NHTSA Complaint #10248551 — 2000 FORD WINDSTAR

MILEAGE ~122,000. AFTER SHOCKS AND STRUTS WERE REPLACED 2 MONTHS AGO, A GRINDING AND POPPING WAS HEARD FROM THE FRONT END WHEN TURNING AND DRIVING OVER 20 MPH. CAR WAS BROUGHT IN TO LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SHOCK PLATE WAS GOING BAD. YOU COULD PLACE YOUR HAND ON TOP OF THE SHOCK PLATE WHILE THE WHEEL WAS TURNING AND FEEL IT GRINDING. REPLACED SHOCK PLATE ON 11/5/08; NOISES GOT WORSE. VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT IN ON 11/11/08 AND AT FIRST THE REPAIR SHOP SAID THE NEW PLATE WAS BAD AND THE OTHER PLATE WAS GOING OUT. YOU PUT YOUR HAND ON BOTH PLATES AND FELT THE GRINDING AS THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED. REPAIRMAN DECIDED TO SEE IF A SERVICE BULLETIN WAS ISSUED BY FORD ON THE PROBLEM; IT WAS. FORD STATED THAT A SPACER NEEDED TO BE PLACED BETWEEN THE SHOCKS AND THE SHOCK PLATE IF THIS NOISE BEGINS TO HAPPEN. I AM NOW WAITING FOR THE DEALERSHIP TO GET THE PARTS IN AND ANTICIPATING PAYING AT LEAST $400.00 FOR THIS REPAIR. IF FORD KNOWS ABOUT THEIR DESIGN FLAW, THEY SHOULD AT LEAST PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT PART. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME I HAVE HAD TO PAY FOR PARTS AND REPLACEMENT ON SOME FORD DESIGN FLAW; A FLAW IN WHICH FORD HAD DESCRIBED IN A SERVICE BULLETIN BUT TOOK NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHEN IT CAME TO HAVING TO FIX IT. *TR