From Ford.com
Ford is voluntarily recalling older, high-mileage Windstar minivans produced between mid-1997 and early 2003 for rear axles. In a very small number of cases, the axles have fractured in certain locations on the right and/or left side, and affected vehicle handling. We will notify affected owners in the very near future and ask them to bring their vehicles to their local dealers for inspection and any necessary repairs. As always, Ford is committed to responding quickly for our customers.
The recall for the Windstar – which is no longer in production – applies to vehicles in 21 states, the District of Columbia and Canada where road salt corrosion is more common.
Ford dealers at no charge to customers will reinforce the axles of the affected vehicles as parts are available. If it’s determined the axle can’t be reinforced, it will be replaced as soon as parts are available. Ford will provide for rental vehicles for customers until the rear axle of their vehicle has been replaced.
* Recall due to rust that could cause rear axle fracture
* Windstar vans model years 1998 to 2003 affected
* Cold-weather states affected; Ford to pay for fix
Ford Motor Co is recalling nearly 463,000 Windstar vans from model years 1998 to 2003 in cold-weather states due to the possibility that the rear axle may fracture due to corrosion, federal regulators reported Friday.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened a preliminary investigation of the problem on May 13 after receiving 234 reports of rear axle fractures and two minor crashes.
NHTSA said the design of the axle appears to allow it to collect road salt slush, leading to rust.
The recall affects vans in Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
* Recall due to rust that could cause rear axle fracture
* Windstar vans model years 1998 to 2003 affected
* Cold-weather states affected; Ford to pay for fix (Updates recall figure to reflect Canadian recalls, adds Ford's remedy)
Ford Motor Co is recalling about 575,000 Windstar vans in 21 cold-weather U.S. states and Canada from model years 1998 to 2003 because of the possibility that the rear axle may fracture due to corrosion, federal regulators reported Friday.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened a preliminary investigation of the problem on May 13 after receiving 234 reports of rear axle fractures and two minor crashes. The number of complaints has risen to 950.
NHTSA said the design of the axle appears to allow it to collect road salt slush, leading to rust.
The recalls total about 463,000 in the United States, and the remaining in Canada, a Ford spokesman said.
Windstar owners will be asked to bring their vans into Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealerships for inspection of the axle.
If the axle shows a crack, owners will be offered a repair or alternative transportation until parts are available, Ford told NHTSA.
If there is no cracking, owners will be informed when to return to have reinforcing brackets placed on the axle, Ford told NHTSA.
The recall affects vans in Canada and Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
