Ford Recalling Half A Million Minivans

Ford says it is recalling 575,000 older model Windstar vans in the United States and Canada over concerns that the rear axles can corrode and potentially break.

The recall covers vehicles in the model years 1998 to 2003 sold in states where the heavy use of road salt can cause more corrosion. That includes Canada, New England, the Mid-Atlantic states and the Great Lakes region.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Admnistration has been investigating a number of customer complaints. There have even been some lawsuits filed. Ford, however, says the axle breaks have occurred in only a small number of cases.

Ford Motor Co. says it plans to start notifying owners beginning on Sept. 27.

WWJ AutoBeat Reporter Jeff Gilbert is working the story, and has been in contact with Ford.  Expect more updates on WWJ and wwj.com.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
WWJ AutoBeat Reporter Jeff Gilbert contributed to this story.