The problem
Vehicle description: supercab pickup trucks. The positive battery cable is taped to the negative cable which contains a clip to secure the assembly to the side frame rail. If incorrectly positioned, the positive battery cable can contact the air conditioning compressor pulley.
The risk
If the cable wears, a complete electrical system failure can occur and potential sparking and/or ignition of flammable material.
The fix
Dealers will inspect and/or modify the battery cable clips to ensure that they are properly located.
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 98V-056 (98V056000) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| Component | Electrical system › 12V/24V/48V battery › Cables |
| Report date | March 12, 1998 |
| Owners notified | March 16, 1998 |
| Vehicles affected | 4,000 |
| Initiated by | Manufacturer |
Vehicles covered
Plus 1 other model/year combinations not covered on this site.
Owner complaints about the electrical system
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 98V-056 repair free?
Yes. Ford dealers will fix the problem at no cost: Dealers will inspect and/or modify the battery cable clips to ensure that they are properly located.
How do I know if my car is included?
Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 4,000 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.