Ford Recalls Nearly 273,000 Vehicles Over Parking Fault Risk
Ford Motor Company has issued a recall for approximately 273,000 vehicles in the United States due to a defective parking pawl that may fail to engage properly. This issue affects certain 2022-2025 model year F-150 Lightning electric pickups, 2023-2025 Mustang Mach-E electric crossovers, and 2024-2025 F-150 gasoline models equipped with the electronic shift control. The parking mechanism relies on a pawl anchor pin that can dislodge under specific conditions. Affected vehicles may roll away even when shifted into park position.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration identified the risk of crash or injury from unintended vehicle movement. Ford reports no confirmed accidents or injuries related to this defect at present. Dealers will inspect and replace the parking pawl assembly free of charge on recalled units. Owner notification letters begin mailing in early 2026 with interim notices advising manual use of the emergency brake until repairs complete.
This recall covers vehicles built at multiple assembly plants including Dearborn Truck Plant for F-150 models and Cuautitlan facility in Mexico for Mustang Mach-E. The F-150 Lightning incorporates a dual-motor all-wheel drive system with up to 580 horsepower in extended-range configurations. Mustang Mach-E variants feature battery packs ranging from 70 kWh to 91 kWh usable capacity delivering EPA-estimated ranges up to 320 miles.
Ford developed the remedy after internal testing revealed potential pin displacement in the transmission parking mechanism. The electronic park-by-wire system eliminates traditional mechanical linkages in these models. Software updates accompany hardware replacement to enhance engagement reliability. Affected owners receive reimbursement for any prior related repairs.
Safety recalls of this scale highlight ongoing challenges with electrified powertrain integration in high-volume platforms. Ford maintains separate recall campaigns for battery-related concerns in earlier Mach-E and Lightning units. The company continues production of current models while implementing fixes on assembly lines for future builds.
U.S. regulators monitor compliance through quarterly reporting requirements. Ford dealers prioritize recall repairs with parts availability confirmed nationwide. The parking defect manifests intermittently without warning indicators in some cases. Owners verify inclusion by VIN lookup on the NHTSA website or Ford’s recall portal.
This action underscores mechanical reliability priorities amid rapid electrification transitions. Affected models represent key volume drivers in Ford’s electric vehicle portfolio targeting mainstream truck and crossover segments. Remedy completion rates track through federal oversight ensuring fleet-wide resolution.
