Ford is closing out 2025 under mounting pressure after confirming a recall of more than a quarter million electric and hybrid vehicles in the United States. The issue involves a potential fault in the park-position locking system—a problem that may sound technical at first, but one that directly affects safety. In certain situations, the vehicle may not remain fully stationary after being placed in Park, increasing the risk of unintended movement.
The recall covers some of Ford’s most important and high-profile models, including the all-electric F-150 Lightning from model years 2022 to 2026, Mustang Mach-E models from 2024 to 2026, and Maverick pickups from 2025 and 2026. These vehicles sit at the heart of Ford’s electrification strategy, which gives this recall added weight in terms of both scale and significance.
According to Ford, the problem originates from the integrated park unit responsible for locking the transmission in the Park position. In some cases, abnormal friction between internal components may prevent the system from fully engaging, particularly when the vehicle is parked on an incline. This creates a scenario that falls short of U.S. safety standards.
Ford said it will begin notifying affected owners starting February 2, 2026, explaining the issue and the steps required to resolve it. The fix will not involve replacing any mechanical parts. Instead, Ford will deploy a software update designed to correct the fault, either remotely via over-the-air updates or through dealerships, at no cost to customers. The recall is listed under reference number 25C69.
This latest development follows another recall announced in June, which affected more than 197,000 Mustang Mach-E vehicles due to a separate door-lock issue. With multiple recalls occurring in a short period, Ford now faces a critical moment as it works to maintain customer confidence—especially in the electric models that are central to the brand’s future.
