NHTSA Complaint #11258314 — 2003 FORD WINDSTAR

I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT ABOUT 60 MPH CHANGING LANES TO THE RIGHT I COULD HEAR TIRES SQUEALING AND THE VAN FELT LIKE IT WAS GOING TO ROLL OVER TO THE LEFT. I REGAINED CONTROL, THEN I HEARD SOME CREAKING METAL NOISE, THEN I HEARD A RUBBING NOISE AND SAW A LOT OF SMOKE COMING FROM THE REAR. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND INSPECT, WHAT I FOUND WAS THE REAR AXLE WAS BROKEN AND DRIVER SIDE TIRE RUBBING INSIDE THE WHEEL WELL. I WAS VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE SOMEWHERE TO PULL OVER, OTHERWISE TO CONTINUE DRIVING COULD RUPTURE THE TIRE AND/OR I WOULD BE LEFT STRANDED IN HIGHWAY SPEED TRAFFIC.