NHTSA Complaint #10617779 — 2001 FORD WINDSTAR

TOOK FORD WINDSTAR VAN 2001 IN FOR BRAKE INSPECTION BACK ON MARCH 31,2014 WAS SHOWN PICTURE OF REAR AXLE THAT WAS CRACKED IN HALF BUT HAD THE FORD MANUFACTURED BRACKET INSTALLED AS A FIX TO THE RECALLED AXLE ( WHICH I WAS NOT TOLD ABOUT WHEN WE PURCHASED THE USED VAN FROM THE DEALERSHIP). ON MARCH 31, 2014 MY MECHANIC TOLD ME HE WOULD NOT GO ON THE EXPRESSWAY WITH IT. TODAY, 7/30/14 I WAS DRIVING WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE VAN AND I HEARD A TERRIBLE NOISE COMING FROM REAR OF THE VAN. I SLOWED DOWN AND DROVE HOME. WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE VAN AT HOME BOTH OF MY REAR TIRES WERE LEANING INWARDS AND UPON FURTHER INSPECTION LOOKED UNDER THE VAN AND SAW THE AXLE COMPLETELY CRACKED IN HALF WITH A GOOD HALF AN INCH WIDE CRACK THROUGH THE AXLE. WHEN THE MECHANIC TOOK PICTURE BACK IN MARCH THE CRACK WAS A HAIRLINE CRACK. PLEASE LET EVERYONE BE AWARE OF THIS LIFE THREATENING SITUATION. IF YOU DRIVE A FORD WINDSTAR THAT HAS BEEN RECALLED AND FIXED WITH A BRACKET FOR THE REAR AXLE DO NOT GET BEHIND THE WHEEL IT IS A DEATH TRAP!!!!!!!!!!!! *TR