Lack of Shoulder Belt in Minivans Prompts Suit

Ford Motor Co. should recall Windstar minivans sold in California that don’t have a shoulder belt in the rear middle seat, a consumer lawsuit says.

The suit, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, claims that Ford failed to warn customers that a lap belt without a shoulder harness doesn’t provide adequate protection to passengers in a collision. Ford called the complaint “unfounded.”

The Windstar, which had been Ford’s primary minivan since 1994, is being discontinued and replaced with a new model called the Freestar. The suit was filed by the law firm that won a $45-million judgment last month from a Los Angeles jury over the Windstar seat belt. Ford must pay $30 million of the amount.