NHTSA Complaint #10272430 — 2003 FORD WINDSTAR

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT WITH THE KIDS AND THE FRONT RIGHT STRUT SPRING ON OUR 2003 WINDSTAR CRACKED IN TWO. IT BROKE THE STABILIZER END LINK AND THE STRUT BEARING PLATE. THE BROKEN SPRING RUBBED THE TIRE, BUT DIDN'T PUNCTURE IT. THE RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM DOESN'T APPLY TO THIS MODEL YEAR AND IT STATES THE CAUSE IS CORROSION. I AM A LICENSED AUTOBODY TECHNICIAN AND UPON REMOVAL OF THE WHEEL AND INSPECTION OF THE SPRING I WOULD SAY THE ALLOY USED IN THE SPRING IS TOO BRITTLE BECAUSE IT SHEARED CLEAN AT AN ANGLE. THERE ISN'T ANY SIGNS OF CORROSION ON THE SPRING BECAUSE IT IS COATED. WE LIVE IN SOUTHERN ONTARIO, CANADA WHERE WE SEE A LOT OF SALT IN WINTER AND I'VE WORKED ON A LOT OF RUSTY CARS AND I WOULD SAY THIS DEFINITELY NOT CLIMATE RELATED, BUT RATHER A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT IF IT OCCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF LIFE. IT WILL COST ME APPROXIMATELY $300-350 TO FIX THIS MYSELF BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO REPLACE THE SPRINGS IN PAIRS. *TR