NHTSA Complaint #10366865 — 1999 FORD WINDSTAR

1999 WINDSTAR VAN WHEN CHANGING THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE OUR MECHANIC SAW THE RIGHT FRONT DRIVE AXLE COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. NHTSA DEFECT INVESTIGATION #PE 10016 IS CONSISTENT WITH THIS PROBLEM.I WANT TO BE ADDED TO THIS INVESTIGATION. THERE ARE NO WARNING SIGNS FOR THIS PROBLEM. WE WERE LUCKY WE HAVE A GOOD MECHANIC WHO SPOTTED THE PROBLEM. THIS CAR IS AT A FORD DEALERSHIP IN MISSOURI. . I WISH SOMEONE WOULD GO AND SEE THIS PROBLEM FIRST HAND. ALL OTHER CARS WITH THIS PROBLEM WERE NOT DETECTED AND WERE IN A CRASH. THIS WOULD BE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO ACTUALLY SEE THE PROBLEM BEFORE THE CAR IS WRECKED. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR ANYONE WHO HAS A FORD WINDSTAR VAN 1999 THRU 2003. THERE IS NO WARNING AND WHEN THAT FRONT AXLE BREAKS THERE IS NO CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. ANYONE WHO DRIVES ONE OF THESE VEHICLES SHOULD IMMEDIATELY TAKE TO A MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THIS IS NOT LIKE THE REAR AXLE PROBLEM, BECAUSE YOU CAN AT LEAST STEER THE VEHICLE IF IT BREAKS. WHEN THE FRONT GOES YOU HAVE NO CONTROL. I AM TOLD THE REPAIR WILL COST $1200.00 DOLLARS. FORD MOTOR COMPANY WILL NOT HELP WITH THE COST OF REPAIR. *TR