Recall 18V471 affects 504,182 2013-2016 Ford Fusion and Escape vehicles for a shifter-cable bushing defect. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
Ford is recalling 504,182 2013-2016 Fusion and Escape vehicles because the transmission shifter cable bushing can degrade and detach from the transmission. A driver can think the vehicle is in Park when it is not, leaving it able to move unexpectedly and raising the risk of a crash; Ford dealers will replace the bushing free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The shifter cable on affected 2013-2016 Ford Fusion and Escape vehicles links the gear selector inside the cabin to the 6F35 automatic transmission. When you move the lever into Park, Reverse, Drive, or another position, the cable moves the transmission into the matching gear. A small bushing holds that cable connection in place at the transmission.
On affected vehicles, that bushing can degrade over time. Ford traced the problem to contamination in the bushing material or lubricant used during supplier processing. As the bushing breaks down, it can detach from the transmission connection. The driver can move the lever to Park and remove the key while the transmission is still in another gear.
Owners can notice that the gear shown on the instrument panel does not match the shifter position. The vehicle can also show shifter mismatch, shifter inoperative, or no start symptoms before the bushing fully detaches.
Who's affected?
Covers Fusion sedans and Escape SUVs, all tied to the automatic transmission shift linkage.
| 2013 Ford Fusion | automatic transmission |
|---|---|
| 2014 Ford Fusion | automatic transmission |
| 2016 Ford Fusion | automatic transmission |
| 2015 Ford Fusion | automatic transmission |
| 2013 Ford Escape | automatic transmission |
| 2014 Ford Escape | automatic transmission |
| Units affected | 504,182 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle.
What's the safety risk?
If the driver exits before Park is engaged and before the parking brake is applied, the vehicle can move unexpectedly and increase crash risk. The cluster can show the actual gear state, so take "shifter mismatch," "shifter inoperative," or "no start" messages seriously. Use the parking brake until the dealer replaces the shifter cable bushing. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2013-2016 Ford Fusion or Escape is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the free shifter-cable-bushing replacement that keeps the transmission shift cable attached.
- Use the parking brake every time you park until the shifter-cable-bushing replacement is complete.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it, and reference recall number 18V471 when you call.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ford technician replaces the shifter cable bushing that connects the transmission shifter cable to the transmission. The recall repair is free, with parts and labor covered. Until the work is done, use the parking brake when parking the vehicle. If you've already paid out of pocket for a related shifter cable bushing repair before the recall notice, Ford's standard reimbursement plan covers eligible documented expenses. Bring repair paperwork and receipts to the service desk, or contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 for the claim path.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| July 16, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| July 17, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| July 17, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| July 30, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| September 20, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V471?
Recall 18V471 covers 504,182 2013-2016 Ford Fusion and Escape vehicles with automatic transmissions. The shifter cable bushing can degrade and detach, leaving the transmission out of Park even after the driver moves the lever to Park. Ford dealers replace the bushing for free.
What should I do if my 2013-2016 Ford Fusion or Escape is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 18V471. If it is, contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the shifter cable bushing replacement. Use the parking brake until the recall repair is complete, and reference Ford recall number 18S20 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Ford dealers replace the shifter cable bushing free of charge, including parts and labor, at any franchised Ford dealer.
What is the safety risk in recall 18V471?
The risk is unintended vehicle movement after the driver exits. If the transmission is not actually in Park and the parking brake is not applied, the vehicle can move unexpectedly and increase crash risk. Ford's repair replaces the shifter cable bushing for free.
What warning signs should I watch for?
There is no warning message or audible chime before this condition. The shifter can appear to be in Park while the transmission is not in Park. Until the dealer completes the free bushing replacement, apply the parking brake every time you park.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V471000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V471 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V471000 |
Source documents
-
Download Owner Notice (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →