Park Brake Defect in Certain 2022–2026 Ford EVs and Hybrids

A newly identified park brake defect may affect several late-model Ford vehicles, raising concerns about roll-away risk when a driver believes the vehicle is securely parked. The issue involves the integrated park module (IPM) and can prevent the vehicle from fully locking into the “Park” position—creating a serious safety hazard under certain conditions.

The Park Problem Impacts the Following Models

These vehicles were manufactured with an integrated park module that may not reliably lock the drivetrain into the Park position when selected by the driver.

• Ford F-150 Lightning (2022–2026)
• Ford Mustang Mach-E (2024–2026)
• Ford Maverick (2025–2026)

What Is the Park Brake Problem?

Under normal operation, shifting into Park should mechanically prevent the vehicle from moving. In the affected vehicles, the integrated park module pawl may bind against the slider component, preventing the mechanism from fully engaging.

This binding can occur due to:

• Variations in materials used during manufacturing
• Higher-than-expected friction between internal components
• The design of the pawl-to-slider interface

When the pawl does not fully engage, the vehicle may appear to be in Park—but is not mechanically secured.

Why This Is a Safety Concern

Ford vehicles rely on an Electronic Park Brake (EPB) as a secondary safeguard. While the EPB typically applies automatically when Park is selected, problems arise when:

• The EPB fails due to a fault
• A driver manually disables the EPB after shifting into Park

If the park module does not lock and the EPB is not applied, the vehicle may roll unexpectedly, increasing the risk of property damage, injury, or a crash.

Because of this condition, the affected vehicles do not meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) requirements for roll-away prevention and theft protection.

Warning Signs Drivers May Notice

If this binding condition occurs, drivers may see clear warning indicators, including:

• The “P” (Park) symbol not illuminating on the dashboard
• A wrench warning light
• A shift system fault message in the instrument cluster

These warnings indicate that the vehicle may not be fully secured—even though Park was selected.

How Ford Plans to Fix the Issue

Ford plans to address the problem through a park module software update, which:

• May be installed over-the-air (OTA) for many owners
• Can also be performed at an authorized Ford dealer

Owner notification letters describing the safety risk are expected to be mailed February 2, 2026, with follow-up letters once the final remedy is fully available later that month.

For reference:

• Ford campaign number: 25C69
• NHTSA campaign number: 25V-863

Why This Matters for Lemon Law Claims

Park failures involve one of the most fundamental safety expectations of any vehicle: it should not move when parked. Even if a software update is offered, this issue may still be relevant under Lemon Law if:

• The condition occurred during the warranty period
• The vehicle experienced repeated warnings or drivability concerns
• The defect substantially affects safety, use, or value

Roll-away risks are taken seriously under consumer protection laws, especially when electronic systems fail to perform as intended.

Electric and hybrid vehicles rely heavily on electronic systems to replace traditional mechanical functions. When those systems fail—especially in something as critical as parking—the consequences can be severe.

If you own or lease an affected Ford vehicle and have experienced warning messages, unexpected movement, or park-related concerns, it may be worth reviewing your service records and speaking with a Lemon Law attorney to understand your options.