Do I really need to replace the transmission shift cable bushing in my used car? Ask a Mechanic

Dear Ask a Mechanic,

I bought my mom’s 2015 Ford Escape two years ago. Almost immediately, I started receiving a recall letter for a transmission shifter bushing cable in the mail every six months. Is it worth going in for? I’ve never had any major issues with the car.

Errant Escape

Absolutely yes, you should get the recall performed.

Recalls can be for anything from a missing warning label and improperly displayed gauge clusters readouts to serious faults that can result in major mechanical failures, cause crashes or even lead to accidental deaths. (The Takata airbag inflator recall is an ongoing and well-known example of the latter.)

Whether large or small, recalls are intended to address safety and compliance concerns that have been discovered after the vehicle entered service. (Technical service bulletins, extended warranty coverage programs and service campaigns are not the same as and should not be confused with recalls.)

With a recall, the automaker will complete any required inspections and the repairs for free. The inconvenience of having to schedule the appointment and leave your vehicle is the largest downside to having the work done. You’re not obligated to perform any additional work while completing the recall.

The unavailability of parts can lead to situations where a recall can’t be performed right away. Unless the recall notice specifically states that the vehicle should be parked and not driven (or gives other instructions, like only parking outdoors), you should be fine to continue using it until the repair can be completed.

Beyond the obvious direct risks of injury or property damage to yourself, deciding not to bother at all has the potential to set you up for liability if it can be proven that you were aware of the fault and didn’t take steps to rectify it.

In the case of your Escape, failure of the shifter bushing can result in the transmission not going fully into Park, which could allow it to roll away after being parked – and into something or someone. It could also result in a no-start condition, as the vehicle must be fully in Park (or Neutral) to start or the inadvertent selection of an unexpected gear position. Why chance any of that by avoiding a free repair?

One further consideration is private resale. While Ontario’s mandatory Used Vehicle Information Package doesn’t currently list open recalls (why doesn’t it, Minister?), the independent CarFax reports many used car buyers demand these days do; uncompleted recalls could negatively affect the value of your car.

I’ve had customers complain about multiple recalls being needed on their vehicles. I point out that they should be grateful that a system exists to catch and rectify these problems at no cost to them. Prior to the 1960s, they’d have been on their own.

Brian Early is a Red Seal-certified automotive technician. Send your questions to wheels@thestar.ca. These answers are for informational purposes only. Please consult a certified mechanic before having any work done to your vehicle.