Large Recall NHTSA · 98V190000 Reported August 11, 1998

Ford/fuel tank cracks

Ford Motor Company · Fuel System, Gasoline · 140,000 vehicles potentially affected

NHTSA ID
98V190000
Manufacturer Campaign
98M03
Manufacturer
Component
Fuel System, Gasoline
Vehicles Affected
140,000
Recall Type
Vehicle
Report Received
August 11, 1998

Defect Summary

Vehicle description: mini vans originally sold or currently registered in the following states: alabama, arizona, arkansas, california (10 southern counties of los angeles, orange, san bernadino, san diego, riverside, ventura, santa barbara, san luis obispo, imperial, and kern), florida, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, nevada (clark county), oklahoma, south carolina, and texas, and in the u.s. Territories covered by the federal statutes. the upper portion of the fuel tank can develop small cracks due to extended exposure to very high ambient temperatures. fuel vapor or leakage could occur at these cracks.

Safety Consequence

If an ignition source is present, a fire could result.

Corrective Action

Dealers will replace the fuel tank, regardless of mileage, through march 31, 2002. this coverage will only be for structural cracks at the top of the tank and will not include other damage caused by an accident or road debris.

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 98V190000 or campaign 98M03.
  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, Gasoline.

FAQ: Recall 98V190000

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

What is recall 98V190000?

NHTSA recall 98V190000 was issued by Ford Motor Company on August 11, 1998. It addresses: Ford/fuel tank cracks. The recall affects approximately 140,000 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 98V190000 or the manufacturer campaign number 98M03. 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.