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Ford Expedition rollaway problems

14 of the 9,415 owner complaints about the Ford Expedition describe rolls away in park, most of them for the 2020 model year.

owner complaints
14
worst model year
2020
typical mileage
130,000
Is there a fix? There are 7 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

  • 2025
    1
  • 2024
    1
  • 2020
    3
  • 2019
    1
  • 2018
    1
  • 2016
    1
  • 2015
    2
  • 2008
    2
  • 2000
    1
  • 1998
    1

What owners say

Filed Nov 6, 2026 · Body, Seat belts · 180,000 miles · MO

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Expedition. The contact received notifications for the federal safety agency Campaign Numbers: 26V344000 (Seat Belts), 26V368000 (Structure), and 26V402000 (Power Train); however, the parts to complete the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time to provide the recall repairs. The contact stated that the transmission required multiple attempts to shift into park(P), and the failure became more frequent over time. While in park(P) with the parking brake engaged, the vehicle experienced unintended rollaway. The contact re-entered the vehicle and, after multiple attempts, shifted the transmission into park(P) and engaged the parking brake. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that remedy parts were unavailable. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

Filed Sep 13, 2026 · Brakes · NE

My vehicle is included in the federal safety agency recall 26V402. It has already rolled twice after I shifted into park and applied the electronic parking brake. I want these rollaway incidents documented and I want the park system inspected. One time it rolled backward several feet out of the driveway. Luckily, it stopped before it rolled down the street! The second time, it rolled a couple feet backward on a slight incline. This is dangerous! I always apply the parking brake in addition to putting the truck into park. I will need to take it in to a dealer or service center and have it inspected. I just want it documented here that it has happened twice and you are saying there is no remedy.

Filed Jul 17, 2026 · Airbags, Electrical · IL

2020 Ford Expedition MAX. Ford issued Safety Recall 26S48 / the federal safety agency 26V402 confirming a transmission park pawl defect causing potential rollaway and crash risk. Remedy not available until Q2 2027. Vehicle has experienced the exact defect symptoms since at least November 2025 including stuck-in-park diagnostic codes and shifting anomalies. Prior to November 2025 the transmission failed to execute a commanded shift at approximately 65mph while passing another vehicle on an expressway causing sudden unexpected deceleration with family members present — a near-miss consistent with the park pawl defect Ford now confirms. An authorized Ford dealer visit in June 2026 for computer reprogramming included verbal acknowledgment of transmission concerns but no documentation on the repair order. Eight days later Ford issued Recall 26S48. Separately this vehicle has generated over 1,400 Restraints Indicator Lamp Warnings logged in Ford’s own connected vehicle app since at least April 2023. Restraints warnings began within 30 days of purchase at under 400 miles. Ford issued Recall 26S34 / the federal safety agency 26V344 for Front Seatbelt Retractor inspection on this vehicle. On multiple dealer visits spanning 2021 to 2026 service advisers verbally acknowledged the restraints warning but documented no concern and performed no diagnostic action on repair orders. Ford’s telematics platform received all warnings in real time with no proactive owner notification. Remedy not available for either recall.

Filed Jul 1, 2026 · Brakes, Seat belts · TX

The vehicle has experienced repeated critical transmission failures and currently has four active Federal Safety Recalls with no available remedy. The transmission has failed four separate times, requiring four transmission assemblies within approximately 68,795 miles. The latest failure produced DTC P07F7 (Gear 10 Incorrect Ratio) and was confirmed by the Ford dealer and an independent inspector as an internal transmission failure. Symptoms included harsh engagement, delayed shifting, hesitation, slipping, and repeated powertrain malfunction messages. The vehicle was out of service for 26 consecutive days during the most recent repair. A the federal safety agency VIN lookup shows four active unrepaired recalls: a transmission rollaway hazard affecting the parking system (26S48), two seatbelt pretensioner recalls involving inadvertent deployment or failure to retract (25S31 and 26S34), and a chrome trim recall involving sharp edges (26S38). All four recalls currently have no remedy available, with estimated repair dates extending into late 2026 and 2027. These defects affect critical safety systems including the power train, seat belts, and parking system. The rollaway hazard recall indicates the vehicle may move unexpectedly even when shifted into Park, creating a serious risk of injury or collision. The seatbelt pretensioner recalls involve components that may deploy without warning or fail to retract, increasing the risk of injury in a crash. The chrome trim recall involves sharp edges that may injure occupants. Combined with repeated transmission failures, these issues create multiple simultaneous safety risks. The problems have been confirmed by the Ford dealer and an independent inspector. Warning symptoms occurred before each failure, including harsh shifting, slipping, hesitation, and powertrain alerts. The combination of unresolved Federal Safety Recalls and repeated transmission failures makes the vehicle unsafe to operate.

Filed Jul 1, 2026 · Brakes, Transmission · 16,000 miles · MS · crash

The contact owns a 2025 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked with the parking brake activated, the contact’s wife returned to the vehicle and became aware that the vehicle had rolled away and crashed into a parked vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated prior to failure. There was no injury sustained. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact mentioned the vehicle was serviced prior to the failure for a tailgate issue, where the vehicle was reprogrammed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 16,000.

Filed Jun 29, 2026 · Brakes, Transmission · TX

Failed Component & Availability: Ford 10R80 10-speed transmission (Power Train). Available for inspection upon request. Safety Risk: My family is put at extreme risk in two ways. 1) Sudden loss of motive power, slipping, and violent engagements at highway speeds create an imminent rear-end collision risk. 2) This exact vehicle is now under Safety Recall 26S48 (the federal safety agency 26V402) for unintended vehicle rollaway. Ford explicitly states a remedy is not available until Q2 2027, forcing us to drive an unfixable, inherently dangerous vehicle for another year. Confirmation & Inspections: Yes, reproduced and confirmed by Tomball Ford. The latest catastrophic internal failure was physically inspected and confirmed by an independent Old Republic Auto Warranty inspector. The Tomball Ford technician explicitly documented the cause as "outdated internal components" aligning with TSB 25-2476. Warnings & Symptoms: Violent shifting, delayed engagement, and "Powertrain Malfunction / Reduced Power" dash warnings. The latest catastrophic failure triggered hard fault DTC P07F7 (Gear 10 Incorrect Ratio). Cause Summary: Chronic manufacturing defect inherent to the Ford 10R80 / 10R60 transmission family. This vehicle has required FOUR (4) transmission assemblies in under 70,000 miles (repairs in Nov 2022, Feb 2023, and June 2026). During the most recent failure (May-June 2026), the vehicle was out of service for 26 consecutive days. Despite 4 failed transmissions and an active unfixable safety recall, Ford Corporate just denied our request for a replacement vehicle, abandoning my family in a documented rolling hazard.

Filed Apr 17, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · IL

This is a report of a recurring, life-safety defect involving unintended vehicle movement in a 2024 Ford Expedition. The vehicle has experienced two separate incidents where it was placed in 'Park,' remained stationary for 13-30 seconds, and then began driving itself backward without driver intervention or throttle input. Incident 1: Occurred on March 29, 2026 and I have this one on video. Incident 2: Occurred on April 8, 2026. The video clearly shows the vehicle remaining stationary and in 'Park' for 13 seconds before the unintended movement begins. This delay proves the movement is not a 'start-up rocking' sensation or 'normal clutch drag,' but a delayed mechanical or electronic failure of the park actuator or transmission system. I presented the vehicle for service at a Ford dealership on April 17, 2026. Despite my report of a delayed-onset rollaway, the dealership documented the issue as a 'normal and desired characteristic' of the 10-speed transmission. They characterized the event as a minor 'rocking' sensation that occurs immediately, which is factually contradicted by my video evidence showing a 13-second delay. This leaves me with an unsafe vehicle prone to unintended movement. I am requesting a formal investigation into a potential park-engagement failure.

Filed May 10, 2024 · Transmission · 138,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked and shifted into park(P) and the contact exited the vehicle to run errands; however, upon returning to where the vehicle was parked, the contact became aware that the vehicle had rolled away. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent and had started engaging the parking brake whenever the vehicle was parked. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact had researched online and related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train). The failure mileage was approximately 138,000.

Filed Jul 28, 2022 · Transmission · 112,000 miles · IA

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked at a gas station, the vehicle slowly rolled away. The contact shifted the vehicle out of park to stop the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called and notified the local dealer however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 112,000.

Filed Mar 2, 2020 · Transmission · 70,000 miles · CT · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 ford expedition. The vehicle rolled away while engaged in park possible power train consequence passenger side door had to be replaced at owners expense the contact stated that the vehicle was engaged in park and the key was removed from the ignition, started to walk inside a building, noticed the vehicle rolling backwards on a flat surface street. The contact opened the passenger door in an attempt to stop the vehicle, however the door hit the side of a building. He was able to step on the brake pedal and stopped the vehicle. The contact also mentioned that the failure occurred one other time around the 20 of february 2020, but he was inside the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for a diagnostic. No police incident report was filed. No injuries were reported. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.

Related recalls

Power train: automatic transmissionReported June 24, 2026 · 741,195 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Navigator, Expedition, 2020-2021 Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and 2021 F-150 vehicles. The transmission park pawl may engage while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in park system damage.
Risk
Park system damage may result in a vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, and inspect and replace any damaged transmission components as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed July 10, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the remedy is available, anticipated in April 2027. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S48. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on on June 26, 2026.

Recall number 26V402000 · Recall details

Power train: axle assemblyReported February 24, 2023 · 240 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023 F-150, Expedition, and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The front axle pinion may not have been heat-treated, which can cause it to fracture.
Risk
A fractured pinion can result in a loss of 4-wheel drive and may cause the front wheels to lock up, increasng the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the front axle pinion gear set. If there is a broken front axle pinion, the entire axle assembly will be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 21, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S07.

Recall number 23V128000 · Recall details

Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)Reported April 3, 2020 · 55,158 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Ranger and F-150 vehicles equipped with 10-speed automatic transmissions and certain 2020 Expedition vehicles equipped with a "police" package. The transmission shift cable lock clip may not be fully seated, allowing the transmission to actually be in a different gear than the gear shift position selected by the driver.
Risk
If the transmission selection does not match the indicated gear selection, and the parking brake is not applied, unintended vehicle movement can occur, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and correct the shift cable locking clip installation, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 27, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S18.

Recall number 20V197000 · Recall details

Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)Reported April 4, 2018 · 292,909 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 F-650 and F-750 vehicles equipped with 6-speed automatic transmissions and 2018 Ford F-150 and Expedition vehicles equipped with 10-speed automatic transmissions (excluding Expedition vehicles with a Rotary Gear Shift Dial on the console). The gear shift cable clip may not be properly seated, allowing the transmission to be in a different gear than indicated by the gear shift lever position.
Risk
If the gear shift cable clip becomes unseated or dislodged, the gear shift lever position may indicate that the transmission is in 'Park' when it may be in a different gear. Additionally, despite selecting 'Park', if the parking brake is not applied before the vehicle is exited, the vehicle may roll. Either scenario increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the shift cable locking clip and properly seat it, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 13, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for the recall is 18S10.

Recall number 18V214000 · Recall details

Power train: automatic transmissionReported April 4, 2018 · 142 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Ford F-150 and 2018 Ford Expedition and Mustang and Lincoln Navigator vehicles equipped with 10-speed automatic transmissions. A roll pin may not have been installed in the transmission, potentially causing a loss of the "Park" function.
Risk
Despite the transmission shift lever being placed in 'Park' and the instrument panel display indicating 'Park,' the vehicle may roll away after it has been exited if the parking brake has not been applied, increasing the risk of injury or a crash.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmission to make sure it has the roll pin, installing one if it is missing, free of charge. The recall began on April 13, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18S09.

Recall number 18V213000 · Recall details

Power train: automatic transmissionReported April 27, 2016 · 153,581 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Ford F-150 trucks, 2012 Ford Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, and Ford Mustang vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with an automatic transmission that may unexpectedly downshift to first gear, regardless of vehicle speed.
Risk
An unexpected downshift into first gear can cause the vehicle to slow down suddenly without warning and the rear tires may slide or lock, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the powertrain control module with updated software, free of charge. The recall began on September 19, 2016. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 16S19.

Recall number 16V248000 · Recall details

Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)Reported October 7, 1997 · 866,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and multi-purpose passenger vehicles. If the automatic transmission shift cable assembly was not fully attached to the steering column bracket, the shift cable assembly can come out of the bracket. The vehicle operator would then not be able to shift the transmission from one of the drive gear positions into the park position even though the gear shift selector would indicate "park."
Risk
The condition would not allow a disengagement of the transmission from the park position or affect proper neutral start switch operation. Unintended vehicle movement could occur if the parking brake was not set.
Remedy
Dealers will make the proper attachment of the transmission shift control cable to the steering column bracket and add a tie strap to that connection.

Recall number 97V171000 · Recall details

Questions about the Ford Expedition rollaway

Which Ford Expedition years have rolls away in park problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2020 (3 complaints), 2008 (2 complaints) and 2015 (2 complaints).

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