Component
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT
Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
What Happened
The shift lever in your Ford Escape or Mercury Mariner is a crucial part that connects the gear selector to your transmission. In some vehicles rebuilt with a specific transmission between 2015, the bolt that holds this lever in place might not be tightened correctly.
Risk if Unfixed
If the shift lever comes loose while you're driving, you won't be able to shift gears normally. When you think you've put the car in park, it might not actually be in park. This means the car could roll away, putting you and others at risk of being hit or injured.
Free Fix
Your Ford dealer will inspect and fix the shift lever bolt or replace the entire lever assembly, free of charge. Don't wait – schedule the repair as soon as you receive the recall notice.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured March 31, 2001, to September 1, 2009. The affected vehicles are equipped with either a 2.3L or 3.0L engine and have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between June 11, 2015 through July 15, 2015. These service repair part transmissions have a shift lever bolt that may not be properly tightened. As a result, the shift control lever could disengage from the transmission without warning.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the gear selection indicator may show that the transmission is in the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not actually be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Original — Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmissions and either tighten the manual shift lever bolt or replace the manual shift lever assembly. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S28.
View full recall details →
Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →