Component
POWER TRAIN:SHIFT LINKAGE/CABLE/ROD
23 NHTSA complaints about power train:shift linkage/cable/rod issues across 4 makes and 7 models.
The power train:shift linkage/cable/rod is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 23 filings from 4 manufacturers and 7 distinct vehicle models, a footprint large enough that defect engineers can isolate part-family patterns across different platforms that share the same supplier or the same federal motor vehicle safety standard.
Among filings citing this component, owners have reported 1 crash, 0 fires, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the FORD ESCAPE with 9 filings, followed by FORD FUSION and FORD EDGE. These severity counters are what separates a nuisance complaint trend from a pattern NHTSA is likely to escalate into a Preliminary Evaluation.
Component-level analysis is how the Office of Defects Investigation spots cross-manufacturer supplier issues — the same airbag inflator, the same takata-style ignition switch, the same brake hose material — before they become industry-wide recalls. When you see a single component accumulating large complaint volume across several unrelated nameplates, that is usually a signature of a shared supplier or a shared federal standard being stressed by real-world conditions. Use the affected-vehicles table below to see whether the pattern is concentrated on a handful of models or distributed evenly, and cross-reference each model's full recall and investigation history before drawing conclusions about any one nameplate.
Most Affected Vehicles
| # | Vehicle | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | FORD ESCAPE | 9 |
| 2 | FORD FUSION | 5 |
| 3 | FORD EDGE | 5 |
| 4 | FORD F-150 | 1 |
| 5 | DODGE DART | 1 |
| 6 | CHEVROLET TRAVERSE | 1 |
| 7 | CADILLAC ATS | 1 |
Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated that upon reversing out of the driveway and attempting to shift to drive(D), the message "System Fault - Consult Manual" was displayed. The cont
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Traverse. The contact stated that after his wife had parked the vehicle, the vehicle failed to turn off as intended. The contact also stated that the vehicle had fail
2014 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO NHTSA SAFETY RECALL 22V-413. THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPAIRS OF THIS VEHICLE.
2015 FORD EDGE. CONSUMER IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS MADE RELATED TO NHTSA SAFETY RECALL 22V-413. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE COST OF HAVING THE VEHICLE TOWED, AS WELL AS
2018 FORD EDGE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO PARTS BEING UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM SAFETY RECALL. THE CONSUMER REFCERENCED SAFETY RECALL 22S43/22V413. THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A RE
2015 FORD EDGE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO NHTSA SAFETY RECALL 22V-413.
2014 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO SAFETY RECALL 22V-413. THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING THE TEANSMISSION BEGAN SLIPPING AND STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE C
2017 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO PARTS BEING UNAVAILABLE TO PEFORM SAFETY RECALL.
2014 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO PARTS BEING UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM SAFETY RECALL.
2015 FORD EDGE. CONSUMER WRITES SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS MADE RELATED TO SAFETY RECALL 22V-413.
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Edge. The contact stated that the gear shifter seized and the vehicle was difficult to shift into gear. The contact stated that the gear shift indicator showed that the ve
The contact owns a 2004 Ford F-150. The contact stated while starting his parked vehicle, he found that the vehicle would not start. The contact self-diagnosed and bypassed the starter solenoid using
While waiting for the car in front of me in the valet line, I put my 2013 Cadillac ATS in park. When it was my turn, I attempted to put the car back in drive to move forward, but the shifter was locke
The contact owns a 2014 Ford fusion. The contact stated while driving 2 MPH and stopping, the vehicle was shifted into reverse to reverse out of her driveway; however, after shifting back to drive(D)
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while his daughter was reversing out of the driveway at approximately 5 MPH, the vehicle failed to shift into gear. There was no warning light i
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated while attempting to park the vehicle the gear shifter cable fractured making it difficult to safely park the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to t
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while reversing and then attempting to shift into drive, the gear shifter would not function as needed. The contact stated no warning light
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and running, she attempted to shift to drive however, the gear shifter would not go into drive. The contact st
The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Dart. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, there was a loud abnormal pop sound coming from the vehicle. The contact noticed that the clutch was all the way to the flo
Was driving my cat and it popped up shift system fault. I couldn't move my car. It stalled in the middle of the road. I contacted several people about this. Found out the shifter cable came loose from
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Data Sources
Vehicle complaint data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints database. Includes consumer-reported safety issues filed with NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Severity counts cross-reference NHTSA FARS (Fatality Analysis Reporting System) for fatal incidents where a corresponding FARS record exists.
Component categories are standardized by NHTSA. Crash-test ratings where shown are drawn from the NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Complaint counts, crash reports, fire reports, and fatality data reflect consumer-submitted reports and may not represent all incidents.
Disclaimer: This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for vehicle purchase decisions. NHTSA complaint data is self-reported by consumers and has not been verified or investigated. A high complaint count does not necessarily indicate a defect. Always consult a qualified mechanic and check official NHTSA recall notices before making safety-related decisions.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.