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.