Ford Motor Recalls 575,000 Windstar Minivans for Axle Problem

Ford Motor said it is voluntarily recalling 575,000 Windstar minivans produced from September 1997 through February 2003 to replace axles that may crack after exposure to road salt, possibly resulting in a crash.

In a "very small number of cases," Ford said in a statement, axles have fractured in certain locations on the right or left side and affected vehicle handling, DailyFinance reports.

The voluntary recall affects 1998 to 2003 model-year Windstars in areas where road salt is used in cold weather, according to a notice today on the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s website.

"After many years of vehicle service in these areas, corrosion can weaken the rear axle, making it susceptible to torsional stress," Ford said in a report posted on NHTSA’s site, according to Bloomberg.