Investigation RQ98005: 1997 Ford F-150

Status

CLOSED

Opened

Mar 13, 1998

Closed

Aug 27, 1998

Model years

1997

Subject

Automatic transmission control

Component: Power train › Automatic transmission

Summary

On september 4, 1997, ford filed a defect information report concerning approximately 15,000 1997 model year f-150 trucks, manufactured from february 16 through march 4, 1996, and built at the norfolk or kansas city assembly plants.these vehicles could have incorrectly manufactured automatic transmission control cables installed which can result in a separation of the cable end fitting from the cable conduit at the transmission end of the cable.if the transmisssion end fitting were to separate from the shift cable assembly, theoperator would not be able to shift the transmission from one of the drive gear positions into the park position even though the gear shift selector would indicate park.odi has received 6 reports alleging transmission fault shifting resulting in 3 crashes.the reported vehicles were identified as follows:three were manuactured outside of the recall build dates; two were within the scope of the recall and the remaining vehicle was unknown due to missing vin.the purpose of this investigation is to examine the scope of recall 97v-147, in particular, the basis for limiting the recall to those built within a specific time period and whether the cable is used on other ford vehicles.

An NHTSA investigation looks into whether a safety defect exists. Opening one is not a finding. Outcomes can include a recall, closure without action, or further inquiry.

Model years covered

• 1997 Ford F-1502,758 complaints