NHTSA Complaint #11422981 — 2001 FORD WINDSTAR

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed when they heard a loud popping sound coming from the vehicle. The driver looked out the rear-view mirror and saw smoke coming from the vehicle. The driver pulled over to the side of the roadway. The driver called the contact to come to where the vehicle was pulled over to inspect the vehicle. The contact became aware that the driver’s side rear axle was fractured. The contact had the vehicle towed to his residence. The contact had the vehicle towed to the local dealer to be inspected. The mechanic confirmed that the driver’s side rear axle was fractured. The vehicle was not repaired because the manufacturer denied that the rear axle bracket matched the measurement for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage 136,397.