NHTSA Complaint #10701869 — 2002 FORD WINDSTAR

I HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE BACK OF MY VAN. TOOK IT TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND LEARNED THE REAR AXLE HAD A LARGE CRACK AND WAS ALMOST BROKEN IN HALF. FORD HAS A RECALL IN EFFECT FOR 2002 FORD WINDSTAR'S FOR AXLES THAT ARE CRACKING/BREAKING (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V195000); HOWEVER, FORD IS SAYING THAT MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT A PART OF THEIR RECALL EVEN THOUGH I HAVE A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. I HAD THE REAR AXLE WELDED TO REPAIR THE CRACK. THIS WAS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE AXLE. I STARTED HEARING POPPING SOUNDS AGAIN, RETURNED TO THE REPAIR SHOP ONLY TO LEARN THE AXLE IS NOW BROKEN ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE AXLE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SITUATION AND I FEEL SINCE FORD HAS A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE THAT MY VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED. I AM AFRAID TO MAKE ANOTHER REPAIR SINCE THE AXLE MAY STILL CRACK AGAIN. PLEASE CONTACT FORD TO MAKE THEM INCLUDE ALL EFFECTED 2002 FORD WINDSTAR VEHICLES BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT!! *TR