Large Recall NHTSA · 98V323000 Reported December 16, 1998

Ford/subframe corrosion

Ford Motor Company · Structure · 2,697,000 vehicles potentially affected

NHTSA ID
98V323000
Manufacturer Campaign
98S36
Manufacturer
Component
Structure
Vehicles Affected
2,697,000
Recall Type
Vehicle
Report Received
December 16, 1998

Defect Summary

Vehicle description: passenger vehicles originally sold or currently registered in connecticut, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, iowa, kansas, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, nebraska, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, virginia, west virgnia, and wisconsin. the rear lower subframe mount plate nut can experience stress corrosion cracking if subjected to long term exposure to road salts. this can result in fracture and loss of the structural integrity of the subframe mount attachment. detachment of the body mounts at the rear corners of the subframe, which supports the engine and transmission, allows the rear corners of the subframe to drop.

Safety Consequence

If both rear corners drop, steering would become suddenly very difficult, affecting vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.

Corrective Action

Dealers will install subframe rear mount bolts, reinforcement plates, and plate nuts.

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 98V323000 or campaign 98S36.
  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 Structure.

FAQ: Recall 98V323000

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

What is recall 98V323000?

NHTSA recall 98V323000 was issued by Ford Motor Company on December 16, 1998. It addresses: Ford/subframe corrosion. The recall affects approximately 2,697,000 vehicles, with the defect involving the Structure component.

How do I get this recall repaired?

Contact any authorized Ford Motor Company dealer and reference NHTSA recall ID 98V323000 or the manufacturer campaign number 98S36. 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.