Ford has announced a large safety recall involving the F-150 Lightning, Maverick Hybrid, and Mustang Mach-E. The issue could prevent the transmission from fully locking into PARK, which may cause the vehicle to roll away after it has been parked.
Over 272,000 Ford Vehicles Are Affected
The recall covers 272,645 vehicles in the United States. Affected models include the 2022–2026 Ford F-150 Lightning, the 2025–2026 Ford Maverick Hybrid, and the 2024–2026 Ford Mustang Mach-E. According to Ford, all of these vehicles may be equipped with a faulty integrated park module, also known as the IPM.
The IPM is responsible for locking the transmission when the driver selects PARK. If it does not function correctly, the vehicle may not be fully secured.
What Causes The Rollaway Problem
Ford says the issue occurs when a component inside the IPM binds and prevents the transmission from fully engaging PARK. When this happens, the vehicle may appear to be parked even though it is not properly locked.
Drivers may notice warning signs inside the cabin. These include a missing or unclear gear indicator, a wrench warning light, and a fault message related to the shift system shown in the instrument cluster.
F-150 Lightning: Why This Is A Safety Concern
If the transmission does not lock into PARK and the electronic parking brake is not engaged, the vehicle can roll away. While the parking brake is designed to activate automatically when PARK is selected, the same fault may prevent it from engaging.
In some cases, the parking brake may also be manually switched off by the driver. If that happens while the transmission is not fully locked, the risk of rollaway increases.
No Accidents Or Injuries Reported
Ford says it is not aware of any crashes, injuries, or fatalities linked to this issue so far. The recall has been issued as a precaution due to the potential safety risk posed by an unsecured vehicle.
F-150 Lightning: How Ford Will Fix The Issue
The problem will be fixed with a software update. Ford plans to release an over-the-air update that will correct the transmission control logic and ensure the vehicle properly locks into PARK.
Owners who prefer a dealership visit can also have the update installed for free at a Ford or Lincoln service center.
When Owners Will Be Notified
Ford dealers will be informed about the recall by January 26, 2026. Vehicle owners will receive official notification letters by mail starting May 12, 2026.
F-150 Lightning: What Owners Should Do Until The Update
Until the update is installed, Ford advises owners to always confirm that the electronic parking brake is engaged when parking the vehicle. Drivers should also pay close attention to warning messages or lights related to the shift system.
Owners can check whether their vehicle is affected by entering their VIN on Ford’s recall website or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration database.
This recall highlights the growing importance of software reliability in modern electric and hybrid vehicles, where even parking safety depends on electronic systems working exactly as intended.
