FORD WINDSTAR 2001: TRAILER HITCHES

General Information

NHTSA Campaign ID Number: 02V072000

Make Model Year
FORD WINDSTAR 2001
Date Owners Notified Date Received by ODI Date Added to Database
2002-04-05 2002-03-11 2002-03-25

Production Dates: 2000-03-23 - 2001-09-28

Manufacturers Involved: Ford Motor Company

Manufacturer Campaign Number: 02S33

Component: TRAILER HITCHES

Potential Number Of Units Affected: 417037

Report Initiator: MFR MFR Report

Summary

IN SOME MINIVANS, WATER AND OTHER CONTAMINANTS "DIRT, SALT, ETC." CAN ENTER INTO THE RIGHT REAR PASSENGER COMPARTMENT DUE TO A MISSING BODY SEALER.

Consequence

THIS COULD CAUSE A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR AT THE REAR WIRE HARNESS. A SHORT CIRCUIT CAN LEAD TO MALFUNCTIONS OF THE REAR LIGHTING SYSTEM, REVERSE PARK-AID SYSTEM, OR TRAILER TOW ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. A SUSTAINED SHORT CIRCUIT CAN RESULT IN MELTED CONNECTORS AND POTENTIALLY LEAD TO A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR AND SURROUNDING AREA FOR ABSENCE OF BODY SEALING AND CORROSION. IF CORROSION IS PRESENT, DEALERS WILL SERVICE THE BODY GAPS, REPAIR CORRODED CONNECTORS, AND APPLY A PROTECTIVE PATCH TO THE CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY AND BODY HOLE. IF CORROSION IS NOT PRESENT BUT THE BODY SEALER IS MISSING, DEALERS WILL SERVICE THE BODY GAPS AND APPLY A PROTECTIVE PATCH TO THE CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY AND BODY HOLE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 5, 2002. 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 1-866-436-7332.

Notes

CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT '1-888-327-4236'.