Ford/battery cables
Defect Summary
Certain passenger vehicles equipped with zetec engines, loose or broken attachments and misrouted battery cables could lead to cable insulation damage.
Safety Consequence
This, in turn, could cause the battery cables to short resulting in heat damage to the cables. besides heat damage, the "check engine" light may illuminate, the vehicle may fail to start, or smoke, melting, or fire could also occur.
Corrective Action
Dealers will inspect the battery cables for the condition of the cable insulation and proper tightening of the terminal ends. as necessary, cables will be rerouted, retaining clips installed, and damaged battery cables replaced. owner notification began february 10, 2003. owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Similar Recalls
Other recalls from Ford Motor Company or involving Electrical System.
FAQ: Recall 02V288000
Your rights, the repair process, and what each field on this page means.
What is recall 02V288000?
NHTSA recall 02V288000 was issued by Ford Motor Company on November 6, 2002. It addresses: Ford/battery cables. The recall affects approximately 291,854 vehicles, with the defect involving the Electrical System component.
How do I get this recall repaired?
Contact any authorized Ford Motor Company dealer and reference NHTSA recall ID 02V288000 or the manufacturer campaign number 02S41. Under federal law, the repair is completely free regardless of vehicle age or owner history.
Is my vehicle included in this recall?
The only way to confirm is to look up your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's tool will tell you if VIN-by-VIN this exact recall applies.
How long do I have to get a recall repair done?
There is no expiration on most federal safety recalls. Even if your vehicle is years old and you bought it used, the manufacturer is required to perform the repair at no cost.
Where does the data on this page come from?
All information on this page is sourced directly from the U.S. Department of Transportation public dataset for NHTSA recalls. Last refreshed: 2026-05-22. For the most current official notice, visit nhtsa.gov/recalls.