2018-2022 Ford Safety Recall: 5 Things You Must Know About the Latest NHTSA Alert
- Over 600,000 vehicles from the 2018-2022 Ford lineup, including the Explorer and F-150, are affected by a massive new safety recall tied to unexpected transmission downshifts that can cause sudden loss of power at high speeds.
- The core defect stems from a software glitch in the transmission control module, which may trigger a false fault code and cause the car to drop into first gear without warning—potentially leading to loss of vehicle control or a crash.
- Ford has confirmed at least three injuries and dozens of complaints linked to the issue, with the recall covering models like the 2018-2022 Ford F-150, 2019-2022 Ford Explorer, and 2021-2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E.
- Owners will receive a free over-the-air software update or a dealership visit to reprogram the transmission control module—no parts need to be replaced, but you must act quickly to stay safe.
- If you own a 2018-2022 Ford, check your VIN on the NHTSA recall portal now to see if your vehicle is on the list; dealers are already flooded with appointments, and waiting could leave you at risk.