NHTSA recall 97V235001
A recall listed here may apply to a vehicle of this year, make and model. Only the manufacturer can say whether it applies to one vehicle: check the VIN with the official lookups.
| Published by | NHTSA (United States) |
|---|---|
| Campaign number | 97V235001 |
| Manufacturer | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
| Reported | 1997-12-18 |
| Owners notified | 1998-03-02 |
| Component | STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS |
| Units potentially affected | 185000 |
What is wrong
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FACTORY INSTALLED SUNROOF. THE SUNROOF GLASS PANEL ASSEMBLY CAN SEPARATE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING DUE TO INCORRECT HINGE ENGAGEMENT. THIS WAS CAUSED BY IMPROPER SUNROOF INSTALLATION OF THE GLASS PANEL.
What can happen
UNEXPECTED SEPARATION OF THE SUNROOF GLASS PANEL COULD POSSIBLY DISTRACT THE DRIVER INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH OR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
The remedy
OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN INSTRUCTION BOOKLET WHICH THOROUGHLY OUTLINES, WITH ILLUSTRATIONS, THE PROPER PROCEDURES FOR THE REMOVAL, STORAGE, AND REINSTALLATION OF THE SUNROOF'S GLASS PANEL. A WARNING LABEL FOR ATTACHMENT TO THE SUNROOF'S LATCH KNOB WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED TO THE OWNERS.
Notes
OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 2, 1998. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE INSTRUCTION BOOKLET AND WARNING LABEL 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 1-800-424-9393.
| 1991 FORD EXPLORER | Built 1990-01-05 to 1993-01-15. |
|---|---|
| 1992 FORD EXPLORER | Built 1990-01-05 to 1993-01-15. |
| 1993 FORD EXPLORER | Built 1990-01-05 to 1993-01-15. |
A vehicle with no link is not in this site's catalog, which covers cars, multipurpose vehicles and trucks by model year. The campaign is from data as of 2026-10-19.
Investigated as EA97011
This recall followed 1 NHTSA investigation. An investigation is NHTSA looking into a possible defect. It is not a finding that a defect exists, and it does not say that any one vehicle is affected.
| EA97011 | Engineering analysis, opened 1997-05-23, closed 1998-01-20. SUNROOF SHATTERING AND SEPARATION. STRUCTURE. |
|---|
From NHTSA's investigation file, as of 2026-10-19. The JSON has NHTSA's summary of each.
Bulletins for the same vehicles and component
| 9747 | 1997-06-27. Service bulletin. FRAME- RIVET REPLACEMENT WITH BOLTS- SERVICE TIPS. *JD |
|---|---|
| 97210 | 1997-06-27. Service bulletin. BODY - RUST PERFORATION - QUARTER PANEL - SERVICE TIPS. *TW |
| 95161 | 1996-04-25. Service bulletin. SHEET METAL-ROOF PANEL AND DRIP RAIL REPLACEMENT- SEAM SEALER APPLICATION PROCEDURE.*SD |
| BC0001950906 | 1996-04-25. Service bulletin. ADVANCE NOTIFICATION TO DEALERS OF RECALL ON HYDRAULIC LIFT TUBES AND A CHANGE IN NORMAL PROCEDURES DUE TO MEDIA COVERAGE. *TW |
| 94229 | 1995-01-06. Service bulletin. INSIDE DOOR HANDLE BREAKS WHEN OPENING. *TW |
A bulletin is the manufacturer's note to its dealers. It is not part of this recall.