Ford Recalls 778,000 Windstars

DETROIT - Ford Motor Co said it is recalling about 778,000 of its 1999-2001 Windstar minivans because of windshield wiper defects that could cause fires.

No injuries had been reported because of the defects, Ford said.

Pin holes in the original motor cover could let in water, salt, and windshield washer solution into the motor, spokesman Mike Vaughn said. That could result in partial or complete loss of wiper function with smoke entering the vehicle or possible burning of the wiper motor cover, he added.

Ford said there had been 73 reports of wiper motors melting, including 10 reports of fires in the cowl area.

About 600,000 of the minivans were sold in the US, 135,000 in Canada, 3,200 in Europe, and 33,000 in Mexico, Ford said.