The contact owns a 1997 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the transmission hesitated while shifting gears. The contact stated that when the gear changed, the vehicle would jerk. The contact replaced the control sensor however, the failure recurred. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 245,000.
1997 Ford F-150 transmission problems
150 complaints (5% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 102,000. 16 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 150
- of this car's complaints
- 5%
- typical mileage
- 102,000
- crashes
- 16
- recalls
- 2
Which part fails
- Automatic transmission70
- Axle assembly12
- Driveline: driveshaft7
- Clutch assembly6
- Automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)6
- Driveline: differential unit4
- Axle assembly: axle shaft: seal4
- Automatic transmission: torque converter4
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Ford F-150 transmission problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 1997 Ford F-150 transmission
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Hesitation 14Won't shift 14Harsh shifting 11Transmission failure 11Jerking 10Rollaway 5
Related recalls
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and multi-purpose passenger vehicles. If the automatic transmission shift cable assembly was not fully attached to the steering column bracket, the shift cable assembly can come out of the bracket. The vehicle operator would then 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."
- Risk
- The condition would not allow a disengagement of the transmission from the park position or affect proper neutral start switch operation. Unintended vehicle movement could occur if the parking brake was not set.
- Remedy
- Dealers will make the proper attachment of the transmission shift control cable to the steering column bracket and add a tie strap to that connection.
Recall number 97V171000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks. The transmission bracket end fitting can separate from the shift cable assembly resulting in operator inability to shift the transmission from one of the drive gear positions into the park position.
- Risk
- This condition can result in unintended vehicle movement if the parking brake is not set.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a new transmission shift control cable.
Recall number 97V147000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Automatic transmission control
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.
RQ98005
Failure transmission park engagement/loc
By letter dated september 4, 1997, the manufacturer advised the federal safety agency that a safety-related recall action would be initiated to correct a potential failure of the transmission shift cable in approximately 15,000 of the subject vehicles.the suspect cables were supplied to ford by teleflex automotive and installed in the subject f-150 trucks built at ford's norforlk and kansas city assembly plants between february 16, 1996 and march 4, 1996.a copy of the ford's letter to the federal safety agency regarding this recall action is attached.based on the pending safety recall (97v‑147), this preliminary evaluation has been closed.
PE97019
What 1997 Ford F-150 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The contact owns a 1997 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while attempting to park the vehicle, the vehicle failed to shift into park(P). The contact stated that when he attempted to shift the vehicle into reverse(R), the vehicle shifted instead shifted into drive(D) and vice versa. Additionally, the contact stated that he had to turn the vehicle off and turn the steering wheel towards the direction of the curb in case the vehicle rolled away, increasing the risk of a crash or an injury. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the shifter cable assembly had detached from the bracket and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The contact referenced the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 97V171000 (Power Train). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the recall and advised the contact to call the federal safety agency Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.
Linkage bracket broke wont shift completely into park wont strart I have looked this up and also the cruse control switch leaks brake fluid both of these have been recalled by ford but the dealership where I too it said my VIN # wasnt on recall list even though these are both admitted to be faulty by ford how can I get mine repaired.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford f-150. The contact stated that the vehicle would not shift into park and crashed into the neighbor's fence. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. When the contact attempted to shift the vehicle into park, the vehicle would go into drive. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 300,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford f-150. The contact stated that the gear lever failed to shift from drive into park. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer where the shift cable and steering column bracket were replaced. The contact referenced two recalls under the federal safety agency campaign id numbers 97v171000 (power train) and 97v147000 (power train). The manufacturer was notified and they informed the contact that the VIN was not included in either of the two recalls. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford f-150. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked and turned off when it rolled away down a hill and crashed into a neighbor's home. The emergency brake was engaged at the time of the failure. The police arrived on the scene and filed a report of the incident. The contact's insurance company inspected the vehicle and advised that there was an issue with the steering column. The vehicle had not been inspected by an authorized dealer. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 107,076.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 ford f-150. The contact stated that the gear lever would not shift into park. To prevent the vehicle from rolling away, the parking brake was engaged in combination with a wheel block being placed in the front and rear of the vehicle. The vehicle had been repaired twice by a specialized transmission center at the owner's expense. On january 21, 2012, the failure recurred. The vehicle had not been repaired for the most recent failure. There was a recall associated with the federal safety agency campaign id number 97v171000 (power train) however, the recall campaign expired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 86,000. ... Updated 02/28/13
Tl* the contact owns 1997 ford f-150. The contact stated that after receiving notification of the federal safety agency campaign I.d. 11v385000 (fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: mounting) the contact took the vehicle to the dealer. The dealer stated that the fuel straps were corroded. The dealer was unable to perform the recall remedy due to the severity of the corrosion on the fuel tank straps. The contact called the manufacturer regarding the recall repair and was advised that the manufacturer the fuel tank mount would have to be repaired at the contact's expense. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 150,000. The consumer stated the frame bracket had rotted and the recall could not be performed. The consumer stated the vehicle has a slight hesitation, there was a noise when the gear was in drive, the brakes felt spongy, the brake line had to be replaced, as well as the brakes, calipers and hoses. Updated 04/17/12 updated 04/25/12*lj updated 05/02/12
Transmission failure, truck has 112000 miles and the tranny would not shift to 3rd gear, the fluid and filter has been change 5 times more than recommended by manufacturer, I also had aamco install a larger transmission cooler. What happened to the tranny is the c clamp that locks the main drive in the transmission came off, and destroyed the od drum and gears I have always kept my vehicles well maintained and at a cost of $1,900.56 I feel that ford should re imburse me for this , the truck has never hauled any heavy loads or pulling a trailer with anything heavier than a riding lawnmower. I have a 1970 ford truck that is a better truck than my 1997. I could only imagine what would happen to a new truck if driven like the commercials they produce. I have always been a ford man but they are changing my mind quickly. This truck has never been abused. It's absurd that a possibly $5.00 part could cause me almost 2 grand. I am about to buy a new truck and I will be shopping around and looking at consumer reports to make a decision.
Gem module failure at high speed. Caused 4x4 to engage at high speed causing loss of control of vehicle. Also, during turns, causes loss of control of steering. Did some research of several ford f150 web sites and found several complaints for similar or the same problems. Took the vehicle to the ford dealer for repair and was told the gem module was the culprit and that there was significant corrosion in the adjacent fuse junction panel. The service department confessed that they have had several complaints for these kinds of conditions and have had to replace many of these gem modules and fuse panels because of leaks in the windshield or hood cowling. They further told me that unless I replaced these components and any other electrical component, at my expense, they would not warranty any repairs. After a repair bill of $1000.00, ford refused to help claiming it was not a design or component part problem. My concern is the possibility of electrical failures in the future or even damage to the drive train components.
Questions about the 1997 Ford F-150 transmission
Does the 1997 Ford F-150 have transmission problems?
Owners have filed 150 complaints about the transmission of the 1997 Ford F-150, 5% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 1997 Ford F-150 transmission problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 102,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 1997 Ford F-150 transmission?
Yes, 2 recalls: 97V171000, 97V147000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Ford F-150 have bad transmission?
The Ford F-150 model years with the most transmission complaints are 2013 (1,346 complaints), 2018 (1,022 complaints) and 2011 (830 complaints).
Other 1997 Ford F-150 problems
Engine 544Tires 303Fuel system 246Brakes 231Body 224Acceleration 221Suspension 203Steering 202Electrical 198Visibility 148Wheels 112Airbags 99Lights 56Seat belts 38Locks 14Seats 7Driver assistance 2
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