Recall 21V376 affects 192,080 2013-2021 Ford Transit Connect vehicles for a shifter cable bushing defect. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
Ford is recalling 192,080 2013-2021 Transit Connect vehicles with 2.5L engines because the shifter cable bushing can degrade or detach. A damaged or missing bushing can stop the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear or let it roll after Park is selected, increasing crash or injury risk; Ford dealers will replace the bushing free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The shifter cable bushing on the 2013-2021 Ford Transit Connect is a small connector that holds the shifter cable to the transmission linkage. It lets the gear selector tell the transmission which gear the driver selected, so the lever position and actual transmission state stay aligned.
On affected vans, the bushing can break down after exposure to contamination and heat around its mounting location. As the material degrades, the cable can loosen or detach from the transmission, leaving the gear shift lever out of sync with the gear the transmission is actually in.
Owners can notice the instrument panel showing a different gear than the gear shift lever position. The van can also respond in a different gear than intended when shifted, or refuse to restart if it was turned off while the transmission was not in Park.
Who's affected?
The scope spans nine model years and uses two component labels for the same shifter cable bushing issue.
| 2017 Ford Transit Connect | automatic transmission |
|---|---|
| 2019 Ford Transit Connect | powertrain |
| 2019 Ford Transit Connect | automatic transmission |
| 2020 Ford Transit Connect | powertrain |
| 2020 Ford Transit Connect | automatic transmission |
| 2013 Ford Transit Connect | powertrain |
| 2013 Ford Transit Connect | automatic transmission |
| 2014 Ford Transit Connect | powertrain |
| 2014 Ford Transit Connect | automatic transmission |
| 2015 Ford Transit Connect | powertrain |
| 2015 Ford Transit Connect | automatic transmission |
| 2016 Ford Transit Connect | powertrain |
| 2016 Ford Transit Connect | automatic transmission |
| 2017 Ford Transit Connect | powertrain |
| 2018 Ford Transit Connect | powertrain |
| 2018 Ford Transit Connect | automatic transmission |
| 2021 Ford Transit Connect | powertrain |
| 2021 Ford Transit Connect | automatic transmission |
| Units affected | 192,080 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 6 field incidents to date. |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific van is included.
What's the safety risk?
A damaged or missing shifter cable bushing can keep the Transit Connect from shifting into the gear the driver selected. The vehicle can move in an unexpected direction or roll after Park is selected, increasing crash or injury risk. If the gear display and lever disagree, or the vehicle responds differently than expected, stop and call the dealer. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2013-2021 Ford Transit Connect is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Ford dealer to schedule the free shifter-cable bushing and protective-cap repair that restores the transmission shift connection.
- Bring the Ford recall notice if you have it, and reference recall number 21V376 when you call.
- Use the parking brake before leaving the vehicle, and leave extra space when shifting until the repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ford technician replaces the underhood shifter cable bushing and adds a protective cap. The recall repair is free, and parts and labor are covered. If you already paid for a related shifter cable bushing repair before owner notification, Ford's general reimbursement plan covers eligible documented costs, with reimbursement eligibility ending July 12, 2021. Bring repair paperwork or receipts to the Ford service desk so they can review the claim path.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| May 24, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 25, 2021 | Dealer notification began |
| May 25, 2021 | Dealer notification ended |
| June 28, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| June 30, 2021 | Owner notification mailed |
| July 2, 2021 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V376?
Recall 21V376 covers 192,080 2013-2021 Ford Transit Connect vehicles with 2.5L engines. The underhood shifter cable bushing can degrade or detach, which can stop the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear or let it roll after Park is selected. Ford dealers replace the bushing and add a protective cap for free.
What should I do if my 2013-2021 Ford Transit Connect is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Transit Connect is included in recall 21V376. If it is included, contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the underhood shifter cable bushing replacement and protective cap installation. Reference recall 21V376 or Ford recall 21S24 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Ford dealers will replace the underhood shifter cable bushing and add the protective cap free of charge. The free repair applies at franchised Ford dealers.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is unexpected vehicle movement. A damaged or missing shifter cable bushing can keep the vehicle from shifting into the intended gear, or allow the vehicle to roll after the driver selects Park. Either condition increases the risk of a crash or injury.
What if I bought my Ford Transit Connect used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the original owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2013-2021 Ford Transit Connect is included, then call a franchised Ford dealer and reference recall 21V376 or Ford recall 21S24.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V376000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V376 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V376000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (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 →