NHTSA Complaint #10258624 — 2002 FORD WINDSTAR

WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED (35 MPH), SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING OR APPARENT REASON, THE REAR AXLE SNAPPED ON MY 2002 FORD WINDSTAR MINIVAN, LOCKING THE REAR WHEELS AND CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE AXLE, (FORD CALLS IT A "HOUSING" LOOKED AS IF IT HAD SIMPLE SNAPPED IN HALF. - AT THE DEALERSHIP, I LEARNED THAT A SIMILAR INCIDENT HAD BEEN REPORTED A MONTH EARLIER. - MY CONCERN IS THAT THIS MAY OCCUR REPEATEDLY AND TO OTHERS TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. THE WINDSTAR MINIVAN IS THE VEHICLE OF CHOICE FOR PEOPLE WITH YOUNG CHILDREN. THIS FAILURE CAUSED BOTH REAR TIRES TO FAIL TO MOVE, AND IN MY OPINION IS A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF A CRITICAL COMPONENT OF THE VEHICLE. *TR