2022-2023 Ford F-150 Transmission Recall (23V070)

Recall 23V070 at a glance

What is wrong with the 2022-2023 Ford F-150 in recall 23V070?

The transmission may contain a loose bolt which could prevent the transmission from engaging the park gear, although the gear shifter position may indicate that the vehicle has been shifted to "PARK."

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2023 F-150, Mustang, Explorer, Bronco, and 2023 Lincoln Aviator vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. The transmission may contain a loose bolt which could prevent the transmission from engaging the park gear, although the gear shifter position may indicate that the vehicle has been shifted to "PARK."

Is it safe to drive a 2022-2023 F-150 with recall 23V070?

NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: The inability to secure the vehicle in the park position can result in a rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

NHTSA describes the risk this way: The inability to secure the vehicle in the park position can result in a rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

There is no do-not-drive order on this campaign. If your F-150 shows warning lights or behaves differently in a way that involves the automatic transmission, have it checked before driving further.

Which vehicles are included in recall 23V070?

Recall 23V070 covers 1,138 vehicles: 2022-2023 Ford Bronco; 2022-2023 Ford Explorer; 2022-2023 Ford F-150; 2022-2023 Ford Mustang; 2023 Lincoln Aviator.

NHTSA lists 1,138 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.

What is the fix for the F-150 transmission recall?

Yes. Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the transmissions, free of charge.

Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the transmissions, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 25, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S06.

When was recall 23V070 announced?

Ford Motor Company reported recall 23V070 to NHTSA on February 10, 2023. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as April 25, 2023.

This recall was filed 44 months ago. If your F-150 was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.

How do I check if my F-150 is part of recall 23V070?

Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 23V070 is open on your F-150, it will be listed there.

Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup. It shows any open safety recall on your vehicle, including 23V070000. Your VIN is on the registration card, the insurance card, and the driver side of the dashboard where it meets the windshield. Recent recalls can take a few days to appear in the lookup.

What should F-150 owners do about recall 23V070?

Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.

1. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 23V070000 applies to your F-150.
2. Book the recall appointment with any authorized Ford dealer. Ask up front whether parts are available and how long the vehicle will be there.
3. Keep a copy of every repair order. Check that each one lists your complaint, the mileage, and the dates in and out.
4. Write down when symptoms involving the automatic transmission happen: date, mileage, speed, weather and what you felt or heard. Photos and short videos help.
5. Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
6. If the problem comes back after the repair, return to the dealer and contact a lemon law attorney.

What are F-150 owners reporting to NHTSA?

Owners have filed 2,070 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 442 of them about the transmission.

NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 2,070 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 442 of them involve the transmission. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.

• 2022 Ford F-150: 594 complaints in total, 155 about the transmission
• 2023 Ford F-150: 408 complaints in total, 151 about the transmission
• 2022 Ford Bronco: 376 complaints in total, 39 about the transmission
• 2022 Ford Explorer: 267 complaints in total, 58 about the transmission
• 2023 Ford Bronco: 226 complaints in total, 21 about the transmission
• 2023 Ford Explorer: 110 complaints in total, 12 about the transmission
• 2022 Ford Mustang: 50 complaints in total, 4 about the transmission
• 2023 Lincoln Aviator: 24 complaints in total, 1 about the transmission

Here is what some owners told NHTSA, in their own words (excerpts, unverified):

popping/rattling sound coming from front passenger side and transmission is shifting hard at lower gears. vehicle is in shop waiting on repairs. front struts bad and had to be replaced at 12,555 miles. transmission software had to be upgraded and wiring harness for transmission under vehicle had to be repaired.

2023 Ford Explorer owner, AR, NHTSA complaint 11638233, filed January 24, 2025

The contact owns a 2023 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 60-70 MPH, the rear subframe bolt detached, and destroyed the axle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V675000 (Power Train).

2023 Ford Explorer owner, AL, NHTSA complaint 11644576, filed February 24, 2025

While in moderate snow attempted to go from backing up to drive and the vehicle stopped, parking brake auto engaged, powertrain (wrench) trouble light illuminated. The trouble light did not shut off after sitting overnight.

2023 Ford Explorer owner, OH, NHTSA complaint 11708523, filed January 3, 2026

Can recall 23V070 make my F-150 a lemon in California?

Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.

Owners often ask whether this automatic transmission recall means their F-150 qualifies as a lemon. Not by itself. Song-Beverly looks at whether a defect covered by the warranty substantially impairs use, value or safety and was not fixed after a reasonable number of repair attempts (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)).

A transmission defect affects the core job of the 2022-2023 Ford F-150: moving reliably. Owners often see the same symptom return after a repair, and those repeat visits are the kind of history California's lemon law looks at.

A remedy is available. Many vehicles are fixed on the first try. If the problem returns after the recall repair, or the 2022-2023 Ford F-150 has needed other repairs for the same defect, those visits count toward a lemon law claim.

For the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, California presumes the manufacturer had enough chances if the F-150 went in two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for the same defect, or spent more than 30 days in the shop (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Direct notice to the manufacturer is required for some of these. The presumption is a shortcut, not the only path to a claim.

An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.

Frequently asked questions about recall 23V070