There was no recall because it only affected cars built early in the model year.
Yeah, I've read the same things on other boards, primarily Edmund's. You DO run the risk of screwing up the front suspension, and you may get a pull to one side with the steering, and the steering wheel might be off-center when you get it back. All fixable.
I don't think the dealers are avoiding this problem, now that it's well-documented.
I'm thankful my late April specimen didn't have this issue. But I got stuck with the bad fuel tank. You won't have that problem, that's an April - June '04 thing. And I have the transmission howl, which I'm trying to ignore (repair too apt to screw up other things). It's VERY annoying, though.