Ford Recalls 2013-21 Transit Connect Vans for Rollaways

Ford Motor Company is issuing a safety recall for 2013-21 Ford Transit Connect vans with the 2.5-liter engine and 6F35 transmission because they can roll away. In the 192,080 Transit Connect affected vehicles, the Hilex-supplied bushing that attaches the shifter cable to the transmission may degrade or detach. The bushing can degrade in the presence of contaminants. The bushing also has the potential for thermal degradation. A review of the in-vehicle package design shows that the bushing location on affected vehicles may expose the bushing to external contaminants. Ford said is not aware of any reports of accidents or injuries related to this dangerous defect.

A damaged or missing bushing could prevent the shifter from moving the transmission to the intended gear position.  This could allow the driver to move the gear shift lever to park, turn the vehicle off, and exit the vehicle with no instrument panel warning message or warning chime indicating the vehicle is not secured in park. This latest safety defect, as noted, covers 192,080 vehicles in the U.S. and federal territories, and an additional 12,629 in Canada.

Dealers will replace the under-hood shifter bushing and add a protective cap over the shifter cable bushing.  Customer notifications will begin the week of June 28. The Ford reference number for this recall is 21S24.

Chronology

October 2020: Ford was contacted by a fleet customer on shifter cable warranty claims. The topic was brought to Ford’s Critical Concern Review Group on October 6, 2020 for review. On October 7, 2020, NHTSA provided nine VOQ reports to Ford. Those reports were related to concerns with the shifter cable on model year 2013-16 Transit Connect.

November 2020 – January 2021: Ford investigated the scope of the condition. Ford searched for additional reports of shifter cable concerns. As of January 31, 2021, Ford determined there were 6 field reports, and 289 warranty reports related to the shifter cable bushing concern.

February 2021 – April 2021: Ford requested an analysis of shifter cable bushings collected from fleet vehicles by an independent engineering firm that identified the potential for thermal degradation. A prior study conducted by Ford found the bushing can degrade when in the presence of contaminants. Ford engineering reviewed the vehicle package and design clearances around the bushing. The review found the package design around the bushing exposed the bushing to contamination.

On May 17, 2021: Ford’s Field Review Committee reviewed the concern and approved a field action.