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.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
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.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.