Ford Rollaway Problems May Impact Nearly 3M Vehicles Recalled

The NHTSA has received more than 230 customer complaints and four reports of injuries linked to Ford rollaway problems.

Nearly 3 million Ford cars and SUVs are being recalled, due to rollaway problems that may allow the vehicles to move even after they appear to be in park.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) posted a Ford recall notice on June 15, affecting impacting a variety of vehicles from model years 2013 through 2021, which could suffer from problems with a defective transmission component.

According to the NHTSA report, a faulty bushing that attaches the shift cable to the transmission is at risk of degrading or detaching. When damaged or missing, the bushing could prevent the transmission from moving into the intended gear position when shifted. This could result in the vehicle appearing to be shifted into park when in actuality it isn’t. If the parking brake is not engaged, the vehicle could roll away, causing significant property damage and possible bodily injury.

The automaker reports that here have been at least six reports of property damage, 233 customer complaints, 1,630 warranty claims, and four physical injuries related to the Ford rollaway problems.

The recall affects the following Ford models and manufacture dates:

• Ford Escape SUVs manufactured between Oct. 5, 2011 and Aug. 2, 2019
• Ford Edge SUVs manufactured between June 25, 2014 and Sept. 4, 2018
• Ford Transit Connect vans manufactured between June 13, 2013, and July 30, 2021
• Ford C-Max hybrids manufactured between Jan. 19, 2012, and April 26, 2018
• Ford Fusion sedans manufactured between Feb. 3, 2012, and April 4, 2016

It is estimated that 1% of the nearly 3 million Ford vehicles recalled may have the defect.

There is a repair available for the faulty component at authorized Ford and Lincoln dealerships where technicians will install a replacement shift cable bushing and protective cap. Official dealer notification began on June 13.

Owners impacted by the recall will be notified by mail with instructions to take their vehicles to their local Ford or Lincoln dealer for the repairs. Ford expects these notifications to be mailed beginning June 27. Consumers who have questions or are seeking more information can contact Ford customer service at 866-436-7332.

Ford Rollaway Accidents and Problems

In recent years, Ford Motors has been involved in several recalls due to failing components that could allow vehicles to roll away and significantly increase the risk of an auto accident.

In April, a Ford recall was issued for more than 250,000 newer model year Ford Explorers, due to a risk of rollaway accidents where the vehicles may move even if it is placed in park if the driveshaft disconnects.

In January, a Ford Fusion, Lincoln and Mustang recall impacting more than 200,000 vehicles was issued due to problems with the brake pedals, which could cause brake light problems and potentially allow parked vehicles to rollaway, increasing the risk of an auto accident.

In October 2019, a Ford F-250 and F-350 truck recall impacted more than 30,000 vehicles, after it was determined that the axle shafts could fail to live up to their life expectancy and fracture prematurely without warning or notice to the driver, increasing the risk of a crash or rollaway hazard.

Just a year prior, in 2018, Ford recalled nearly 350,000 Ford pickup trucks and SUV’s due a risk that the gear shifter to fail to move to the “Park” position, allowing the vehicle to roll away after the driver exits the vehicle.