NHTSA Complaint #10331110 — 1999 FORD WINDSTAR

OUR 1999 FORD WINDSTAR BEGAN TO SHAKE AND THEN REAR AXEL CRACKED IN HALF WHILE TRAVELING APPROX. 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. LUCKILY WE WERE ABLE TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD SAFELY...I STILL DO NOT KNOW HOW MY HUSBAND WAS ABLE TO DO THAT AS THERE WAS SO MUCH "SMOKE" (FROM THE METAL RUBBING THE ROAD AND THE TIRES RIDING AT AN ANGLE) AND IT WAS DARK OUTSIDE AND WE HAD TO GET OVER 2 LANES. PART WAS REPLACED AT OUR OWN EXPENSE. THIS WAS NOT THE FIRST ONE THE MECHANIC HAD SEEN. THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED SPRING 2008 BUT I JUST READ ON THE INTERNET OF THE PENDING INVESTIGATION AND HAD NOT PREVIOUSLY KNOWN WHERE TO REPORT IT. WHEN WE REPORTED IT TO FORD, THEY JUST TRIED TO GET US TO WANT TO BUY A NEW CAR FROM THEM. ALSO, WE TOLD FRIENDS OF OURS THAT HAVE A 2000 WINDSTAR TO WATCH OUT FOR THE SHAKING AND TO GET IT CHECKED. WELL SEVERAL MONTHS LATER THEY BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE SHAKING AND TOOK IT IN AND THE MECHANIC SAW THAT IT WAS READY TO BREAK AND REPLACED IT BEFORE ANY HARM WAS DONE. THANK GOD WE WERE ALL UNHURT...THE NEXT PEOPLE MAY NOT BE SO LUCKY! WE NO LONGER OWN THIS VEHICLE. *TR