Recall 22S43: Transmission Shifter Cable Bushing - All C-Max models affected

[bookemdano]

Ford just dropped this massive recall, including all domestic C-Max Energi/Hybrids (2013-2018).

 

You can look up your VIN on Ford's web site or nhtsa.gov and confirm this recall is listed (it was for me as of this morning).

 

Parts are not available yet. When they are Ford will proactively contact customers to schedule the repair. Parts are expected in the 4th quarter of this year.

 

Here's the text:

 

Jun 10,2022
Manufacturer Recall Number22S43
NHTSA Recall Number#awaiting
Recall StatusRecall Incomplete, remedy not yet available

Summary
ON YOUR VEHICLE, IT MAY BE POSSIBLE THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER CABLE BUSHING IS DAMAGED OR MISSING.

Safety Risk
A DAMAGED OR MISSING BUSHING COULD PREVENT THE SHIFTER FROM MOVING THE TRANSMISSION INTO THE INTENDED GEAR
POSITION AND CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO MOVE IN AN UNEXPECTED DIRECTION. THE TRANSMISSION MAY NOT BE IN THE PARK
POSITION, EVEN THOUGH THE SHIFTER POSITION INDICATES THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED TO PARK. EXITING A VEHICLE 
WITHOUT THE TRANSMISSION IN THE PARK POSITION AND WITHOUT APPLICATION OF THE PARKING BRAKE MAY ALLOW THE 
VEHICLE TO ROLL, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY OR CRASH.

Remedy
FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS WORKING CLOSELY WITH ITS SUPPLIERS TO PRODUCE PARTS FOR THIS REPAIR. WHEN PARTS BECOME
AVAILABLE, FORD MOTOR COMPANY WILL NOTIFY YOU VIA MAIL TO SCHEDULE A SERVICE APPOINTMENT WITH YOUR DEALER FOR
REPAIRS TO BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE PARTS AND LABOR. PARTS ARE ANTICIPATED TO BE AVAILABLE 4TH QTR 2022.

 

and here's the first page of a dealer letter about it (shamelessly copied from a post at fordedgeforum.com):

 

Edited June 15, 2022 by bookemdano

[cr08]

I had posted this in one of the FB C-Max groups, but probably a good reminder for everyone to check your parking brake and ensure it properly engages and holds the vehicle still. It's not unheard of for the parking brake cable to wear or loosen over time and not fully engage as a result.

[grege]

Thanks for the info.  Not looking forward to having this recall fixed, but far worse things have happened. 

Thanks !!!

Greg

[Bill-N]

FYI, just received the "Parts are now available ..." letter for my 2013.

 

Cheers

[emcdonnell]

I've got a 2018 c-max hybrid and I thought I would check out the condition of the shifter bushing.  I didn't find any online videos for the c-max.  Based on videos for other ford models subject to the recall,  it seemed like removing the airbox might let me check it out.  I can't see it.  Where is the lever/bushing on a c-max?

 

Ed

[cr08]

On 11/7/2022 at 8:26 AM, emcdonnell said:

I've got a 2018 c-max hybrid and I thought I would check out the condition of the shifter bushing.  I didn't find any online videos for the c-max.  Based on videos for other ford models subject to the recall,  it seemed like removing the airbox might let me check it out.  I can't see it.  Where is the lever/bushing on a c-max?

 

Ed

 

[emcdonnell]

cr08 - Thank you.  Guess I need to improve my forum search skills as well as my engine part search skills.  I took the opportunity to change the ari filter while I had the air box out so at least I feel better about the time I invested this morning.  Taking it to the dealer on Thursday, so I'll be able to check and see if they actually do anything.  Again, thanks for the help.

 

Ed

[homestead]

On 11/5/2022 at 1:05 PM, Bill-N said:

FYI, just received the "Parts are now available ..." letter for my 2013.

 

Cheers

 

Just got my letter too.

[stolenmoment]

Got mine yesterday.

[nogoodbum]

Anyone who has this recall repair done please post results, [time in shop, delay or not in appointment, how long did it take?, & basically any feedback good or bad. THANKS

[cr08]

On 11/10/2022 at 3:45 AM, nogoodbum said:

Anyone who has this recall repair done please post results, [time in shop, delay or not in appointment, how long did it take?, & basically any feedback good or bad. THANKS

 

The only thing I can comment on is the supposed real world time for this, not counting for scheduling delays or other issues. But a few anecdotes on the FB C-Max groups as well as a tech on the Cyanlabs Discord have mentioned it only taking like 15-20 minutes tops to do. Doesn't seem like a long or difficult process.

 

The big gotcha these days is finding a dealer who can schedule it earlier than <x> months out and not gonna hold it for multiple days.

Edited November 10, 2022 by cr08

[Snora]

Got my letter regarding the recall part being available so I called my Ford service department to schedule the repair. If anyone has any info on how long this should or does take, I would appreciate it. 

What I was told is the appointment I scheduled is just to bring the car in so a Tech can look at it and determine how long this will take. When I asked how long this service requires, the CSR said 3 days...but the Tech will tell me.  An earlier post in this forum said it's a 15 to 20 minute repair. Does anyone have any idea? I would love to know before I take my car Friday AM. 

 

?Update - Friday, November 11

Took my C-Max Hybrid in for the recall service this morning.  The service took less than two hours. I was in and out really in about an hour and ten minutes.  

Edited November 11, 2022 by Snora

[Bill-N]

The service bulletin says less than an hour to fix (according to a google search).

 

 

Cheers

[ArizonaEnergi]

Had mine fixed today.  Took an hour.  This is the 6th recall for my Energi since I bought it in Feb 2013.  May be soon replacing it with another plug-in hybrid, likely a Toyota.

[JohnTrigger]

Took me a bit of time to get around to getting this done at the dealer.  
 

Here is the old one:

 

Here is the new one with its protective cover:

 

This is on a 2013 CMax SEL

[Bill-N]

Great pictures.  Thanks.

 

Does your car have the original transmission or the replacement?  I'm wondering as to when the new part was introduced and thus whether or not those of us that had the transmission replaced might have the updated part.

 

 

Cheers

 

[JohnTrigger]

The transmission on my 2013 CMax is original.   That old part was original.
 

 I believe the only thing they change out on this recall is that slightly orangish looking plastic bushing and replace it with a new one (and cover it with a cap to make it last longer).  I’m sure when new it should be a whitish cream color (similar to the color of the new protective cap), but over the years fades from oxidation/heat/cold/grime/etc to the off-orangish color it became in that top pic.  
 

Ford used a very similar setup on many of its cars from the 20-teens.  When that inner bushing breaks you can’t shift out of the gear you are in.  Poor design.  My son in law was stranded in the middle of the road after backing out of his drive due to that bushing deciding to break when he tried to shift into drive in his Ford Fusion.  

[JohnTrigger]

Some evidence to support my suspicion above….

 

https://www.amazon.com/ransmission-shifter-Bushing-KV6Z7K340A-DG9Z7S004A/dp/B0C1M2VVDN/ref=asc_df_B0C1M2VVDN/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=692875362841&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6898709519249518604&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9007686&hvtargid=pla-2281435178338&psc=1&mcid=470f88dc75493ef89c42e4332094fccf&hvocijid=6898709519249518604-B0C1M2VVDN-&hvexpln=73&gad_source=1