NHTSA Complaint #10473159 — 2004 FORD FREESTAR

I WAS ROTATING MY TIRES AND NOTICED THAT INSIDE EACH REAR WHEEL WELL THERE WAS A PANEL PATCHED IN FROM THE FACTORY THAT WAS RUSTING TERRIBLY, WITH THE DRIVERS SIDE BEING MUCH WORSE AND ALMOST COMPLETELY FALLING OFF THE BODY. WITH SOME FURTHER INVESTIGATION I DISCOVERED THAT THE PANEL ACTUALLY HOLDS THE ANCHORS FOR THE REARMOST FOLDING SEAT. AS I STATED, THE DRIVERS SIDE IS ALMOST RUSTED OFF THE CAR AND THERE IS A GIANT HOLE THAT IS LETTING WATER AND SNOW INSIDE THE VAN AND RUINING THE CARPET AND PADDING. I FREQUENTLY CARRY MULTIPLE CHILDREN,SOME IN CHILD SAFETY SEATS, AND COULD NOT IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN DURING A COLLISION IF THE REAR SEAT ANCHOR WERE TO SEPARATE FROM THE VAN. I SERIOUSLY HOPE THAT THERE IS SOME KIND OF RECALL, AS THIS VEHICLE IS NOT YET 10 YEARS OLD AND THE REST OF THE BODY IS STILL IN GREAT SHAPE. THIS IS NOT JUST A SURFACE RUST ISSUE, IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD TO ANYONE OWNING THIS TYPE OF VAN AND THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING IT AS I'M SURE THE REPAIR IS NOT EASY OR CHEAP. *TR