Vehicle recall 98V060000 · March 19, 1998
Ford Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer
Vehicle description: multi-purpose passenger vehicles equipped with 4.0L single overhead cam engines.
Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.
- Summary
- Vehicle description: multi-purpose passenger vehicles equipped with 4.0L single overhead cam engines. The engine fuel lines can be damaged if the vehicle is jump started and the ground cable is attached to the fuel line bracket that is located near the battery. Since the bracket is not grounded, the stainless steel fuel line braid could act as a ground potentially overheating the ptfe inner liner of the fuel line resulting in damage to the fuel line.
- Consequence
- The fuel lines can leak, and in the presence of an ignition source, a fire could potentially result.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a warning label on the fuel line bracket advising owners not to use it for a jump start ground. Also a revised bolt will be installed in the alternator bracket to provide a convenient jump start ground location.
- Notes
- Owner notification is expected to begin April 20, 1998.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 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
Recall details
- NHTSA campaign
- 98V060000
- Reported to NHTSA
- March 19, 1998
- Filed by
- FORD MOTOR COMPANY
- Manufacturer campaign
- 98S09
- Owner notification
- April 20, 1998
- Vehicles potentially affected
- 320,000
- Initiated by
- the manufacturer
- Components
- Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
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 (1997-1998): 1998, 1997
- Mercury Mountaineer (1997-1998): 1998, 1997
Has your Ford been repaired?
Recalls here come from NHTSA’s records for the model and year. Not every vehicle of a model is included in every recall, and this site can’t see whether a repair has been done. Only a VIN lookup can tell you that.
NHTSA’s VIN search doesn’t show recalls that were already repaired, recalls more than 15 years old, or some small manufacturers’ recalls. Recall repairs are free.