NHTSA Complaint #10005872 — 1998 FORD WINDSTAR

I PUCHASED MY VAN ON 2/24/02 WITH 55K ON IT FROM CAVALIER FORD IN CHESAPEAKE ,VA. THE VAN WAS TAKEN BACK TO CAVALIER FORD IN CHESAPEAKE, VA. ON 2/12/03 BECAUSE OF A POPPING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT AREA WHEN BREAKS ARE APPLIED AND SOMETIMES WHILE TURNING. THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED SEVERE CRACKING IN SUB FRAME WHERE RIGHT STRUT ROD ATTACHES. THE MECHANIC HAS NEVER SEEN ONE DO THIS AND SAID I COULD LOSE MY STEERING IF IT CRACKS ALL THE WAY WHILE I AM DRIVING. HE SAID COULD BE MANUFACTUER DEFECT. EST. COST FOR REPAIRS $3,000.00. I ONLY HAVE 65K ON THE VAN AND HAVENT EVEN HAD IT A YEAR YET. THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF VAN BEING IN A WRECK. THIS IS NOT COVERD UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRENTY . HAS THIS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH OTHER WINDSTARS AND WHAT DO YOU SUGGEST THAT I CAN DO? L.J. VA. BEACH,VIRGINIA