NHTSA opens recall query into 1997–1998 Ford F-150: REAR SUSPENSION SPRING BREAKAGE
On November 13, 1998, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Recall Query (RQ98022) into 1997–1998 Ford F-150, concerning the suspension. A Recall Query examines an earlier recall, for example whether its repair works or whether it covers every affected vehicle. As of NHTSA’s latest data it is still open.
- Action
- RQ98022 (Recall Query)
- Status
- Open
- Component
- Suspension: Rear: Springs: Leaf Spring Assembly
- Listed
- 2 make/model/year entries in NHTSA’s file
Vehicles under investigation
| Make | Ford |
|---|---|
| Model | F-150 |
| Model years | 1997–1998 |
As listed in NHTSA’s investigation file. Not every vehicle of a listed model is necessarily affected.
What ODI says
IN JULY 1998, FORD SUBMITTED A PART 573 NOTIFICATION TO NHTSA CONCERNING BROKEN REAR SPRINGS ON CERTAIN 1997-98 FORD F150 TRUCKS, WITH FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE.FORD STATED THAT FATIGUE FRACTURE OF THE REAR SPRINGS MAY OCCUR IF THE SPRING ARE OVER STRESSES(SIC) BY VEHICLE OVERLOADING.THE BROKEN PIECE OF THE SPRING LEAF MAY SPLAY INWARD, DAMAGING THE FUEL TANK AND CAUSING FUEL LEAKAGE.FORD ALSO STATED THAT A BROKEN SPRING WOULD CAUSE VEHICLE SAG AND LOSS IN LOAD CARRING CAPABILITY.FORD HAD 43 REPORTS OF FUEL TANK DAMAGE.FORD WILL INSTALL A CLIP ON THE FORWARD END (ONLY) OF THE REAR SPRINGS TO PREVENT FUEL TANK CONTACT IN THE EVENT OF A LEAF FRACTURE.ONLY BROKEN SPRINGS WILL BE REPLACED.ODI HAS RECEIVED THREE REPORTS OF BROKEN REAR SPRINGS ON 1997-98 F150 TRUCKS;TWO OF THEM HAVE TWO-WHEEL DRIVE.A TIRE PUNCTURE OCCURRED ON A FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE TRUCK IN WHICH THE BROKEN MIDDLE SPRING LEAF SPLAYED OUTWARD AT THE REAR OF THE SPRING ASSEMBLY.EIGHT OTHER REPORTS DESCRIBE REAR SPRINGS THAT HAVE MOVED OUT OF POSITION OR BECAME LOOSE; THREE OF THESE REPORTED SOME LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.CLOSING NOTE: WHILE THERE ISN'T ANY STRONG EVIDENCE THAT THE REAR SPRINGS ARE ONLY BREAKING UNDER CONDITIONS OF OVERLOAD AND SEVERE USE, THE RECALL REMEDY TO PREVENT FUEL TANK DAMAGE MAY BE ADEQUATE AND THERE IS NOT A SIGNIFICANT SPRING FAILURE RATE OUTSIDE THE RECALL POPULATION.THI RQ SHOULD BE CLOSED, SUBJECT TO FUTURE FAILURE OCCURANCES.
Official summary by NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation for RQ98022, quoted in full (U.S. government work, public domain).
Recalls and problems for these vehicles
Related recalls
NHTSA links these recall campaigns to RQ98022.
- NHTSA campaign 98V161000
Timeline
- ODI opens recall query RQ98022
- OpenNo closing date yet
What this means for owners
- An investigation is not a recall. NHTSA has not made a defect finding here, and owners are not asked to do anything yet. If a safety defect is confirmed, the manufacturer recalls the vehicles and the repair is free.
- Check your vehicle for open recalls with a free VIN recall check.
- Had this problem? File a complaint with NHTSA. Owner complaints are the evidence ODI uses to open and expand investigations.
Official record: search RQ98022 or your vehicle at NHTSA.gov/recalls, which lists investigations alongside recalls. Data: NHTSA ODI investigations file, updated daily. All NHTSA investigations.