Ford Recalls About 350,000 Pickup Trucks and SUVs for Defective Transmission Gears

Ford is recalling about 350,000 pickup trucks and SUVs because of a transmission issue that could result in the car moving even after the driver has placed it in park and removed the keys. According to a CNBC news report, Ford said it is aware of one reported accident and injury related to this issue. The recall involves about 2018 Ford F-150 pickup trucks and 2018 Expedition SUVs with a 10-speed automatic transmission and about 2018 Ford F-650 and F-750 vehicles with 6-speed automatic transmissions.

Details of the Recall

According to documents submitted by Ford to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a clip that locks the gearshift cable to the transmission in some vehicles may not be firmly in place. This could cause the car to shift into a different gear from the one the driver has chosen. In this case, there may be no warning light or chime to warn the driver that the vehicle is not in park on exiting the vehicle. So, the vehicle could roll away after the driver has left if the emergency brake is not engaged.

When the recall begins, dealers will inspect the vehicles and make the necessary repairs at no cost to consumers. The automaker also issued a second recall for another similar potential transmission problem affecting 161 2017 and 2018 F-150, Expedition, Mustang and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. In these vehicles, a missing transmission roll pin could cause the vehicles to shift to park when the driver selects it.

Dangers Posed by Vehicle Rollaways

We’ve been seeing a number of recalls including several issued by Chrysler that involve vehicles that roll away after they are parked. A high profile death involving “Star Trek” actor Anton Yelchin in 2016 cast the spotlight on the dangers of transmission defects in vehicles. In Yelchin’s case, his recalled Jeep Grand Cherokee rolled away and pinned him to a mailbox, killing him. Rollaways could cause serious injuries not just to vehicle owners, but also pedestrians, bystanders and other motorists on the roadway.

If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective auto, please understand that you have legal rights and options. You may be able to file an auto defect lawsuit against the manufacturer of the defective vehicle or part seeking compensation for injuries, damages and losses. A reputed auto defect law firm will be able to help you secure maximum compensation for your losses and hold the negligent automaker accountable.