Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), Ford, and Nissan have recently issued massive recalls within weeks of each other due to various manufacturing defects that can cause these vehicles to suddenly roll away while parked. More than 4 million drivers could be impacted. If you are experiencing transmission, engine, or braking issues with your vehicle, it may be among a very long list of vehicles at risk of rolling away while parked. Affected Ford, Jeep, Dodge, and Nissan vehicles span model years 2013-2022.
New Ford Transmission Recall
In June 2022, Ford recalled nearly 3 million vehicles including model years 2013 to 2021 due to a transmission defect. A damaged or missing shift cable in affected automatic transmission systems may keep the vehicle from shifting into the selected gear, potentially causing vehicles to roll away because they do not fully engage in the park. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) currently has six reports of property damage and four reports of injuries linked to this issue.
Affected models include the Ford 2013-2019 Escape, 2013-2016 Fusion, 2015-2018 Edge, 2013-2018 C-Max, and 2013-2021 Transit Connect. In the recall notice, Ford promised a fix that involves replacing the shift bushing and placing a protective cap over the shift cable bushing. This, unfortunately, is not the first time Ford has recently issued recalls and fixes in response to rollaway issues in recent years.
Earlier this year in April, Ford recalled over 250,000 Ford Explorers for a mechanical defect in the rear axle mounting bolt that can cause affected SUVs to roll away while parked. Included in the recall are certain 2020-2022 Explorer, Explorer Hybrid, and Explorer Plug-In Hybrids. Certain 2020-2021 Explorer Police Interceptor SUV and hybrid models are also affected.
It appears that Ford has been dealing with this rollaway issue for years. From April 2015 through March 2022, Ford claims that it has identified 1,630 warranty claims and 233 other reports related to the rollaway problem. The automaker has launched five major recall campaigns due to transmission defects since 2018.
Rollaway issues are not the end of the auto manufacturer’s troubles, however. Ford is currently leading all American automakers this year in recall campaigns. The auto manufacturer has issued a total of 38 recalls affecting over 6.6 million vehicles in 2022 alone.
Jeep Cherokee and Dodge Durango Recalls
Mere days after the latest Ford transmission recall, Stellantis recalled about 270,000 Jeep and Dodge SUVs for rollaway risk. Included in the recall are certain 2018-2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles. Affected SUVs can accidentally start or roll away while in the park. Fiat Chrysler (FCA) stated that the issue is the result of defective hydraulic control unit (ABS) modules installed in certain Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles manufactured between June 10, 2018, and April 30, 2019.
These faulty ABS modules can illuminate a vehicle’s brake lights even when the brakes are not in use. Symptoms of this can include warning lights or the brake lights staying on even when the vehicle is turned off. FCA’s filing with NHTSA includes over 200 warranty claims that mention Dodge or Jeep ABS lights staying on. Luckily, no accidents have been linked to this defect at this time.
2022 Nissan Frontier and Titan Recall
Shortly after both the FCA and Ford recalls, Nissan released its own rollaway-related recall. The automaker recalled over 180,000 Nissan Frontier and Titan pickups from model years 2020-2022. The affected vehicles were all manufactured with 9-speed transmission systems. NHSTA attributes the issue to a transmission defect in which the parking gear can fail to engage. Affected vehicles essentially stay neutral even after being shifted into the park. Nissan does not have a fix but is currently advising customers to use the parking or emergency brake to ensure that their vehicles stay in the park.
Nissan has been working alongside Jatco, the company that produces the 9-speed transmission, to investigate this issue since receiving the first complaint in June 2021. Multiple complaints regarding newer Frontier and Titan models were made shortly after, forcing the automaker to announce a recall. In documents that Nissan filed with NHTSA, there are four reports claiming minor injuries due to this manufacturing defect.
How to Prevent a Rollaway Accident
Millions of drivers are at potential risk for a rollaway incident. The following is a list of all vehicles included in the Ford, FCA, and Nissan rollaway recalls:
- 2013-2019 Ford Escape
- 2013-2016 Ford Fusion
- 2015-2018 Ford Edge
- 2013-2018 Ford C-Max
- 2013-2021 Ford Transit Connect
- 2020-2022 Ford Explorer
- 2020-2022 Ford Explorer Hybrid
- 2020-2022 Ford Explorer Plug-In Hybrid
- 2020-2021 Ford Explorer Police Interceptor
- 2020-2021 Ford Explorer Police Interceptor Hybrid
- 2018-2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee
- 2018-2019 Dodge Durango
- 2020-2022 Nissan Frontier
- 2020-2022 Nissan Titan
If you own any of the listed vehicles, you should be on alert and know to always use the emergency or parking brake in the event of a roll-away incident. Always make sure the vehicle is fully parked before exiting. If your vehicle begins to roll away, do not try to jump into it or stop it as this can result in severe injury or death.
If you have taken your vehicle in for repairs related to a rollaway or another safety issue with your vehicle you should consult with a lemon law lawyer to learn more about your options under the California Lemon Law.
The California Lemon Law Experts
A vehicle that is at risk of rolling away due to a safety defect could be a lemon. The California Lemon Law, also known as the Song Beverly Consumer Warrant Act protects consumers who have purchased or leased a vehicle that the manufacturer cannot fix within a reasonable number of repair attempts.
Common vehicle issues that affect their use, value, or safety include but are not limited to the following:
- Difficulty changing gears
- Engine misfire
- Stalling
- Overheating
- Power loss
- Hesitation
- Sudden acceleration
- Warning lights
- Fluid leaks
- Abnormal noises
- And more…
If you have experienced repeat repair attempts to correct any number of defects with your vehicle, you may be eligible for a lemon law claim which could entitle you to a refund, replacement vehicle, or cash compensation plus the payment of your attorneys fees and costs.
If you suspect your vehicle is a lemon, you can review your eligibility today by contacting the Lemon Law Experts. Since 2009, the Lemon Law Experts have helped thousands of clients across the state of California recover millions for their lemon vehicles. Our attorneys secure outstanding results for clients with cases against FCA, Nissan, Ford, and other major auto manufacturers.
Our team of Lemon Law Experts can evaluate your particular situation and help you determine if you qualify. Contact us today.
