NHTSA Complaint #10359440 — 1998 FORD WINDSTAR

THIS HAS HAPPENED ON THE INNER ROADS AND NEAR FROM MY HOUSE. I HAD HEARD THE CREAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR AND THOUGHT ABOUT MY CAR'S SHOCKS ARE SHOT. THEN SUDDENLY I LOST CONTROL AND STOPPED THE CAR, LUCKILY NO INJURIES EITHER TO ME OR THE NEARBY PROPERTY. WITH HAZARD LIGHTS ON I DROVE THE CAR VERY SLOWLY HOME AND LOOKED UNDER THE CAR. WHAT I SAW REALLY SHOCKED ME. THE REAR AXLE BEAM OF MY FORD WINDSTAR(1998) CRACKED APPROXIMATELY 18"-24" FROM THE DRIVER SIDE REAR WHEEL AND THE ENTIRE WELDING (?)HAS SEPARATED FROM THE MID PORTION. I COULD SEE THE RIGHT PORTION OF THE BEAM WELDED AND INTACT. I HAD JUST REPAIRED THE BREAK FLUID LINE FOR ALMOST $600 AND THE MECHANIC NEVER SAID A WORD ABOUT THIS CRACK BEFORE THE REPAIRS. I BELIEVE THE REAR AXLE / BEAM IS A PART OF THE VEHICLE THAT SHOULD LAST THE LIFETIME OF THE VEHICLE AND AT LEAST SHOULD NOT CRACK WITHOUT GIVING ANY SIGN ON THE DASHBOARD. THANKS *TR