NHTSA Complaint #10908286 — 2001 FORD WINDSTAR

WHILE DRIVING WITH MY THREE SMALL CHILDREN, THE REAR AXLE OF MY VAN BROKE. I WAS GOING AT A MINIMAL RATE OF SPEED AND WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER WITHOUT INJURY. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN SUBJECT TO NUMEROUS RECALLS, SEVERAL OF WHICH HAVE INCLUDED CORROSION OF THE SUBFRAME AND AXLE. OUR LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP IS TELLING ME THAT I MAY BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYMENT FOR REPAIR OF THE RECALLED PRODUCT. HOWEVER, I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE ANYMORE. THEY HAVE STATED THAT THEY WILL REPAIR THE DAMAGED PART WITH THE SAME REAR AXLE THAT HAS BEEN RECALLED NUMEROUS TIMES. THIS IS NOT A REMEDY. I AM TRYING TO GET THEM TO CONSIDER A TRADE-IN OR PRODUCT BUY-BACK. IF THEY WILL NOT, I WILL BE LEAVING A SIGNED STATEMENT WITH NEW SOUTH FORD (MERIDIAN, MS) STATING THAT I DO NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE DRIVING THE VEHICLE OFF THE LOT DUE TO THE RISK OF REAR AXLE CORROSION/FAILURE.