Ford Issues Massive Recall for Electric Vehicles That Won't Stay Parked
Finn's Take· TL;DR- Ford recalls 270,000 EVs and hybrids where park function fails, allowing vehicles to roll away unexpectedly.
- Software fix won't arrive until February 2026; owners should use parking brake and exercise caution until then.
- Recall affects popular F-150 Lightning, Mustang Mach-E, and Maverick models during critical period for Ford's EV strategy.
Critical Safety Flaw Affects Popular Ford Models
Ford has announced a recall of more than 270,000 electric and hybrid vehicles in the U.S. because of a parking function problem that could lead to them rolling away . The recall affects some of Ford's most popular electrified models, including certain 2022-2026 F-150 Lightning BEV, 2024-2026 Mustang Mach-E, and 2025-2026 Maverick vehicles .
The problem centers on the integrated park module may fail to lock into the park position when the driver shifts into park , according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. This defect creates a dangerous scenario where drivers believe their vehicle is securely parked, only to have it unexpectedly roll away.
The recall comes with Ford's designation 25C69 , making it easy for owners to reference when contacting the company or checking recall databases.
Software Fix Coming, But Timeline Extended
Ford has committed to addressing the issue through a park module software update for free . However, the timeline for the complete fix extends well into the future, creating potential safety concerns for current owners.
Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, are expected to be mailed in February . The full remedy won't be available until much later, with additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in February 2026, as well .
This extended timeline means affected vehicle owners will need to exercise extra caution when parking for more than a year while waiting for the permanent software solution.
What Owners Should Do Now
Vehicle owners don't need to wait for official notification to take action. They can contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 for additional information about their specific vehicle and the recall process.
Until the software update is available, owners should take extra precautions when parking, including using the parking brake as an additional safety measure and being especially careful on inclined surfaces where a rolling vehicle could cause serious damage or injury.
Broader Context for Ford's Electric Future
This recall comes at a crucial time for Ford, which has been making significant changes to its business model. On Monday, the company announced it would refocus on higher-return opportunities, including expanding its hybrid lineup and concentrating North American EV development on a new, low-cost, flexible Universal EV platform .
The recall represents another challenge in Ford's electric vehicle journey, affecting three key models that represent the company's commitment to electrification across different market segments. While software-based fixes are generally less expensive than hardware recalls, the extended timeline and safety implications could impact consumer confidence in Ford's electric and hybrid offerings.
The automotive industry continues to grapple with the complexities of modern vehicle technology, where software glitches can create serious safety hazards that require months or years to fully resolve.