RoadVitals

NHTSA safety recall

Recall 98V161000: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY; SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY

FORD MOTOR COMPANY · Reported to NHTSA Jul 15, 1998

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
Units potentially affectedThe manufacturer's own estimate of how many vehicles or items of equipment may contain the defect. It is not a count of failures, and not every unit in the range is necessarily affected.
202,000
Model years coveredModel years in our database that NHTSA matched to this campaign. Whether an individual vehicle is covered still depends on its VIN.
2
Models covered
1
Grouped from the model years above
Reported to NHTSA
Jul 15, 1998
Production Nov 26, 1995 – Feb 19, 1998

What this recall covers

NHTSA's campaign record, quoted as published

The defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY 4-WHEEL DRIVE PICKUP TRUCKS. IF THE VEHICLE IS OVERLOADED, THE REAR LEAF SPRINGS CAN BE OVERSTRESSED. A FATIGUE FRACTURE OF THE SPRING CAN OCCUR. THE CENTER LEAF OF THE SPRING CAN FRACTURE AT THE FORWARD EDGE OF THE SPRING SEAT AND, IN SOME CASES, CONTACT THE FUEL TANK.

The risk

FUEL TANK CONTACT CAN DAMAGE THE TANK AND RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.

The remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR SPRINGS AND INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL CLIP ON THE FORWARD END OF THE REAR SPRINGS TO PREVENT FUEL TANK CONTACT IN THE EVENT OF A LEAF FRACTURE. ANY FRACTURED SPRINGS WILL BE REPLACED.

Notes

OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN AUGUST 10, 1998.OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

A safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.

Campaign details

Identifiers and dates as filed with NHTSA

Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Manufacturer's campaign number
Not recorded
NHTSA campaign number
98V161000
Units potentially affected
202,000
Report received
Jul 15, 1998
Production range
Nov 26, 1995 – Feb 19, 1998
Campaign type
Vehicle
Federal safety standard (FMVSS)
Not recorded

Vehicles covered

2 model years across 1 model

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.