NHTSA Complaint #10332438 — 2000 FORD WINDSTAR

I OWN A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR SE. I NOTICED MY CAR SHUDDERING A BIT ON THE EXPRESSWAY LATE LAST WEEK (5/20/10.) I SLOWED A BIT AND THE MOVEMENT STOPPED. I PULLED OFF THE EXPRESSWAY AND CONTINUED DRIVING ON CITY STREETS. I TRIED INCREASING MY SPEED BUT COULD NOT RECREATE THE 'SHUDDERING.' OVER THE WEEKEND, I FELT THE MOVEMENT ONCE MORE SO I STAYED AT LOW SPEEDS ON CITY STREETS AND PLANNED ON TAKING THE CAR IN ON MONDAY TO HAVE IT CHECKED. THE MOVEMENT HAD NOT RETURNED. ON SUNDAY, MAY 23 I HAD TO DRIVE ABOUT 7 MILES TO WORK. ABOUT 1 MILE SHORT OF MY DESTINATION THE SHUDDERING RETURNED, BUT MUCH WORSE AND AT LOW SPEED. I SLOWLY DROVE THE CAR INTO A PARKING LOT AND SAW MY LEFT REAR TIRE WAS TILTED. THINKING THE TIRE WAS LOOSE (I HAD NEW REAR SHOCKS PUT ON ABOUT 1 MONTH AGO AND THOUGHT MAYBE THEY HAD NOT TIGHTENED THE NUTS ENOUGH) I JACKED THE CAR UP A BIT AND POPPED THE HUBCAP. THE LUG NUTS WERE ALL TIGHT BUT THE RAISED CAR GAVE ME A CLEAR VIEW OF MY REAR AXLE, COMPLETELY SPLIT IN HALF. THE AXLE WAS STILL HOLDING UP THE CAR ONLY BECAUSE THE TWO HALVES WERE STILL PRESSED TOGETHER. THE AXLE WAS COMPLETELY BROKEN THROUGH (NOT JUST CRACKED) BASICALLY RIGHT AT THE MID POINT. I HAVE HAD THE CAR TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP ON A FLAT BED TRUCK, BUT WORK HAS NOT STARTED ON IT YET. TONIGHT I CHECKED ON LINE AND FOUND THAT THIS PROBLEM IS BEING INVESTIGATED BY YOUR AGENCY. HERE'S ANOTHER CASE FOR YOU TO ADD TO THE LIST. I FEEL EXTREMELY LUCKY TO BE WRITING THIS TO YOU WITHOUT HAVING BEEN IN THE ACCIDENT THAT THIS DEFECT SO EASILY COULD HAVE CAUSED. INTERESTINGLY, I HAVE HAD WORK DONE ON THE CAR A COUPLE OF TIMES IN THE PAST MONTH AND NO ONE NOTICED/REPORTED ANY AXLE DAMAGE. THE CAR WAS RIDING FINE UP TO THIS PAST WEEK. *TR