Vehicle recall 97V137000 · August 19, 1997
Ford Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer
Vehicle description: multi-purpose passenger vehicles.
Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.
- Summary
- Vehicle description: multi-purpose passenger vehicles. The liftgate assist gas cylinder bracket on the right hand bodyside outer panel was incorrectly welded.
- Consequence
- The gas cylinder bracket may not properly support the liftgate increasing the risk of personal injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will reinforce the bracket attachment with two pop rivets.
- Notes
- Owner notification is expected to begin September 30, 1997.OWNERS who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.ALSO contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-800-424-9393.
Recall details
- NHTSA campaign
- 97V137000
- Reported to NHTSA
- August 19, 1997
- Filed by
- FORD MOTOR COMPANY
- Owner notification
- September 30, 1997
- Vehicles potentially affected
- 2,200
- Initiated by
- the manufacturer
- Components
- Structure › Body › Hatchback/liftgate › Support device/strut
Vehicles covered
As listed by NHTSA. A recall usually covers only some vehicles of each model and year, often a production date range.
- Ford Explorer (1996): 1996
- Mercury Mountaineer (1997): 1997
Has your Ford been repaired?
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