NHTSA Complaint #10392340 — 2003 FORD WINDSTAR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS COVERED WITH RUST AND SHAKING VIOLENTLY WHILE DRIVING. THE BRAKE PEDAL ALSO EXTENDED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN IT WAS ENGAGED. ALL OF THE GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FELL BELOW ZERO, THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BEGAN TO SHUT ON AND OFF. THE REAR AXLE WAS CRACKED ON EACH END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO ADDED TWO PLATES ON EACH SIDE OF THE AXLE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED RECALL 10V385000 (SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY) & RECALL 11V030000 (STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS) BUT WAS CONCERNED WITH THE REMEDIES AND STATED THAT THEY WERE INADEQUATE. THE CONTACT ASKED THE DEALER IF THEY COULD GUARANTEE THAT THE AXLE WOULD NOT BREAK WITH THE TWO PLATES BUT RECEIVED NO GUARANTEE. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 127,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.