NHTSA Complaint #10263613 — 2000 FORD WINDSTAR

2000 FORD WINDSTAR LX VAN WITH APPROX 97,000 MILES. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING AT A SLOW SPEED IN A PARKING LOT AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THERE WAS A LOUD BANG AND SHE COULD NOT STEER THE VEHICLE. FORTUNATELY, SHE WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VAN. ONE WHEEL IN THE FRONT WAS STRAIGHT AND THE OTHER FRONT WHEEL WAS TURNED AT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE. WE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE FORD DEALER. THE PROBLEM WAS THE SUB FRAME RUSTED OUT, CAUSING THE TRANSAXLE TO PULL AWAY FROM THE TRANSMISSION AND DROPPING THE ENGINE. THE REPAIRS INCLUDED REPLACING THE SUB FRAME ASSEMBLY,TRANSAXLE, SEALS ETC. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS HIGHLY UNUSUAL FOR THIS TO HAPPEN.... I CONTACTED FORD AND THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD DO NOTHING TO COVER ANY PORTION OF THE COST. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY RELATED ISSUE BECAUSE IF MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON THE OPEN ROAD AND THIS HAPPENED, SHE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE AND THE END RESULT WOULD BE A COLLISION. I HAVE SAVED ALL THE PARTS FOR FUTURE INVESTIGATION. *TR