The problem
Vehicle description: vehicles equipped with 3.8l engines and originally sold or currently registered in the following states: alaska, colorado, iowa, idaho, illinois, indiana, kansas, massachusetts, maine, michigan, minnesota, missouri, montana, north dakota, nebraska, new hampshire, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, south dakota, vermont, wisconsin, and wyoming. Water can accumulate within the speed control cable conduit. If enough water accumulates, it could freeze within a low area of the cable routing when exposed to a long term cold soak at temperatures at least several degrees below freezing.
The risk
Driver control of vehicle speed using the speed control system or the accelerator control system would be diminished increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
The fix
Dealers will add a boot to the speed control cable.
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 97V-025 (97V025000) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer number | 97S65 |
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| Component | Vehicle speed control |
| Report date | February 26, 1997 |
| Owners notified | April 23, 1997 |
| Vehicles affected | 212,700 |
| Initiated by | Manufacturer |
Vehicles covered
Owner complaints about the speed control & acceleration
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 97V-025 repair free?
Yes. Ford dealers will fix the problem at no cost: Dealers will add a boot to the speed control cable.
How do I know if my car is included?
Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 212,700 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.