Recall 12V194 affects 23,000 1999-2003 Ford Windstar vehicles for corroded front control arm and body mount brackets. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
Ford is recalling 23,000 1999-2003 Windstar vans originally sold in or currently registered in Virginia because corrosion can fracture front lower control arm rear attaching brackets and body mount attachments. If those brackets or mounts separate, the vehicle can lose steering control and the dealer repair will be free once Ford makes it available.
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What's wrong?
The front lower control arm on a 1999-2003 Ford Windstar is part of the front suspension. It helps locate the front wheel and lets the suspension move while keeping the wheel aligned with the body. The rear attaching bracket and nearby body mount attachment are the points that hold that arm and body structure in place.
In this recall, corrosion damages those attachment points. As rust eats into the metal, the front lower control arm rear bracket or the body mount attachment can fracture instead of holding its shape under suspension load. A broken attachment changes how the front wheel is supported, so the van no longer holds the suspension geometry Ford designed.
There is no warning sign before failure. A Windstar owner should not count on noise, a dashboard light, or a handling change to appear before one of these corroded attachments breaks.
Who's affected?
Covers the 1999-2003 Windstar across 5 model years, all tied to the front control arm.
| 2001 Ford Windstar | control arm |
|---|---|
| 1999 Ford Windstar | control arm |
| 2003 Ford Windstar | control arm |
| 2002 Ford Windstar | control arm |
| 2000 Ford Windstar | control arm |
| Units affected | 23,000 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific minivan.
What's the safety risk?
A front lower control arm rear attaching bracket or front subframe rear body mounts can separate. Either failure can cause significant loss of steering control and increase the risk of a crash. Schedule the inspection and repair soon, and drive cautiously until the vehicle is checked. Repair will be free at any franchised Ford dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 1999-2003 Ford Windstar is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ford dealer and ask about the free inspection for the front lower control arm rear attaching brackets and rear front-subframe body mounts.
- Reference recall number 12V194 when you call, especially if you bought the van used or never received the owner letter.
- Schedule the bracket and body-mount repair if the dealer finds corrosion damage tied to lower control arm or steering shaft separation.
- Drive cautiously until the inspection is complete, and stop driving if steering feels loose, changes suddenly, or does not respond normally.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ford technician inspects both front lower control arm rear attaching brackets and both body mount attachments at the rear of the front subframe. If the inspection shows corrosion damage or related fracture points, the technician makes the needed structural repairs. The dealer repair will be free once available, with parts and labor covered under recall 12V194. Because the current remedy status is not listed, call a Ford dealer with your VIN before arranging service.
Timeline
| May 3, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 18, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V194?
Recall 12V194 covers 23,000 1999-2003 Ford Windstar vans originally sold in or currently registered in Virginia. Corrosion can fracture the front lower control arm rear attaching brackets and rear body mount attachments, creating a steering-control risk. Ford dealers inspect and repair the brackets and attachments for free.
What should I do if my 1999-2003 Ford Windstar is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific van is included in recall 12V194. If it is, contact a franchised Ford dealer and ask for the inspection and repair of the front lower control arm rear attaching brackets and rear front-subframe body mount attachments. Reference recall number 12V194 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Ford's recall remedy says dealers will inspect both front lower control arm rear attaching brackets and both rear front-subframe body mount attachments, then make the needed repairs free of charge. The recall began on June 18, 2012.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is loss of steering control. A separated lower control arm rear attaching bracket can lead to lower control arm separation. Separation of both rear body mounts at the front subframe can separate the steering intermediate shaft, increasing crash risk.
What if I bought my Ford Windstar used?
The free recall repair still applies to a used Ford Windstar if the VIN is included. This recall is tied to the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN, then call a franchised Ford dealer or Ford at 1-866-436-7332 with recall number 12V194.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V194000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V194 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V194000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →