Ford transmission, driveshaft and wheel recalls: which ones are urgent?
55 NHTSA recalls · Ford · Power Train · model years 2018–2026 (we track 2018 and newer) · newest 2026-06-24
⚠ 2 of these recalls carry a do-not-drive advisory.
Ford's powertrain recalls repeat a few themes. Wheel-end hardware on Super Duty trucks is the most urgent: front wheel hub extenders on 2021 F-350 through F-600 and 2022-2023 Super Duty models can let a wheel detach, and a 2023 E-450 rear axle rotor bolt can loosen. Park engagement and unintended movement is the second theme — a loose transmission bolt on 2022-2023 F-150, Mustang, Explorer, Bronco and Lincoln Aviator, a mismachined valve body on 2024-2025 models, and PCM resets on the 2025 Explorer. Fluid leaks near hot parts show up on 2016-2018 Focus with the 1.0L and manual gearbox, 2019-2020 Edge, Escape and Transit Connect start/stop accumulators, and 2021 F-650/F-750. Driveshafts can fracture on 2020 Explorer and Aviator and 2025-2026 Super Duty.
Warning signs to watch for
The vehicle rolls after being shifted to Park, or moves forward when reverse or neutral is selected.
The gear the truck is actually in doesn't match the shift lever position (2019 Ranger shift cable bracket).
Transmission fluid on the driveway, a burning smell, or slipping and shifting trouble.
A sudden loss of drive power, noise or vibration from the driveshaft area.
The engine stalls while driving, or runs hot without cooling down (Transit Connect PCM software).
Is it safe to keep driving?
Two recalls carry a do-not-drive instruction. Owners of 2021 F-350, F-450, F-550 and F-600 trucks were told not to drive until the torque of the front wheel extender nuts is verified, and owners of 2022-2023 Super Duty F-350 through F-600 were advised not to drive until the repair is performed. No recall here requires parking outside. For the rest — park engagement, valve body, driveshaft, stall and fluid leak defects — Ford does not tell owners to stop driving, but set the parking brake every time, and stop for burning smells, leaks or shifting problems.
What the free repair involves
Everything here is dealer work, free of charge; none of these recalls is delivered over the air. Dealers inspect and tighten or replace wheel hub extender nuts and extenders, check driveshaft serial numbers and replace driveshafts, replace transmission valve bodies, transmissions, transfer cases and start/stop accumulators, correct or replace transmission oil cooler lines, and reprogram powertrain control module software on the Transit Connect and Explorer.
Which of these Fords am I supposed to stop driving?
Only the front wheel hub extender recalls: 2021 F-350 through F-600, where owners were told not to drive until nut torque is verified, and 2022-2023 Super Duty F-350 through F-600, where owners were advised not to drive until the repair is done.
My shifter shows Park — why use the parking brake too?
Several recalls describe the transmission not actually being in the gear the lever shows: a loose transmission bolt can prevent park engagement, a Ranger shift cable bracket can loosen, and a PCM reset can damage the park system. The parking brake is a backstop.
Can Ford send the software update to my Explorer or Transit Connect remotely?
No. Both software recalls here — the 2025 Explorer PCM reset and the 2019-2020 Transit Connect fail-safe temperature thresholds — are written as dealer-installed powertrain control module updates, so you need a service appointment. There is no charge.
A recall applies only to specific vehicles. Check your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.