NHTSA Complaint #10327043 — 2002 FORD WINDSTAR

I PULLED INTO DRIVEWAY AND PUT CAR IN PARK AND WENT INTO BACK OF MY WINDSTAR TO CHECK TO SEE IF THE AIRCONTIONING VENTS WERE WORKING PER THE REQUEST OF MY SON. I WAS BACK THERE FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. I GOT OUT AND WAS STANDING OUTSIDE THE DRIVERS OPEN FRONT DOOR TO TURN OFF CAR. MY SON WAS IN BACK SEAT WITH HIS DOOR OPEN AND OUT OF SEAT BELT. WHILE STANDING NEXT TO OPEN DOOR MY CAR STARTED TO BACK OUT OF DRIVE WAY WHILE IT WAS IN PARK. I TRIED TO STOP IT WITH MY ARM BY TRYING TO JUMP INTO CAR TO TURN IT OFF SINCE MY SON WAS IN CAR. IT KEPT ROLLING DOWN MY DRIVEWAY AS I TRIED TO CATCH CAR. IT STOPPED BY CRASHING INTO MY NEIGHBOR'S CAR THAT WAS PARKED IN THE STREET. THE CAR WAS STILL IN PARK .POLICE CAME. FILED CLAIM WITH INSURANCE COMPANY. I WENT TO HOSPITAL FOR MY FOOT THAT WAS DRAGGED ON PAVEMENT DURING MY PURSUIT TO CATCH MY CAR. I NOTIFIED THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME TO CONTACT FORD DIRECTLY. I FILLED OUT CLAIM AND I JUST RECEIVED LETTER SAYING THEY CAN'T DETERMINE IF THERE WAS A DEFECT. I READ IN THE PAPER LAST WEEK THIS HAPPENED TO A WOMAN WITH A FORD EXPEDITION BUT HER CAR RAN OVER SOMEONE. ALSO A FORD SERVICEMAN JUST SAID KEEP PUTTING EMERGENCY BRAKE ON AND NEVER GET OUT OF CAR WITH CAR RUNNING. I WAS ALSO TOLD I CANT' HAVE IT CHECKED OUT BECAUSE FORD WANTS ORIGINAL PARTS AND WON'T PAY FOR ANYTHING UNTIL WE CAN PROVE A DEFECTIVE PART. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MY VEHICLE. SINCE THE ACCIDENT, I HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING THE FORD'S SERVICE MAN'S ADVICE BY ALWAYS MAKING SURE PARKING BREAK IS ON AND NOT ALLOWING ANYONE TO GET OUT OF THE CAR UNTIL IT IS TURNED OFF. I HAVE TWO CHILDREN AND NEED MY CAR CHECKED IMMEDIATELY. IT IS VERY FORTUNATE THAT NO ONE WAS OUTSIDE PLAYING WHEN MY CAR STARTING BACKING DOWN THE DRIVEWAY WHILE IN PARK. *TR