Ford Everest Ranger Recalled Over Safety Issue
Synopsis
Ford Australia has issued a safety recall for 244 examples of its 2022 Ranger and Everest. If the battery level falls below a certain point while moving, at speeds under 4 miles per hour, then “the transmission may shift to Park” without any action on the part of the driver, causing a sudden stop with no warning or brake lights and an increased risk of accidents. Ford will notify owners who can receive a free software correction, and that the correction is necessary even on vehicles serviced for similar problems in 2023.
Ford Australia is recalling 244 Ranger and Everest models from 2022 over a software glitch that can make the transmission park itself when the battery is not charged. The problem would happen at under 6 km/h and doesn’t illuminate the brake lights, creating a potential collision hazard. This recall is a continuation of a previous 2023 campaign to remedy all units.
- Ford is recalling 244 vehicles from the 2022 model year over a transmission problem
- The car can shift into Park unexpectedly at low speeds due to low battery levels
- Owners are cautioned that the stop might occur without the brake lights illuminating
- Repairs are required even for vehicles repaired during a 2023 recall
Ford Australia has released an urgent safety recall for a certain batch of its popular Ranger utes, Everest and SUVs. The recall, which has been submitted to federal transport authorities, covers 244 vehicles from the 2022 model year. The issue is a software bug that can force the vehicle to come to an abrupt, and unexpected, stop while being driven, posing a significant safety risk for drivers and anyone near them.
The problem is connected with the car’s battery and transmission. If the battery level is too low, then the car’s computer may mistakenly shift the transmission into Park, according to the official notice for that risk. The only problem is that it can only do this when the car is moving slowly, namely, at speeds less than 6 km/h. But if you’re going that slow, such a drastic change is effectively an emergency stop and can take a driver by surprise.
Safety experts worry that when this sudden stop happens, rear brake lights don’t go on. As the Ford car is changing gear, rather than braking, following drivers receive no alert that the Ford vehicle will stop. Officials cautioned that the situation heightens the risk of such a crash, which could harm or even kill people inside the car or others on roadways.
This isn’t the first time that Ford has faced this particular software bug. Four years later, a much bigger recall in 2023 concerned nearly 5,000 vehicles over the same issue. But Ford Australia said the purpose of this new sweep is to ensure that any cars that ‘fell through the cracks’ or were not effectively fixed in the first wave, are captured. The company emphasised that even if a car was previously inspected, it needed to be brought in again to get the fix.
Ford plans to contact all involved owners by mail regarding the situation. Owners will be notified and asked to make an appointment with their local dealer to have the software updated. The repair reportedly is a relatively easy software upgrade and will be offered at no cost. The most recent safety action comes in addition to an unrelated recall the company conducted in late 2025 related to fire risks with certain lighting accessories.
The Ranger and Everest are two of the most well-travelled cars on Australian roads, on long highways for family holidays, or off-road doing heavy duty. These trucks are often used for towing and off-roading, so it is crucial to keep the electrical and transmission systems in good condition. Ford is encouraging anyone who gets a letter to take action as soon as possible, so that their car is still safe for stop-and-go traffic.
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