A transmission that will not hold a parked vehicle in place is one of the more alarming recall reasons. Door-lock corrosion, driveshaft damage, parking-pawl faults and shifter problems have each led to rollaway campaigns. Here are ten cars and SUVs recalled over parking-gear or shifter faults.
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1. Mercedes-Benz C-Class: Corroded Door Switch
A recall covers 310,667 Mercedes-Benz models from 2019 through 2026, including the C-Class, CLA and GLC, because a corroded door-lock switch can lead to a rollaway. The NHTSA recall record is campaign 26V481.
Owners should check the VIN at NHTSA to see whether a specific car is included. Until a repair is done, using the parking brake in addition to Park is a sensible habit. An open campaign costs the owner nothing to fix, as repairs under a safety recall are performed by dealers at no charge, so there is little reason to wait once the notice arrives.
2. Mercedes-Benz CLA: Same Rollaway Campaign
The CLA is covered by the same 310,667-vehicle door-lock-switch rollaway recall, 26V481, issued in July 2026. Details sit in the campaign 26V481 for that campaign.
CLA owners should confirm eligibility by VIN, not assume a model year or trim determines coverage. A dealer can perform the remedy once parts and notices are available. Recall notices are mailed to registered owners, but addresses can be out of date, so a lookup by VIN is the dependable method for catching a missed letter.
3. Mercedes-Benz GLC: Seven Models, One Fault
NHTSA lists the GLC among 310,667 Mercedes A, C, CLA, CLE, GLA, GLB and GLC models from 2019 through 2026 that can roll away because of door-lock switch corrosion, per the NHTSA campaign listing.
The wide list shows how one part can touch many nameplates. GLC owners should check their VIN rather than rely on a model name alone. Used buyers of any of these models can run the VIN before purchase, because a rollaway fix that was never completed stays with the vehicle across owners.
4. BMW 5 Series: Driveshaft Damage
A recall covering 39,144 BMW 840i, 540i, M550i xDrive and 750e xDrive models from 2020 through 2026 says the driveshaft-to-rear-differential connection can be damaged, causing rear power loss and rollaway. See the BMW recall filing.
Owners of the 5 Series variants named should check the VIN at NHTSA. A rollaway risk is a reason to schedule the repair promptly once a notice arrives. A damaged driveshaft connection can mean a sudden loss of power to the rear wheels, so unusual noise or vibration should be reported promptly.
5. Hyundai Ioniq 5: Pawl Disengages
Hyundai recalled 10,729 Ioniq 5 vehicles in May 2022 because a voltage fluctuation could disengage the parking pawl and let the car roll away, according to an EV recall roundup.
That recall dates to 2022, so it is older than the other campaigns here. Used Ioniq 5 shoppers can verify through NHTSA that the remedy was completed. Hyundai and Kia have often shared hardware, and engineering overlaps like this explain why related cars turn up in the same type of campaign.
6. Kia EV6: Sibling With the Same Risk
Kia recalled 9,014 EV6 vehicles alongside the Ioniq 5 for the same parking-pawl rollaway risk, as the Interesting Engineering list notes.
Because the cars are related, the shared fault is unsurprising. EV6 buyers should confirm the recall repair appears in a car’s service history. Parking on a slope with wheels turned toward the curb adds a layer of protection against any rollaway, whatever the cause. Owners can also ask a dealer whether any software update accompanies the fix, since voltage behavior is a control-system matter.
7. Ford Escape: Shifter Fault on a Compact SUV
Hotcars lists the 2013 and 2014 Ford Escape among Fords recalled with the Fusion in the same shifter-fault action. The Hotcars list covers used Fords to approach carefully.
The payoff gives no unit count for the Escape, so the scope is unclear. Owners should search by VIN for open campaigns and verify the shifter repair was made. Because shifter assemblies and wiring harnesses are wear items, older cars can develop trouble even when the recall has been performed. A vehicle history report that lists recall completion offers a second check beyond the manufacturer’s own database for anyone buying used.
8. Ford Expedition: Parking Pawl Problem
Ford’s parking-pawl recall covers 741,195 vehicles, including 2018 through 2021 Expeditions that could roll away, according to Motor1 recall report.
A recall this large touches many households. Expedition owners should check the VIN, and until repaired, set the parking brake each time the vehicle is left. Checking the display for confirmation that the vehicle is in Park before exiting is a habit that costs nothing and guards against surprises. For households that use the vehicle for towing or hauling, an unexpected rollaway on a slope can be especially dangerous, which underlines the need for the repair.
9. Lincoln Navigator: Valve Body Defect
A valve-body defect can let the parking pawl engage while the vehicle is moving, and Ford’s 741,195-vehicle recall covers 2018 through 2021 Navigators. That is spelled out in Motor1 coverage.
The fault here is a pawl engaging while moving, not just failing to hold. Navigator owners should have the VIN checked and the remedy done promptly. Large campaigns can mean parts shortages early on, so owners may be told to wait, and should ask a dealer what interim steps are advised.
10. Lincoln Nautilus: Corroded Actuator Board
A park-lock actuator circuit board can corrode on 11,623 Lincoln Nautilus and Corsair hybrids, which can then suddenly lose drive power, per the Lincoln recall record.
A sudden loss of drive power is a safety concern in traffic. Hybrid owners should check the VIN and schedule the repair as soon as a dealer can complete it. Hybrid powertrains add electronic complexity, so owners should follow dealer instructions on any interim precautions while awaiting parts. If the vehicle has been repaired already, the dealer’s paperwork is worth keeping as proof for any future sale.
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