Ford/steering gear
Defect Summary
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles and mini-vans. the rack and pinion steering gears may have damaged input shaft bearings.
Safety Consequence
This condition can increase steering efforts, affecting steering control.
Corrective Action
Dealers will inspect the date code on the rack and pinion steering gear, and, if necessary, replace those rack and pinion assemblies that fall within the suspect date code range. the date codes for windstar model vehicles are 97jb09 or 97jc08; the date codes for mustang model vehicles are 97j09b or 97j08b.
Similar Recalls
Other recalls from Ford Motor Company or involving Steering.
FAQ: Recall 97V165000
Your rights, the repair process, and what each field on this page means.
What is recall 97V165000?
NHTSA recall 97V165000 was issued by Ford Motor Company on September 30, 1997. It addresses: Ford/steering gear. The recall affects approximately 2,250 vehicles, with the defect involving the Steering component.
How do I get this recall repaired?
Contact any authorized Ford Motor Company dealer and reference NHTSA recall ID 97V165000 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.