2001-2008 Ford Escape/Mariner Recall 15V606: Shift Lever

Recall 15V606 affects 57 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mariner SUVs for improperly tightened manual shift lever bolts. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.

What's wrong?

The shift control lever on affected 2001-2008 Escape and Mariner vehicles is the linkage that tells the automatic transmission which gear range the driver selected. It connects the gear selector in the cabin to the transmission, and the instrument cluster display is supposed to match the lever position.

These vehicles had a remanufactured CD4E transmission installed as a service repair part. On some of those transmissions, the shift lever bolt was not tightened to the required specification during assembly. A loose bolt can back out over time, letting the shift control lever separate from the transmission. When that happens, the shifter position no longer reliably matches what the transmission is doing.

Owners can notice the gear indicator showing a different position than the actual shift lever. The gear selector can also feel easier than normal to move, with less resistance when shifting.

Who's affected?

Spans Escape and Mariner SUVs across 2001-2008, with floor-shift linkage and PRNDL indication listed under automatic transmission.

A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.

What's the safety risk?

A disengaged shift lever can leave the driver unable to select gears. The indicator can show "PARK" when the transmission is not actually in "PARK," creating a rollaway risk as occupants exit or later bystanders pass nearby. Watch for mismatched shift positions or unusually light selector movement, and schedule the repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.

What should I do?

1. Check your VIN to confirm your 2001-2008 Ford Escape or Mariner is included in this recall.
2. Contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the free transmission shift-lever inspection and repair that keeps the shift control lever connected to the transmission.
3. Bring the recall notice if Ford mailed one. If not, reference recall number 15V606 and Ford recall 15S28 when you call.
4. Set the parking brake every time you park until the repair is complete, and confirm the vehicle is stable before anyone exits.
5. Call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 if the dealer needs help finding the recall.

What happens at the repair

At the dealer, a Ford technician inspects the remanufactured CD4E transmission and checks the manual shift lever bolt. If the bolt is loose, the technician tightens it. If the lever assembly is affected, the technician replaces the manual shift lever assembly. Parts and labor are covered by the recall. Ford is not offering a separate reimbursement program because the Service Part Warranty program provides a free repair for this concern. Ask the service desk how that warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork.

Timeline

Frequently asked questions

More information

Source documents

• Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) · RCRN
• Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) · RCORRD
• Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF) · RCONL
• Download Owner Notice (PDF) · RCMN
• Download Recall Report (PDF) · RCLRPT
• Download Quarterly Report (PDF) · RCLQRT
• Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF) · RCAK

This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →