NHTSA Complaint #10340752 — 2003 FORD WINDSTAR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME FOR THE FRONT SUSPENSION ROTTED UNDER THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING AT 20MPH THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE AND THEN HE COULD NOT STEER THE VEHICLE. HE STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE WAS TURNED TO THE LEFT AND THE PASSENGER FRONT TIRE WAS TURN TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC REPAIR SHOP WHERE HE WAS TOLD THE STEERING MECHANISM WAS TORN FROM THE FRAME AND ROTTED FROM THE BODY. THE CONTACT HAD TO REPLACE THE FRAME AT HIS OWN EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY STATED THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THERE WAS NO RECALL OR WARRANTY FOR THIS FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 131,000.