A notice has been published on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s website, safercar.gov, about the recall of a series of vehicles by the Ford Motor Company. This recall falls under NHTSA campaign number 12V195000. The company is recalling around 9,400 Windstar vehicles of model years between 1998 and 2003. These units were registered in Puerto Rico and produced from September 1997 through July 2003.
The reason for the recall is a defective rear axle. The vehicles registered in Puerto Rico are in danger of suffering increased stress brought about by excessive torsional loading. This manufacturing defect may cause the axle to crack, thus potentially forcing the user to undergo a loss of control and a subsequent accident.
Starting Monday, Ford will inform owners of the at-risk vehicles of the issue, and those persons may contact dealers to get an inspection. Consumers will be able to receive a repair of the axles that consists of the placement of a bracket meant to reinforce that component, or else they will be able to have the dealer replace the axle completely. Either way, this should come free of cost to the consumer. Owners may also contact Ford directly at their customer service center for any clarification they might be seeking about the recall.