ZF Transmission Sensor Clusters Recalled for Unexpected Neutral Shifts
ZF North America is recalling certain 9-speed automatic transmission sensor clusters due to insufficient wire harness crimps that may cause the vehicle to unexpectedly shift to neutral.
What this means for you
Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 4/5 (Severe).
The hazard poses a serious risk of illness, injury, or structural failure. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.
Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a structural vehicle defect (transmission control) that creates an increased risk of a crash, meeting the criteria for a Severe rating.
Plain-English summary
ZF North America, Inc. is recalling certain Transmission Control Sensor Clusters manufactured between May 1, 2013, and July 15, 2014. These components are used in 9-speed automatic transmissions. The defect involves insufficient crimps in the transmission wire harness, which can result in the transmission unexpectedly shifting to neutral.
If a vehicle unexpectedly shifts to neutral while in operation, there is an increased risk of a crash. ZF will notify the vehicle manufacturers that purchased the affected transmissions. Those manufacturers will file their own recalls, and their dealers will update the transmission software to prevent the transmission from shifting into neutral due to the faulty crimp. This corrective action is provided free of charge.
The recall began on July 15, 2016. Owners may contact ZF customer service at 1-734-416-6200. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153) or visit www.safercar.gov.
The recalled product
- Product
- POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM) recall
- Manufacturer
- ZF North America, Inc.
- Category
- Vehicle — Transmission Control
- Affected units
- 505,000
Distribution
Distributed nationwide across the United States.
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