Ford and Lincoln Recall Hundreds of Vehicles Over Transmission Defects in 2024-2025 Models
Ford and Lincoln Grapple With Fresh Transmission Recall Troubles
Here we go again—one of Detroit’s biggest names is sounding the alarm over its latest vehicles. This time, Ford recall notices are hitting two of its best-known brands, as some 2024 and 2025 models are flagged for looming transmission trouble. At first glance, the numbers seem small compared to some sprawling recalls, but both the risks and the defects are too big to shrug off. Ford is moving quickly to fix problems that could cause a car to lurch forward unexpectedly, lose drive power, or even roll away.
The first recall, under campaign 25V164000, calls out a machining flaw deep in the heart of the 10R80 transmission’s main control valve body. In plain English? If the part inside your gearbox isn’t machined just right, it could fail so badly that reversing actually sends the car moving forward—or worse, the gears could slip when you’re sitting in neutral. Picture parking a luxury SUV like the Lincoln Aviator and suddenly feeling it creep forward, even when you think you’re safe. The recall only hits three of these SUVs (built in a narrow window during December 2024), but the defect lets a glitch in the assembly line threaten safety. Ford is telling affected Aviator owners they’ll get a brand-new valve body, free of charge, at the dealer.
But the story doesn’t end there. The second recall, campaign 25V020000, is much larger, pulling in 259 vehicles from both the 2025 Lincoln Aviator and the Ford Explorer built on September 17, 2024. These have a different problem—loose or missing bolts on the transmission cross member. Think of it like forgetting to fully tighten the screws holding up the transmission under the car. If those bolts wiggle free or just never made it into the factory assembly, the transmission can break loose. That means the car could suddenly lose power while driving or even drop out of gear.
What Owners Need to Watch Out For—and How Ford Is Responding
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by recall alerts, especially when they mention complex parts like valve bodies or cross members. But the bottom line is simple: issues like these can cause serious accidents if left unchecked. Ford isn’t leaving owners in the dark. For the valve body issue (labeled as 25S19), the brand started letting affected customers know on April 11, 2025. For the cross member bolt defect (25S03), notifications started rolling out on February 10, 2025.
Dealers are stepping up with hands-on inspections and fixes. For the transmission issues caused by missing or loose bolts, mechanics will either replace the bolts or swap out the entire cross member—whatever gets the safest result. As for the three unlucky Aviator SUVs carrying the valve defect, owners are told to come in for a quick valve body swap. No one will be charged for these repairs.
Ford wants worried owners to know help is just a phone call away. The company set up its recall hotline at 1-866-436-7332. For those who prefer dealing with things in person, a visit to the dealership is enough to get action. Staying on top of these recalls keeps everyone—from Explorer drivers to Aviator owners—a little safer down the road.
Aravinda Arkaje
May 3, 2025 AT 22:25Also, props to the mechanics who actually know what a valve body is. Most shops these days just swap entire transmissions like it’s a Netflix subscription.
kunal Dutta
May 4, 2025 AT 14:11And the cross member bolts? Bro, that’s like forgetting to tighten the lug nuts after a tire change. This isn’t a recall, this is a QA audit failure on steroids. Ford’s assembly line must’ve been staffed by sleepwalkers with a Walmart coupon. At least they’re fixing it. But can we talk about how this is the 3rd transmission recall this year? Someone’s gotta stop the conveyor belt before it turns into a death trap.
Yogita Bhat
May 5, 2025 AT 12:43But seriously - these aren’t just mechanical failures. They’re cultural ones. We’ve optimized for speed over soul, for cost over care. That valve body? It’s not just a part. It’s a metaphor. We’re all just trying to keep our gears from slipping while the world spins faster.
Also, who designed the recall notification system? Why does it take 2 months to notify people about a bolt issue? That’s not customer service. That’s a waiting game with gravity.
Tanya Srivastava
May 5, 2025 AT 17:57Ankur Mittal
May 7, 2025 AT 17:02Check your VIN on the NHTSA site. Free, takes 30 seconds. Don’t wait for a letter.
Diksha Sharma
May 9, 2025 AT 00:37Also, did you know the 10R80 was designed by a guy who got fired from GM? That’s why it’s so glitchy. #FordCoverup
Akshat goyal
May 10, 2025 AT 20:34