(September 18, 2011) The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says it has opened an investigation of complaints regarding the alleged failure of service jacks in the spare-tire kits of certain 2004 and 2005 Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey minivans.

The agency says it has received five complaints and one report from the car maker that claim the vehicles jacks, which are used to lift the wheels during tire changes, failed while in use. The inquiry affects 205,661 vehicles.

The complaints allege the jack can suddenly break, allowing the vehicle to fall. In one case a person working under a van died when it fell following a jack failure. NHTSA says it is investigating the situation to determine if a safety defect exists.

The agency said it does not  recommend the use of original-equipment jacks for anything other changing tires.

Source: Wall Street Journal