Ford Motor Company has recalled 741,195 trucks and SUVs in the United States and Canada due to a transmission defect that may cause vehicles to roll away unexpectedly.
The recall, announced on July 2, 2026, involves a faulty parking pawl in automatic transmissions that can engage while driving, leading to component damage and failure to secure the vehicle when parked.
Affected models include the 2018-2021 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator, 2020-2021 Ford Explorer and Lincoln Aviator, and 2021 Ford F-150.
The automaker has received 24 reports of property damage and nine injuries related to the issue. This is Ford's fifth-largest recall of 2026.
Drivers may see a wrench-shaped warning light on the dashboard if the parking pawl is damaged.
An electronic parking brake will activate automatically if the transmission range sensor fails to detect the park position.
Dealerships will inspect transmissions and update the Powertrain Control Module software at no cost.
Notification letters will be sent by early August, with final repairs available by April 2027.
The recall coincides with a new quality-focused TV campaign following Ford's top ranking in the J. D.
Power Initial Quality Study.
“At Ford, customer safety is our top priority,” said spokesperson Sharyn Ghacham.
Ford noted that over 90% of its 2026 recalls involve older models (2013-2020) and that more than 80% are resolved with software updates.
Recent production improvements reduced warranty costs by $500 million from 2024 to 2025.
According to NHTSA, Ford has issued 53 recalls affecting over 12 million vehicles since January 1, 2026, outpacing Chrysler's 19 recalls.
Michael Brooks, executive director of the Center for Auto Safety, attributed the high recall volume to a 2024 legal agreement requiring independent oversight of Ford's safety reporting.
“Ford’s recall numbers started creeping up to significant levels right about the time the consent order was in the works,” Brooks said.
Ford has led all major automakers in total recalls for three consecutive years. The company is also running a multimedia campaign to highlight its quality improvements.
“The campaign is: We put quality first. Now Ford is first in quality,” said Phil O'Connor, Ford's global head of marketing communications.
