Ford Announces Two Separate Recalls Affecting Over 800 Vehicles Due to Transmission and Software Issues

Ford Motor Company has issued two separate safety recalls impacting a combined total of 836 vehicles due to critical defects related to transmission components and software calibration errors. The recalls, submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on March 14, 2025, concern issues that may lead to unexpected vehicle motion or loss of power while driving, increasing the risk of crashes.

The first recall, identified as NHTSA Recall No. 25V-164, involves 269 vehicles across multiple 2024 and 2025 Ford models, including the F-150, Ranger, Mustang, Explorer, Bronco, and the Lincoln Aviator. These vehicles are equipped with 10R80 transmissions that may have out-of-spec machining in the transmission main control valve body. The defect could prevent reverse gear engagement or cause the vehicle to move forward even when reverse or neutral is selected. Affected vehicles were built between mid-November 2024 and early February 2025.

The malfunction was first detected after a 2025 Mustang failed to engage reverse gear during a quality check at the Flat Rock Assembly Plant. Subsequent investigation traced the issue to the Outer Valve Body (OVB) machining center at the Livonia Transmission Plant. A Machine Integrated Learning and Optimization (MILO) model helped identify potentially affected units. No accidents or injuries have been reported so far. Ford will replace the valve body at no charge and will notify affected owners in early May 2025.

The second recall, under NHTSA Recall No. 25V-169, affects 567 units of the 2021 Ford F-150. This action addresses a software issue where the remedy for a previous recall (22S15/22V188) was not correctly installed. Although vehicles were marked as repaired, incorrect Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software left the underlying problem unresolved. The fault may cause the transmission to shift into a neutral state unexpectedly at any speed, with the vehicle coasting to a stop and shifting into Park automatically when halted. A wrench light may illuminate, and transmission function can be temporarily restored by cycling the ignition.

This problem stemmed from a failure in the dealer service tool to upload the correct software. Ford will issue updated PCM software and validate installations before closing the service action. Owners will be notified starting April 24, 2025.

Article by multiple RFHC contributors, based upon information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Ford Motor Company safety recall reports.

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