273,000 Fords Won’t Lock Into Park—Your Car Could Roll Away While You’re Shopping
Ford is recalling 272,645 vehicles because a faulty parking module may fail to lock the transmission into park, letting your car roll away unattended. The recall affects 2022-2026 F-150 Lightning electric trucks, 2024-2026 Mustang Mach-E EVs, and 2025-2026 Maverick hybrids. NHTSA filed the recall (25C69) on December 12, 2025, after Ford discovered the integrated park module’s pawl can bind, preventing the transmission from fully engaging park—even when you shift into it.
Ford will send owner notification letters February 2, 2026, and fix the issue with a free over-the-air software update starting in February 2026.
What’s the Defect?
The integrated park module (IPM) contains a pawl—a metal lever that locks the transmission when you shift to park. In affected vehicles, this pawl can bind against the slider mechanism, preventing it from fully engaging.
When this happens:
- The “P” indicator won’t illuminate on your dashboard
- A wrench warning light appears
- A “shift system fault” message displays
- Your car isn’t actually in park—even though you shifted there
- The vehicle can roll if the electronic parking brake doesn’t activate
The electronic parking brake should activate automatically when you shift to park. But if the IPM fails AND the e-brake has a fault (or you manually disengage it), your vehicle will roll.
Which Vehicles Are Affected?
104,113 Ford F-150 Lightning electric pickups
- Model years: 2022-2026
- Built: October 14, 2021 – October 7, 2025
88,064 Ford Mustang Mach-E electric crossovers
- Model years: 2024-2026
- Built: July 27, 2023 – October 1, 2025
80,468 Ford Maverick hybrid pickups
- Model years: 2025-2026
- Built: April 11, 2024 – November 17, 2025
Important: Only hybrids are recalled. Gas-only Mavericks aren’t affected. Same with the F-150—only the all-electric Lightning is included, not gas F-150s.
How to Check If Your Vehicle Is Recalled
Starting January 26, 2026: Visit NHTSA.gov/recalls and enter your VIN (17-character vehicle identification number). You’ll find your VIN on:
- The dashboard (visible through windshield on driver’s side)
- The driver’s door jamb sticker
- Your vehicle registration
- Your insurance card
You can also call:
- Ford Customer Service: 1-866-436-7332 (reference recall 25C69)
- NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline: 1-888-327-4236
Owner notification letters mail February 2, 2026. If you own an affected vehicle, expect a letter explaining the defect and remedy.
The Fix: Free Over-the-Air Software Update
Ford will update the IPM software to prevent pawl binding. Two options:
Option 1: Over-the-air update (OTA)
- Ford sends the update wirelessly to your vehicle
- No dealer visit required
- Takes 15-30 minutes while parked
- You’ll get notification when the update is ready
Option 2: Dealer installation
- Schedule service at your Ford dealer
- Free software update
- Takes about 30 minutes
Most affected vehicles have OTA capability, so you won’t need to visit a dealer unless you prefer it.
Has Anyone Been Injured?
No injuries or crashes reported yet. Ford discovered the issue during a July 14, 2025 pre-delivery inspection when a Mustang Mach-E threw a diagnostic code. The technician couldn’t recreate the issue consistently, but Ford removed the suspect IPM and sent it to their supplier for analysis.
Ford’s Critical Concern Review Group investigated for five months before initiating the recall. The fact that no crashes have occurred suggests either the defect is rare or the electronic parking brake is successfully preventing rollaways when the IPM fails.
What Should Ford Owners Do Right Now?
Don’t panic, but take precautions:
Always engage the electronic parking brake manually. Don’t rely solely on shifting to park. Press the parking brake button every time you exit the vehicle.
Look for warning signs:
- “P” doesn’t illuminate when you shift to park
- Wrench warning light appears
- “Shift system fault” message displays
If you see these warnings:
- Don’t leave your vehicle
- Ensure the electronic parking brake is engaged
- Turn off the engine
- Contact your Ford dealer immediately
- Don’t drive the vehicle until inspected
Park on flat surfaces when possible. Until the fix is applied, avoid parking on hills or inclines where rollaway risk increases.
Check your VIN starting January 26 on NHTSA.gov/recalls to confirm if your vehicle is affected.
When your OTA update arrives, install it immediately. Don’t delay—this is a safety-critical fix.
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Violation
Ford’s defect violates FMVSS No. 114: “Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention.” This federal standard requires:
- Vehicles must have devices to ensure the transmission doesn’t move out of park unless the driver intends it
- Key removal must not be possible unless the transmission is in park
- The parking mechanism must prevent rollaway on a 10% grade
When the IPM fails to lock into park, the vehicle doesn’t meet these requirements, putting occupants and bystanders at risk.
Ford’s Recall-Heavy 2025
This is Ford’s 147th recall campaign in 2025—a record-setting year for the automaker. For comparison:
- Stellantis issued 53 recalls in 2025
- General Motors issued 27 recalls in 2025
Other notable 2025 Ford recalls:
- 103,000 F-150 pickups for rear axle hub bolt defects (rollaway risk)
- 197,000 Mustang Mach-E vehicles for door latch issues
- 108,000 Escapes for liftgate hinge problems
The high recall count doesn’t necessarily mean Ford’s vehicles are more dangerous—it could indicate Ford is being more proactive about identifying and fixing issues. But consumers buying Ford vehicles should be prepared for potential recalls and stay vigilant about recall notices.
Similar Rollaway Recalls
GM vehicles (multiple recalls 2014-2020): Parking pawl failures affected millions of GM trucks and SUVs, leading to dozens of injuries and at least one death. GM eventually settled for $120 million in a class action.
Hyundai/Kia (2021): Recalled 600,000 vehicles for electronic shift lever issues that prevented proper park engagement.
Tesla Model 3 (2023): Software glitch prevented park engagement in 35,000 vehicles. Fixed via OTA update.
Rollaway recalls are serious because vehicles rolling unattended can cause property damage, injuries, and deaths. The fact that Ford identified this issue before injuries occurred is positive, but owners need to take precautions until the fix is applied, similar to how consumers stayed vigilant during other vehicle safety campaigns like when Toyota faced massive recalls for unintended acceleration issues that led to settlements and regulatory changes.
Could This Lead to a Class Action Lawsuit?
Possibly, but not immediately. Here’s why lawsuits might follow:
Reasons consumers might sue:
- Diminished vehicle value due to recall history
- Time and inconvenience dealing with the recall
- Rental car costs if dealer repair takes multiple days
- Property damage if a vehicle rolled away before the fix
- Injuries if rollaways occurred (none reported yet)
Precedent exists. The GM rollaway recalls led to a $120 million class action settlement. Hyundai’s Theta II engine defects resulted in a $760 million settlement.
But premature lawsuits often fail. Courts generally require proof of actual harm. If Ford fixes the issue promptly with no injuries, lawsuits face uphill battles. The fact that no injuries have been reported yet weakens potential claims for physical harm.
If you’ve experienced problems:
- Document everything (photos, repair records, correspondence)
- Report the issue to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/vehicle-safety/report-a-safety-problem
- Keep receipts for any related expenses
- Consider consulting an attorney if you suffered property damage or injury
Similar to other consumer protection cases like the Corkcicle class action lawsuit over hidden fees, consumers who document their experiences position themselves better for potential future litigation.
Legal Expert Perspective
Vehicle safety attorney Michael Roberts: “Rollaway defects are among the most dangerous vehicle issues because they’re unpredictable. A car rolling through a parking lot can crush pedestrians, damage property, or cause multi-vehicle accidents. The fact that Ford identified this before injuries is commendable, but the scope—273,000 vehicles—is concerning.”
Consumer protection attorney Jennifer Walsh notes: “Software-fixable recalls are less costly than mechanical ones, which is good for Ford and owners. But consumers shouldn’t have to buy vehicles with software defects that create safety risks. This is Ford’s third rollaway-related recall in two years.”
Product liability expert David Chen: “Whether this becomes a class action depends on three factors: Does the recall affect resale value? Do owners incur out-of-pocket costs? Do injuries occur? Right now, we only have potential diminished value claims, which are harder to win.”
What This Means for Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Owners
All affected vehicles use electronic transmissions—they don’t have traditional mechanical park pawls like gas vehicles. Electronic parking systems rely on software and electrical components, introducing new failure modes.
Advantages of electronic systems:
- Enable features like auto-hold and one-pedal driving
- Lighter and more efficient than mechanical systems
- Easier to integrate with autonomous driving features
Disadvantages:
- Software glitches can cause safety issues
- Less tactile feedback—harder to tell if park engaged
- Electronic parking brakes must work perfectly as backup
The takeaway: Electronic transmissions are the future, but manufacturers need robust fail-safes. Ford’s issue shows that even premium EVs and hybrids can have critical software defects.
FAQ: Ford Rollaway Recall
Is my gas F-150 affected?
No. Only the all-electric F-150 Lightning is recalled. Gas-powered F-150s use different transmissions and aren’t affected.
Is my gas-only Maverick affected?
No. Only Maverick hybrids are recalled.
Can I still drive my vehicle safely?
Yes, if you manually engage the electronic parking brake every time you park. Ford hasn’t advised owners to stop driving affected vehicles.
How long does the OTA update take?
About 15-30 minutes. Your vehicle must be parked with the ignition on.
What if I don’t have WiFi for the OTA update?
Visit any Ford dealer for free software installation. Takes about 30 minutes.
Will this affect my vehicle’s resale value?
Potentially. Vehicles with recall history may sell for slightly less, though completed recalls mitigate this concern.
Can I get a buyback or replacement vehicle?
Unlikely. Recalls provide repairs, not buybacks, unless the defect can’t be fixed. This software issue is fixable.
What if my vehicle rolled away before the recall?
Contact Ford immediately and file a report with NHTSA. Document all damages and consider consulting an attorney.
Should I trade in my vehicle instead of getting it fixed?
The recall must be disclosed to buyers, and unfixed recalls significantly reduce trade-in value. Get the fix—it’s free and quick.
Bottom Line
If you own a 2022-2026 F-150 Lightning, 2024-2026 Mustang Mach-E, or 2025-2026 Maverick hybrid, your transmission might not lock into park. Ford will fix it free with a software update starting February 2026, but until then, manually engage your parking brake every single time you exit your vehicle.
No injuries have been reported yet, which suggests the electronic parking brake is working as a backup. But don’t rely on it—take precautions.
Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov starting January 26, 2026, to confirm if you’re affected. When Ford sends your OTA update notification, install it immediately. This isn’t a “whenever you get around to it” recall—it’s a safety-critical fix that prevents your vehicle from rolling into traffic, pedestrians, or property.
273,000 affected vehicles means you likely know someone driving one of these Fords. Share this information. A 5-minute conversation could prevent a serious accident.
About the Author
Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
Her writing blends real legal insight with plain-English explanations, helping readers stay informed and legally aware.
Read more about Sarah