Ford Recalls Over 145,000 Vehicles for Brake Fluid Leak, Software Errors

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Ford Motor Co. issued two recalls affecting over 145,000 vehicles due to safety concerns involving brake fluid leaks and software errors, according to documents released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The recalled vehicles

Over 120,000 Ford and Lincoln vehicles have been recalled because they may leak brake fluid, making it harder to stop the car. The issue involves a part in the braking system that can let fluid leak into another area,. If too much fluid is lost, braking power to the front wheels can drop, increasing the risk of a crash.

The estimated 123,600 recalled vehicles include:

• 2017-2018 Ford F-150
• 2017-2018 Ford Expedition
• 2017-2018 Lincoln Navigator

Ford is also recalling certain Ford Explorer vehicles because of a software glitch that could cause the engine to stall or the car to roll away when parked. The issue stems from the powertrain control module, which might reset unexpectedly. This can damage the system that keeps the vehicle in park or cause the engine to suddenly lose power. If the parking brake isn’t used, the vehicle could roll away. And if the engine stalls while driving, the car could lose power without warning.The estimated 24,600 vehicles in this recall include

2025 Ford Explorers built between Dec. 6, 2023, and Sept. 6, 2024. 

Remedies

Brake Fluid Leak: Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder. If the master cylinder leaks, the brake booster will also be replaced. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed by April 28.

Software Error: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software,free of charge. Dealers will also inspect the transmission for park system damage and replace it if necessary. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed by May 26.

Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 for more information. Ford's numbers for these recalls are 25S37 (brake fluid leak) and 25S35 (software error).

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-888-275-9171) or visit www.safercar.gov.

To find out if a specific vehicle is recalled, visit NHTSA.gov/recalls or call the Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 and input your license plate number or 17-digit vehicle identification number (VIN).