NHTSA Complaint #10398010 — 1998 FORD WINDSTAR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 01V199000 (SUSPENSION: FRONT:SPRINGS: COIL SPRINGS). THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THEY HEATED AND SPRAYED PENETRATING OIL ONTO THE SWAY BAR IN ORDER TO REMOVE THE BAR TO COMPLETE THE RECALL BUT THEY WERE UNSUCCESSFUL IN DOING SO. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE SWAY BAR LINKS WOULD NEED TO BE CUT OUT IN ORDER TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIRS AND THE REMOVAL COSTS OF THE SWAY BAR LINKS WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THEY COULD NOT OVERRIDE THE DECISION MADE BY THE DEALER AND PROVIDE NO ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE PART WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY OR THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE CONTACTS EXPENSE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.