Ford is warning 2.9 million owners of its cars and SUVs that their vehicles could roll, even when they’re in park.
The automaker, along with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), has issued a recall on four models, saying the transmission might not be in park mode, even if the gearshift indicates it is. That could result in injury or vehicle/property damage.
So far, in fact, four people have filed reports of injury tied to the issue and another six have reported property damage, the NHTSA says.
Ford says just over 2.9 million 2013–2019 Escape, 2013–2018 C-Max, 2013–2016 Fusion, 2013–2021 Transit Connect, and 2015–2018 Edge vehicles are affected by the recall.
Affected owners will receive letters from the automaker sometime after June 27. They can then make appointments to have the hood shift brushing, which is at the center of the problem, replaced free of charge.
The recall brings to mind a 2016 recall of Jeep Cherokee models. Star Trek actor Anton Yelchin, 27, was killed that year when his 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee rolled backward on the steep driveway of his Los Angeles home, pinning him against a brick wall and a fence and crushing him.
Ford also is the focus of two other smaller recalls: 53,000 2021 and 2022 Ford Broncos are being recalled for a malfunctioning child safety lock. And 49,000 Mustang Mach Es from 2021 and 2022 are being recalled due to the risk of an overheated battery conductor that could cause the vehicle to lose power while driving.
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