NHTSA Complaint #10339237 — 2002 FORD WINDSTAR

I WAS ENTERING THE HIGHWAY AS I STARTED TO ACCEL I HEARD A LOUD THUMP. IMMEDIATELY MY CAR BEGAN SWERVING AND ALMOST TIPPED OVER, IT FELT AS THOUGH THE REAR TIRES FELL OFF. THERE WAS A LARGE AMOUNT OF SMOKE AND SPARKS COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR AND I STRUGGLED TO STAY IN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. ULTIMATELY THE REAR AXLE BROKE IN HALF WITHOUT WARNING AND OUT OF NO WHERE. I DID NOT HIT ANYTHING AND WAS DRIVING SAFELY. LUCKILY THERE WAS A BREAK IN TRAFFIC OR I HAVE NO DOUBT I WOULD HAVE HIT OTHER CARS ON THE ROAD. THE CAR CAME EXTREMELY CLOSE TO FLIPPING, IT TIPPED AT ONE POINT AND WOULD HAVE FLIPPED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IF NOT FOR MY QUICK REACTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND MY MECHANIC IMMEDIATELY TOLD ME AXLES DO NOT BREAK LIKE THIS AND HE ADVISED ME TO CALL FORD TO SEE IF THERE WAS A MANUFACTURES PROBLEM WITH THE AXLE. I CALLED MY LOCAL DEALER AND WAS ADVISED THAT FORD HAVE EXPERIENCED NO PROBLEMS LIKE MINE AND MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY SO THERE IS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. ONLY AFTER I CAME HOME AND SEARCHED THE WEB DID I REALIZE THERE ARE THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF OTHER WINDSTAR OWNERS WHO EXPERIENCED THE SAME KIND OF BREAKAGE AND I BELIEVE A MORE AGGRESSIVE INVESTIGATION NEEDS TO TAKE PLACE. THE AXLE NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED AND IF THIS IS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT IT NEED TO BE FIXED BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. *TR