FORD B800 1998: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)

NHTSA Campaign ID Number: 97V091000

Production Dates: 1997-03-03 - 1997-04-14

Manufacturers Involved: Ford Motor Company

Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)

Potential Number Of Units Affected: 2400

Report Initiator: MFR MFR Report

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."

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.

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

OWNER NOTIFICATION:OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN JUNE 16, 1997. NOTE:OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.