$27B Ford Fleet Pulled Into Park Failure Recall—272K Vehicles Warned They May Not Stay Put

Ford Motor Company recalled 272,645 electric and hybrid vehicles on December 18, 2025, after discovering a defect that stops them from fully engaging Park mode, raising rollaway risks on slopes. Federal regulators determined the flaw breaches standards for theft protection and rollaway prevention, spotlighting vulnerabilities in the company’s expanding electrified fleet.​

Three Popular Models Hit Hard

The action targets 104,113 F-150 Lightning electric trucks from 2022-2026 model years, 88,064 Mustang Mach-E electric SUVs from 2024-2026, and 80,468 Maverick hybrid pickups from 2025-2026. These models anchor Ford’s shift toward electrification, amplifying the recall’s impact on its market strategy.

Core Defect in Park Mechanism

The problem originates in the Integrated Park Module, where the parking pawl binds with the slider due to manufacturing variations causing excess friction. Parts meet individual specs, but the assembly fails to lock fully into park.

Driver Alerts and Backup Safeguards

Owners see no dashboard “P” light, a wrench icon, and a shift system fault message when issues arise. Diagnostic code P07E4-00 triggers, automatically applying the electronic parking brake as a fail-safe.

Close-Call Incident Underscores Danger

A Mustang Mach-E owner described his 2024 model rolling forward after he stepped out, despite Park and brake activation. “I had to jump back in and hit the brake to stop it inches away from my Audi,” he said, with wheels visibly spinning.

Ford’s Response and Remedy Plan

The company logged 42 warranty claims prior to the recall: 22 from Mach-Es, 16 from Lightnings, and four from Mavericks. No crashes or injuries link directly to the defect as of December 2025. Ford will deploy a software update in February 2026 to the Secondary Onboard Diagnostic Module, detecting and releasing bound sliders. Most vehicles get it over-the-air; others via free dealer service. Interim notices mail February 2, with full rollout later that month.

Record-Breaking Recall Year

This marks Ford’s 145th safety action in 2025, part of 152 total recalls—nearly double General Motors’ 2014 record of 77. Stellantis managed 53, underscoring Ford’s outlier status. Issues span rearview cameras affecting 1.9 million vehicles, fuel injectors in 700,000, and frequent F-150, Bronco, and Expedition problems, pointing to broad quality control strains.

Escalating Costs and Division Losses

Warranty expenses climbed from 2.9% of revenue in 2022 to 4.0% in 2025, with 2025 charges including $570 million for injectors and $900 million for Lightning flaws, plus a $165 million penalty for camera delays. The Model e EV division lost $1.3 billion in Q2 2025, partly from these burdens amid heavy electrification investments.

Market and Reputation Fallout

Shares fell about 10% year-to-date through September 2025, hovering at $13.31-13.47 in December, with most analysts rating “Hold.” Recalls cluster in EV and hybrid lines, eroding trust in Ford’s strategy against rivals like Tesla. Ford blames heightened scrutiny, including a NHTSA consent order, and cites doubled safety staff, Toyota-inspired methods, and more testing. Initial quality scores rose, but long-term recalls persist.

Ford’s quality overhaul efforts lag visible results, testing patience amid NHTSA oversight that mandates thorough recall reviews. Sustained defect reductions across model years remain essential to restore confidence, secure funding for EV growth, and hold ground in a competitive shift to electrified vehicles.​