NHTSA Complaint #10339183 — 2000 FORD WINDSTAR

WHILE DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH, MY 2000 FORD WINDSTAR LX MADE A LOUD NOISE AND BLACK SMOKE AND THE SMELL OF BURNING RUBBER FILLED THE VEHICLE. IT WAS WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY THAT MY HUSBAND WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND GET IT OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. MY SELF AND OUR 3 CHILDREN WERE VERY FORTUNATE TO ESCAPE INJURY. THE REAR TIRE AXLE HAD SNAPPED IN TWO. I HAVE SINCE READ OF NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS SAME DEFECT. WHY HASN'T ANYTHING BEEN DONE ABOUT THIS SERIOUS ISSUE? THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IN AUTO SHOP AND I AM WAITING TO HEAR IF IT CAN BE REPAIRED. I AM EXTREMELY APPREHENSIVE ABOUT DRIVING THIS CAR EVER AGAIN. WILL THE SAME SITUATION HAPPEN AGAIN IF I REPLACE IT WITH ANOTHER FORD PART? WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A SAFETY RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND THIS CAR HAS BEEN PROPERLY MAINTAINED. THERE ARE APPROXIMATELY 110,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. *TR