NHTSA Complaint #10349174 — 2000 FORD WINDSTAR

I HAD PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM A PRIVATE OWNER IN MARCH 2010 WHO REPORTED NO ISSUES. I DRIVE THIS VEHICLE DAILY TO WORK, AS WELL AS TRANSPORTING CHILDREN TO DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES. RETURNING HOME FROM WORK ON MAY 06, 2010, I NOTICED THE VAN HANDLING ODD; HAD TO KEEP RIGHT PRESSURE ON THE STEERING WHEEL (LIKE AN ALIGNMENT ISSUE). THE FURTHER I DROVE THE MORE PRESSURE I HAD TO MAINTAIN. I BEGAN TO SLOW MY SPEED (FROM 70 MPH TO 60 MPH) BECAUSE THERE WAS EXCESSIVE SWAY WHEN CROSSING BRIDGE JOINTS. I CONTINUED TO REDUCE SPEED TO ABOUT 50 MHP AND APPROXIMATELY 2 MILES AFTER I FIRST NOTICED THE SWAY, I HEARD A LOUD "POP" AND THE REAR OF THE VAN DROPPED. I WAS ABLE TO QUICKLY PULL TO THE EDGE OF THE HIGHWAY AND STOP. THE TIRES WERE LEANING IN AT THE TOP ON BOTH SIDES AND HAD BEGUN SMOKING. I LOOKED UNDER THE VAN AND THE AXLE HAD BROKEN APPROXIMATELY 15"-18" FROM END, ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. ENDED UP HAVING VEHICLE TOWED TO A REPAIR FACILITY, LOCATED A USED UNIT FROM A SALVAGE YARD, 2 TIRES AND HAD THEM ALL REPLACED. WHAT A HEADACHE. HEARD A 'POP' ON MY WAY TO WORK THIS MORNING SO I CHECKED THE AXLE AND FOUND THERE IS A CRACK IN THE SAME SPOT OF THIS REPLACEMENT AXLE. *TR