Safety Recall NHTSA · 97V203000 Reported November 17, 1997

Ford/cng solenoid valve

Ford Motor Company · Fuel System, Other · 1,800 vehicles potentially affected

NHTSA ID
97V203000
Manufacturer Campaign
NR (Not Reported)
Manufacturer
Component
Fuel System, Other
Vehicles Affected
1,800
Recall Type
Vehicle
Report Received
November 17, 1997

Defect Summary

Vehicle description: bi-fuel vehicles modified to run on either gasoline or compressed natural gas (cng). the natural gas fuel tanks have a solenoid shut-off valve that stops fuel flow from the fuel tank in the event of certain moderate to severe collisions. if the vehicle is in a collision and the natural gas fuel line is damaged, the system could leak natural gas.

Safety Consequence

Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.

Corrective Action

Ford has requested owners of these vehicles to have the cng fuel system disabled under a previous recall campaign and to only use gasoline fuel until a permanent corrective action is developed. owners are being alerted to this solenoid valve concern at this time. the timing of corrective actions is being delayed to allow both conditions to be remedied at one time. in the meantime, there is not risk as long as the natural gas system has been disabled and the vheicle is only operated on gasoline.

What you should do

  1. Look up your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm this recall applies to your vehicle.
  2. Contact an authorized Ford Motor Company dealer and reference recall ID 97V203000 or campaign NR (Not Reported).
  3. Schedule the free repair. By federal law, the manufacturer must remedy the defect at no cost.
View Official NHTSA Notice →
Related

Similar Recalls

Other recalls from Ford Motor Company or involving Fuel System, Other.

FAQ: Recall 97V203000

Your rights, the repair process, and what each field on this page means.

What is recall 97V203000?

NHTSA recall 97V203000 was issued by Ford Motor Company on November 17, 1997. It addresses: Ford/cng solenoid valve. The recall affects approximately 1,800 vehicles, with the defect involving the Fuel System, Other component.

How do I get this recall repaired?

Contact any authorized Ford Motor Company dealer and reference NHTSA recall ID 97V203000 or the manufacturer campaign number NR (Not Reported). 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.