Ford Automobiles Could Unexpectedly Roll Away

Loose Bolt in Transmission May Cause Rollaway

NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V-070

Potential Number of Units Affected: 944

The vehicles affected include:

In January 2023, Ford's Critical Review Group (CCRG) began an investigation into certain 2023 Bronco's equipped with 10 Speed Automatic Transmissions, after hearing reports of unintended movement in two 2023 Bronco vehicles at the assembly plant. The report into the incidents said that the two vehicles rolled forward while the gear selector was in the park position. The transmissions from the two vehicles were inspected, and a loose (extra) bolt was found inside them. The bolts had become wedged inside the transmissions, preventing the park pawl from engaging the parking gear.

As the CCRG investigation continued, they also identified another related warranty report, where a customer brought their 2022 Ford Explorer to the dealership for similar transmission-related failures. The vehicle had 29 miles on the odometer and the dealer found a loose bolt inside the transmission. All transmissions found with a loose bolt had been repaired at the transmission assembly plant previously. Ford Engineering inspected quarantined transmissions and vehicles to identify the build date range of the affected Broncos and decided to issue a recall.

According to the defect report, during a quality assurance review at the transmission plant, certain transmissions were flagged for review, which included a re-assembly of the transmission. The transmission plant personnel performing the quality assurance review did not account for all bolts during the assembly processes and a loose bolt was left inside the transmission. A loose bolt inside the transmission could prevent the transmission from achieving park by blocking the park pawl from engaging the park gear, although the gear shifter position may indicate that the vehicle has been shifted to “PARK.”

Drivers may notice a check engine light or hear grinding noises from the transmission and could experience poor transmission shift performance.

Owners will be asked to return to their Ford dealership to have the transmission inspected and replaced if necessary. Ford's number for this recall is 23S06 and the NHTSA campaign number is 23V-070.

Unintended PCM Reset May Cause Vehicle Rollaway

NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V-069

Potential Number of Units Affected: 3,674

Certain 2020-2022 Explorer vehicles equipped with 2.3L engines and 10R60 automatic transmissions could also experience an unexpected rollaway. This problem is not related to recall 23V-070. In September 2022, reports of problems with the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) reset on certain 2020-2022 Explorers were brought to the attention of Ford’s Critical Concern Review Group.

According to reports, the Explorers affected may have experienced one or more PCM resets caused by a connected vehicle data request. If this reset occurs while the vehicle is in motion, The park system could sustain damage and the system might NOT shift into “PARK” and the vehicle could unexpectedly move, increasing the risk of injury or crash.

Owners will be asked to return to their dealership to have the park system inspected for damage and will make repairs as necessary. Ford's number for this recall is 23S05 and the NHTSA campaign number is 23V-069.