The problem
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles originally sold or currently registered in connecticut, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, iowa, kansas, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, nebraska, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, virginia, west virgnia, and wisconsin. The rear lower subframe mount plate nut can experience stress corrosion cracking if subjected to long term exposure to road salts. This can result in fracture and loss of the structural integrity of the subframe mount attachment. Detachment of the body mounts at the rear corners of the subframe, which supports the engine and transmission, allows the rear corners of the subframe to drop.
The risk
If both rear corners drop, steering would become suddenly very difficult, affecting vehicle control and increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix
Dealers will install subframe rear mount bolts, reinforcement plates, and plate nuts.
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 98V-323 (98V323000) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer number | 98S36 |
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| Component | Structure › Frame and members |
| Report date | December 16, 1998 |
| Owners notified | January 18, 1999 |
| Vehicles affected | 2,697,000 |
| Initiated by | NHTSA investigation |
Vehicles covered
Owner complaints about the body & structure
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 98V-323 repair free?
Yes. Ford dealers will fix the problem at no cost: Dealers will install subframe rear mount bolts, reinforcement plates, and plate nuts.
How do I know if my car is included?
Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 2,697,000 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.