NHTSA Complaint #10732582 — 2002 FORD WINDSTAR

MY 2002 WINDSTAR HAD THE AXLE CRACK JUST UNDER THE RECALL REPAIR SLEEVE THE DRIVER'S SIDE ABOUT A MONTH AGO. I BROUGHT IT TO THE FORD DEALER WHO CONFIRMED IT WAS CRACKED AND GOT THE SAME RESPONSE AS THE OTHERS. FORD WARRANTIED THE REPAIR FOR 12 MONTHS. I HAD THE REPAIRS DONE DURING THE RECALL BRACKETS WERE ADDED TO REINFORCE THE AXLE. I CALLED 1-8003923673 (FORD COMPANY) FROM DIRECTION FROM THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. IT APPEARS THAT FORD PUT A BAND-AID ON THE PROBLEM AND GAVE A 12 MONTH WARRANTY ON IT. THAT'S RIDICULOUS! IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THEY DID NOT DO AN ADEQUATE ASSESSMENT ON THESE AXLES WHEN THEY MADE THE REPAIR/REPLACE DECISION. THEY KNEW ABOUT THE AXLE PROBLEMS IN 1998. STATED IN INTERNAL MEMO IN 1999 THAT HEAT TREATING COULD DOUBLE THE AXLE LIFE. IT'S SHAMEFUL WHAT THEY KNEW AND WHAT THEY IGNORED. I WAS TOLD THAT SINCE THE RECALL REPAIR WAS DONE OVER 12 MONTHS AGO THAT IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED.I BEING THE ONLY OWNER IT SHOULD BE A WAY TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM FIX BY FORD. I GUESS, I HAVE NOT MORE CHOICE TO DO THE REPAIR PAYING OUT OF MY POCKET (NOT A CHIP REPAIR) AND TO KEEP THE RECEIPT IN CASE THEY EXPANDED THE RECALL. I ALSO FOUND OUT TO GO TO NHTSA.GOV TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THEY WILL NOT EXPAND THE RECALL UNLESS ENOUGH COMPLAINTS ARE NOTED. CALLING TO THE DEALERSHIP IS NOT ENOUGH. YOU HAVE TO CALL FORD CO. 1-800-3923673 AND VISIT NHTSA.GOV BEFORE IT IS OFFICIALLY NOTED.