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Ford, Lincoln SUVs: Transmission Park System May Fail
high How serious is it? About this label
Damage to the park system can cause the vehicle to roll away unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash. The notice does not tell owners to stop driving.
Key facts
| NHTSA campaign number | 26V402000 |
|---|---|
| Reported to NHTSA | Jun 24, 2026 |
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| Part affected | Power Train:automatic Transmission |
| Vehicles covered | 12 model/year combinations, model years 2018–2021 |
| Do-not-drive advisory | No |
| Park-outside advisory | No |
| Repair | Free at any franchised dealer |
What's wrong, in plain English
On affected vehicles, a part called the park pawl, which is supposed to lock the transmission in place when you put the vehicle in park, may engage while the vehicle is still moving. This can damage the park system, the mechanism that normally keeps the vehicle from rolling once it has been shifted into park.
What you should do
2. Contact a Ford dealer, or call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
3. The repair is 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 26V402000. More in how recalls work.
Affected vehicles (12)
Who to contact
Ford — official Ford recall lookup
Customer service: 1-866-436-7332
Lincoln — official Lincoln 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
- Lincoln transmission and axle recalls involving rollaway and lost power · all 12 Lincoln 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 9, 2026Ford Explorer Park System May Fail, Rollaway Riskhigh
- May 27, 2026Ford Explorer Engine May Fail Suddenlyhigh
- Mar 19, 2026Ford Explorer and Lincoln Models Camera and ADAS Lossmedium
Official notice
- Component
- POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
- Summary
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Navigator, Expedition, 2020-2021 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2021 F-150 vehicles. The transmission park pawl may engage while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in park system damage.
- Safety risk
- Park system damage may result in a vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, and inspect and replace any damaged transmission components as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 10, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in April 2027. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S48. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on June 26, 2026.
Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov. Recall repairs are free of charge by law.