models include the F-150 Lightning BEV pickup trucks from model years 2022 through 2026, Mustang Mach-E electric vehicles from model years 2024 through 2026, and Maverick pickup trucks from model years 2025 through 2026. This represents a significant portion of Ford's current and recent production, particularly affecting their newer, technology-forward vehicles. The inclusion of both all-electric and hybrid models suggests the parking module issue may be related to electronic control systems common across these platforms.
Safety Implications and Resolution
The primary safety concern identified by NHTSA is the increased risk of a crash if a vehicle rolls away unexpectedly. A vehicle that is not properly secured in park can move on its own, particularly if parked on an incline, potentially striking pedestrians, other vehicles, or property. This type of failure represents what safety regulators classify as a serious defect that could lead to injury or property damage. Ford has acknowledged the issue and is taking steps to address it through a coordinated recall campaign that will provide a permanent fix for affected owners.
Repair Process and Timeline
Ford plans to begin notifying owners of the affected vehicles about the recall starting February 2, 2026, according to the NHTSA notice. The company has identified the issue as a software problem that can be corrected through an update. This update can be delivered "over-the-air" remotely for vehicles equipped with that capability, or it can be installed by dealers for vehicles that require in-person service. The software fix is designed to ensure the parking module consistently and reliably engages the park position when selected by the driver, eliminating the rollaway risk. Owners who receive notification are advised to schedule the update promptly once it becomes available.
Context and Broader Implications
This recall represents another in a series of safety actions for Ford, particularly concerning their electric vehicle lineup. In June of the previous year, Ford recalled more than 197,000 Mustang Mach-E vehicles due to a separate problem with door latches. The frequency of such recalls highlights the challenges automakers face as vehicles become increasingly dependent on complex electronic systems and software. Each new feature and control module introduces potential failure points that must be rigorously tested and monitored. For consumers, these recalls underscore the importance of responding promptly to manufacturer notifications and maintaining awareness of any safety issues affecting their vehicles.
The integration of software updates as a recall remedy represents a modern approach to vehicle safety fixes. Over-the-air updates allow manufacturers to address certain types of problems more quickly and conveniently for owners, potentially reducing the number of vehicles that need to visit dealerships. However, this approach also raises questions about cybersecurity and the long-term reliability of software-dependent safety systems. As vehicles continue to evolve toward greater connectivity and automation, regulators like NHTSA will likely need to adapt their oversight approaches to ensure these new technologies do not compromise fundamental safety requirements.
