NHTSA Complaint #10354965 — 2001 FORD WINDSTAR

I WAS DRIVING A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR MINIVAN WITH 154K MILES ON A RAINY NIGHT AT HIGHWAY SPEED ON A 3 LANE INTERSTATE WITH 5 CHILDREN ABOARD. I HEARD A LOUD NOISE FROM THE VEHICLE AND LOST ALL CONTROL AS THE STEERING AND BRAKING WASN'T WORKING RIGHT. AS I TRIED TO GET ONTO THE SHOULDER, IT KEPT SWERVING TOWARD THE LEFT, BACK INTO THE LANES. WHEN IT FINALLY STOPPED MOVING, WE WERE STICKING OUT INTO TRAFFIC AND I FEARED WE WOULD BE HIT. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER SHOWED ME THAT THE RIGHT TIRE WASN'T EVEN POINTING STRAIGHT AHEAD ANYMORE AND SAID THAT THE AXEL PROBABLY BROKE. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE FRAME CRACKED AND IN HIS OPINION, HE WOULDN'T RECOMMEND FIXING THE VEHICLE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY SAID THE RIGHT FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM MOUNT ROTTED OFF WHICH PULLED OUT AXEL AND BROKE TIE ROD END AND SO ON, DUE TO NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. I RECEIVED ZERO DOLLARS FOR MY AUTO CLAIM AND MY FAMILY OF SEVEN HAD TO USE OUR 3 SEATER PICKUP TRUCK AS THE FAMILY VEHICLE FOR MONTHS AFTER THE INCIDENT. I LIVE IN A SNOW BELT STATE AND I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR OCCURRED IN A MERE 8 YEARS. I HAVE PICTURES OF THE VEHICLE AFTER THE INCIDENT AS WELL. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE INFORMATION FOR OPEN INVESTIGATION #PE10-026. MY HOPE IS THAT MY STORY IS USEFUL ENOUGH TO HELP PREVENT THIS SAME THING FROM HAPPENING TO OTHER 2001 FORD WINDSTAR OWNERS. *TR