shift bushing Safety Recall 18S20 – Shift Cable Bushing Replacement

[kruss77]

Regarding FORD Safety Recall 18S20 – Shift Cable Bushing Replacement affecting 2013-2014 Ford Escape, & 2013-2016 Ford Fusion, this failure mode also appears on certain models of the Ford Transit Connect.  In my case, I have a 2015 XLT that experienced this failure.

 

The original factory-original bushing is white.  The replacement bushing outlined in the recall below is orange.  This is a standard Ford part used on "small" chassis Ford vehicles and is common amongst vehicles using this type of transmission shift linkage. 

 

The Ford part number for the REPLACEMENT bushing is: DG9Z-7K340-A and can be found at most ANY ford dealership.  I paid $5.10USD for it, and ended-up buying two just to have the 2nd one around in case this is actually a recurring problem (or in case I dropped the first one down in the engine bay accidentally during installation!).

 

BACKGROUND: Please note that when I searched for a recall SPECIFICALLY covering this particular failure mode on the Ford Transit Connect I could not find any references to one anywhere.  However, a very smart parts guy at my local Ford dealership in Lake Orion, Michigan knew of the problem on the Focus and Escape and had a small box right on his counter full of these replacement bushings.  This told me that it's a failure common problem (despite not being specifically referenced to the Transit connect).  I suspect that the original plastic bushing was molded from a material not capable of withstanding the constant pressures of the daily shifting cycle.  As such, it would seem that if Ford went to all the trouble if initiating a recall action on a number of vehicles with this problem, they wouldn't simply have released the exact same "replacement" bushing, but would have molded it from a more durable material in order to prevent a recurrence.  This has been my experience with OEM safety recalls as an auto industry engineer since the OEM is legally responsible for demonstrating to NHTSA that their planned repair solution resolves the safety concern prior to deploying that solution into the field.  As such, it is unlikely that NHTSA would have approved an OEM-proposed solution that utilized a bushing the same as the one that originally failed from the factory (common sense?).  Incidentally, when replacement parts are produced in a different color, that is usually an indication that they are a different material so that technicians don't erroneously install the wrong replacement part when effecting the repair.  Visual cues are important in repair circumstances and used broadly in the auto industry so that quick visual reference can be made when assessing the completion of a safety repair.

 

Here is a link to some of the detail of the recall.

 

REPLACEMENT/INSTALLATION: I knew as soon as I saw the replacement bushing that it was an exact replacement, and as you can see from the photos below it is.  To complete the repair, I first snapped the replacement bushing onto the transmission shift lever, then pressed the shift cable onto it.  As luck would have it, that was the opposite of the replacement instructions I later found online for the Focus and Escape.  regardless, it snapped right in and securely retained the shift cable once installed.  The repair took me about 5 minutes and was a bit of a tight squeeze when attempting to get my hands past other 'obstacles' in that area of the engine bay.  it was a little challenging holding onto and orienting the replacement bushing when attempting to push my hands past the intake snorkel and fuse box!  But, again, it only took 5 minutes total to complete the repair.

 

I hope you find this information helpful.

 

Ken

 

Here are a few photos of the actual linkage and bushing:

 

 

Edited December 8, 2019 by kruss77
Additional relevant facts

[kruss77]

As luck would have it, there is more to this repair...

 

I again stopped into the same Ford dealership for another issue and the parts guy who had assisted me with the above repair indicated that they'd just been alerted to the availability of a secondary repair part that needed to be installed in addition to the first.  Apparently, this failure was the result of engine oil, grime, and transmission fluid attacking the base material of the factory-original bushing causing it to breakdown over time.  Conventional wisdom would suggest that this would be a known risk/condition for all exposed parts under the hood of any vehicle, but apparently that slipped by the Ford engineers responsible for this particular design.  Therefore, Ford has added a secondary piece that snaps over the end of the cable linkage thus providing a 'shield' of sorts for the replacement bushing from the contaminants that degraded the factory-original bushing.  I know from personal experience that there are MANY plastic materials that are suitable for use in harsh environments that the bushing could have been molded from, but there might be other considerations preventing their use in the bushing.  That point is further underscored by the release of an additional 'shielding' part that itself appears to resist this harsh environment better than the material the bushing is made from.  Again, there might be other considerations preventing their use in the bushing.

 

The Ford part number for the SHIELD is: DG9Z-7S004-A and can be found at most ANY ford dealership.  I paid $3.98USD for it.

 

Regardless, here are a few photos of the new 'shielding' part.

Edited December 15, 2019 by kruss77
relevant part numbers

[Eddy Kilowatt]

Good info, thanks for posting.  Seems like a good part to track down and at least stash in the spares box... I hate fifty-cent bushings (sold for $5) that can leave you with windows that won't go up, hoods that won't open, or cars that won't go into gear.

 

Do you know anything about the actual failure mode... does the shifting gradually get sloppy, or does it just let go one day and pop the cable off the lever?

[Don Ridley]

Great, detailed post. Thanks.

[kruss77]

 

 

 

 

20 hours ago, Eddy Kilowatt said:

Do you know anything about the actual failure mode... does the shifting gradually get sloppy, or does it just let go one day and pop the cable off the lever?

 

Unfortunately, I don't know anything other than how mine failed, which was immediate and without warning (ti was never sloppy or felt unusual in any way).

 

BACKGROUND: I was pulling into the parking lot at the gym, and while attempting to park, the shifter went into "Park" with substantially less effort than normal (which immediately drew my attention) and the car wouldn't

stop rolling forward (because it wasn't in "Park" and was in-fact still in "Drive").  Also, the 'highlight' circle that appears around the gear you're in on the dash display disappeared altogether and didn't register any gear.  I shut off the car and popped the hood and started nosing around for something obvious about the shift linkage.  Sure enough, the cable had popped completely off the lever on the top of the transmission and was fully disengaged.  Fortunately, once you squeeze your hand down past some of the other obstacles in the way the transmission shift lever can be easily shifted into "Park" by hand (thus, allowing me to now get the key out of the ignition).

 

I then slipped the cable linkage back onto the stud sticking up from on the shift lever (that it's supposed to attach to) and was able to drive the next segment of my trip -now onto the dealership.  Of course, I had to repeat the whole process again each time I shifted into gear.

 

Suspecting (hoping?) that this was CERTAINLY part of a recognized safety recall on my now 4-year-old van, I was surprised that it wasn't.  Fortunately for me (as mentioned in my first post), the Ford parts counter guy was familiar with this failure mode on other Ford vehicles and get me the correct part right away.  Fixed in less than five minutes and on my way for under $10.00!  I feel like I got lucky! 

 

Ken

[Gideon]

Something like this should have been under warranty or safety-recall.  Although I'm canadian, I would have yelled for the NHTSA to get involved !!

[Emt]

So I have the same car as you ford transit connect xlt 2015 this happened to me thank gd we figured it out with your post we reinforced it with the new bushing and cover costing $20. We also put a zip tie so it won’t pop out.

 

why is there no recall on this for our transits? I was reversing into my Driveway and all do a sudden put the car in park and it just get going it was stuck in reverse.

[Emt]

But we did find the plastic cover only snapped on really well on one side that’s why the zip tie.

[D A C]

On 12/15/2019 at 5:08 PM, kruss77 said:

 a secondary repair part that needed to be installed in addition to the first.

 

I stumbled upon this thread and became concerned that I ought to replace this bushing on my 2016 TC.  So I went to the Ford dealer and bought the bushing and cover and attempted to replace it.  But I can't figure out how to detach the shift cable from the trans.  I got my hand on the cable end and pushed and tugged every which way but nothing gives.   Is there some secret to detaching the cable?

 

The bushing certainly doesn't appear ready to detach on it's own and leave me stranded.  Then I realized the existing bushing is orange, same as the new one I bought ... not black and nasty like the failed one shown in the pictures posted by Kruss77. 

 

So maybe when my TC was built they used a newer improved bushing and I can just forget about this issue?    Thoughts?

 

BTW ... I am a recent forum member with 2016 TC Titanium purchased three years ago with 5k miles on it, now with 55k mostly trouble free miles.

 

 

 

[OriginalJud]

Just wanted to give a shout out to this forum for saving me the money on a car repair. Spent the $5 at Ford dealership to get this done. I popped out the air box and handled it in about 5 minutes, I appreciate it.

[Don Ridley]

 

On 10/31/2020 at 7:36 PM, D A C said:

So maybe when my TC was built they used a newer improved bushing and I can just forget about this issue?    Thoughts?

 

The bushing on my 2016 is white. I think it is the newer version. At least I know where to look if it fails. Plus it is clean and should be ok unless heat is also a problem.

[grindel]

This just had this happen to me sitting at a gas station 50 miles from home.  The bushing held together long enough to get home after I found the linkage and popped it back on.    To reiterate OriginalJud's point, it is located right under the airbox hose on the driver's side on top of the engine.  The design may suck but at least it isn't impossible to get to.  

 

That being said, I am glad this happened when I was driving and I can fix it for a couple of bucks.  I had my family with me and it could have resulted in several hundred dollars of cost to me if I had to have it towed, had to take a cab home, and have it repaired at the dealer.  

 

To be in Reverse when Drive is indicated by the shifter (not the dash) is a safety concern that may lead to an accident resulting in property damage or harm.  I do not think the driver is properly warned of this failure even though I think it is detectable.  I think the design should have a retainer that prevents the failure in case the bushing comes apart and allows the driver to feel the sloppiness of the linkage as a result.  The interlink of Park and key meant I could not take the key out of the ignition.  

[windguy]

@grindel - thanks for reporting. Glad you got home safely.

What year is your TC and how many miles?

[bullfreog]

I cannot thank you enough for this post.

 

I just had the bushing fail my 2016 XLT, just passed 60k miles. my wife was backing out of our driveway when it failed. Luckily our neighbor is having the driveway worked on and the workers pushed her back up.

 

I ordered 2 of the OEM bushing and cover in case my 2014 Titanium has the bushing fails on my 2014 Titanium. 

[Wild-Surfwood]

Thanks so much for all of the info on the topic!!!! Mine just let go in the driveway. It is about 8 degrees out and I had been driving for about an hr already. I was going into work late to bring my daughter to school. My wife usually brings her. Picked up a coffee on the way back for my wife after drop off and when I got back in the car, I was stuck in park. The shifter would just slide back and forth and would not go into gear. Came super close to calling a tow to bring to the garage and decided to look it up in this great forum instead... Booiom.... there it was. Thanks for the part numbers and pics on how to make it happen. Definitely getting a spare... My glove box is running out of space due to spare parts??‍♂️. 
I’ve got a 2016 transit connect with 96,000 by the way. 

[windguy]

@bullfreog and @Wild-surfwood - thanks for posting about your problem and providing the model year and mileage.

Glad you were both able to get this fixed without incident.

I wonder why the TC hasn't been added to FORD Safety Recall 18S20. Same bushing, same problem.

 

[mchris24]

My 2016 TC (XLT, second owner, 107K miles) suddenly stopped shifting today.  Luckily, I was at my mailbox at the end of the driveway, so I was able to coast home.  When I called the Ford Dealership for a shift cable bushing for a 2016 TC, they told me it wasn't sold separately, and tried to sell me the entire cable for $76USD.  Thanks to your post, I called back and got the bushing for the Focus, DG9Z-7K340-A, and the cover for about $6.

 

I don't understand why the TC isn't covered in the recall.  I reported it the NHTSA, here is a link if you also want to report your bushing failure.

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/VehicleComplaint/

Edited February 12, 2021 by mchris24

[BRD]

Thank you!!! This happened for the second time on my 2015 Ford Escape.  Last time the warranty covered it. This time, thanks to your post, I took the part numbers to the dealer and spent a total of $3.24 for the bushing and cover! I initially called the dealer before seeing this post and they said I had to buy the whole cable for $75. Easy fix and hopefully the cover stops it from happening again. 

Edited April 22, 2021 by BRD

[Terri]

We have a 2015 Ford Fusion, about 55k miles on it. Bushing was replaced in 2019 under the Ford recall, and it just disintegrated again in 2021. I wonder if they didn’t put the cover on it when they did the recall work. Ford dealer just quoted  over $500 to repair it which is ridiculous. Thanks so much for this post, all good info. 

[Gideon]

Had the bushing done under RECALL on my former 2016 XLT AND on my present 2018.  The new bushings was/is white.

Mechanic said the problem was mainly caused by spilled oil [when oilchanges were done] which corroded the older rubber bushings.

Edited January 9, 2022 by Gideon

[Shaun]

I have a 2016 Ford fusion SE. As I pulled up to my house and put the car in the park I knew something was wrong. I then tried to put it in drive and the shifter would not go anywhere. I knew about this issue and a day later got my recall in the mail. Pop the hood and was going to replace the bushing but the control arm is extended out past the post. I YouTubed how to adjust the transmission control arm but come up with nothing. Just looking for some help to retract the transmission control arm so it will fall onto the post.

[Kevin Boyd]

Our 2015 Ford Fusion shifter bushing failed and our local dealership is up to 1800.00 so far. 7 days now and they said the parts truck broke down delaying the repair. They also said that the 2015 Fusion was not covered under the recall and the Ford website says that it is. 1800.00 so far on a 3.98 part. They wanted to add an additional 321.00 for a coolant service. They said that the shift cable was also broken as this is not true because I bought a new one and put it on on the way to the dealership. I can't wait to discuss this with them after speaking with my attorney. American greed has ruined this nation.