NHTSA Complaint #11020154 — 2000 FORD WINDSTAR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE REAR AXLE ON THE DRIVER SIDE FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION LETTER IN SEPTEMBER OF 2016 FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V608000 (SUSPENSION). ON OCTOBER 28, 2016, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (HUTCH FORD LINCOLN, 213 S MAYO TRAIL, PAINTSVILLE, KY, 41240) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE REMEDY DID NOT NEED TO BE APPLIED. THE CONTACT WENT TO AN UNKNOWN LOCAL DEALER IN PIKEVILLE, KY FOR A SECOND OPINION AND TO NOTIFY THEM THAT SHE OBSERVED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BOUNCED AND MADE AN ABNORMAL SQUEAKING SOUND. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT BECAUSE THE FIRST DEALER MARKED THE VEHICLE OFF FROM THE RECALL LIST, THAT THEY COULD NOT INSPECT THE VEHICLE FREE OF CHARGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED DUE TO THE FEE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 153,000.