Keep an eye on your mailbox if you own certain Ford Maverick, Escape PHEV, and Lincoln Corsair hybrid models. The automaker is informing owners that their vehicle may unexpectedly switch into neutral while in motion.
The software is identified as the root cause of this issue. Ford updated the Hybrid Transmission Internal Park Module (HTIPM) diagnostic software of the affected vehicles back in January through the Hybrid Powertrain Control Module (HPCM). The new diagnostic software now detects a noise in the Park Motor Position Sensor, triggering a diagnostic trouble code that causes the vehicle to shift into neutral.
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If the issue occurs, drivers will retain power steering and brakes, but the vehicles will not respond to accelerator inputs. In such instances, a wrench light will illuminate on the instrument cluster, accompanied by multiple warning messages.
In March, Ford commenced an investigation into field reports of vehicles shifting into neutral following an HPCM update at the dealership. The automaker identified that the HTIPM software introduced in January could lead to automatic shifting into neutral. According to Ford’s Safety Recall Report submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there have been no reported accidents or injuries resulting from this malfunction.
This month, the company will begin notifying impacted vehicle owners via mail, instructing them to schedule a visit to their dealer for a new software update. The recall affects 8,727 vehicles, predominantly comprising 2022-2024 Maverick pickups. It also encompasses 2020-2022 Escapes and 2021-2022 Corsairs.
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