Ford Motor Company has issued a recall on its 2022 to 2023 Model Year (MY) trucks, as well as the Explorer, Bronco, Mustang and 2023 Lincoln Aviator due to an issue with its 10-speed automatic transmission. This stop-sale order is the latest setback for the company, as it struggles to address its quality issues across its product lines.
The recall is focused on Ford’s 10R80 transmission used in its longitudinal platforms. The transmission was built under a joint venture with General Motors, who has not issued a recall, as each OEM builds their own version of the transmission. The issue is caused by an extra loose bolt that can make its way into the parking pawl, preventing the vehicle from staying in “Park” position.
What is the issue with Ford’s 10-speed automatic transmission?
Ford has issued a recall on its 2022 to 2023 Model Year (MY) trucks, as well as the Explorer, Bronco, Mustang and 2023 Lincoln Aviator due to an issue with its 10-speed automatic transmission. The issue is caused by an extra loose bolt that can make its way into the parking pawl, preventing the vehicle from staying in “Park” position.
Which Ford vehicles are affected by the recall?
The recall affects the 2022 to 2023 Model Year (MY) trucks, as well as the Explorer, Bronco, Mustang and 2023 Lincoln Aviator.
What is the parking pawl in an automatic transmission?
The parking pawl is a piece of steel that engages with a large toothed gear that prevents the transmission from moving. Without it, the vehicle can still move as the “Park” setting is essentially putting the transmission in “Neutral” if the parking pawl didn’t exist.
Why is it important to engage the parking brake in an automatic transmission equipped vehicle?
Engaging the parking brake in an automatic transmission equipped vehicle is important because if the parking pawl fails to engage or even break, the vehicle won’t roll away.
What other quality issues has Ford faced recently?
Ford has faced several quality issues in the recent past, including a High Voltage Battery (HVB) issue that halted production and shipping of the F-150 Lightning, a software issue for preproduction models of the new Escape, issues with the Raptor 37’s lug nuts, and a recall for the Mach-E’s HVB contactors. These issues have led the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to declare that Ford had the most recalls in the US in the past two years.
Is Ford taking steps to address its quality issues?
Ford CEO Jim Farley has acknowledged the company’s quality issues and has committed to addressing them. He has said, “We can cut the cost and the people and do it quickly. But the reality is, if you don’t change the efficiency of engineering, supply chain and manufacturing—the way people work—it’ll grow back, because it did. It all grew back. My job as CEO is to make sure far after I’m gone that it doesn’t grow back.”
Conclusion
Ford Motor Company’s latest stop-sale order on its 2022 to 2023 Model Year (MY) trucks due to an issue with its 10-speed automatic transmission is the latest in a series of setbacks that the company has faced in recent times. The company has acknowledged its quality issues and is taking steps to address them to ensure that they do not recur in the future. It remains to be seen how effective these measures will be in restoring customer confidence in the brand.