Bulletins

BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
POWER TRAIN
1506707/01/2001621005Some vehicles equipped with a manual transmission may exhibit a powertrain noise described as a brief roar, hoot or groan betwen 2500 - 3500 rpm when the clutch pedal is half way down, during shifting or when depressing and releasing the cl09/05/2001
1217811/01/1998613234Information regarding tsb 98-5a-12 (transaxle/transmission/transfer case-vehicles towed behind recreational vehicles-recommended guidelines) does not list towing information for certain model vehicles. *mjs06/19/2000
994303/08/1999604751Information regarding reprogramming powertrain control modules (pcms). *tt05/11/1999
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
0326101/05/200310008279New service part - number 5 needle bearing and race kit - 4r70w transmission - service tip. *tt07/26/2004
1229812/01/1998615543Some vehicles equipped with 4r70w transmissions may exhibit delayed or no 2-3 upshift, primarily when the transmission is cold. transmission control indicator light (tcil) may also flash with diagnostic trouble code p0782. *tt01/18/2001
9915207/26/1999608431Information on the new flush and fill tool available through rotunda. *tt01/05/2001
001501/10/2000612203Information regarding the new transmission cooler flusher- service tip. *mjs06/06/2000
991312508/01/1999609044Sone police vehicles and other vehicles with 4r70w may exhibit a vibration and / or transmission extension housing bushing damage from sustained high speed operation. *tt12/07/1999
98329402/05/1998607457Some vehicles may have an excessive amount of shift lever vibration while driving in 3rd gear. *tt09/23/1999
999605/17/1999606428Experiencing a delayed or no 2-3 upshift, primarily when the transmission is cold on vehicles with ford qality remanufactured (fqr) 4r70w transmission exchange units with julian build between 062-97 and 040-99. *tt08/20/1999
994603/08/1999604762Concerns with transmission fluid leaking at radiator. *tt06/01/1999
988804/27/1998601238Information on a new transmission fluid usage chart. *yc07/10/1998
9751103/03/199751945Fluid- transmission fluid usage charts. *jd07/17/1997
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - CONTROL MODULE (TCM, PCM)
04210712/13/200404241410014086General (pcm) power train control module programming procedures. *tt04/28/2005
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - COOLING UNIT AND LINES
00231011/13/2000616522Subject regarding contamination from prior transmission concerns or excess wear may be trapped in the transmission fluid cooling system. *tt03/05/2001
994601/01/1999606733Concerns with transmission fluid leaking at the radiator. *tt09/01/1999
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
977303/31/199751910Vibration- shudder or vibration under light to moderate acceleration above 56 km/h (35 mph) while in 3rd or 4th gear- vehicles equipped with aode or 4r70w transmission. *jd07/17/1997
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - PARK/NEUTRAL START SWITCH
0118109/17/2001625715Brake shift interlock.*jb11/30/2001
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - TORQUE CONVERTER
988704/27/1998601237Experiencing a torque converter clutch shudder or vibration. *yc07/10/1998
96261212/16/199650997Transaxle - torque converter replacement guidelines and torque converter/transaxle cooling system cleaning procedures - service tip. *tw06/17/1997
9624911/18/199650908Torque converter - leak test procedure - service tip. *tw06/17/1997
BC081096101110/11/199650412Vehicles equipped w/ an aode or 4r70w trans has a concern of shudder from the transmission torque converter clutch in 3rd or 4th gear or during 3-4 shift. *tt04/24/1997
POWER TRAIN - AXLE ASSEMBLY
BC519796100110/01/199650474Some vehicles equipped w/ an ax4s transaxle may have been shipped w/ a low transaxle fluid level. *tt04/24/1997
POWER TRAIN - AXLE ASSEMBLY - BANJO HOUSING
1272505/01/19996091700Some vehicles may exhibit a vibration and / or transmission extension housing bushing damage from sustained high speed operation. *tt11/09/2000
624205/01/1999607036Experiencing a vibration and / or transmission extension housing bushing damage. *tt11/03/2000
1324009/01/19996090634Information regarding vibration/extension housing bushing. *mjs03/22/2000
991312508/01/1999609044Sone police vehicles and other vehicles with 4r70w may exhibit a vibration and / or transmission extension housing bushing damage from sustained high speed operation. *tt12/07/1999
POWER TRAIN - CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
9822211/09/1998603711Experiencing vibration/ noise felt in clutch pedal when lightly touching clutch pedal. *yc03/03/1999
POWER TRAIN - CLUTCH ASSEMBLY - PEDAL/LINKAGE
0024111/27/2000616529Some vehicles may exhibit a vibration that may be heard of felt at the clutch pedal between idle and 2300 rpm, and goes away when depressing the clutch at least 25mm. *tt03/02/2001
POWER TRAIN - MANUAL TRANSMISSION
0123511/26/2001630341Some vehicles equipped with the t45 manual transmission may exhibit a condition of being stuck in reverse, difficult to shift into reverse or may pop out of reverse. *tt04/16/2002
98246404/01/1998603530Concerns with vehicles with a t-45 transmission may shift from 4th to neutral when the clutch is released. *yc02/24/1999
98030804/01/1998603502Vehicles with t45 manual transmissions may jump out of gear. *tt02/23/1999
BC239297050105/01/199752829Vehicles equipped with a t-45 transmission may exhibit a second gear to neutral movement condition. *tw09/18/1997
BC10594970505/01/199752874Vehicles may encounter difficulty getting the shift lever into gear when the clutch disc is hot. *tw09/18/1997
BC229997050105/01/199752795Vehicles built prior to 3/1/97 may encounter difficulty getting the shift lever into gear when the clutch disc is hot. *tw09/12/1997
BC322197021202/12/199751827Vibration/noise from the clutch pedal. *tw07/17/1997

Consumer Complaints

Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
03/28/200107/01/1997
 Automatic transmission is at times unable to shift out of park into a drive gear, this renders vehicle useless until the gear shift is moveable. yes the brake pedal is depressed.*ak
06/15/200103/01/2001
 A vibration occurs when upshifting. at first it occurred only at 43 mph; however, it now occurs around 30 mph as well and has become more pronouced particularly at the 43 mph shift point. the automatic transmission fluid is at normal full level and appears to be of normal color. we have also checked the universal joint bearings which are tight.*ak
07/31/199902/01/1997
 I pull into my garage to retreive something from on top of my washing machine. i put the car into park and began to exit the vehicle. the engine was still on at this time. i was about 3/4 out of the car standing with only my right foot still inside . when all of a sudden the car begin to back out by itself in reverse draging me with it about ten feet before i could free myself. i tried to get to the brake but the door of my car was to the wall of the garage and the door took me with it. slamming me against my water softner garage springs and planter box outside of the garage. i was then able to free myself. the car continued down the driveway across the street into my neibhors yard before stopping. when i got to the car the gear was in reverse. i substained many cuts and bruises as a result of this incident. i contacted ford about this matter 08-02-99 and they seem to not be intrested. all they said was um!! um!! really. if we hear anything in the future wi'll notify you. without any information, my name or phone number hung up.
10/14/19971009/01/1997
 Suspension pulls to the left. transmission would not go into reverse or grinds. engine loses power with engine light on. brakes pads on left side metal to metal. second brake job. all problems still existas.
08/29/1998506/01/1997
 @ 7000 miles the transmission assembly went out & had to be replaced. at 14000 miles front end misaligned, needed 2 new front tires & alignment, @ 21000 miles drivers window quit, @ 21797 brakes began grinding needed replacement pads,@ 21000 miles engine started spark knocking & continues to date. 5 attempts to correct not corrected.@27,462 miles dealer decarboned engine & again 300 miles later. still spark knocking. begining lemon law processes 3/28/99. *ak( dot number: )
07/01/1998
 Transmission failed. also rear end axle malfunctioned, causing vehicle to vibrate.
03/01/19980
 The transmission has been replaced because it pops out of gear when driving at 55 mph. the transmission also grinds when shifting and this causes the vehicle to slow down. *ak
 The engine electronics went out; and the transmission has failed, and the passenger's side power window quite working. *ak
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - COOLING UNIT AND LINES
07/15/2000110/01/1999
 The transmission developed a leak while driving home one day. i estimate 1 quart of fluid was lost. i filled it up but major gear wear had already happened (could hear whine from then on). the leak could not be found and sealed itself. months later the main input shaft exploded while cruising at 40 mph rendering the transmission undrivable. the rear sway bar snapped on the right side while entering my driveway at low speed. i have been told both of these are common problems with this car but the close proximity after the warranty expired disturbs me.*ak
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
04/01/1998204/01/1998
 Transmission makes noise and car jumps out of gear.
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - LEVER AND LINKAGE - COLUMN SHIFT
07/01/1998
 Transmission failed. also rear end axle malfunctioned, causing vehicle to vibrate.
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - PARK/NEUTRAL START SWITCH
1
 While vehicle was in park with the motor running vehicle went into reverse with the gear indicator still in park, causing vehicle to run into the house. *ak
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - TORQUE CONVERTER
10/01/1998
 Driver's seat track leveled out and caused driver's seat to move frontward unexpectedly which could have caused loss of control. dlr replaced seat track. problem reoccurred. also torque converter needed to be replaced. please provide further information. *ak
POWER TRAIN - AXLE ASSEMBLY
09/14/199807/01/1997
 After hearing a strange noise in the rear end of the vehicle while driving at speeds no more than 45 mph, the vehicle was taken to the dearlership where it was purchased. i was given an original estimate of $250., and the next day was told all the bearings in the rear-end including the axels had to be replaced, due to possible factory defect. i phoned ford motors the following day and was told i would hear something within a day or two. after picking up my vehicle, and paying the $1,474.82 for the repair, was told by ford a week or so later that i never should have paid for the repair until i had recieved disposition from ford motor company. however, the dealership would not release the vehicle until thte service was paid for, and i had a new job to report to on 9/23/98, in salem, nh. all the parts removed from the vehicle are located at my former residence in california. i have written various letters, and made many phone calls with no further assistance obtained in this matter. rear-axles should last more than 40,000 miles.
11/01/1998106/01/1997
 No summary listed for this vehicle.
POWER TRAIN - CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
02/01/1999
 When clutch is hot, veh is hard to shift into second and third gear, i found two tsb's, dealership says they cannot find problem and i asked them about the tsb's, they said they new of none and said the fully researched it, no action was performed by dealership, learning my lesson about buying a ford,
408/01/1997
 Severe clutch pedal vibration and chatter...the clutch, throw out bearing and pressure plate have been replaced 3 times and the flywheel once...they also have replaced the entire clutch pedal assembly and cable...tomorrow i will take it in again and have a new redesigned throw out bearing installed...this is either a design flaw or a problem that should have already been rectified.
POWER TRAIN - CLUTCH ASSEMBLY - PEDAL/LINKAGE
02/01/199702/01/1997
 Clutch pedal will rattle at specific low speeds. *ak
10/01/1997209/01/1997
 Second gear grinds when shifted. clutch pedal vibrates badly and makes pounding noise.
POWER TRAIN - DRIVELINE - DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
06/01/1997
 First the car had to be repainted. then the alternator had to be replaced. next the whole rearend had to be rebuilt because the pinion and pinion bearing went bad. this could have caused a major accident. the car vibrates excessively when you're on the expressway. it is hard to get into 5th gear. it has popped out of gear on several occassions while on the expressway at 70 miles per hour. the spark plug wires had to be replaced. currently the car keeps stalling when pulling out or accelerating and the check engine light comes on. it has been in the shop 3 times so far for this latest problem. it is still not fixed, and i don't think they know what's wrong with it.
03/17/1997202/14/1997
 Rear ring and pinion gears failed.
03/17/1997202/14/1997
 Ring and pinion rear end gears failure.
POWER TRAIN - MANUAL TRANSMISSION
1
 Vehicle rolled and hit another vehicle, while parked in first gear with parking brake up as per owners manual, possibly parking brake failure or transmission failure.*jb
05/01/1997
 Transmission grinds going into 2nd gear and pops out of reverse almost all cobra owners i have talked with has these problems with the t-45 transmission dealer can't reproduce the problem so no fix is possible
11/19/1998109/01/1997
 The transmission cannot be shifted into reverse in any reliable manner. obvious problem since day one. reported to ford, they returned with no problem found. cannot shift into reverse under any emergency condition if such a situation arises. for a period of 2 months, at 18000 miles, had intermittent grinding when upshifting from 1st to 2nd gear when cold. not reported to ford since not consistent enough and did not want to bother with no problem found response. problem has since gone away (for now). recent incident, had total failure of clutch cable assembly. could not shift into gear after stopping at traffic light. i was stuck in the middle of the intersection and forced to abandon car in the middle of a very busy road. one individual swerved to miss my car and almost caused a multi car accident. ford did replace under warranty. they did mention that clutch needs replacement for possible damage to cable failure. no word from ford if this is under warranty.
08/30/1999309/01/1997
 Car purchased 9/97 factory delivery brake problems constantly squeeking metal clinging, boot cover never locks, transmisson failure twice, leaks around window seals
11/28/1998110/01/1997
 Manual transmission cracked at less than 20,000 miles and is leaking transmission fluid.
03/31/1997
 Transmission failed/vibrates.
08/01/1997
 Manual transmission difficult/impossible to get into reverse. caused vehicle to obstruct traffic after executing a u-turn. several repeat applications of transmission would not allow it into reverse. driver claims that vehicle exhibited this condition since purchase. *ak
POWER TRAIN - MANUAL TRANSMISSION - FLOOR SHIFT ASSEMBLY
02/16/1998
 Transmission jumps out of 4th gear after decelerating and the accelerating.

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