6/16/22 - Ford Announces Another Major Recall

Later this month, a number of Ford owners will be issued a recall notice.

Ford Motor Company is recalling some 2.9 million vehicles due to an issue with the shifter cable that can cause the cars not to go into the intended gear. 

Ford said it is recalling 2.9 million Escape, Fusion, C-Max, Edge and Transit Connect vehicles from various years because of a potential defect in a part that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission.

If that part, known as a bushing, is damaged or missing, the car might not shift into the intended gear, with no indication to the driver that anything is amiss, increasing risks while parked or driving, the company said.

In a letter to the company Tuesday, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration cited the risk of an “unintentional rollaway” and noted that the problem can also cause the vehicle “to move in an unexpected direction.”

Ford said it knows of four reports of injuries that might have been caused by the problem.

“The driver does not receive a warning message or audible chime,” Ford said in a regulatory filing submitted Friday. Leaving the vehicle without it actually being in park and without the parking brake on could allow it to keep moving, “increasing the risk of injury or crash,” the company said.

Ford will replace the part and add a protective cap, it said.

NHTSA said the recall applies to certain 2013-2019 Escapes; 2013-2018 C-Maxes; 2013-2016 Fusions; 2015-2018 Edge vehicles; and 2013-2021 Transit Connects.