Ford Issues Recall for 740,000 Trucks and SUVs Over Park-to-Roll-Away Defect

Ford Motor Company has announced a recall affecting approximately 740,000 vehicles in North America, citing a defect that could allow trucks and SUVs to roll away even when the gear selector is in Park. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened an investigation in March after receiving 163 reports of unintended vehicle movement, including four crash incidents and one injury.

The issue stems from a faulty rear axle hub bolt that can fracture over time, leading to a loss of drive power and potential rollaway if the parking brake is not engaged.

The recall covers specific model years and names: 2021-2023 Ford Bronco, 2021-2023 Ford Maverick, 2022-2023 Ford Transit, 2021-2023 Ford F-150, and 2021-2023 Ford Expedition, as well as the 2021-2023 Lincoln Navigator. Affected vehicles were built with a rear axle hub bolt part number N622498-S72, which may have been improperly heat-treated during manufacturing.

Ford says dealers will replace the rear axle hub bolts and inspect the axle hubs for damage, all at no cost to owners.

Ford spokesperson Maria Buczkowski said in a statement: “We are committed to addressing this issue promptly and ensuring the safety of our customers. ” NHTSA records show that the agency received 86 complaints of rollaway incidents linked to the defect. Owners can also check their vehicle’s eligibility using the NHTSA recall lookup tool or Ford’s own website.