Ford Motor is recalling nearly 273,000 vehicles after identifying a software-related issue that could prevent affected models from properly engaging the park function, increasing the risk of unintended vehicle movement and potential crashes.
Which Vehicles Are Affected
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the recall covers certain electric and hybrid vehicles across multiple model lines and production years. Affected vehicles include F-150 Lightning battery-electric pickups from model years 2022 through 2026, Mustang Mach-E vehicles from model years 2024 through 2026, and Maverick pickups from model years 2025 through 2026.
What’s Actually Going Wrong
Federal safety officials say the issue centers on the vehicles’ integrated parking module. In affected vehicles, the system may fail to fully lock the transmission into the park position when a driver selects that gear. If the vehicle doesn’t remain securely in park, it could roll away after the driver exits, creating a safety hazard for occupants, pedestrians, and nearby property.
How Ford Plans to Fix It
Ford plans to notify owners of the recall by mail starting Feb. 2, 2026. The company says the issue can be resolved through a software update, and in many cases the fix can be delivered remotely via an over-the-air update, eliminating the need for owners to visit a dealership. Owners who prefer or require in-person service can still have the update installed by a dealer.
The recall is identified internally by Ford as number 25C69. Owners are encouraged to watch for official notification and make sure their vehicles receive the updated software once it becomes available.
Part of a Pattern for Ford’s EVs
This recall follows another recent safety action involving Ford’s electric vehicles. In June, the automaker recalled more than 197,000 Mustang Mach-E vehicles over a separate door latch issue, underscoring the ongoing scrutiny facing software and component reliability as newer vehicle technologies become more widespread.
NHTSA continues to monitor recall compliance and vehicle safety performance. Drivers of affected models are advised to use caution when parking until the software update is completed, and to follow all manufacturer instructions once notified.