Philip Uwaoma
Guessing Headlights via Associated Press
Ford Motor Company has announced a significant U.S. recall affecting 272,645 vehicles after regulators found a defect in the park function that could allow cars to roll away even when drivers think they are securely parked. The defect, tied to a component responsible for ensuring a vehicle stays in “Park”, has raised safety concerns and drawn attention from drivers, auto safety advocates, and investors alike.
What’s the Problem?
According to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the integrated park module in certain Ford vehicles may not fully engage when drivers shift into Park. If this module fails to lock properly, a vehicle that is supposedly parked could roll away on its own, significantly increasing the risk of crashes, property damage, or injuries.
This type of safety defect is serious because most drivers rely on the “Park” setting (not the parking brake) as the main safeguard against unintended movement. A loss of park function can undermine that fundamental expectation of safety.
Which Vehicles Are Affected?
The recall targets a mix of electric, hybrid, and mainstream models from recent production years:
- 2022–2026 Ford F‑150 Lightning BEVs (battery electric trucks)
- 2024–2026 Ford Mustang Mach‑E crossovers
- 2025–2026 Ford Maverick compact pickups
Together, these models make up the bulk of the 272,645 vehicles included in the recall. Both the discontinued electric F‑150 Lightningand the Mustang Mach‑E have been central to Ford’s push into electrification — making this news particularly notable for EV owners.What’s the Fix?
Ford says it will remedy the issue at no cost. Owners of affected vehicles will receive a software update for the integrated park module. This update can be delivered in two ways:
- Over‑the‑air (OTA) — similar to a smartphone update, sent wirelessly
- At a Ford dealership — via a service technician
Automakers increasingly rely on OTA fixes to address software‑linked issues because it’s faster and more convenient for customers. However, dealers remain an option to ensure all vehicles are brought up to the updated standard.Safety Context and History
The NHTSA requires all new vehicles to comply with federal safety standards, including Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 114 — the rule that governs theft protection and prevention of rollaway vehicles. A failure of the park function can violate this standard, prompting a recall.
U.S. regulators typically order recalls when a defect poses an unreasonable risk of injury or crash. In this case, the defect is not limited to a single model year or vehicle type, spanning multiple years and both electrified and conventional vehicles. That breadth reflects the complexity of modern vehicle systems, where software and electronic modules play a larger role in basic safety functions.
Ford’s recall comes amid a period of intensified scrutiny of automotive safety issues. Earlier this month, the company also issued a separate recall for more than 32,000 vehicles over a defect that could lead to a loss of drive power — another potential rollaway risk when the parking brake isn’t engaged.
Ford’s Response
Ford has not reported any crashes or injuries tied to this specific park function defect but is acting out of precaution to avert future harm. Affected owners will be notified by mail with instructions on scheduling the update, and Ford has set up a customer support line for questions.
For drivers, the immediate takeaway is that if you own one of the affected vehicles, check your mail and Ford’s official recall portal, and get the software update done as soon as convenient. Until the update is applied, it may be advisable to use the parking brake as an added safeguard. It’s a simple habit that can reduce the risk of unintended vehicle movement.