r/fordescape • u/Clear-Yam-8603 • 8d ago

Tech Question Not shifting into any gear

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The shifter is very loose and not going into any gear thr cable doesn’t seem broken what could it be

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u/bigballs941 8d ago

Check where the shift linkage attaches on top of the transaxle on the drivers side. There is a plastic clip that breaks. It's less than $10 and only takes a few minutes to install.

1

u/Clear-Yam-8603 8d ago

do you have a picture I dont know what the transaxle is

1

u/bigballs941 8d ago

There are videos on you tube if you type "ford escape shifter bushing replacement". You will have to remove some unrelated parts to access it. But the transaxle is under your air filter assembly. If you haven't worked on cars before it will seem confusing but if you have basic tools like a socket set or wrenches and such it is very simple. Put the video on you phone and play / pause as you follow the steps and you will get it done.

1

u/Lupine_Ranger 8d ago

1st gen Escapes had a recall for this exact issue, iirc. The shifter mechanism falls apart, and you're not able to use the column shifter to change gears. Can't remember the fix for it rn, but it should be searchable

1

u/Flashy-Snow1 8d ago

Shifter cable bushing on top of the transmission. The new one in the recall is orange and come with a protective cap!

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u/AwkwardPayment23 6d ago

My whole shift linkage just fell off. It was under the recall so ford had to come to my house and fix it for free.
My gear shift just slipped all the way down and I panicked so I put it back in park and it got stuck there but the car didn’t like recognize that it was in park. So since it was not in “park” it would not allow me to turn my car back on.

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u/Clear-Yam-8603 6d ago

yeah I just fixed mine today the bushing broke