Is This A Lemon?

NHTSA recall campaign

97V091000

ManufacturerFORD MOTOR COMPANYReported1997-05-28Affected2,400 vehicles

What was wrong

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS AND SCHOOL BUS CHASSIS-COWLS EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. THE WELDS THAT ATTACH THE KEY TO THE TOP OF THE STEERING COLUMN MOUNTED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LINKAGE MAY NOT ADEQUATELY RETAIN THE KEY, ALLOWING THE TRANSMISSION TO BE IN A GEAR OTHER THAN THAT INDICATED ON THE "PRNDL", OR IN SOME CASES, "RNDL."

Risk

THE DOMESTIC SPECIAL ORDER (DSO) PARK BRAKE MAY NOT ENGAGE WHEN THE SHIFT LEVER IS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION, OR IN THE VEHICLE MOVING IN AN UNINTENDED DIRECTION WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS PRESSED. IN SOME VEHICLES THE DSO PARKING BRAKE MECHANISM ALSO MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ADJUSTED, WHICH CAN RESULT IN THE PARK BRAKE NOT ENGAGING WHEN THE SHIFT LEVER IS PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN SHIFT TUBE AND, IF SO EQUIPPED, TO HAVE THE DSO PARK BRAKE LINKAGE ADJUSTED.

To check whether your specific VIN is covered and to find a participating dealer, look this campaign up on NHTSA.gov →

Affected vehicles

3 entries