Ford Recalls 741,000+ Vehicles Over Unexpected Rollaway Danger

Ford Motor Company has issued a massive recall affecting more than 741,000 SUVs and pickup trucks across the United States. The automaker is acting on a defect that could allow the vehicles to roll away unexpectedly, even when drivers believe they’ve put them in park. The recall covers specific models from recent years, including the popular Ford Bronco, Escape, Maverick, and Transit Connect.

According to documents filed with federal safety regulators, the problem lies in the transmission’s park pawl, a small component designed to lock the drivetrain when the vehicle is in park. In affected vehicles, this part may fail to engage properly, leaving the transmission in a neutral-like state.

If the parking brake isn’t set, the vehicle can roll freely, posing a serious risk of injury or property damage. Ford says it has received at least four reports of injuries potentially linked to the defect.

Owners of the recalled vehicles will be notified by mail starting in early December. The fix involves a free software update that improves how the transmission control module detects and confirms park engagement. In the meantime. Ford strongly recommends drivers always engage the parking brake before exiting.

For more information, vehicle owners can visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s recall website or contact their local Ford dealer. The recall is the latest in a series of large-scale actions by the automaker in recent years.