NHTSA Complaint #10386430 — 2000 FORD WINDSTAR

2000 FORD WINDSTAR REAR AXLE AND FRONT SUB-FRAME FAILURE: FORD DEALER HAS HAD MY VAN FOR 7 MONTHS NOW SINCE SEPTEMBER 1, 2010. I JUST RECEIVED ANOTHER RECALL NOTICE THIS WEEK ABOUT POTENTIAL FRONT SUB-FRAME FAILURE. DEALER SAYS MY VAN FAILED FRONT END INSPECTION BUT IS REPAIRABLE AND MUST NOW WAIT FOR THOSE PARTS ALSO. FORD HAS BEEN GREAT WITH RENTAL CAR AND TREATED US FAIRLY. HOWEVER, I HAVE LOST TOTAL CONFIDENCE IN THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE AND DO NOT WANT IT BACK, EVEN WITH REPAIRS. ASIDE FROM SITTING WITH THE SAME FUEL IN IT FOR 7 MONTHS NOW, IT HAS OBVIOUSLY INCURRED WEATHERING AND WEAR ON SYSTEMS LIKE TIRES, BATTERY, OIL, ETC. I HAVE ALSO BEEN PAYING INSURANCE FOR A PARKED VEHICLE FOR 7 MONTHS. OF GREATER CONCERN IS THE FACT THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS COMPLETELY LOST ALL TRADE IN VALUE OR RESALE POTENTIAL. WITH ONLY 80K MILES, I HAD INTENDED TO KEEP THIS VEHICLE FOR MANY MORE YEARS. IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN GARAGE KEPT AND DEALER MAINTAINED AND THE BODY IS IN GREAT CONDITION. TWO WEEKS BEFORE THE REAR AXLE CRACKED, I HAD A FORD DEALER COMPLETE $1,400 IN FRONT END MAINTENANCE - NEW SUSPENSION COMPONENTS, STRUTS, BUSHINGS, ETC. BOTTOM LINE IS: I HAVE LOST TOTAL CONFIDENCE IN THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE, EVEN WITH REPAIRS; I HAVE LOST MONEY ON REPAIRS JUST PRIOR TO THE REAR AXLE FAILURE; I HAVE PAID FOR INSURANCE FOR A CAR SITTING IN A LOT FOR 7 MONTHS - SO FAR; I HAVE LOST ALL TRADE IN VALUE: I HAVE LOST ALL RESALE VALUE - NOBODY IN THEIR RIGHT MIND WOULD BUY A WINDSTAR NOW AFTER ALL THE MEDIA COVERAGE; I CANNOT AFFORD TO REPLACE IT WITH A COMPARABLE VEHICLE AT THIS TIME. I DO NOT WANT THIS VEHICLE BACK! I URGE YOU TO CONSIDER THE ISSUES I HAVE LISTED ABOVE AS YOU CONTINUE YOUR INVESTIGATION. WHILE SOME POINTS ABOVE MAY BE OUTSIDE THE SCOPE OF YOUR INVESTIGATION, FORD NEEDS TO UNDERSTAND THE ENORMOUS IMPACT OF THIS SITUATION ON THEIR CUSTOMERS. I AM A FORD GUY WITH 3 OTHER FORD VEHICLES, INCLUDING AN ANTIQUE. I AM NOT HAPPY AND FORD NEEDS TO MAKE THIS RIGHT. THANK YOU *TR