Seven problems related to automatic transmission gear indicator have been reported for the 1997 Ford Expedition. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
The contact owns a 1997 Ford Expedition. The contact viewed NHTSA campaign id number: 97v171000, power train, automatic transmission, gear position indication (prndl) and stated the vehicle would not properly shift into park gear. When she tried to shift into park, the vehicle would roll. She had to apply the brake pedal, shift into neutral gear, get out of the vehicle and push it back into the driveway while forcing the gear into park. When she tried to start the vehicle it failed to start unless it was in neutral gear. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified and stated there were no recalls. The manufacturer was notified and stated they would document the call; otherwise, there was nothing they could do. The failure mileage was 160,000.
The contact owns a 1997 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that he is unable to shift the transmission from one of the drive gear positions into the park position. The failure occurred even though the gear shift selector would indicate park, which allows unintended vehicle movement. The manufacturer stated that they were not responsible for any repairs since the VIN was excluded from NHTSA campaign id number 97v171000 (power train:automatic transmission:gear position indication (prndl)). The vehicle has not been repaired according to the recall. The failure and current mileages were 166,000.
The contact owns a 1997 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that the vehicle could not be shifted out of the park position. The manufacturer stated that her VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 97v171000 (power train:automatic transmission:gear position indication (prndl)); therefore, the contact would be responsible for the repair costs. The vehicle has not yet been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 137,000.
The contact owns a 1997 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that she was unable to shift the transmission from one of the drive gear positions into park, even though the gear shift selector indicated that it was in park. As a result, she experiences unintended vehicle movement. The dealer stated that her VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 97v171000 (power train:automatic transmission:gear position indication (prndl)). The contact would be responsible for the repair costs. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 107,000.
Problem with gear shift on 1997 Ford Expedition. The problem is a "sticking" shifter that won't allow the vehicle to placed in park. Therefore, the vehicle can't be properly secured and/or restarted since the vehicle can't be shifted to the start postion. The indicator indicates "p" for park but the transmission is still in reverse. Vehicle must be shifted to neutral for starting giving the opportunity for potential roll offs. Could be related to NHTSA campaign # 97v-171nsa-111 although local dealer states my vehicle id doesn't fall under this recall. Local certifed mechanic states the problem is in the actual cable that be the result of vehicle recall defect. He has personnally fixed 3-5 of these defects within the last 3 months in a small rural shop.
Transmission would not shift up or down, repaired as per TSB 980920, then replaced. Gear shifter would not release from park, re-started many times and eventuall able to shift. Essentially over the course of 6 visits the entire component has been replaced and is now returned. Front fenders were curled in, paint defects with rust spots and paint clumps.
Shift linkage system failed, prior to recall notice (97v171000).