NHTSA Campaign 12V194000

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM

Issued by FORD MOTOR COMPANY · Reported May 3, 2012 · 23,000 vehicles affected

What's wrong

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATE OF VIRGINIA. CORROSION-RELATED FRACTURES OF THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM REAR ATTACHING BRACKETS AND BODY MOUNT ATTACHMENTS MAY OCCUR.

Consequence

A SEPARATION OF A FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM REAR ATTACHING BRACKET MAY RESULT IN A LOWER CONTROL ARM SEPARATION. A SEPARATION OF BOTH FRONT SUBFRAME REAR BODY MOUNTS MAY RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT. EITHER CONDITION COULD RESULT IN SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT BOTH FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM REAR ATTACHING BRACKETS AND BOTH BODY MOUNT ATTACHMENTS AT THE REAR OF THE FRONT SUBFRAME AND MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 18, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.

Vehicles affected by this recall

Make Model Year Units
FORD WINDSTAR 1999 23,000
FORD WINDSTAR 2000 23,000
FORD WINDSTAR 2001 23,000
FORD WINDSTAR 2002 23,000
FORD WINDSTAR 2003 23,000

Source: NHTSA Campaign 12V194000 on nhtsa.gov. To check the current repair status for a specific vehicle, use our free VIN decoder.