Home › Ford › Explorer › 23V199000
Ford Explorer Parking Brake and Driveshaft Defect
high How serious is it? About this label
Without the parking brake applied, the vehicle could roll away if the driveshaft disconnects, and a disconnected driveshaft can also cause a loss of drive power. Either of these can increase the risk of a crash. The notice does not tell owners to stop driving.
Key facts
| NHTSA campaign number | 23V199000 |
|---|---|
| Reported to NHTSA | Mar 24, 2023 |
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| Part affected | Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm) |
| Vehicles covered | 3 model/year combinations, model years 2020–2022 |
| Do-not-drive advisory | No |
| Park-outside advisory | No |
| Repair | Free at any franchised dealer |
What's wrong, in plain English
Ford is recalling certain Explorer vehicles with a 2.3L RWD, 3.3L gas, 3.3L hybrid, or 3.0L ST engine. An earlier software update was supposed to add an automatic parking brake feature when the vehicle is shifted into park, but it did not. In addition, a bolt that holds the rear axle in place may crack, which can cause the driveshaft to disconnect from the vehicle.
What you should do
Contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 (recall number 23S16).
Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, free of charge.
Where do I find my VIN, and what do I tell the dealer?
Your VIN is the 17-character code on the lower left of the windshield, on your registration and usually on your insurance card. Enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether this recall is still open on your car. When you call the dealer, say you have an open safety recall and give them NHTSA campaign number 23V199000. More in how recalls work.
Affected vehicles (3)
Who to contact
Ford — official Ford recall lookup
Customer service: 1-866-436-7332
The bigger picture
- Ford Powertrain Recalls Involving Fluid Leaks and Wheel Detachment · all 56 Ford recalls in this area
Other Ford Explorer recalls
- Jul 21, 2026Ford Explorer, Lincoln Aviator Seats May Reclinemedium
- Jul 14, 2026Ford Explorer Roof Rail Covers May Detachhigh
- Jul 14, 2026Ford, Lincoln Second-Row Seats May Shift Unexpectedlyhigh
- Jun 24, 2026Ford, Lincoln SUVs: Transmission Park System May Failhigh
- Jun 9, 2026Ford Explorer Park System May Fail, Rollaway Riskhigh
- May 27, 2026Ford Explorer Engine May Fail Suddenlyhigh
Official notice
- Component
- POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
- Summary
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer vehicles equipped with a 2.3L RWD, 3.3L GAS, 3.3L FHEV, or 3.0L ST powertrain. The previous powertrain control module (PCM) update completed under recall 22V-255 did not include the automatic electronic parking brake feature when the vehicle is shifted to park, as intended. In addition, the rear axle horizontal mounting bolt may fracture and cause the driveshaft to disconnect.
- Safety risk
- Without the electronic parking brake applied, the vehicle could rollaway if the driveshaft disconnects. A disconnected driveshaft can also result in a loss of drive power. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the PCM software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 31, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S16.
Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov. Recall repairs are free of charge by law.