NHTSA Campaign 98V161000

SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY

Issued by FORD MOTOR COMPANY · Reported Jul 15, 1998 · 202,000 vehicles affected

What's wrong

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.

Consequence

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.

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.

Vehicles affected by this recall

Make Model Year Units
FORD F-150 1997 202,000
FORD F-150 1998 202,000

Source: NHTSA Campaign 98V161000 on nhtsa.gov. To check the current repair status for a specific vehicle, use our free VIN decoder.