The problem
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 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.
The fix
Dealers will replace the steering column shift tube and, if so equipped, to have the dso park brake linkage adjusted.
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 97V-091 (97V091000) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| Component | Power train › Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (PRNDL) |
| Report date | May 28, 1997 |
| Owners notified | June 11, 1997 |
| Vehicles affected | 2,400 |
| Initiated by | Manufacturer |
Vehicles covered
Plus 1 other model/year combinations not covered on this site.
Owner complaints about the transmission & drivetrain
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 97V-091 repair free?
Yes. Ford dealers will fix the problem at no cost: Dealers will replace the steering column shift tube and, if so equipped, to have the dso park brake linkage adjusted.
How do I know if my car is included?
Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 2,400 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.