NHTSA Complaint #10948863 — 2003 FORD WINDSTAR

I WAS INFORMED OF A RECALL TO THE REAR AXLE ON MY 2003 FORD WINDSTAR, I TOOK THE VAN INTO THE DEALER AND HAD THE INSPECTION DONE AS WELL AS THE BRACKETS INSTALLED. ( 15S27). THE VAN WAS THEN PARKED FOR APPROX 5 MONTHS AFTER THE PROCEDURE WAS DONE AS I WAS GIVEN A COMPANY VEHICLE. I WAS THEN LET GO FROM MY JOB AND BEGAN TO DRIVE THE OLD TRUSTY VAN THAT WE HAVE AROUND. 2 WEEKS INTO DRIVING IT ON A REGULAR BASIS I BEGAN TO SMELL AN ODOR OF BURNING RUBBER. NURSED THE VAN HOME AND BEGAN TO ATTEMPT TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. CHANGED THE WHEEL BEARING ON THE DRIVERS REAR AS I THOUGHT THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. GOT IT ALL BACK TOGETHER AND FOUND OUT I STILL HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. HAD AAA TOW THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY INFORMED ME THAT NOW MY AXLE WAS BROKEN, AND BY THE WAY THE RECALL WAS NOW OVER AND I WOULD BE REQUIRED TO PAY 1150.00 FOR A NEW ONE. THIS VEHICLE WAS NEVER CORRECTLY INSPECTED TO IDENTIFY THIS PROBLEM, IT WAS JUST SHUFFLED THROUGH AND NOW NOBODY WILL STAND UP AND MAKE THE REPAIR. I HAVE BEEN CHEATED BY THE SYSTEM. I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS IS FAIR NOR DO I BELIEVE IT WAS EVER DONE CORRECTLY. *TR