Ford Rollaway Risk Results in Recall of Nearly 300,000 Recent Model Year Vehicles: NHTSA

Manufacturer is recalling certain vehicles due to a software defect that can prevent them from locking the transmission into Park.

A recall has been issued for nearly 300,000 Ford F-150 pickup trucks, Mustang Mach-E and Maverick vehicles, which may pose a risk of potential rollaway events, which could endanger occupants and bystanders.

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced the Ford rollaway recall (PDF) on December 18, warning that the integrated park module (IPM) on certain recent model year vehicles may fail to lock into the Park position.

The integrated park module is an electronic system that controls how the transmission engages in Park when that setting is selected on the gear shift. 

Officials are warning that if the module fails to properly lock, the vehicle will fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 14, “Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention,” resulting in a potential rollaway event, which could increase risks to pedestrians and the likelihood of an auto accident.

According to the Safety Recall Report (PDF), Ford has received at least 22 warranty claims for Mach-E vehicles, four for Maverick trucks and 16 for F-150 trucks. The automaker is not aware of any accidents or injuries related to the issue.

The recall impacts a total of 272,645 Ford vehicles, including certain: 

• 2022 through 2026 F-150 Lightning BEV pickup trucks
• 2024 through 2026 Mustang Mach-E vehicles
• 2025 through 2026 Maverick vehicles

Ford first became aware of the recall issue on July 14, 2025, when its Cuautitlan Assembly Plant (CSAP) identified a Mach-E vehicle with a diagnostic code indicating that the vehicle did not mechanically achieve Park within 2.9 seconds of the driver selecting it. 

An investigation into the issue was subsequently opened, which included Maverick Hybrid and F-150 vehicles with similar IPMs as well. This revealed that the mechanical locking component, or IPM pawl, had become bound to the slider responsible for positioning it into Park.

Ford subsequently enhanced vehicle screening in November to reduce friction between the IPM pawl and slider. However, the company ultimately concluded that a broader field action was necessary, approving a voluntary safety recall on December 12.

The manufacturer warns drivers that if the condition occurs, the Park (P) indicator will not illuminate. Instead, a wrench light and a shift system fault message will appear on the instrument panel.

Owners will begin receiving interim letters notifying them of the safety risk on February 2, 2026. Additional letters are expected later that month once a free park module software update, which will be available over the air or at a local dealer, becomes available.

Ford’s number for this recall is 25C69. Customers may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 or the company’s contact for this recall, Dusty Gardner, who may be reached by email at dusty.gardner@dot.gov.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-275-9171), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

2025 Ford Recalls

According to NHTSA data, Ford has issued at least 147 separate recalls this year alone. 

In August, Ford recalled certain F-150 pickup trucks due to reports that axle hub bolts may break, creating a risk of vehicle rollaway, as well as additional truck models due to instrument cluster failures, which could prevent drivers from seeing safety alerts. 

The following month, Ford F-150 owners filed a class action lawsuit alleging that an oil consumption defect caused certain trucks to use excessive amounts of oil, which can damage engines, reduce efficiency and increase vehicle emissions.

Ford has also had issues with its backup cameras, recalling more than 1.4 million vehicles in September and nearly 1.5 million vehicles in October due to distorted or blank rearview camera images.

Earlier this month, a wrongful death lawsuit was filed alleging that some of Ford’s pickup trucks have a “roof-crush defect” and that the company has failed to warn owners or address the problem.

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