Safety Recall NHTSA · 12V194000 Reported May 3, 2012

Corrosion fractures of front lower control arm

Ford Motor Company · Suspension · 23,000 vehicles potentially affected

NHTSA ID
12V194000
Manufacturer Campaign
11S16
Manufacturer
Component
Suspension
Vehicles Affected
23,000
Recall Type
Vehicle
Report Received
May 3, 2012

Defect Summary

Ford is recalling certain model year 1999-2003 windstar vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the state of virginia. Corrosion-related fractures of the front lower control arm rear attaching brackets and body mount attachments may occur.

Safety Consequence

A separation of a front lower control arm rear attaching bracket may result in a lower control arm separation. a separation of both front subframe rear body mounts may result in separation of the steering intermediate shaft. either condition could result in significant loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Corrective Action

Dealers will inspect both front lower control arm rear attaching brackets and both body mount attachments at the rear of the front subframe and make the necessary repairs free of charge. The recall began on june 18, 2012. owners may contact ford at 1-866-436-7332.

What you should do

  1. Look up your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm this recall applies to your vehicle.
  2. Contact an authorized Ford Motor Company dealer and reference recall ID 12V194000 or campaign 11S16.
  3. Schedule the free repair. By federal law, the manufacturer must remedy the defect at no cost.
View Official NHTSA Notice →
Related

Similar Recalls

Other recalls from Ford Motor Company or involving Suspension.

FAQ: Recall 12V194000

Your rights, the repair process, and what each field on this page means.

What is recall 12V194000?

NHTSA recall 12V194000 was issued by Ford Motor Company on May 3, 2012. It addresses: Corrosion fractures of front lower control arm. The recall affects approximately 23,000 vehicles, with the defect involving the Suspension component.

How do I get this recall repaired?

Contact any authorized Ford Motor Company dealer and reference NHTSA recall ID 12V194000 or the manufacturer campaign number 11S16. Under federal law, the repair is completely free regardless of vehicle age or owner history.

Is my vehicle included in this recall?

The only way to confirm is to look up your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's tool will tell you if VIN-by-VIN this exact recall applies.

How long do I have to get a recall repair done?

There is no expiration on most federal safety recalls. Even if your vehicle is years old and you bought it used, the manufacturer is required to perform the repair at no cost.

Where does the data on this page come from?

All information on this page is sourced directly from the U.S. Department of Transportation public dataset for NHTSA recalls. Last refreshed: 2026-05-22. For the most current official notice, visit nhtsa.gov/recalls.