Ford recalls 350,000 current-year trucks and SUVs due to ‘rollaway’ potential

The Ford Motor Company has recalled nearly 350,000 F-series pickup trucks and Expeditions from the 2018 model year that were sold in North America. The affected vehicles may have an automatic transmission gear shift cable locking clip that is not fully seated. Drivers could potentially exit a vehicle mistakenly believing the vehicle is in park, which creates the potential for rollaway vehicles.

The recall covers certain 2018 Ford F-150 pickup trucks and 2018 Ford Expedition SUVs with 10-speed automatic transmissions, as well as 2018 F-650 and F-750 trucks with 6-speed automatic transmissions.

Of a total of 347,425 vehicles, 292,909 were sold in the United States and federalized territories, 51,742 in Canada, and 2,774 in Mexico.

The vehicles in the recall include:

• 2018 Ford F-150 vehicles built at the Dearborn Assembly Plant from January 5, 2017, to February 16, 2018
• 2018 Ford F-150 vehicles built at the Kansas City Assembly Plant from January 25, 2017, to February 16, 2018
• 2018 Ford Expedition vehicles built at the Kentucky Truck Plant from April 3, 2017, to January 30, 2018
• 2018 Ford F-650 and F-750 vehicles built at the Ohio Assembly Plant from April 25, 2017, to March 9,
  2018

A partially or fully unseated locking clip could result in “unintended vehicle movement.” Specifically, the gear shift lever may incorrectly indicate the transmission is in park. A driver could turn off the ignition key and leave the vehicle without realizing it’s not in park and with no warning that the transmission is still in gear.

According to a Ford statement, “Ford is aware of one reported accident and injury related to this condition.”

Dealers will inspect recalled vehicles free of charge to make sure cable locking clips are properly installed and secure. If the cable isn’t seated securely, the dealership will adjust the cable and reinstall the locking clip.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) had a similar recall issue in 2016 involving 811,586 Jeep Grand Cherokees, Chrysler 300s , and Dodge Chargers. The FCA recall problem was a transmission shifter position indicator that didn’t reflect the actual gear the vehicle was in.

For further information about this recall or to check for recalls for any vehicle, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Safety Issues and Recalls website. You can search for recall information for specific models by entering a Vehicle Information Number (VIN), or by entering the vehicle year, make, and model. You can also search by specific complaints such as “automatic transmission” or “car seats.”