Ford Lemon Law – Escape & Fusion Recalls
Ford Motor Company will recall more than half a million vehicles containing shift cables that can unexpectedly detach, letting the vehicle roll away.
The Dearborn, Michigan-based manufacturer notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on July 16, 2018 they will recall 504,182 2013-2014 Ford Escape and 2013-2016 Ford Fusion vehicles equipped with six-speed automatic transmissions.
The lemon law attorneys at Allen Stewart PC are here to help you with your lemon vehicle.
The transmissions use shifter cables with connectors that can degrade over time, letting them detach from the transmission. When this happens the driver can move the shift lever to park and remove the ignition key while the transmission isn’t actually in park. Affected vehicles can unexpectedly move, increasing rollaway accident risk.
A detailed recall chronology was not available as of July 23, 2018.
Ford will notify owners and dealers will replace the shifter cable bushing free of charge. The recall will begin July 30, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford’s number for this recall is 18S20. Owners are directed to use the parking brake until the recall remedy repairs can be made. Ford owners can also visit the NHTSA’s website and enter their VIN to see if their vehicle is included in any recalls.
The manufacturer of your vehicle is legally required to fix any recalled problems for free. If the dealership refuses to fix the part or tries to charge you for the repair, contact the manufacturer immediately. The Highway Safety Act of 1970, which created the NHTSA, requires car manufacturers to pay for the recall and replacement of a defective part.
If the manufacturer fails to repair, replace, repurchase, or provide the loss value of your recalled vehicle, they are violating the warranty and a lawyer may be able to help you. Lemon law attorneys help their clients by dealing directly with the manufacturer on the clients’ behalf, working to promptly resolve the issue and get their clients back on the road. Thanks to the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, attorneys can seek their fees directly from the manufacturer, meaning a client can obtain legal counsel without having to pay attorneys’ fees directly out of pocket.