Ford/fuel tank
Defect Summary
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with 1.9l engines, built at the hermosillo or wayne assembly plants and originally sold or currently registered in nevada, florida, hawaii, texas, california, louisiana, georgia, south carolina, mississippi, oklahoma, alabama and arkansas. cracks can develop in the fuel tank near the heat shield attachment resulting in fuel leakage if the cracks go through the fuel tank wall.
Safety Consequence
Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source can result in a vehicle fire.
Corrective Action
Dealers will remove the heat shield attachments. this will not affect heat shield location or function, as the attachments are intended to keep the shield in place until the fuel tank is installed in the vehicle. after installation, the fuel tank straps retain the heat shield.
Similar Recalls
Other recalls from Ford Motor Company or involving Fuel System, Gasoline.
FAQ: Recall 97V144000
Your rights, the repair process, and what each field on this page means.
What is recall 97V144000?
NHTSA recall 97V144000 was issued by Ford Motor Company on September 3, 1997. It addresses: Ford/fuel tank. The recall affects approximately 64,000 vehicles, with the defect involving the Fuel System, Gasoline component.
How do I get this recall repaired?
Contact any authorized Ford Motor Company dealer and reference NHTSA recall ID 97V144000 or the manufacturer campaign number 97S79. 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.