A Silent Danger in Your Driveway: The 2018-2022 Ford Safety Recall That Could Leave You Stuck
- The recall targets over 455,000 vehicles globally, primarily the 2021-2022 Ford Bronco and 2018-2020 Ford Escape, due to a catastrophic transmission defect. A defective bushing in the shifter cable can detach, preventing the vehicle from shifting into Park, leading to rollaway risks even when the driver thinks the car is secure.
- Ford warns that the failure may cause "unintended vehicle movement," but the terrifying part? The vehicle may still show "Park" on the dashboard even while rolling away. Owners are urged to use the parking brake 100% of the time until the fix is completed.
- Repairs are completely free at Ford dealers, where technicians will install a redesigned, reinforced bushing and inspect the cable for wear. If the cable is damaged, they'll replace the entire shifter assembly at no cost to the owner.
- The recall was triggered by over 1,200 warranty claims and 31 reported injuries linked to the defect, including a harrowing incident where a family's SUV rolled down a driveway and into a neighbor's living room.
- Ford is prioritizing mail notifications starting in late June 2023, but owners can check their VIN immediately on Ford's official recall site or the NHTSA database. If you drive one of these models, don't wait for the letter—book that dealership appointment today to avoid a potential catastrophe.