Ford Recall: 741,000 F-150, Expedition, Explorer, Aviator, Navigator Vehicles May Roll Away
Ford has issued another major safety recall, this time involving 741,195 Ford and Lincoln vehicles in the United States because of a transmission-related defect that may damage the vehicle’s park system and create a rollaway risk. The recall is identified by NHTSA as Recall No. 26V402, with Ford’s internal recall number listed as 26S48.
The affected vehicles include certain 2021 Ford F-150, 2020–2021 Lincoln Aviator, 2020–2021 Ford Explorer, 2018–2021 Lincoln Navigator, and 2018–2021 Ford Expedition vehicles equipped with park-by-wire functionality and Ford’s 10R80 transmission.
What’s the Problem?
According to Ford’s recall filing with NHTSA, affected vehicles may experience a temporary engagement of the transmission parking pawl while the vehicle is in motion when certain transmission shifts are commanded. That unintended engagement can potentially damage components in the park system.
The parking pawl is part of the transmission system that helps hold a vehicle in place when it is placed in Park. If the park system is damaged, the vehicle’s ability to remain stationary in Park may be affected, especially if the parking brake is not applied. NHTSA’s safety risk description states that unintended vehicle movement in Park increases the risk of a crash or injury.
Ford’s explanation points to the transmission valve body separator plate. The filing states that the separator plate may limit flow to the park valve, which can cause temporary park pawl engagement during certain commanded shifts.
This is not just a warning-light issue or a minor drivability complaint. A vehicle that can move unexpectedly after being placed in Park presents a serious safety concern, especially in driveways, parking lots, garages, hills, school zones, and other areas where pedestrians or property may be nearby.
Allegations
The recall population is large: 741,195 potentially affected vehicles. Ford estimated that about 1% of the recalled population may contain the defect, but even a small percentage of a recall this large can involve thousands of vehicles.
Ford reported that, as of the recall filing, it was aware of 24 allegations of property damage and 9 alleged injuries, including two allegations involving emotional injuries, related to this issue.
NHTSA’s filing also describes how the issue came under review. On April 6, 2026, NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation contacted Ford regarding Vehicle Owner Questionnaires involving reports such as vehicles moving after shifting into Park, being unable to shift into Park, becoming stuck in Park, or moving with the brake applied in certain 2020 Explorer and Aviator vehicles. Ford opened an internal investigation shortly after that contact.
Ford’s investigation later reviewed warranty claims, field data, connected vehicle data, Diagnostic Trouble Codes, and production records to determine which vehicles used the separator plate design with the potential for reduced flow.
Recall / TSB
The recall covers several Ford and Lincoln models, but not every vehicle within those model years is necessarily included. The affected vehicles were identified through transmission plant and vehicle assembly plant records and are not produced in VIN order. Ford states that owners can confirm applicability by contacting Ford, a local Ford or Lincoln dealer, or checking vehicle-specific recall information.
The affected vehicles include:
2021 Ford F-150
NHTSA lists 82,570 potentially involved F-150 vehicles produced from January 8, 2020 through October 8, 2021, equipped with park-by-wire functionality and 10R80 transmissions.
2020–2021 Lincoln Aviator
NHTSA lists certain Aviator vehicles equipped with park-by-wire functionality and the relevant transmission configuration.
2020–2021 Ford Explorer
The recall includes certain Explorer vehicles within the affected transmission population.
2018–2021 Lincoln Navigator
The recall includes certain Navigator vehicles equipped with park-by-wire functionality and 10R80 transmissions.
2018–2021 Ford Expedition
NHTSA lists 246,202 potentially involved Expedition vehicles produced from March 14, 2017 through July 27, 2021, equipped with park-by-wire functionality and 10R80 transmissions.
Ford’s remedy is expected to include a Powertrain Control Module software update. Dealers are also instructed to inspect the transmission for park system damage and replace damaged transmission components as needed, at no charge.
The updated software is intended to prevent the transmission from commanding the shifts that may result in temporary engagement of the parking pawl while the vehicle is in motion.
Symptoms
Owners should take this recall seriously if they have experienced any unusual Park, shifting, or transmission-related symptoms.
Possible symptoms may include:
Vehicle moves after being shifted into Park
Vehicle rolls or creeps while apparently in Park
Vehicle will not shift into Park
Vehicle becomes stuck in Park
Vehicle moves even when the brake is applied
Wrench light or warning light on the instrument panel
Electronic parking brake applying automatically
Transmission-related warnings, Diagnostic Trouble Codes, or abnormal shifting behavior
Ford’s recall filing states that customers may receive a wrench light in the instrument panel cluster, and the electronic parking brake may automatically apply if the transmission range sensor does not reach the Park position when Park is commanded.
The problem is especially concerning because Ford’s own recall chronology notes that while affected vehicles may have rollaway detection and electronic parking brake strategies, the Powertrain Control Module may not always be awake after the vehicle has been powered down for a period of time and therefore may be unable to detect movement in some instances.
That detail matters. A vehicle may appear to be parked and powered down, but if the park system is damaged and the electronic safeguard is not active, a rollaway event may still occur.
Why This Matters for California Lemon Law Claims
A recall does not automatically mean every affected vehicle is a lemon. But a recall also does not erase a consumer’s rights.
If your Ford or Lincoln vehicle has had repeated transmission, shifting, parking brake, rollaway, or Park-system problems, the recall may be part of a larger warranty history. For California consumers, what matters is not just whether Ford issued a recall, but whether the manufacturer or its authorized dealers were able to repair the vehicle within a reasonable number of attempts.
Under California’s lemon law, a consumer may have a claim when a vehicle has a warranty-covered defect that substantially impairs its use, value, or safety, and the manufacturer or dealer cannot repair it within a reasonable number of opportunities.
A rollaway risk is exactly the type of issue that can substantially affect safety. A vehicle that cannot reliably stay in Park is not merely inconvenient. It can create a risk of property damage, injury, and loss of confidence in the vehicle.
For many owners, Ford may present the recall as the solution. But if the vehicle has already been in the shop multiple times, has spent significant time out of service, or continues to have problems after the recall repair, the owner should not assume that a free recall repair is the only remedy available.
How to Proceed
If you own one of the recalled Ford or Lincoln vehicles, consider taking the following steps:
Check whether your VIN is included in NHTSA Recall No. 26V402 or Ford Recall No. 26S48.
Schedule the recall repair with a Ford or Lincoln dealer.
Ask the dealer to document all customer complaints, warning lights, Park-system concerns, rollaway concerns, shifting issues, and transmission symptoms on the repair order.
Keep copies of every repair order, even if the dealer says “no problem found.”
Take photos or videos of warning messages, wrench lights, rollaway behavior, or shifting problems when safe to do so.
If your vehicle moves after being placed in Park, use the parking brake and avoid parking on inclines until the issue is inspected.
Do not rely only on verbal explanations from the dealership. Make sure the paperwork reflects what happened.
If the vehicle has had repeated repairs or significant downtime, speak with a California lemon law attorney before accepting a low-value trade-in, goodwill offer, or warranty-only explanation.
Call Valero Law
Ford’s recall of more than 741,000 vehicles for a park-system defect is a serious safety development for owners of affected Ford F-150, Expedition, Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and Lincoln Navigator vehicles.
If your Ford or Lincoln has experienced rollaway issues, difficulty shifting into Park, transmission warnings, parking brake problems, or repeated dealer visits, you may have rights beyond the recall repair.
Contact Valero Law to discuss whether your vehicle may qualify for relief under California’s lemon law.