Ford Recalls Ranger, Fusion for Shifter Cable Safety Defects

Ford is issuing a safety recall for 2019 Ranger pickups and 2013-16 Fusion sedans with four-cylinder engines. In both cases, the shift indicator will read falsely, and the driver may be able to remove the key when the unsafe vehicle is not in “Park.” Ford claims that it is aware of three reports alleging property damage and one report alleging an injury potentially related to this safety defect.

On the Rangers the two fasteners that secure the transmission shift cable bracket to the transmission housing may not have been torqued to specification. Over time, an improperly torqued fastener could allow the transmission shift cable bracket to become loose and the transmission to be in a gear different from the gearshift position selected by the driver.

This safety defect affects approximately 2,500 vehicles in the United States and federalized territories and approximately 260 in Canada. Affected vehicles include 2019 Ranger vehicles built at Michigan Assembly Plant, March 5-13, 2019.

Dealers will properly torque the two fasteners and verify the proper operation of the transmission selector assembly according to established workshop manual procedure. Prior to the recall repair, the parking brake should be applied whenever the vehicle is parked. The Ford reference number for this recall is 19S15.

On the Fusion sedans, the bushing that attaches the shifter cable may degrade and detach from the transmission. A shifter cable that detaches from the transmission may allow the transmission to be in a gear state different from the gearshift position selected by the driver.

This safety defect could allow the driver to remove the ignition key (if equipped) with no instrument panel warning message or chime indicating that the transmission is not in park. This could allow unintended vehicle movement or roll away if the parking brake is not applied, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

This safety recall affects approximately 270,000 vehicles in North America, including 259,182 in the United States and federalized territories, 10,282 in Canada and 3,765 in Mexico.

Affected vehicles include 2013-16 Fusion 2.5-liter engine-equipped vehicles not in the original safety recall 18S20 built at Flat Rock Assembly Plant, April 12, 2013 to Feb. 29, 2016 and at Hermosillo Assembly Plant, Feb. 9, 2012 to April 4, 2016.

The root cause and final service repair are in the process of being confirmed. Dealers and vehicle owners will be instructed to always use the parking brake, and they will be notified when the final remedy is available. The Ford reference number for this recall is 19S16.