NHTSA Complaint #10524366 — 2003 FORD WINDSTAR

I WAS STARTING TO GET A CLUNKING NOISE FROM THE REAR END OF MY 2003 WINDSTAR MINIVAN WHICH CONTINUED TO BECOME WORSE. I TOOK THE VAN INTO A REPUTABLE SHOP TO HAVE IT CHECKED. I WITNESSED THE INSPECTION AND IT WAS DIFFICULT TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG BUT IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT CORROSION CAUSED CRACKS IN THE AXEL AND IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE AXEL BUT WHEN I CONTACTED FORD (BOTH A DEALER A FORD RECALL INFORMATION LINE) I WAS TOLD MY IT WAS NOT VALID FOR MY. THE RECALL WAS FOR ISSUED FOR STATES THAT USE SALT AND I WHEN I BOUGHT THE VAN I LIVED IN OHIO BUT MOVED TO MIAMI FLORIDA IN MIAMI 2007 ( NOW IN CENTRAL FL) NO ROAD SALT BUT STILL A SALT ENVIRONMENT. THERE REPAIR WAS $663.00 AND I BELIEVE THAT THIS RECALL SHOULD EXTEND TO ALL VANS THAT HAVE THIS TYPE OF RISK WITH A REFUND DUE FROM FORD. *TR