Ford expands recall on Fusions for potential rollaway risk

DETROIT -- Ford Motor Co. has expanded a recall on 2013-16 model Fusion sedans over a potential rollaway risk that allegedly has caused one injury and led to three instances of property damage.

The automaker said Wednesday it's calling back 270,000 additional Fusions after it previously recalled 550,000 Fusions and 2013-14 model Escapes over the same issue of faulty shifter cable bushings.

The affected sedans come with 2.5-liter engines and have bushings that could detach from the transmission, which could allow the transmission to be in a different gear from what the driver sees on the shifter. That could lead to the vehicle moving when the driver thinks it's in park.

The vehicles recalled Wednesday were built at Ford's Flat Rock Assembly Plant between April 12, 2013, and Feb. 29, 2016, as well as at its Hermosillo Assembly Plant in Mexico between Feb. 9, 2012, and April 4, 2016.

Until the vehicles can be repaired, Ford is encouraging owners to use their parking brake.

Separately Wednesday, Ford issued a recall for 2,500 Ranger midsize pickups over faulty transmission shift cable bracket fasteners that could potentially lead to unintended rollaways.

Ford said the affected vehicles include fasteners that may not have been torqued properly, which could lead to brackets loosening and allowing the transmission to be in a different position from the one the driver selected.

Ford is unaware of any accidents or injuries related to the defect. The affected vehicles were built at Ford's Michigan Assembly Plant between March 5-13 of this year.

Ford began selling the Ranger again in North America in January.