Ford has issued two separate recalls affecting a combined total of roughly 770,000 vehicles in the United States. This latest Ford recall 770,000 vehicles action covers a serious transmission defect on multiple truck and SUV models, along with a smaller fix targeting fender flares on the Bronco.
The Larger Recall: Transmission Park Failure
The more significant of the two campaigns involves 741,195 vehicles and represents the bulk of this Ford recall 770,000 vehicles total. Models affected include:
- 2021 Ford F-150
- 2020-2021 Lincoln Aviator
- 2020-2021 Ford Explorer
- 2018-2021 Lincoln Navigator
- 2018-2021 Ford Expedition
What’s Actually Wrong With These Vehicles
The core issue stems from the transmission’s valve body separator plate, which can restrict fluid flow to the park valve under certain shift conditions. When this happens, the parking pawl may temporarily engage while the vehicle is still moving.
That malfunction can damage the internal parking components of the transmission. Once damaged, those components may no longer be capable of reliably holding the vehicle in place — even with the parking brake engaged — creating a real risk that the vehicle could roll away unexpectedly.
Ford has confirmed it’s aware of several incidents tied to this defect, including:
- 24 reports of property damage
- 7 reports involving physical injuries
- 2 reports involving emotional injuries
How Ford Plans to Fix It
To resolve the problem, Ford will update the powertrain control module (PCM) software on affected vehicles. This software fix is designed to prevent the transmission from executing the specific shift commands that can trigger the parking pawl to engage prematurely while the vehicle is in motion.
Beyond the software update, technicians will also inspect each vehicle’s transmission and replace any damaged parking components as needed during the repair process.
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The Smaller Recall: Bronco Fender Flares
Separately, Ford is recalling model year 2022 through 2026 Bronco SUVs due to a manufacturing defect affecting the fender flares. This second campaign covers 36,046 vehicles.
Root Cause of the Fender Flare Problem
According to Ford’s recall filing, the issue traces back to a supplier’s manufacturing process. The tooling used to produce the fenders wasn’t properly maintained over time, which resulted in attachment holes that were incorrectly sized and contained burrs along with stray fibers.
These manufacturing defects can prevent the fender flares from securing fully in place during the original assembly process.
Warning Signs Bronco Owners Should Watch For
Owners of affected Broncos may begin noticing several telltale symptoms as the retention clips holding the flares in place gradually weaken, including:
- Visible gaps between the flare and body panel
- Sagging or drooping flares
- Misaligned panel fitment
- Unusual noises such as rattling, clicking, or flapping sounds while driving
Ford reports it has received 370 warranty claims, 36 field reports, and two direct customer complaints connected to this fender issue.
The Repair Process
To address the defect, Ford technicians will replace the original fasteners with new push-pin hardware. Any fender flares found to be missing entirely will also be replaced as part of the repair.
What Owners Should Do Next
Owners of vehicles covered under either recall should expect to receive official notification letters from Ford directly, with instructions on how to schedule service at an authorized dealership. Both repairs are expected to be performed free of charge as part of the recall process.
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