NHTSA Campaign 12V193000

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

Issued by FORD MOTOR COMPANY · Reported May 3, 2012 · 27,000 vehicles affected

What's wrong

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1998-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 1997, THROUGH JULY 3, 2003, AND CURRENTLY REGISTERED OR ORIGINALLY SOLD IN VIRGINIA. OVER TIME, CORROSION CAN WEAKEN THE REAR AXLE MAKING IT SUSCEPTIBLE TO TORSIONAL STRESS. CORROSION AND STRESS CAN LEAD TO CRACKS WHICH, IF UNDETECTED, CAN INCREASE AND RESULT IN A COMPLETE FRACTURE OF THE AXLE.

Consequence

A FRACTURED AXLE CAN AFFECT VEHICLE HANDLING AND INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND INSTALL REAR AXLE REINFORCEMENT BRACKETS, OR REPLACE THE AXLES, AS NECESSARY. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 19, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.

Vehicles affected by this recall

Make Model Year Units
FORD WINDSTAR 1998 27,000
FORD WINDSTAR 1999 27,000
FORD WINDSTAR 2000 27,000
FORD WINDSTAR 2001 27,000
FORD WINDSTAR 2002 27,000
FORD WINDSTAR 2003 27,000

Source: NHTSA Campaign 12V193000 on nhtsa.gov. To check the current repair status for a specific vehicle, use our free VIN decoder.