Recall 12V035 affects 13,239 2011-2012 Ford F-53 and F-59 stripped chassis vehicles for incorrect gear indication. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
Ford is recalling 13,239 2011-2012 F-53 and F-59 stripped chassis vehicles because the PRNDL cable can break at the steering-column transmission selector arm. If it breaks, the instrument-panel gear display can stay in first gear no matter which gear is selected, leaving the driver unsure whether the vehicle is in Park or Reverse and increasing crash risk; the Ford dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The PRNDL cable on 2011-2012 Ford F-53 and F-59 stripped chassis vehicles is part of the gear-position indicator system. It links the transmission selector movement to the display in the instrument panel, so the driver sees whether the transmission is in park, reverse, neutral, drive, or a lower gear.
On affected vehicles, the cable can break where it attaches to the transmission control selector arm assembly on the steering column. When that attachment breaks, the instrument-panel gear display no longer follows the gear selected by the driver. The display stays in the first gear position regardless of which gear is selected.
There is no warning sign before failure. The first clue is the gear indicator staying in first gear after the selector is moved, which means the display is no longer giving the driver reliable gear-position information.
Who's affected?
Covers both F-53 and F-59 chassis across the 2011 and 2012 model years, all tied to the automatic transmission gear position indication system.
| 2012 Ford F-53 | automatic transmission |
|---|---|
| 2011 Ford F-59 | automatic transmission |
| 2012 Ford F-59 | automatic transmission |
| 2011 Ford F-53 | automatic transmission |
| Units affected | 13,239 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
An incorrect gear display can leave the driver unsure whether the vehicle is in park or reverse, increasing crash risk. Before moving, confirm the selector position carefully and schedule the recall repair. Repair will be free at any franchised Ford dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2011-2012 Ford F-53 or F-59 is included in this recall.
- Call Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332 to confirm the free repair path before scheduling service.
- Contact a franchised Ford dealer and reference recall number 12V035 when you ask about the transmission selector arm and PRNDL cable assembly replacement that fixes the incorrect gear indication.
- Bring Ford's owner letter mailed on March 2, 2012 if you have it.
- Verify the gear position carefully before parking, reversing, or leaving the driver seat until the repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ford technician replaces the transmission selector arm assembly and the "PRNDL" cable assembly. The work addresses the cable connection at the steering-column-mounted selector arm, where a break can leave the gear indicator stuck in the first gear position even after another gear is selected. The dealer repair will be free once available under recall 12V035. Ask the service desk to confirm parts availability before bringing in the F-53 or F-59 chassis.
Timeline
| February 2, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 2, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V035?
Recall 12V035 covers 13,239 2011-2012 Ford F-53 and F-59 stripped chassis vehicles with a PRNDL cable that can break at the transmission control selector arm. Ford dealers replace the transmission selector arm assembly and PRNDL cable assembly for free.
What should I do if my 2011-2012 Ford F-53 or F-59 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific chassis is included in recall 12V035. If it is, contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule replacement of the transmission selector arm assembly and PRNDL cable assembly. Reference recall number 12V035 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Ford's remedy states that dealers replace the transmission selector arm assembly and PRNDL cable assembly free of charge at a franchised Ford dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is an incorrect gear indication on the instrument panel. If the PRNDL cable breaks, the display can stay in the first-gear position regardless of the gear selected, leaving the driver unsure whether the vehicle is in Park or Reverse and increasing crash risk.
What if I bought my Ford F-53 or F-59 used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific chassis is included, then contact a franchised Ford dealer and reference recall number 12V035.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V035000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V035 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V035000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →