Ford Windstar Recalled for Rear Axles That Can Snap; 575,000 Vehicles Affected
Ford has officially announced a recall for the Windstar minivan after a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) investigation confirmed the rear axles on the cars can snap. The recall affects 1998 to 2003 model year models (a total of 575,000) in 21 cold-weather U.S. states and all of Canada.
The issue is specific to cold weather vehicles as corrosion from salt and rust could lead to a fracture in the axle.
NHTSA began the investigation in May of this year after 234 reports of fractured or snapped axles had been reported. Since then the number of complaints has risen to 950.
Owners are asked to contact their local Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealership to have their vehicle inspected. If a crack is detected the axle will be replaced. If no crack is detected, owners will be asked to drive the vehicle until a reinforcement bracket is available.
States where vehicles are affected include: Connecticut, Delaware, the 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.
[Source: Reuters]
UPDATE: The Ford Windstar is now under investigation by NHTSA for rusting subframe issues. Click here to read the story.
With AutoGuide from its launch, Colum previously acted as Editor-in-Chief of Modified Luxury & Exotics magazine where he became a certifiable car snob driving supercars like the Koenigsegg CCX and racing down the autobahn in anything over 500 hp. He has won numerous automotive journalism awards including the Best Video Journalism Award in 2014 and 2015 from the Automotive Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC). Colum founded Geared Content Studios, VerticalScope's in-house branded content division and works to find ways to integrate brands organically into content.
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i have a 2000 ford windstar i bought from a guy not even a week ago and i have been having problems with my engine light and ABS light and air bag light are always on and they flicker at me and my odomitor goes up and back down then its steady for awhile then it starts going crazy again. this is the first i have heard of this and i have 3 kids that go with me everywhere i go and this is my daily driver if something like this is wrong with my van i will just have it totaled out and ill go buy something different thats safe for my kids.
I have a 2000 windstar and the battery was stolen .After replacing it i could not start it .What do you suggest?