NHTSA Complaint #10398459 — 2002 FORD WINDSTAR

2002 FORD WINDSTAR: WHILE DRIVING ON HENRY HUDSON PKWY IN NYC, NORTHBOUND, SOUTH OF DYKMAN STREET, THERE WERE SEVERAL LOUD BANGING SOUNDS FROM THE REAR ON THE RAN, FOLLOWED A FEW SECONDS LATER BY A WAILING SOUND, AND THE REAR OF THE CAR WOULD FISHTAIL WHENEVER THE STEERING WAS TURNED. WHEN THE CAR WAS WRESTLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND I EXITED, THERE WAS THE SMELL OF BURNING RUBBER. CLOSER INSPECTION REVEALED BOTH REAR WHEELS TOED-OUT, AND AN OBVIOUS BREAK IN THE REAR AXLE. THE BREAK OCCURRED ON THE LEFT SIDE, ABOUT 1/3 OF THE WAY ACROSS THE LENGTH OF THE AXLE. CAR WAS TOWED OFF THE HIGHWAY AND REMAINS PARKED PENDING REPAIRS. *TR