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Recall 97V215000 scope

Affected units
1,100
Vehicles identified
1
Makes involved
1
Model years
1

Recall 97V215000

CHOPPER DESIGNS • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE • reported Nov 24, 1997 • • 1,100 units affected

Remedy pending

View official record on NHTSA.gov · federal source of truth

Campaign
97V215000
Manufacturer
CHOPPER DESIGNS
Component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:ANTI-THEFT:CONTROL MODULE
Make
FORD
Model Years
1998
Affected Units
1,100
Country
US
Data As Of
Apr 5, 2026

What this recall is about, in plain English

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES, EDDIE BAUER AND LIMITED EDITIONS. THE STANDARD SPECIFIED THAT A WARNING TO THE DRIVER SHALL BE ACTUATED WHENEVER THE KEY HAS BEEN LEFT IN THE LOCKING SYSTEM AND THE DRIVER'S DOOR IS OPENED. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A JUMPER WIRE TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY GROUND CIRCUIT IN THESE VEHICLES.

Synthesized from the NHTSA defect summary, consequence, and remedy fields shown below.

Risk Summary (Consequence)

THE STANDARD SPECIFIED THAT A WARNING TO THE DRIVER SHALL BE ACTUATED WHENEVER THE KEY HAS BEEN LEFT IN THE LOCKING SYSTEM AND THE DRIVER'S DOOR IS OPENED.

Defect Summary

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES, EDDIE BAUER AND LIMITED EDITIONS. THE KEY-IN-IGNITION/DOOR OPEN WARNING CHIME MAY NOT FUNCTION WHEN THE DOOR IS OPENED. THIS DOES NOT FULLY COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION."

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A JUMPER WIRE TO PROVIDE THE NECESSARY GROUND CIRCUIT IN THESE VEHICLES.

Key Dates

Report Date
Nov 24, 1997
Owner Notification
Unknown
Remedy Available
Unknown

Affected Vehicles

1 vehicle under this recall

Make Model Year
FORD EXPLORER 1998

Official Sources & Documents

Links to NHTSA.gov and Part 573 recall reports when available — hosted by NHTSA, not TruckCodex

Documents hosted on nhtsa.gov. Links open in a new tab.

How to Act on This Recall

How to verify your vehicle is affected

  1. Find your VIN. Locate your 17-character Vehicle Identification Number on the lower-left corner of your windshield, on the driver's-door jamb sticker, or on your vehicle registration. The VIN is the only reliable way to confirm whether a specific vehicle falls under a recall — make/model/year alone is not enough.
  2. Check your VIN on this site. Enter the VIN at /vin/ to see every open recall tied to your specific vehicle, including 97V215000. Our lookup pulls directly from the NHTSA recall database and refreshes daily.
  3. Cross-reference with the official NHTSA recall search. For a second source of truth, run the same VIN through https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls. If both this site and NHTSA show the same campaign as open for your VIN, it applies — schedule the repair.
  4. Contact your dealer if affected. Bring the campaign number, your VIN, and your registration to an authorized dealer for the make. The dealer performs the remedy at no cost. If you've already paid for a related repair, bring the receipt — the manufacturer is required to reimburse pre-recall repairs that addressed the same defect.

Frequently asked questions about recall 97V215000

What does this recall mean for me as a vehicle owner? ▾
Recall 97V215000 means the manufacturer has identified a defect or noncompliance that may affect your vehicle. Repair work is performed at no cost to you under 49 U.S.C. § 30120. You don't have to do anything until you receive an owner notification letter, but you can act sooner if you want — bring this campaign number to your dealer.
Is this recall under remedy yet? ▾
Not yet — as of the last NHTSA refresh on this page, no remedy date is on file. Affected owners should monitor their mail for the manufacturer's notification letter and contact a dealer in the meantime.
How do I find out if my specific VIN is affected? ▾
Run your VIN through our VIN check tool to see all open recalls tied to your specific vehicle, including this one. NHTSA also offers an official lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Both pull from the same federal source.
Who pays for the recall remedy? ▾
The manufacturer pays. Federal law requires the manufacturer to repair, replace, or refund the affected vehicle or component at no cost to the owner — including parts, labor, and reasonable diagnostic time. If a dealer tries to charge you for a recall remedy, contact the manufacturer's customer line first, then NHTSA at 1-888-327-4236.
What if I've already had repair work done that addresses this issue? ▾
Save the receipt. Federal law requires the manufacturer to reimburse you for pre-recall repairs that addressed the same defect, subject to the reimbursement window the manufacturer publishes in its notification letter (typically the first refund period covers repairs going back to the earliest awareness date). Submit the receipt directly to the manufacturer with your VIN and the campaign number.
How do I check the recall status by VIN? ▾
Use our VIN lookup tool — it returns every open recall, including completion status when the manufacturer reports it. The result also links back to each campaign's detail page.
What if this recall isn't fixed and I sell the vehicle? ▾
You're not legally required to complete a recall before selling a used vehicle, but most state titling agencies and many dealers will run a VIN check during the sale. Disclose the open recall to the buyer in writing — undisclosed safety recalls are a common basis for post-sale fraud claims.
Where can I see all recalls for FORD EXPLORER 1998? ▾
Browse all FORD recalls on this site, or visit the manufacturer's page to filter by year and component.

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