Ford 575,000 Recalls On Windstar Vans

By: Kara Gilmour
08/27/2010 06:21 PM ET

Ford 575,000 recalls on Windstar vans. Ford Motor Company issued 575,000 Windstar van recalls over rear axles that might break. The recalls cover vans from 1998-2003 sold in areas where the heavy use of road salt can cause more corrosion.

Ford Motor Company plans to notify Windstar van owners on September 27. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened a preliminary investigation of the problem on May 13 after receiving 234 reports of rear axle fractures and two minor crashes. The number of complaints has risen to 950.

Recalls this year by Ford has been minimal. NHTSA said the design of the axle appears to allow it to collect road salt slush, leading to rust. The recalls total about 463,000 in the United States, and the remaining in Canada.

Windstar owners will be asked to bring their vans into Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealerships for inspection of the axle. If the axle shows a crack, owners will be offered a repair or alternative transportation until parts are available. If there is no cracking, owners will be informed when to return to have reinforcing brackets placed on the axle.

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