NHTSA Complaint #10824515 — 2003 FORD WINDSTAR

OUR WINDSTAR WAS RECALLED 3 TIMES UNDER FORD'S SAFETY RECALL # 15S27/NHTSA RECALL # 15V-608 FOR THE REAR AXLE. THE FIRST RECALL WAS TO CHECK FOR CRACKS AND IF NONE FOUND, THE AXLE WAS PAINTED. THE SECOND RECALL WAS TO CHECK AGAIN FOR CRACKS AND IF NONE FOUND, THE FORD DEALERSHIP ATTACHED 2 BRACKETS THAT WERE NOT PAINTED. THE FIRST TWO RECALLS WERE FREE. THEN THE THIRD RECALL CAME TO AGAIN TO CHECK FOR CRACKS AND THIS TIME THEY FOUND 2 CRACKS IN OUR AXLE AND IT HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALERSHIP, PARK FORD IN MAHOPAC, NY 10541, PER FORD CORPORATE, CHARGED ME $300 PLUS $25.13 FOR TAX. THEY CALL THE CHARGE A "DISCOUNTED REPLACEMENT". I HAVE EXPERIENCED MANY RECALLS IN MY LIFE TIME AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT I HAVE BEEN CHARGED FOR A RECALL FOR A DEFECTIVE PART. HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE? ARE YOU AWARE THAT FORD IS CHARGING OWNERS FOR THIS RECALL? IS THIS LEGAL FOR FORD TO DO? FYI I ALSO COMPLAINED TO FORD'S CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS TOLD VIA EMAIL THAT I HAD TO PAY TO REPLACE THE AXLE. THIS WAS A DEFECTIVE AXLE AND NOT MY FAULT. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 84,520 MILES