Getting Reimbursed for a Ford Windstar Sub Frame

As I’ve written a few times on this blog here and here, Ford Windstars manufactured in the years 1999 to 2003 have a defective sub frame. Ford finally issued a recall and is now in the process of replacing thousands of defective subframes.

If you haven’t already called your local Ford dealer to schedule an appointment to have the sub frame replaced, stop reading this blog post and call them now.

Reimbursement of Sub Frame

What about folks like me who couldn’t wait for Ford to stop dragging their feet to issue a recall? Safety had to come first and some owners had to replace the subframe or mechanical failure that could be deadly.

If you have already replaced the sub frame, I hope you documented your expenditures. Gather all of your receipts (make sure to keep a copy of everything), and call the local Ford dealership. They have to inspect the replaced subframe to make sure it is up to their standards.

Once the inspection is done and you give them copies of your receipts, they will process your reimbursement check. We just took our Windstar in for inspection and gave the dealership the receipts. We were told that it takes two weeks to process. We should receive our check in two weeks.

Additional Recalls

While our Windstar was at the dealership for the sub frame inspection, Ford ordered the parts for the rear axle recall . Once the parts come in, they’ll call us to replace it. In addition to the rear axle, there was another recall involving the speed control which they were able to replace during this inspection.

So, as it stands now, we’re waiting for the parts for the rear axle replacement and our check for the cost of the subframe. I’ll post an update as things progress.