Certain Ford Maverick, Escape plug-in hybrid, and Lincoln Corsair hybrid owners need to pay attention to the mailbox. The manufacturer is alerting owners to the possibility that, while driving, their car may suddenly and uncontrollably go into neutral.

Software is the root of the problem. Ford upgraded the Hybrid Transmission Internal Park Module (HTIPM) diagnostic software on the impacted vehicles in January using the Hybrid Powertrain Control Module (HPCM). The car is reportedly shifting into neutral because the new diagnostic software seems to be picking up on a noise in the Park Motor Position Sensor, which sets off a diagnostic issue code.

Drivers will still be able to use the brakes and power steering when the malfunction occurs, but they won’t be able to use the accelerator. When this occurs, the vehicle flashes many warning lights and a wrench light appears on the instrument panel.

Following an HPCM update at the dealer, Ford started looking into field reports of cars going into neutral in March. The carmaker found that the HTIPM software, which was made available in January, could cause the car to automatically enter neutral. According to Ford’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Safety Recall Report, there have been no incidents or injuries related to this problem that the company is aware of.

This month, the business will start sending mailed notices to owners of impacted vehicles, advising them to visit their dealer for a new software update. The bulk of the 8,727 vehicles included in the recall are Maverick pickups from 2022 to 2024. It also covers the 2021–2022 Corsairs and the 2020–2022 Escapes.