Investigations
REAR SUSPENSION SPRING BREAKAGE
NHTSA Recall Query RQ98022 — closed, opened 1998-11-13 and involving the FORD F150.
NHTSA investigation RQ98022 is a Recall Query opened on 1998-11-13 and currently closed. The subject of record is FORD F150, which places this file inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue for FORD. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 1999-11-30 — NHTSA updates that field whenever an Information Request goes out, a supplement is filed, or a status change is recorded in the public docket.
A Recall Query like RQ98022 evaluates whether a previously issued recall is actually fixing the problem. NHTSA opens an RQ when owners continue to report the original defect after the recall remedy is installed, or when completion rates fall short of the agency's expectations for that risk tier.
Investigators summarized the matter as follows: "IN JULY 1998, FORD SUBMITTED A PART 573 NOTIFICATION TO NHTSA CONCERNING BROKEN REAR SPRINGS ON CERTAIN 1997-98 FORD F150 TRUCKS, WITH FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE. FORD STATED THAT FATIGUE FRACTURE OF THE REAR SPRINGS MAY OCCUR IF..." Investigations are the early-warning layer of the federal auto-safety system, sitting upstream of formal recalls and defect orders. Whether this one closes without action or escalates into an Engineering Analysis, the full history stays in the ODI archive so researchers, litigators, and buyers can pull the paper trail at any time. Related FORD files, listed below, give context on whether this is an isolated concern or part of a broader pattern across the brand.
Investigation Summary
IN JULY 1998, FORD SUBMITTED A PART 573 NOTIFICATION TO NHTSA CONCERNING BROKEN REAR SPRINGS ON CERTAIN 1997-98 FORD F150 TRUCKS, WITH FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE. FORD STATED THAT FATIGUE FRACTURE OF THE REAR SPRINGS MAY OCCUR IF THE SPRING ARE OVER STRESSES(SIC) BY VEHICLE OVERLOADING. THE BROKEN PIECE OF THE SPRING LEAF MAY SPLAY INWARD, DAMAGING THE FUEL TANK AND CAUSING FUEL LEAKAGE. FORD ALSO STATED THAT A BROKEN SPRING WOULD CAUSE VEHICLE SAG AND LOSS IN LOAD CARRING CAPABILITY. FORD HAD 43 REPORTS OF FUEL TANK DAMAGE. FORD WILL INSTALL A CLIP ON THE FORWARD END (ONLY) OF THE REAR SPRINGS TO PREVENT FUEL TANK CONTACT IN THE EVENT OF A LEAF FRACTURE. ONLY BROKEN SPRINGS WILL BE REPLACED. ODI HAS RECEIVED THREE REPORTS OF BROKEN REAR SPRINGS ON 1997-98 F150 TRUCKS; TWO OF THEM HAVE TWO-WHEEL DRIVE. A TIRE PUNCTURE OCCURRED ON A FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE TRUCK IN WHICH THE BROKEN MIDDLE SPRING LEAF SPLAYED OUTWARD AT THE REAR OF THE SPRING ASSEMBLY. EIGHT OTHER REPORTS DESCRIBE REAR SPRINGS THAT HAVE MOVED OUT OF POSITION OR BECAME LOOSE; THREE OF THESE REPORTED SOME LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. CLOSING NOTE: WHILE THERE ISN'T ANY STRONG EVIDENCE THAT THE REAR SPRINGS ARE ONLY BREAKING UNDER CONDITIONS OF OVERLOAD AND SEVERE USE, THE RECALL REMEDY TO PREVENT FUEL TANK DAMAGE MAY BE ADEQUATE AND THERE IS NOT A SIGNIFICANT SPRING FAILURE RATE OUTSIDE THE RECALL POPULATION. THI RQ SHOULD BE CLOSED, SUBJECT TO FUTURE FAILURE OCCURANCES.
About This Investigation Type
A Recall Query (RQ) evaluates the effectiveness of a previously issued recall. NHTSA opens an RQ when consumer complaints suggest that a recall remedy may not be adequately addressing the safety issue, or when the recall completion rate appears insufficient.
Other FORD Investigations
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
Timing Belt Failure
Underbody shields detachment
B-Pillar Trim Detachment
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
Data from NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Cross-references: NHTSA recall campaign API and NHTSA FARS where fatality records overlap. PlainCars does not rate or recommend vehicles. Learn more.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.