NHTSA Complaint #10331183 — 2000 FORD WINDSTAR

WHILE DRIVING IN A RAIN STORM MY VAN WAS SHAKING, I THOUGHT I HIT A PUDDLE WRONG AFTER DRIVING A BIT MORE MY CAR STARTING SHAKING AND IT WAS HARD TO CONTROL, I THOUGHT I HAD A FLAT TIRE. I PULLED TO A GAS STATION, WHERE MAN SAW ME LOOK AT MY TIRES, AND ADVISED DUE TO THE LARGE AMOUNT OF RAIN IT WAS PROBABLY HYDROPLAINING. I CONTINUED ON. THE NEXT DAY WHEN IT WAS DRY I HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS. MY VAN WAS SHAKING, AND AT TIME HARD TO CONTROL, I WAS SO SCARED AND JUST WANTED TO MAKE IT HOME. I TOLD MY HUSBAND, HE NOTICED THE INNER PORTION OF THE 2 BACK TIRES WERE WORN DOWN TO THE METAL BELTS, AND DID NOT ALLOW IT TO BE DRIVING AGAIN. I HAD A RETAIL FIX IT SHOP ADVISE IT WOULD BE 650.00 FOR NEW TIE RODS AND SHIMS PLUS 2 NEW TIRES(EVEN THOUGH WE JUST PURCHASED THEM 1 1/2 YEARS PRIOR). WE WERE DEBATING TO GET IT FIXED OR TAKE TO A DIFFERENT MORE TRUSTED MECHANIC. A FRIEND PASSED ALONG A LINK REGARDING INVESTIGATION ON WINDSTAR VANS FOR BROKEN REAR AXLES. AFTER READING WHAT OTHER EXPERIENCED, I REALIZED THIS IS THE SAME THING THAT HAPPENED TO ME. WE HAVE A SUMMER CAR I HAVE BEEN DRIVING SINCE THIS OCCURRENCE, BUT WOULD LIKE MY MINIVAN FIXED FOR FAMILY SUMMER TRAVELS. AFTER READING THE LINK - I WILL PROBABLY WAIT FOR A RECALL, OR A SOLUTION AS TO WHAT WILL BE DONE WITH THIS SITUATION. *TR