The problem
Vehicle description: multi-purpose vehicles and light duty pickup trucks. The lug nuts on these vehicles May not create sufficient clamp load allowing wheel movement in relation to the hub/rotor mounting surface.
The risk
This can result in the loosening of lug nuts, stud fatigue failure, and the potential for a wheel separation from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
The fix
Owners of these vehicles will be receiving two notifications. The first notification, which began in May 1998, will provide an interim repair procedure until parts become available. This interim procedure can be completed by owners or their dealers. It specifies that the lug nut torque must be verified to be 100 lbs. Then the lug nuts need to be tightened an additional 1/8 to 1/4 turn more. There will be a second owner notification, which is expected to begin July 20, 1998, under which dealers will inspect the wheel studs and replace the wheel lug nuts.
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 98V-095 (98V095000) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| Component | Wheels › Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs |
| Report date | May 13, 1998 |
| Owners notified | July 20, 1998 |
| Vehicles affected | 1,520,000 |
| Initiated by | NHTSA investigation |
Vehicles covered
Owner complaints about the wheels & tires
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 98V-095 repair free?
Yes. Ford dealers will fix the problem at no cost: Owners of these vehicles will be receiving two notifications. The first notification, which began in May 1998, will provide an interim repair procedure until parts become available. This interim procedure can be completed by owners or their dealers.
How do I know if my car is included?
Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 1,520,000 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.