The problem
The park pawl abutment bracket has a sharp edge which can cause the parking pawl to hang up and not engage the park gear. This would allow the vehicle to move even though the gear shift indicator shows that the vehicle is in park.
The risk
Unintended and unexpected vehicle movement can result in personal injury and property damage.
The fix
Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the park pawl abutment bracket.
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 96V-166 (96V166000) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| Component | Power train › Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (PRNDL) |
| Report date | September 5, 1996 |
| Owners notified | September 23, 1996 |
| Vehicles affected | 40,000 |
| Initiated by | Manufacturer |
Vehicles covered
Owner complaints about the transmission & drivetrain
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 96V-166 repair free?
Yes. Ford dealers will fix the problem at no cost: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the park pawl abutment bracket.
How do I know if my car is included?
Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 40,000 vehicles built in a certain window. Check your 17-character VIN with our VIN recall check or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.