NHTSA Complaint #11245856 — 2002 FORD WINDSTAR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING AND APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT, A LOUD NOISE OCCURRED AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AT A HIGH SPEED. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT COULD NOT GAIN CONTROL OR STOP THE VEHICLE. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOOSE AND THE CONTACT QUICKLY SHIFTED INTO PARK. THE CONTACT POWERED OFF THE ENGINE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, THE ENGINE REVVED HIGH. THE CONTACT POWERED OFF THE ENGINE AGAIN, EXITED THE VEHICLE, OPENED THE HOOD, AND NOTICED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS SHREDDED. ALSO, THE METAL PULLEYS WERE CRACKED IN SEVERAL PARTS AND SOME WERE MISSING. THE CONTACT NOTICED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE THAT THE MOTOR, SUBFRAME, AND MUFFLER WERE LAYING ON THE GROUND. A TOW TRUCK WAS CALLED AND THE DRIVER STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME GAVE OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S MOTHER'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V030000 (STRUCTURE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.