According to federal safety investigators, the investigation into 1999-2003 model year Ford Windstar minivans has been expanded to include a second component of the vehicle’s subframe for possible safety issues related to premature corrosion from salt.
The investigation stems from 87 total complaints which include a total of three known crashes, according to NHTSA data obtained by Automotive News. The investigation potentially covers 900,000 Windstar vans, but is focused on the vehicles located in the “salt belt” states which greatly increase the rate of corrosion of vehicle subframe components.
The investigation involves two components at this point, one of which could release the steering capability of the driver should it fail from corrosion, as described by one complaint, “My wife was driving at a slow speed in a parking lot, and all of a sudden there was a loud bang and she could not steer the vehicle,” read a complainant concerning a 2000 Windstar. “One wheel in the front was straight, and the other front wheel was turned at a 45-degree angle.”
Should investigators find a high chance of vehicles failing the safety agency may decide on a later date to issue a safety recall, for now, the investigation is ongoing.
References
1.’Feds expand Windstar probe…’ view
