NHTSA Complaint #10532189 — 2002 FORD WINDSTAR

2002 FORD WINDSTAR AXLE REPAIR FAILED. GOLF MILL FORD IN NILES, IL REPAIRED MY FORD WINDSTAR IN LATE 2010 AFTER INSPECTING IT. GOLF MILL DECIDED TO PATCH AND NOT REPLACE THE AXLE. ON JULY 6 THE TIRE KICKED OUT AND STARTED TO SLIDE IN PATCH BRACKET. I CALLED FORD AND THEY INSTRUCTED ME TO TAKE TO ORIGINAL DEALER WHO DONE REPAIRED AND TO KEEP ALL RECEIPTS FOR WORK DONE FOR POSSIBLE REIMBURSEMENT. DEALER LOOKED AT AXLE AND SAID THEY HAVE HAD SIMILAR FIELD PROBLEMS AND FORD HAS BEEN REPLACING THE AXLE AND REPAIRED HAD INTERNAL CODE STATING THEY AXLE REPAIR DID NOT "EXPIRE". WHEN THE REPAIR REQUEST WAS SUBMITTED TO FORD FOR AUTHORIZATION, FORD DECLINED. THE SERVICE MANAGER WAS SHOCKED AND I WAS TOLD THAT FORD SAID THE PROGRAM WAS DECLINED FOR THE PROGRAM MET ITS OBLIGATION AND I WAS TOLD TO KEEP THE RECEIPT FOR IT WOULD BE NECESSARY FOR FUTURE REIMBURSEMENTS. GOLF MILL FORD IN NILES, IL MADE THE REPAIR AND "GOOD DEAL" LABOR RATE TO ASSIST IN THE BILL AND FOR THIS I THANK THEM. HOWEVER, I AM SHOCKED THE FORD IS AWARE OF FIELD FAILURES IN A POORLY DESIGNED FIELD FIX AND HAS CHOSEN NOT TO PROPERLY REMEDY THE FIRST ATTEMPT AT A FIX. I HAVE PICTURES IF NECESSARY! *TR