NHTSA Complaint #10480953 — 1999 FORD WINDSTAR

I HAVE HAD THIS VAN FOR A LITTLE BIT MORE THAN A YEAR NOW. AFTER PURCHASING IT I BROUGHT IT TO THE CLOSEST DEALERSHIP AND HAD SEVERAL RECALL ISSUES ATTENDED TO, SUPPOSEDLY AT LEAST. SINCE THAT TIME I HAVE HAD MANY ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE, RANGING FROM ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS TO NEUTRAL SWITCHES TO TIE RODS AND MORE. I WAS THINKING OF GIVING UP AND GETTING A NEW VEHICLE, I CAN NOT AFFORD TO KEEP UP WITH REPAIR COSTS. THEN I BROUGHT IT TO ANOTHER SHOP TO GET THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TAKEN CARE OF RECENTLY, THE MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT MANY OF THESE VANS HAVE BEEN RECALLED, INCLUDING THOSE IN MASSACHUSETTS, AND NOT ONLY THAT BUT THE VAN'S ARE NOTORIOUS FOR THE ELECTRICAL AND OTHER ISSUES I HAD TOLD HIM OF. AFTER INSPECTING THE VAN HE SAID THE DEALERSHIP SHOULDN'T HAVE LET ME LEAVE WITH THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED ME NOT TO DRIVE IT EITHER, HE DEEMED IT UNSAFE. I HAVE USED THIS VEHICLE TO TRANSPORT MY WIFE, OUR FOUR KIDS, AND MANY OTHER FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND ONCE HEARING THOSE WORDS A LITERAL CHILL RAN DOWN MY SPINE AT THE THOUGHT OF WHAT COULD'VE HAPPENED. I HAVE SENT EMAILS OF MY CONCERNS TO FORD THEMSELVES AND WAS REPLIED TO IN A COUPLE OF DAYS, I HAVE SINCE RESPONDED THREE TIMES AND I AM STILL AWAITING A RESPONSE FROM THEM NOW ALMOST A MONTH LATER. I HAVE SINCE LEFT MY VAN AT MY SISTER'S AS MY HOUSE WAS MUCH FURTHER AWAY AND I DIDN'T WANT TO RISK IT. THE ISSUES I HAVE RESEARCHED ABOUT THIS VAN INCLUDE THE MENTIONED ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, AS WELL STEERING PROBLEMS, TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, BRAKE SYSTEM PROBLEMS AND MORE. I FEEL THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE AND WILL NOT DRIVE IT ANY LONGER, ALSO WHEN NOTICING OTHER VEHICLES OF THE SAME MODEL I FEEL THEY SHOULD BE NOTIFIED OF THESE ISSUES IMMEDIATELY. FORD KNOWS OF THESE PROBLEMS AS CASES RANGING IN TO 5 MILLION PLUS VEHICLES AFFECTED. *TR