NHTSA Campaign 12V195000

SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY

Issued by FORD MOTOR COMPANY · Reported May 3, 2012 · 9,192 vehicles affected

What's wrong

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1998-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 1997, THROUGH JULY 3, 2003, REGISTERED IN PUERTO RICO. DUE TO INCREASED STRESSES CAUSED BY HIGH CYCLES OF TORSIONAL LOADING, SPECIFIC TO THIS MARKET, THE REAR AXLE CAN CRACK.

Consequence

A FRACTURED AXLE MAY RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT BRACKET ON THE REAR AXLE OR REPLACE THE AXLES, AS NECESSARY. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 1, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.

Vehicles affected by this recall

Make Model Year Units
FORD WINDSTAR 1998 9,192
FORD WINDSTAR 1999 9,192
FORD WINDSTAR 2000 9,192
FORD WINDSTAR 2001 9,192
FORD WINDSTAR 2002 9,192
FORD WINDSTAR 2003 9,192

Source: NHTSA Campaign 12V195000 on nhtsa.gov. To check the current repair status for a specific vehicle, use our free VIN decoder.