NHTSA Complaint #10359430 — 2001 FORD WINDSTAR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 1 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD BANG AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE. UPON EXAMINING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WAS POINTED IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION OF THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE; IT HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 132,000. THE CONSUMER STATED EVEN BEFORE THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED THE GARAGE, HE COULD SEE THAT THE BRACKET THAT HELD THE LOWER CONTROL ARM TO THE FRAME HAD COMPLETELY BROKEN OFF THE FRAME. WHEN THE CONTROL ARM LOST THAT ATTACHING POINT, THE WHEEL WAS ALLOWED TO PULL AWAY AND ALSO PULLED THE AXLE SHAFT AWAY FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THE SUBFRAME AND TRANSMISSION SEAL HAD TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED EVOQ 02/15/11