The Recall Desk
Our severity:SevereNHTSA·23V069000·Announced 2023-02-10

2021 Ford Explorer park system control module may cause vehicle rollaway

A powertrain control module defect in 2021 Ford Explorers may prevent the parking system from engaging, risking vehicle rollaway during operation.

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 4/5 (Severe).

The hazard poses a serious risk of illness, injury, or structural failure. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.

Our severity reasoning: This recall involves a structural vehicle defect in the powertrain control module that prevents the parking system from engaging, creating a risk of vehicle rollaway. This meets the Severe classification criteria for structural vehicle defects with injury risk, even though no illnesses or injuries have been reported to date.

Plain-English summary

Ford Motor Company is recalling certain 2021 Ford Explorer vehicles (including 2020 and 2022 model years) equipped with 2.3L engines and 10R60 automatic transmissions. These vehicles contain a powertrain control module (PCM) that may experience an unintentional reset while the vehicle is in motion.

When this reset occurs, the park system may be damaged. A damaged park system may fail to engage the PARK gear, which can result in vehicle rollaway and increases the risk of crashes and injuries.

Approximately 3,674 vehicles are affected by this recall. Ford began notifying owners on March 28, 2023. Owners should contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 to schedule service. Dealers will inspect the park system for damage and repair it as necessary at no cost. Additional information is available through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration at 1-888-327-4236 or www.nhtsa.gov.

The recalled product

Product
FORD EXPLORER
Brand
FORD
Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
Category
Vehicle — Powertrain / Automatic Transmission
Hazard
Affected units
3,674

Is your product affected?

Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.

Model numbers (1)

  • EXPLORER

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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