NHTSA Complaint #10252007 — 2001 FORD WINDSTAR

NORMAL DRIVING OF 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. REAR AXLE BROKE AND CAR WAS NON DRIVE ABLE. REAR AXLE DESIGN IS OBVIOUSLY BAD AND CAN CREATE A LIFE THREATENING CONDITION AS THE REAR WHEEL ASSEMBLIES WOULD FALL OFF. AT HIGHWAY CONDITIONS THIS WOULD BE CATASTROPHIC AND WOULD BE LIFE THREATENING. VERY POOR DESIGN THAT DOES NOT ALLOW ROAD CONDITIONS FOR A FACTORY AUTO WITH 8 SEATS. VERY BAD ESTIMATES OF PASSENGER WEIGHT AND SAFETY FACTORS. VEHICLE NEVER IN A HARD CRASH OR HARD DAMAGE. NEVER USED TO CARRY HEAVY EQUIPMENT OR NON ORDINARY FAMILY TRAVEL. DESIGN OF BACK WHEEL ASSEMBLY IS A FORMED METAL AND NOT A SOLID STRUCTURE TO MEET NORMAL HIGHWAY CONDITIONS. METAL SHEARED MOST OF THE WAY THROUGH. OBVIOUS DESIGN LIMITATIONS THAT WILL NOT MEET MULTIPLE PASSENGER OPERATIONS ON LOCAL ROADS AND HIGHWAYS. VERY-VERY DANGEROUS DESIGN AND FABRICATION SPECIFICATIONS. AXLE WAS WELDED TO MAKE IT SLOW ROAD WORTHY TO GET IT TO CAR REPAIR SHOPS. REPLACEMENT OF BAD AXLE IS NECESSARY FOR COMPLETE OPERATION. CALLS TO FORD DEALERS RESULTED IN CONVERSATIONS THAT FORD WOULD NOT FIX OBVIOUS FLAWS AT THEIR EXPENSE. LIFE THREATENING DESIGN, ENGINEERING, AND FABRICATION MUST BE CORRECTED BY FORD. CRITICAL FAILURE WOULD CAUSE MAJOR PROBLEMS. CAR SHOPS CLAIM THAT MATERIAL AND DESIGN CAUSED PROBLEM AS NO DAMAGE OR COLLISION WAS MADE. *TR