FORD: WINDSTAR: SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY
| NHTSA Campaign Number: | 10V385000 |
| Vehicle/Equipment Make: | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
| Vehicle/Equipment Model: | WINDSTAR |
| Model Year: | 1998 |
| Manufacturer Campaign Number: | 10S13 |
| Manufacturer Component Description: | SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY |
| Manufacturers Involved in Recall: | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
| Manufacturered: | 20070901 - 20030703 |
| Type of Report: | V (Vehicle, Equipment or Tire) |
| Potential Number of Units Affected: | 492650 |
| Date Owner Notified By Manufacturer: | 20101020 |
| Recall Initiated By: | ODI |
| Manufacturer Responsible For Recall: | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
| Report Received Date: | 20100826 |
| Record Creation Date: | 20100826 |
Defect Summary:
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1998-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 1997 THROUGH FEBRUARY 28, 2003 AND CURRENTLY REGISTERED OR ORIGINALLY SOLD IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, 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. AFTER MANY YEARS OF VEHICLE SERVICE IN THESE AREAS, CORROSION CAN WEAKEN THE REAR AXLE, MAKING IT SUSCEPTIBLE TO TORSIONAL STRESS. CORROSION AND STRESS CAN LEAD TO CRACKS WHICH IF UNDETECTED CAN PROPAGATE AND RESULT IN A COMPLETE FRACTURE OF THE AXLE.
Consequence Summary:
A FRACTURED AXLE CAN AFFECT VEHICLE HANDLING AND INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Corrective Summary:
AS PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE, DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND IF NECESSARY INSTALL THE REAR AXLE REINFORCEMENT BRACKETS FREE OF CHARGE. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 20, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.
Notes:
FORD'S RECALL NO. IS 10S13.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .