Ford Motor Co is Recalling 2.9 Million Vehicle That Could ‘Roll Away' After the Transmission is Shifted Into Park

author: FutureCar Staff    

Ford Motor Co has issued another major recall. The automaker announced on Wednesday that its recalling 2.9 million vehicles that could roll away while in park due to worn or detached shift bushing. 

According to the recall notice filed with the NHTSA, the shift indicator may show that the vehicle is in park while its still in drive, increasing the risk of injury or crash if passengers exits the vehicle. The problem is related to the bushing that attaches the shift cable to the transmission, which may degrade or come loose. A damaged or missing bushing could prevent the shifter from moving the transmission when the driver moves the shifter into "park".

The problem can also lead to a no-start condition since the ignition is disabled if the vehicle is in drive and the indicator shows it in the park position. 

The recalled vehicles include the 2013-2019 Escape SUV, 2013-2018 C-Max, 2013-2016 Fusion sedan, 2013-2021 Transit Connect vans and 2015-2018 Edge vehicles. 

Ford said it was aware of six reports alleging property damage and four reports of injuries potentially related to the recalled vehicles. The problem can occur in roughly 1% of the 2,925,968 recalled vehicles.

Ford says the root cause of the problem has not yet been identified. But based on Ford's own use investigation, heat and humidity have the potential to contribute to the breakdown of the transmission shift bushing material.

To address the problem, Ford dealers will replace the under-hood transmission shift bushing and add a protective cap. The new parts will be manufactured from a different grade material that more durable.

In early April, Ford recalled 737,000 vehicles to address two separate problems, one for an engine part that could develop an oil leak and another for a hydraulic brake system software error that can inhibit braking.

Ford recalled 345,451 of its 2020-2022 Ford Escape SUVs and 2021-2022 Ford Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with 1.5L engines because the engine oil separator housing could crack and develop an oil leak that might lead to an engine fire. Ford said it had reports of at least eight fires that may be related to the issue.

Dealers will inspect the oil separator for damage or oil leaks, and replace the oil separator and seals, if needed.

The other recall involves 391,836 2021-2022 F-150 pickups, 2022 Ford Maverick pickups, Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, F-250, F-350, F-450 and F-550 heavy-duty vehicles because a towed trailer equipped with an electric or electric-over hydraulic brake system might not work.

The Trailer Brake Controller system in Ford vehicles is designed to apply the brakes electronically on the trailer being towed when the driver applies the brakes on the towing vehicle.

For this issue, dealers will update the trailer brake control module software on the affected vehicles. Ford said it has 67 reports of improper function potentially related to the issue but no reports of crashes or injuries related to the recall.

Ford also issued a "stop sale" on Tuesday for the electric Mustang Mach E SUV to address possible safety problems that could lead to the vehicle to become "immobile". The problem could cause the vehicle not to start or immediately lose propulsion power when driving.

According to a notice sent to dealers, the problem involves the potential overheating of the Mach E's high voltage battery main contactors, which is an electrically controlled switch for a power circuit. The issue can lead to a malfunction where the vehicle may not start, or immediately lose propulsion power while in motion.

Ford said the affected vehicles potentially include 2021 and 2022 Mach-Es models manufactured at Ford's Cuautitlan assembly plant in Mexico from May 27, 2020, through May 24, 2022. Although Ford manufactured roughly 100,000 Mach-E SUVs during the timeframe, the potential problems involve around 49,000 vehicles, Ford spokesman Said Deep told CNBC this week.

Ford said that a fix for the Mach-E would be available by the third quarter of this year. 

FutureCar Staff