In a statement released this week, Ford has announced two safety campaigns in North America, involving certain 2019 Ranger trucks and 2013-2016 Fusion mid-size saloons.
In the case of the latter, the Blue Oval said that the bushing that attaches the shifter cable could degrade, thus detaching from the transmission. Because of this, drivers could think the vehicle is in Park and they could remove the key from the ignition without being warned, which increases the risk of a roll away.
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Ford is aware of an alleged injury and three property damages related to this condition that affects approximately 270,000 vehicles – 259,182 in the United States and federalized territories, 10,282 in Canada and 3,765 in Mexico. All were made at Flat Rock between April 12, 2013, and February 29, 2016, and at Hermosillo from February 9, 2012, to April 4, 2016, and are powered by a 2.5-liter engine.
The repair schedule has yet to be confirmed, but meanwhile, owners and dealers will be instructed to use the parking brake at all times and not rely on the park feature of the transmission alone.
The second recall covers roughly 2,500 units of the Ranger in the United States and 260 in Canada. They’re from the 2019MY and were assembled at the Michigan plant between March 5 and 13, this year.
Like the Fusion, the 2019 Rangers affected also face a potential roll away risk, only this time due to the two fasteners that secure the transmission shift cable bracket to the housing, which may not have been torqued sufficiently.
The shift cable bracket could thud become loose and, again, the transmission might be in a different gear than the one indicated by the lever, which is why the parking brake should be applied whenever the vehicle is parked. No reports of accidents or injuries have been received related to this issue.
Technicians will properly torque the fasteners and verify the transmission selector assembly, with all work being carried out (naturally…) free of charge.