Ford Sues Dana Over Minivan Subframes

Ford Motor Co. is demanding in a Detroit court that Dana Holding Corp. compensate it for the cost of recalling 425,000 of the carmaker's 1999-2003 model Windstar minivans last year, Automotive News reports.

The campaign involved vehicles sold in 22 cold-weather states with Dana-supplied subframes that could corrode and cause steering problems. Dana so far has refused to contribute to the cost of the recall. Ford's lawsuit in Wayne County Circuit Court claims its contract with Dana "impliedly assured indemnification" for faulty parts. The carmaker hasn't specified the damages it seeks.

AN notes that Maumee, Ohio-based Dana has been a Ford supplier for a century. The carmaker tells the newspaper it will continue to do business with Dana.