NHTSA Complaint #10383980 — 2000 FORD WINDSTAR

OUR FORD WINDSTAR HAD A REAR AXLE FAILURE IN WHICH THE AXLE SPLIT IN HALF CAUSING THE VAN TO LOSE CONTROL. WE REPLACED IT IN 2009. A RECALL WAS ISSUED IN OCT. 2010 SAYING THAT THE PART WAS TO BE REPLACED PROMPTLY. WE HAVE ATTEMPTED TO HAVE IT REPLACED BUT HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IT IS SAFE TO DRIVE AND WE'LL HAVE TO WAIT FOR A PART TO BE MADE. FOR FIVE MONTHS NOW WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE PART STILL HAS TO BE MANUFACTURED AND IT MAY TAKE SEVERAL MORE MONTHS TO A YEAR TO GET THE PART. FORD HAD US INSPECT(30 SECOND BEND DOWN NEXT TO THE CAR) THE REPLACED PART(USED FROM A JUNK YARD) TO SEE IF IT IS SAFE AND SAID IT WAS OK. HOWEVER THE PART THAT REPLACED THE ORIGINAL IS VISUALLY IN WORSE CONDITION. AND NOW WE ARE BEING TOLD THAT 'GLUE INJECTION' INTO THE PART WILL FIX THIS FAILURE. THIS IS IN CONTRAST TO WHAT FORD HAS STATED MUST BE DONE(FULL REPLACEMENT OF THE REAR AXLE). IT HAS BEEN 5 MONTHS, AND WE HAVE STILL NOT HAVE HAD THE PART REPLACED. FORD IMPLIES IN THEIR RECALL LETTER THAT WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY FAILURE IF THIS IS NOT REPLACED IN A TIMELY MANNER. THE LOCAL DEALER ATTEMPTED TO KEEP THE LETTER AFTER HIS 30 SECOND INSPECTION STATING THAT THE PROBLEM IS FIXED AND IT SHOULD BE GOOD. THIS VAN IS UNSAFE AND 30 SECONDS OF VISUAL INSPECTION IS NOT IN MY OPINION A ASSURANCE OF THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE. *TR