Ford Recalls over 600,000 Windstar Minivans 1999-2003 Over Rear Axle Corrosion – January 27, 2011 – Cornwall Ontario

Cornwall ON – Ford has recalled over 600,000 Windstar Minivans over Rear Axle corrosion issues.

US reports that the issue has been ongoing and that this impacts model years 1999-2003.

We have had no word from local Ford reps as of print time.  Here is the US notice from the NHTSA:

DOT REPEATS CAUTION TO OWNERS OF RECALLED FORD WINDSTAR

VEHICLES ON REAR AXLE SEPARATION

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is urging owners of model year

1998 to 2003 Ford Windstar minivans to bring their vehicles to a Ford dealership

immediately to be examined for signs of rear axle corrosion.

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Approximately 500,000 of these vehicles in salt belt states have been recalled due to a

defect that can cause the rear axle to weaken and crack after exposure to salt corrosion.  If

undetected, the fractured rear axle could negatively affect the driver’s ability to control

the vehicle increasing the risk of a crash.

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Owners that have not yet had the inspection are advised to watch for potential warning

signs of a cracked rear axle.  Those include: top of the rear tires tilted inward (negative

camber); excessive bouncing while driving; banging sound while driving over bumps;

vehicle rear-end “fishtails.”

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Owners of the affected vehicles should immediately visit the below listed Ford web page

and enter their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to see if their particular Ford vehicle

has been recalled for the problem and if the repair has been made.  That web site is

http://www.ford.com/owner-services/customer-support/recall-information. The vehicle’s

VIN can be found on the driver’s side dashboard and/or on the certification label located

on the door latch post next to the driver’s seating position, or in your owner’s manual.

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In addition, any buyer of a new or used vehicle, regardless of make or model, can check

with www.safercar.gov to see whether any recalls apply to the vehicle they are interested

in.  All consumers can also go to the same site and sign up for immediate, automatic

email notification of any new recalls affecting their vehicles, tires or child safety seats.

Have you been impacted by this locally?  Email us at info@cornwallfreenews.com and share your story.