NHTSA safety recall National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Ford Explorer recall: The powertrain control module (PCM) may reset while driving

Recall published 1+ years ago

The powertrain control module (PCM) may reset while driving, which can damage the park system or cause an engine stall.

The hazard: Brake system defect

This is a brake recall, which is the category where the gap between "the car feels fine" and a failure is shortest.

What the notice says: A damaged park system can result in a vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is placed in park without the parking brake applied. An engine stall while driving can result in a sudden loss of drive power. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.

Why it matters: A fault in the braking system can lengthen stopping distances or cause a loss of braking. Unlike most vehicle faults, this one gives very little warning before it matters.

Recall details

Recall number
25V239000
Published
April 11, 2025
Risk level
NHTSA safety recall
Status
Open safety recall
Issued by
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Brand
Ford
Product type
Power Train
Distribution
Nationwide
Vehicles
Ford Explorer
Lot / code info
NHTSA campaign number 25V239000

Products covered by this recall

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025 Explorer vehicles. The powertrain control module (PCM) may reset while driving, which can damage the park system or cause an engine stall.

Vehicles in this campaign

Check your product

The notice names 1 code you can read straight off the package. Type the one printed on yours and the list below narrows to it.

Vehicle

Match this against the make and model on your registration.

  • Explorer

Codes are lifted verbatim from the NHTSA — Vehicle safety recalls notice. A code that is missing here may still be covered — the official notice is the complete list.

What to do about Brakes

Ford — This is a brake recall, which is the category where the gap between "the car feels fine" and a failure is shortest.

  1. Book this repair promptly, and in the meantime leave a larger gap than usual to the vehicle in front.
  2. Call any franchised dealer for the brand, give them the campaign number from this page, and ask them to confirm parts are in stock before you book — part supply, not labour, is what delays a fresh recall.
  3. Tell the dealer if you have noticed a soft or sinking pedal, a longer stop, a warning light or a new noise — those symptoms affect how urgently they fit you in.
  4. Do not top up or change brake fluid as a workaround; it will not fix a mechanical or software defect and it may mask one.

Costs, reimbursement and your rights

The repair itself is free. What people most often miss is that money already spent can frequently be claimed back.

  • If you paid for the same repair out of pocket before the recall was announced, ask the manufacturer for reimbursement. Carmakers must run a reimbursement plan for pre-notification repairs; you will need the original invoice.
  • A dealer may not charge a diagnostic, inspection or shop-supplies fee for recall work. If one appears on the estimate, query it before you sign.
  • If a dealer refuses the repair, delays it unreasonably or tries to bill you, complain to the manufacturer’s customer line, then to NHTSA. Those complaints are logged against the campaign.
  • An unrepaired open recall can affect a sale or trade-in. Closing it out costs nothing and protects the value of the vehicle.

Remedy named in the notice: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 6, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S35.

Company contact: Ford Motor Company

The official notice

This page summarises a notice published by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The agency notice is the authoritative version — read it before you act, and treat it as the final word if anything here looks different.

Open the NHTSA — Vehicle safety recalls record National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recalls

Questions people ask about this recall

Why was Ford power train recalled?

The powertrain control module (PCM) may reset while driving, which can damage the park system or cause an engine stall. A damaged park system can result in a vehicle rollaway when the vehicle is placed in park without the parking brake applied. An engine stall while driving can result in a sudden loss of drive power. Either of these scenarios can increase the risk of a crash.

How do I know if I have the recalled product?

The notice does not publish package codes for this recall. Compare the product name, size and the purchase window against the official NHTSA — Vehicle safety recalls record, and contact the company if you are unsure.

What should I do with it right now?

Book this repair promptly, and in the meantime leave a larger gap than usual to the vehicle in front.

Can I get my money back?

The notice says: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 6, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S35.

Does the repair cost me anything?

No. Safety recall repairs are performed free of charge at a franchised dealer for as long as the campaign is open, whether or not the vehicle is still under warranty.

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