NHTSA Complaint #10386167 — 2001 FORD WINDSTAR

IN 2008, I EXPERIENCED A FAILURE OF THE SUBFRAME ON MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR CARGO VAN. I DO MOSTLY SMALL-TOWN DRIVING - I.E. NOT OVER 45 MPH, WITH OCCASIONAL TRIPS ON THE NYS THRUWAY. I PURCHASED THE VAN USED AT 57,000 MILES FROM JOHNSON FORD, KINGSTON, NY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT 85,419 MILES. I DROVE MY VAN TO A LOCAL BUSINESS AT ABOUT 45 MPH, A DISTANCE OF 4-5 MILES. THAT DAY OR THE DAY PREVIOUS I HAD HEARD A FUNNY NOISE AS I TURNED THE WHEEL, BUT IT WAS NOT REPEATED. (I REALIZED AFTERWARD THAT THIS WAS THE SOUND OF THE SUBFRAME CRACKING, BUT IT WAS NOT LOUD ENOUGH TO REALLY RAISE ANY CONCERN WHEN I HEARD IT.) ON THE DAY OF THE FAILURE, I ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION, PARKED MY CAR, AND A FEW MINUTES LATER, WHEN I CAME OUT OF THE STORE, I DISCOVERED THAT MY TIRES HAD APPARENTLY BROKEN OFF AND WERE LEANING INWARD , THE CAR WAS UNDRIVABLE. I HAD IT TOWED TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE WAS ABLE TO FIND ME A USED SUBFRAME TO REPLACE THE ONE THAT BROKE. THERE WAS. OF COURSE, NO INFORMATION FROM FORD AT THAT TIME REGARDING THIS DEFECT. I HAVE NOW (FEB. 2011) RECEIVED A RECALL AND HAD MY SUBFRAME CHECKED BY THE DEALER AND AM WAITING FOR THE CALL ABOUT A "REINFORCEMENT KIT", WHILE STILL BEING EXPECTED TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE. I DO NOT CONSIDER THIS A SAFE VEHICLE, WITH OR WITHOUT THE "REINFORCEMENT" . I BELIEVE THAT FORD SHOULD BE COMPELLED TO BUY BACK ALL WINDSTARS STILL ON THE ROAD AS THEY WERE IMPROPERLY ENGINEERED AND THEREFORE VIOLATED NHTSA LAW AS TO MERCHANTABILITY. I WANT A VEHICLE WHOSE PARTS ARE ALL SAFE, NOT A VEHICLE PATCHED TOGETHER WITH EPOXY AND BALING WIRE. MY LIFE AND EVERYBODY ELSE'S LIVES ARE AT RISK FROM ANY OF THESE VEHICLES THAT ARE LEFT ON THE ROADS. I AM UNWILLING TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE ANYMORE, AND I AM NOW COMPELLED TO PURCHASE A NEW VEHICLE, WHICH I CANNOT AFFORD. FOR THE PRESENT I AM BORROWING A VEHICLE FROM A FAMILY MEMBER, WHICH IS OK IN THE SHORT-TERM, BUT IT DOESN'T ADDRESS MY LONG-TERM NEEDS. *TR