The problem
Vehicle description: police and taxi vehicles. The hood latch striker can wear or become detached from the hood.
The risk
Either of these conditions can result in the hood opening without warning while the vehicle is being operated impairing the driver's visibility.
The fix
Dealers will install an improved hood latch striker (vehicles with 1992 model hoods) or revised striker plate attaching fasteners (vehicles with 1993-1997 model hoods).
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 97V-024 (97V024000) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| Component | Latches/locks/linkages › Hood › Latch |
| Report date | March 4, 1997 |
| Owners notified | April 24, 1997 |
| Vehicles affected | 125,000 |
| Initiated by | Manufacturer |
Vehicles covered
Owner complaints about the locks & latches
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 97V-024 repair free?
Yes. Ford dealers will fix the problem at no cost: Dealers will install an improved hood latch striker (vehicles with 1992 model hoods) or revised striker plate attaching fasteners (vehicles with 1993-1997 model hoods).
How do I know if my car is included?
Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 125,000 vehicles built in a certain window. Check your 17-character VIN with our VIN recall check or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.