Review Car

Windstar Recall Adding Up For Ford

Ford has recalled older models of the Windstar, a minivan of choice for many families, as they have discovered that a startling number of these vehicles have cracked or damaged axles, making them very hazardous to drive. Since this announcement, Ford dealers have a high number of these vehicles on their lots awaiting repair. 

The number of recalled vehicles is estimated to be around 575,000. Ford is having to reimburse those families as they wait for the repair to be completed and are currently driving rentals of Ford Windstars. The affected year models are those from 1998 through 2003 models. Unfortunately for those who own Windstars and the Ford motor company, the expected arrival of replacement parts will not be until the beginning of the new year. Which means that costs for the Ford Motor company are mounting, and many are speculating that due to this and the fact that Ford is slightly struggling in the market, it could mean bad news for the company. 

Dealers are saying that those with cracked axles will be able to be repaired this year with small parts that should be in to the dealers within a few weeks. However, those with completely broken axles will have a longer wait. 

Most of those Windstars that are affected by the recall are found in the Rust Belt Region where salts on the road during the winter time have caused the damage on the axles. By the time that all parts are received, Ford is estimating that they will pay $2000 or more per customer by the time that the problem is fixed. Making the total around $1,150,000,000 by the end of the ordeal, however Ford has not confirmed if this will indeed be the total cost to the company. 

In rare cases, Ford is offering to buy back the Windstar at the top end of the Kelley Blue Book value, and allow for consumers to have $2500 towards the purchase of a new Ford vehicle, or $500 towards an old Ford vehicle.