Ford and Lincoln Hybrids Facing Unexpected Shifting Issue

Modern vehicles are becoming increasingly reliant on software to function, but when that software malfunctions, it can lead to dangerous situations. Recently, Ford issued a software update in January that inadvertently affected the transmission of certain vehicles, causing them to shift unexpectedly into neutral while on the road.

Impacted Vehicles

The glitch primarily affects 8,727 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, including 2022-2024 Ford Mavericks, 2020-2022 Ford Escapes, and 2021-2022 Lincoln Corsairs. All of the affected vehicles are hybrids that received a Hybrid Powertrain Control Module software update earlier this year.

The Issue

The software update made the transmission overly sensitive to noise in the Park Motor Position Sensor, leading to the vehicle incorrectly shifting into Park while slowing down. This results in the vehicle actually going into neutral, despite the gear shift indicator showing “Drive.”

Potential Risks

If the vehicle shifts into neutral unexpectedly, throttle inputs will not engage forward motion. This discrepancy between the gear selector and the instrument panel could confuse drivers, leading them to attempt to shift back into drive. This action triggers a limp mode that limits speeds to 30 mph, putting occupants at risk, especially if the incident occurs on a highway.

Recall and Resolution

Fortunately, Ford has not received reports of accidents or injuries related to this issue. To address the problem, Ford will be reaching out to affected Maverick, Escape, and Corsair owners starting May 23. Owners will be asked to bring their vehicles to a dealership for a safer software update to correct the Park Motor Position Sensor noise issue, at no cost to them.