NHTSA Complaint #10049744 — 1998 FORD WINDSTAR

SINCE APRIL 2001 I HAVE HAD MY 1998 FORD WINDSTAR IN THE SHOP NINE TIMES TO REPLACE FRONT WHEEL STUDS THAT HAD SHEARED OFF. MY HOMETOWN MECHANIC AFTER REPLACING STUDS ON THE RIGHT FRONT FIVE TIMES FINALLY SUGGESTED WE REPLACE THE WHEEL BECAUSE SEVERAL OF THE HOLES APPEARED OVAL INSTEAD OF ROUND. THIS SEEMED TO HAVE ELIMINATED THE PROBLEM ON THE RIGHT BUT SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD THREE INCIDENTS OF STUDS SHEARING OFF ON THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL. AT A FORD DEALERSHIP IN CINCINNATI, OH, I HAD TO REPLACE (IN THE LEFT FRONT) 3 STUDS AND AT THAT TIME HAD A NEW WHEEL PUT ON. AFTER DRIVING FROM CINCINNATI TO ATLANTA GEORGIA I AGAIN WAS AT A FORD DEALERSHIP IN CONYERS GEORGIA WITH THREE MORE BROKEN STUDS (ON THE LEFT FRONT) AND THIS TIME THEY ALSO REPLACED THE HUB ASSEMBLY. NOW AFTER OVER $1300.00 IN REPAIRS MY WINDSTAR IS AGAIN IN THE SHOP HAVING BROKEN STUDS REPLACED ON THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL. BY THE WAY NONE OF THE FORD DEALERSHIPS WOULD ADMIT EVER HEARING OF THIS PROBLEM BEFORE.*AK