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Search Results   Report Date : November 21, 2009 at 10:07 PM NHTSA Action Number : PE02085 N/A NHTSA Action Number : PE02085 NHTSA Recall Campaign Number : N/A Make / Models :         Model/Build Years:          FORD / WINDSTAR     1998-2000 Manufacturer : FORD MOTOR COMPANY Component : WHEELS WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS Date Investigation Opened : November 18, 2002 Date Investigation Closed : April 10, 2003 Summary: ANALYSIS OF ODI AND FORD DATA HAS IDENTIFIED 1619 INCIDENTS OF WHEEL STUD FRACTURE IN MY 1998 THROUGH 2000 FORD WINDSTAR VEHICLES, INCLUDING 69 WHEEL SEPARATIONS AND 11 CRASHES. FORD HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO IDENTIFY ANY DESIGN OR MANUFACTURING DEFECTS IN ITS ANALYZIS OF THE PROBLEM. FORD MAINTAINS THAT THE FAILURES ARE CAUSED BY EITHER: (1) INADVERTENT OVERTORQUING OF LUG NUTS DURING REMOVAL OR INSTALLATION; OR (2) FATIGUE DUE TO INSUFFICIENT CLAMP LOAD BETWEEN THE WHEEL AND THE BRAKE ROTOR OR DRUM AND HUB ASSEMBLY. ACCORDING TO FORD, "CORROSION, DIRT, OR DAMAGE PRESENT ON THE ROAD WHEEL AT THE NUT INTEFACE" COULD CONTRIBUTE TO THE LATTER CONDITION. ANALYSIS OF ODI COMPLAINT DATA INDICATES THAT THE SUBJECT VEHICLES EXPERIENCE WHEEL STUD FAILURES AT SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER RATES THAN PEER MINIVANS. THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO FURTHER ASSESS THE FREQUENCY, SCOPE, AND TREND OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT CONDITION IN MY 1997 THROUGH 2000 WINDSTAR MINIVANS. Check to Request Research. Submit below.