NHTSA Complaint #10360758 — 2000 FORD WINDSTAR

THE SUBFRAME, LOCATED AT THE FRONT UNDERSIDE OF THE 2000 WINDSTAR, IS SUPPOSED TO HELP KEEP THE ENGINE AND OTHER INTEGRAL PARTS OF THE WINDSTAR IN PLACE AND STABLE. IT HAS BEEN COMPROMISED ON THIS VEHICLE WITH 185,000 MILES, AND BROKE DURING A TURN INTO A PARK AFTER CHURCH ON THE AFOREMENTIONED DATE (10-10-10). FORTUNATELY THE RESULTS WERE NOT DEADLY BUT COULD HAVE BEEN IF WE WERE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WHICH WE FREQUENTLY DO. WHAT HAPPENED WAS A DETACHMENT OF THE DRIVE AXLE (HALF SHAFT) FROM THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH OCCURRED WHEN THE LOWER CONTROL ARM MOUNT SEPARATED AND CAUSED THE WHEEL TO PULL FREE FROM THE DRIVE AXLE. FURTHERMORE THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO ANY OF THE AFOREMENTIONED FAILURES. THE AREA OF THE SUBFRAME AFFECTED BY THIS CORROSION IS LOCATED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WHERE IT ATTACHES TO THE LOWER CONTROL ARM. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IT HAS OCCURRED. THIS VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO TPS TRANSMISSION IN TOLEDO OH AND IS BEING REPAIRED. THE SUB FRAME IS BEING REPLACED AND I WILL ASK THAT THE OLD PART BE RETURNED. IN THE MEANTIME WHAT IS GOING TO BE DONE WITH THIS OBVIOUS GROWING PROBLEM? *TR