Ford Motor Co is recalling more than 3.3 million vehicles in the U.S. and Canada that could roll away because a damaged or missing part may prevent the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear,
The recall breaks down to include just over 2.9 million U.S. vehicles and 394,000 in Canada. This is Ford’s fifth recall over this issue since 2018. Ford previously recalled about 1.4 million vehicles worldwide in an earlier shift cable part recall.
The recall covers certain 2013 to 2019 Escape, 2013 to 2018 C-Max, 2013 to 2016 Fusion, 2013 to 2021 Transit Connect, and 2015 to 2018 Edge vehicles, according to ABC News.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says in documents posted on its website Wednesday that a bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission can degrade or detach. That can stop the vehicles from shifting into the intended gear.
This means that a vehicle thought to have been shifted into park may actually be in a different gear, allowing it to roll away. Drivers have exited a vehicle only to have it roll, increasing the risk of injury or crash, according to the safety regulator.
After an April recall linked to the same issue, Ford continued to hold talks with NHTSA over field reports related to vehicles that were not included in previous recalls, reports Reuters.
Ford said it was aware of six reports alleging property damage and four reports of injuries potentially related to the recalled vehicles.
“Although claim rates and projected failures remained low, Ford recommended a safety recall for the remaining vehicles in North America” with the specific shift cable bushing.
