NHTSA Complaint #10276238 — 2001 FORD WINDSTAR

THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING AND I THOUGHT IT WAS A FUSE BLOWN. HOWEVER, MY WIFE WAS AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND A BIG PUFF OF SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE CAR. WE TOOK IT TO A FRIEND WHO WORKED FOR A FORD DEALERSHIP. HE STATED THAT THE BRAKE FLUID FROM THE RESERVOIR HAD LEAKED ONTO THE MODULES BELOW AND THEY HAD SHORTED OUT. HE HAD SEEN THIS MANY TIMES BEFORE AND TOLD US IT WOULD BE ABOUT $1300 TO GET IT FIXED. AS OF TODAY, WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO AFFORD THE REPAIR. WE FEEL IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE; CONSEQUENTLY, THE CAR AWAITS A RECALL OR A LOTTERY WIN BY US TO GET IT REPAIRED. I AM THANKFUL THAT MY WIFE AND OTHER DRIVERS WERE NOT INJURED WHEN THIS HAPPENED. ENGINEERS PRIDE THEMSELVES ON HAVING AN ENGINEERING SOLUTION FOR EVERY PROBLEM. MY HOPE IS THAT THIS COMPLAINT WILL HELP THEM SEE THE NEED, ALONG WITH THE OTHERS, TO BEAR THE BURDEN OF THIS REPAIR, AND PROBABLY ENGINEER CARS THAT ARE NOT SLOW-TICKING TIME BOMBS. *TR