NHTSA Complaint #10351541 — 2000 FORD WINDSTAR

ON 8-16-2010 WHILE DRIVING MY 2000 FORD WINDSTAR I LOST THE STEERING ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE VEERED INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC BUT I WAS ABLE TO BRING THE VEHICLE BACK UNDER CONTROL. THE CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM WAS DUE TO MY REAR AXLE SNAPPING IN HALF. THE AXLE BREAKING CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE REAR WHEELS AND THE SHOCKS AS WELL. THE TOTAL COST OF REPAIR WAS $1310.25. MY MECHANIC SHOWED ME AN ARTICLE ON THE FRONT COVER OF AN AUTOMOTIVE MAGAZINE THEY RECEIVE ABOUT THE REAR AXLES FAILING ON FORD WINDSTARS DUE TO WATER AND SALT GETTING INSIDE. THIS CAUSES THE AXLE TO CORRODE FROM WITHIN AND EVENTUALLY BREAK. FORD AT THIS TIME IS REFUSING TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES. I AM VOICING MY COMPLAINT IN THE HOPE THAT FORD WILL BE FORCED TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES AND REIMBURSE THOSE WHO HAVE ALREADY BEEN EFFECTED BY THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR KILLED IF THAT HASN'T HAPPENED ALREADY. *TR