NHTSA Campaign Id 98V060000; Date: Mar. 19, 1998
The fuel lines can leak, and in the presence of an ignition source, a fire could potentially result.
1997 Ford Explorer; 1998 Ford Explorer; 1997 Mercury Mountaineer; 1998 Mercury Mountaineer
Component: Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Manufactured by: Ford Motor Company
Affected Units:: 320,000
Vehicle description: multi-purpose passenger vehicles equipped with 4. 0l single overhead cam engines. The engine fuel lines can be damaged if the vehicle is jump started and the ground cable is attached to the fuel line bracket that is located near the battery. Since the bracket is not grounded, the stainless steel fuel line braid could act as a ground potentially overheating the ptfe inner liner of the fuel line resulting in damage to the fuel line.
Dealers will install a warning label on the fuel line bracket advising owners not to use it for a jump start ground. Also a revised bolt will be installed in the alternator bracket to provide a convenient jump start ground location.
Owner notification is expected to begin April 20, 1998. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673. Also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
Date Owners notified by Manufacturer: Apr 20, 1998
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