NHTSA Complaint #10282548 — 2001 FORD WINDSTAR

I HEARD A SQUEAKING NOISE IN MY VEHICLE,I TOOK IT TO LOCAL GARAGE FOR INSPECTION OF PROBLEM THEY FOUND MY REAR AXEL IS ABOUT ONE INCH FROM SNAPPING IN HALF. I THEN CALLED A FEW OTHER LOCAL PLACES THAT FIX THESE TYPE OF PROBLEMS AND FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND THAT IT HAS BEEN REPORTED MANY TIMES. I THEN CHECKED TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE REAR AXEL AND FOUND THAT FORD HAS DONE NOTHING ABOUT THIS. I DID A SEARCH ON THE WEB ON THIS VEHICLE AND FOUND SEVERAL STORIES JUST LIKE MINE ONLY SOME MORE SEVERE WHERE ACCIDENTS HAVE BEEN CAUSED FROM THIS SAME BREAK IN THE REAR AXEL. I AM STILL IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING THIS FIXED.I WILL NEED TO REPLACE MY REAR AXEL IT CAN'T BE WELDED FOR SAFETY PURPOSES. THIS PROBLEM IS VERY SERIOUS AND NEEDS IMMEDIATE ATTENTION. MY FAMILY AND I HAVE ESCAPED SERIOUS INJURY BUT HOW MANY MORE COMPLAINTS NEED TO BE MADE BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE. *TR