The problem
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles and Mini-vans. The rack and pinion steering gears May have damaged input shaft bearings.
The risk
This condition can increase steering efforts, affecting steering control.
The fix
Dealers will inspect the date code on the rack and pinion steering gear, and, if necessary, replace those rack and pinion assemblies that fall within the suspect date code range. The date codes for windstar model vehicles are 97jb09 or 97jc08; the date codes for mustang model vehicles are 97j09b or 97j08b.
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 97V-165 (97V165000) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| Component | Steering › Gear box › Shaft sector |
| Report date | September 30, 1997 |
| Owners notified | October 27, 1997 |
| Vehicles affected | 2,250 |
| Initiated by | Manufacturer |
Vehicles covered
Owner complaints about the steering
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 97V-165 repair free?
Yes. Ford dealers will fix the problem at no cost: Dealers will inspect the date code on the rack and pinion steering gear, and, if necessary, replace those rack and pinion assemblies that fall within the suspect date code range.
How do I know if my car is included?
Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 2,250 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.