NHTSA Complaint #10574147 — 2001 FORD WINDSTAR

FORTUNATELY THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT, BUT MY VEHICLE IS VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR SAFETY RECALL 11S16 . THE DEALER CONTACTED FORD BECAUSE SWAY BAR BUSHINGS ARE COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AND BROKEN, LEAVING NOTHING TO ATTACH THE SWAY BAR TO. FORD SAYS THE BRACKET IS OUTSIDE THE SCOPE AND ADVISES THE DEALER TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. 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 $2900. 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. *TR