Ford Recalls Vehicles Over Transmission Issue That Causes Forward Movement in Reverse

History Behind the Recall

Ford has announced a significant safety recall impacting several of its most popular vehicles across the 2024 and 2025 model years. According to documentation from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a machining defect in the transmission valve body could lead to reverse gear failure or unexpected forward movement, even when the vehicle is placed in reverse or neutral.

This critical transmission issue creates a serious safety hazard. Drivers may experience unexpected lurching forward when attempting to reverse, increasing the risk of collision, injury, or property damage. The issue stems from an incorrectly machined transmission main control valve body, which could result in erratic vehicle behavior and loss of driver control.

Ford has identified the problem as a high-priority risk and is urging affected vehicle owners to act immediately.

Which Models Are Affected

The recall, listed under NHTSA Recall #25S19, affects the following models:

  • 2024–2025 Ford F-150
  • 2024–2025 Ford Bronco
  • 2024 Ford Ranger
  • 2025 Ford Mustang
  • 2025 Ford Explorer
  • 2025 Lincoln Aviator

Owners of these vehicles may experience the vehicle failing to reverse, or worse, moving forward when in reverse or neutral, which can result in serious and unpredictable safety concerns.

What Owners Need to Do Next

Ford dealerships will replace the transmission’s main control valve body free of charge for all affected vehicles. Vehicle owners should take the following steps:

  1. Call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 and mention recall number 25S19.
  2. Check their VIN on the NHTSA Recall Lookup tool to confirm if their vehicle is affected.
  3. Schedule a repair appointment with their local Ford dealership as soon as possible.

In the meantime, exercise caution when shifting into reverse or neutral and report any unexpected vehicle behavior to Ford immediately.

Notification letters will be sent to affected owners. However, due to the urgency of the issue, vehicle owners are encouraged to take action immediately rather than waiting for a letter in the mail.

How Ford Owners Can Take Back Control

While recalls have been communicated to owners, many continue to be unhappy with the solutions provided by automakers. These problems have the potential to escalate into further action, just like this, underlining the importance of protecting consumer rights.

If you struggle with vehicle troubles and feel cornered against big vehicle brands, remember it is always better to have experts with you. With extensive experience and successful cases at hand, The Lemon Firm is your best bet. With dedicated team members always at your disposal, the package becomes too good to be true. So, if your car is giving you a headache, don’t hesitate to reach out!

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About the Author
Sepehr Daghighian is a partner with CCA that is well-versed in all aspects of lemon-law litigation. A 2005 graduate of Loyola Law School, Mr. Daghighian has been practicing litigation throughout the state of California for over 13-years. In this time, Mr. Daghighian has advocated on behalf of California consumers in hundreds of lemon law cases throughout our great state. Mr. Daghighian has also successfully tried numerous such cases to verdict in both Federal and State Court.