The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened two separate investigations into vans produced by General Motors and Ford. The first probe covers 17,165 Chevrolet Express vans from the 2003 model year while the second investigation focuses on 63,000 2004 Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey minivans.
The NHTSA launched its investigation into the Chevy Express after receiving five complaints of fuel filler pipes corroding. The complaints – all from so-called “salt-belt†states – allege that the van’s fuel filler pipe can rust over time, leading to a fuel leak. The NTSA notes that the van’s fuel filler pipe is exposed to the elements on some Express models.
Additionally, the NHTSA is looking into seven complaints involving Ford’s 2004 Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey minivans. The complaints, also from salt-belt states, claim the 63,000 vehicles in question suffer from excessive rear wheel well corrosion.
Although not related, Ford does have a history of rust problems with its minivans. The Dearborn automaker was forced to recall 525,000 1999-2003 Windstars minivans earlier this year over rotting subframes.
Neither investigation has escalated to a recall, but we’ll continue to monitor the situation.
References
1.’Feds investigating…’ view
