NHTSA Complaint #10495992 — 2001 FORD WINDSTAR

I HEARD LOUD CLUNKING SOUNDS IN THE FRONT THAT WERE MORE PRONOUNCED WHEN I WENT OVER BUMPS. THE SWAY BAR HAS BROKEN OFF FROM THE FRONT SUB-FRAME PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR. THE DEALER SAID THE SUB-FRAME IS SO RUSTED THAT THE ONLY WAY TO REATTACH THE SWAY BAR IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE FRONT SUB-FRAME AT A COST OF $3,500. IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER PREVIOUS RECALLS, SINCE THE PRIOR 2 RECALLS IN 2010 AND 2011 ONLY SPECIFICALLY COVERED THE REAR AXLE AND THE SEPARATION OF THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS ATTACHING BRACKETS AND BODY MOUNT ATTACHMENTS AT THE REAR OF THE FRONT SUB-FRAME. THIS PROBLEM IS SO SIMILAR TO THE JAN. 2011 RECALL W/A PART BREAKING OFF FROM A RUSTED SUB-FRAME. IT'S THE CORROSION OF THE SUB-FRAME THAT IS AT THE ROOT OF THESE PROBLEMS. THEY SHOULD HAVE JUST REPLACED THE SUB-FRAME AT THAT TIME INSTEAD OF DOING A PATCH JOB W/ BRACKETS. THE DEALER DEEMED MY CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE, AS I WON'T HAVE CONTROL OF MY CAR ON QUICK TURNS OR BE ABLE TO MAKE FAST MANEUVERS IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT OR TO AVOID POTENTIAL ACCIDENTS. ANOTHER RISK IS THAT MY ENGINE MAY FALL OUT THE BOTTOM OF MY CAR WHILE DRIVING (WHICH I SEE HAS HAPPENED TO OTHERS WITH MY SAME PROBLEM), ENDANGERING MY FAMILY AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD. I PLAN ON PARKING THIS CAR IN MY DRIVEWAY AND WAITING FOR FORD TO BE FORCED TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES. IN THE MEANTIME, IF ANY OF YOU HAVE A SIMILAR PROBLEM, PLEASE REPORT THEM TO FORD CORPORATION AND THE NHTSA, SO WHAT I BELIEVE TO BE AN INEVITABLE RECALL WILL BE EXPEDITED. EVEN THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE REP ENCOURAGED ME TO FILE A REPORT WITH THE NHTSA BECAUSE SHE HAS GOTTEN CALLS WITH OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. SHE WAS VERY SYMPATHETIC TO MY SITUATION BUT SAID THERE IS NOTHING SHE CAN DO UNTIL ENOUGH COMPLAINTS GET FILED WITH THE NHTSA SO THEY OPEN AN INVESTIGATION. WHAT HAPPENED TO COMPANIES WANTING TO HELP THEIR CUSTOMERS W/O BEING FORCED BY A GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY?! *TR