FORD WINDSTAR 1995: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

NHTSA Campaign ID Number: 99V309000

Production Dates: 1994-01-13 - 1995-08-07

Manufacturers Involved: Ford Motor Company

Manufacturer Campaign Number: 99R33

Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

Potential Number Of Units Affected: 70116

Report Initiator: ODI ODI Report

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS WHICH WERE ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING HOT WEATHER STATES: ALABAMA, ARIZONA, ARKANSAS, CALIFORNIA "10 SOUTHERN COUNTIES", FLORIDA, GEORGIA, HAWAII, LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, NEVADA "CLARK COUNTY ONLY", OKLAHOMA, SOUTH CAROLINA AND TEXAS, CAN DEVELOP CRACKS IN THE FUEL TANK IN THE FORWARD STRAP AREA OF THE STANDARD 20 GALLON TANK DUE TO A COMBINATION OF FACTORS THAT ARE PRESENT IN CERTAIN VERY HOT AREAS OF THE COUNTRY.

THESE CRACKS COULD RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE IF THEY PROPAGATE THROUGH THE WALL OF THE TANK.

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A BRACE ASSEMBLY AT THE STRAP BOLT HOLE LOCATION AND REPLACE THE TANK STRAP WITH A REVISED, LONGER STRAP. DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE TANKS FOR LEAKS. IF A LEAK EXISTS AND IS THE RESULT OF A CRACK IN THE FUEL TANK, THE TANK WILL BE REPLACED IN ADDITION TO THE INSTALLATION OF A SPACER AND LONGER STRAP.

FORD RECALL NO. 99R33.OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 22, 1999. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT '1-888-327-4236'.