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Ford launches another hybrid recall after incomplete software fixes
Ford has announced a fresh recall affecting a limited number of Maverick and Escape hybrid models after discovering that some vehicles were not correctly updated during earlier campaigns. The automaker says the issue is software-related and can — in rare cases — allow the vehicle to shift into neutral while driving, prompting a dealer-installed calibration update to the hybrid powertrain control module (HPCM).
What’s happening and who’s affected
This December 2025 recall follows two earlier campaigns: a May 2024 recall covering 8,727 hybrid vehicles and a follow-up in February 2025. According to documents submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a small number of trucks and crossovers were recorded as repaired even though the remedy software was not actually installed.
For the latest action, Ford says it inadvertently omitted a limited set of VINs from the prior recalls. The newly identified population includes:
- 1 unit: 2020 Escape Hybrid
- 86 units: Maverick Hybrid (model years 2022–2024; production dates March 11, 2021 to April 4, 2024)
Ford will upload the complete list of affected VINs to its consumer website on January 15, 2026. Dealers are slated to receive electronic notification by that same date, and customer letters will be mailed between January 26 and January 30, 2026.
Technical cause and safety risk
The root of the problem is the hybrid powertrain control module. If the HPCM detects a noise in the park motor position sensor, it can log an incorrect park motor position diagnostic trouble code. That erroneous code may cause the transmission internal park module to place the vehicle into neutral while in motion — an obviously hazardous condition.
Ford stresses the failure is a software calibration issue rather than a mechanical defect; the prescribed fix is a no-cost HPCM software update applied by dealers.
Why this matters
- Safety: Unexpected neutral engagement can reduce driving control and increase collision risk.
- Ownership: Affected owners will receive written notifications and must schedule a quick software update at a Ford dealer.
- Transparency: Ford will publish affected VINs so owners can verify eligibility.
"We are notifying customers and dealers as soon as possible and will perform the required software update free of charge," Ford said in its recall documents.
Production and platform context
The Maverick and Escape share engineering DNA on Ford’s C2 platform, which also underpins the Lincoln Corsair and the Bronco Sport. The Mexico-built Mustang Mach-E uses a derivative of the C2 platform, while the full-electric Mach-E is assembled at Ford’s Cuautitlan plant. Maverick and Bronco Sport production comes out of Hermosillo Stamping and Assembly in Mexico.
In late 2025, Ford ended production of the Escape and Lincoln Corsair at the Louisville Assembly Plant (LAP) in Kentucky. LAP is undergoing a large-scale retooling ahead of an as-yet-unnamed electric pickup built on Ford’s new Universal EV architecture. That mid-size EV, planned for a 2027 debut, aims for a roughly $30,000 starting price and will use lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) prismatic battery cells. Ford expects the truck to deliver just-over-300-mile EPA range and 0–60 mph performance comparable to the Mustang EcoBoost.
Market perspective
Software-driven recalls are increasingly common as modern vehicles rely heavily on electronic control modules. While repeated recall notices can dent consumer confidence, Ford’s approach — identifying omitted VINs, posting them publicly and offering a free calibration update — aims to close the loop quickly. For owners, the remedy should be straightforward: a short dealer visit for an HPCM calibration.
Key takeaways:
- The recall is limited in scope but safety-relevant.
- Ford will notify dealers (Jan 15, 2026) and owners (Jan 26–30, 2026).
- The fix is a free HPCM software update; affected VINs go live on Ford’s site Jan 15, 2026.
For hybrid owners, keeping software current is as important as mechanical maintenance. If you drive a Maverick or Escape hybrid built in the affected windows, check Ford’s VIN list on January 15 and schedule the update if your vehicle appears — it’s a quick step to avoid a potentially dangerous condition on the road.
Source: autoevolution
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