NHTSA Complaint #10390518 — 1999 FORD WINDSTAR

MY SON-IN-LAW AND DAUGHTER WE DRIVING ON HWY 421 AT 50 MPH. THE VAN STARTED SHAKING AND THEY SMELLED RUBBER AND HEARD GRINDING. HE PULLED OVER AND THE BACK TIRES WERE PUSHED IN AND THE RIGHT BACK TIRE LOST ITS LUG NUTS AND TIRE WAS FALLING OFF. THEY REMOVED THE CHILDREN FROM THE CAR. IT SCARED THEM TO DEATH! MY SON-IN-LAW STARTED WALKING TO A GAS STATION. MY DAUGHTER LOOKED UNDER THE VAN AND SAW THE AXLE WAS SNAPPED IN HALF. A NICE TOW TRUCK MAN STOPPED TO HELP. HE SAID, THIS VAN IS ON RECALL DO YOU KNOW WHAT AN AXEL IS..SHE SAID YES....HE LOOKED UNDER THERE AND TOLD HER IT WAS FOR SURE SNAPPED IN HALF! I CAN'T BELIEVE THE FORD WINDSTAR IS DOING THIS! IT IS VERY UPSETTING. IT WAS TOWED TO HERSH FORD IN MICHIGAN CITY, INDIANA AND WERE GIVEN A RENTAL AND TOLD IT COULD TAKE OVER 4 MONTHS. HOW AM I GOING TO FIT A FAMILY OF 6 INTO A FORD FOCUS?? *TR