NHTSA Complaint #10510737 — 2012 FORD F-350

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD F-350 SD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION WAS STARTED AND HE SHIFTED FROM FOUR WHEEL LOW TO FOUR WHEEL HIGH RANGE. ONCE THE GEAR LEVER WAS PLACED IN REVERSE, THE TRANSFER CASE FAILED TO RESPOND, ACCOMPANIED BY AN ABNORMALLY LOUD GRINDING NOISE. THE VEHICLE THEN UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED IN REVERSE, WHICH RESULTED IN A CRASH. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NERVE DAMAGE TO THE SPINAL CORD AND SEVERE INJURIES TO THE HANDS. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THERE WAS ALSO A STRONG AMMONIA ODOR THAT EMITTED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE SHIFTER CONTROL AND TRANSFER CASE WERE REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY WERE STILL UNABLE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE GEAR WOULD NOT SHIFT FROM REVERE TO DRIVE PROPERLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300.