NHTSA Complaint #10336119 — 2002 FORD WINDSTAR

2002 FORD WINDSTAR REAR AXLE IS CRACKED ON BOTH SIDES. VEHICLE HAS 104,000 MILES. WELL MAINTAINED AND NEVER ABUSED. I WAS SHOCKED AND IN AWE WHEN I NOTICED THIS TODAY WHILE I WAS ROTATING THE TIRES. I WENT ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM AND UNDER INVESTIGATION. I AM A SAFETY PROFESSIONAL AND A MEMBER OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF SAFETY ENGINEERS (ASE). MY TWO CHILDREN RIDE IN THIS VEHICLE EVERY DAY. SOME OF THESE VANS ARE USED AT DAYCARE DENTERS AND SMALL BUS COMPANIES. THIS IS A SERIOUS DEFECT. I HAVE READ COMMENTS ABOUT PEOPLE DOWN-PLAYING THIS, AND FEELING THIS IS A WASTE OF TIME. THIS INVESTIGATION IS COMPLETELY JUSTIFIED AND RATIONAL. OWR VAN IS IN GREAT SHAPE AND SHOWING NO OTHER SIGNS OF MAJOR RUST OR DEFECTS. IF THIS HAD FAILED ON THE HIGHWAY, THE RESULTS COULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY. THESE ARE FAMILY VEHICLES DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY FOR TRANSPORTING A BUNCH OF KIDS. I DROVE TWO 5 YEAR OLDS TO A BIRTHDAY PARTY 40 MILES ON THE HIGHWAY YESTERDAY WITH NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE PROBLEM. FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME. I CAN PROVIDE PICTURES. THANK YOU *TR