Recall 20V197 affects 55,158 2020 Ford Expedition, F-150, and Ranger vehicles for a shift-cable lock clip defect. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
Ford is recalling 55,158 2020 Expedition, F-150, and Ranger vehicles because the transmission shift cable lock clip can be loose or not fully seated. If the selected gear does not match the shifter position and the parking brake is not applied, the vehicle can move unintentionally; Ford dealers will inspect and repair the shift cable lock clip free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The shift cable on the 2020 Ford Expedition, F-150, and Ranger links the gear shifter in the cabin to the automatic transmission. When the driver selects Park, Reverse, Drive, or another gear, that cable moves the transmission into the matching position. A locking clip holds the cable adjustment in place so the shifter position and the transmission gear stay aligned.
On affected vehicles, the clip was not fully seated during assembly. Ford traced the issue to a production tool that made the clip fit tighter against the shifter cable slider, which raised the force needed to lock it into place. If the clip is only partly locked, the shifter can show one position while the transmission is actually in another gear.
Owners can notice a mismatch between the shifter position and the gear shown on the instrument panel. Other warning signs include a shifter that will not work, a shifter stuck in Park, or a no-start condition.
Who's affected?
Covers 3 Ford vehicle lines from the 2020 model year, all tied to the automatic transmission gear-position indication system.
| 2020 Ford Expedition | automatic transmission |
|---|---|
| 2020 Ford F-150 | automatic transmission |
| 2020 Ford Ranger | automatic transmission |
| Units affected | 55,158 |
| 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 transmission gear does not match the shifter position and the parking brake is not applied, the vehicle can move unintentionally, increasing the risk of injury or crash. Watch for shifter mismatch, stuck in park, no start, warning messages, or chimes. Apply the parking brake and schedule the inspection soon. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2020 Ford Expedition, F-150, or Ranger is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the free shift-cable locking-clip inspection and correction that keeps the selected gear aligned with the transmission gear.
- Bring the recall notice if Ford mailed one. If not, reference recall number 20V197 when you call.
- Apply the parking brake every time you park until the repair is complete, and confirm the vehicle is in Park before exiting.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ford technician inspects the transmission shift cable locking clip and corrects its installation if needed. The recall repair is free and covers parts and labor. Out-of-pocket repairs already paid for this concern are handled through Ford's original warranty program, not through a separate reimbursement program, because that warranty program provides a free repair. Ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| April 3, 2020 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 3, 2020 | Dealer notification began |
| April 3, 2020 | Dealer notification ended |
| April 27, 2020 | Owner notification mailed |
| April 27, 2020 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 20V197?
Recall 20V197 covers 55,158 2020 Ford Expedition, F-150, and Ranger vehicles with a transmission shift cable lock clip seating defect. The transmission can be in a different gear than the selected shifter position, creating unintended vehicle movement risk. Ford dealers inspect and correct the clip installation for free.
What should I do if my 2020 Ford Expedition, F-150, or Ranger is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 20V197. If it is, contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the shift cable lock clip inspection and correction. Reference Ford recall number 20S18 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Ford dealers will inspect and correct the shift cable locking clip installation free of charge.
What is the safety risk in recall 20V197?
The safety risk is unintended vehicle movement. If the transmission gear does not match the gear shown by the shifter and the parking brake is not applied, the vehicle can move unexpectedly, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
What if I bought my Ford Expedition, F-150, or Ranger used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2020 Ford Expedition, F-150, or Ranger is included, then call a franchised Ford dealer and reference recall 20V197.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/20V197000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 20V197 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 20V197000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 23, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →