NHTSA Complaint #10281028 — 2002 FORD WINDSTAR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 35-40 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS; PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL THE FRONT BTAKES LOCKED AND THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE ALSO SKIDDED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR INTEMITTENTLY. THE "BRAKE" AND "ABS" WARNING LIGHT INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF BY THE DRIVER. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WITH CAUTION; HOWEVER, THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN THE ENGINE RPMS. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER REPLACED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET AND THE ALTERNATOR. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE THE AIR BAG SYSTEM FAILED TO DEPLOY WITH A LEVEL OF IMPACT TO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO PERSONAL INJURIES. THE CONTACT HAD CONCERNS OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 119,336. THE VIN NUMBER WAS REJECTED FROM THE SYSTEM WHICH WILL BE UPDATED UPON RECEIPT OF THE SAFETY COMPLAINT FORM.