Ford Recalls 504,000 Fusions and Escapes for Broken Shifter Cables

Photo credit: Getty/Justin Sullivan - Car and Driver

From Car and Driver

Ford is recalling 504,182 cars in the United States for faulty gearshifters that can cause rollaways, according to the automaker.

The 2013–2014 Escape and 2013–2016 Fusion have shifter cables that can snap off the gear selector. A bushing that helps connect the cable to the transmission may become “degraded” over time, Ford said, in which case the driver could remove the ignition key without being in park and without receiving any audible warning, Ford said. The shifter could also be set in a different gear position than the indicated gear. Ford hasn’t reported any injuries or accidents. According to complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), at least 16 Fusion owners and seven Escape owners (including the owner of a 2015 model not under recall) have documented the issue. A manufacturer filing with the agency was not available.

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Ford said it will replace the shifter cables at a later date and recommended in the interim that owners always use the parking brake.

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