NHTSA Complaint #10453791 — 2004 FORD FREESTAR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE TRAVELING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT SUSPENSION AND AXLE HAD SUDDENLY SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. NO ONE WAS INJURED DURING THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED FOR THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 87,308. UPDATED 05/10/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE RIGHT TIRE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF HIS VEHICLE SIMPLY COLLAPSED. THERE WAS A LOUD BANG AS THE FRONT SIDE DROPPED GOUGING THE HUB CAP AND THE METAL WHEEL INTO THE ASPHALT LEAVING A NARROW STRIP IN BETWEEN MY WHEEL AND THE ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT WAS DOUBLE PARKED. HIS VEHICLE CONTINUED TO GOUGE THE ASPHALT AND THEN STOPPED. THE COLLAPSED TIRE DID RUB THE LEFT LOWER SIDE SPORT TRIM OF THE OTHER VEHICLE WHICH LEFT BLACK RUBBER MARKS ON THE DOUBLE PARKED VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED HIS SPEED WAS ABOUT 25 MPH AND AS HELD THE STEERING WHEEL, THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, WITH SUCH GREAT FORCE IT SHATTERED THE WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE POLICE REFUSED TO MAKE A REPORT AS THERE WERE NO INJURIES. UPDATED 07/12/12