NHTSA Complaint #717531 — 1996 FORD AEROSTAR

DURING A BRAKE INSPECTION AT A TIRE STORE, IT WAS POINTED OUT THAT THE ORIGINAL ALUMINUM WHEELS WERE CRACKED. TWO OF THE LARGE SPOKES ON ONE WHEEL WERE CRACKED THROUGH. ONE OTHER WAS CRACKED BUT NOT ALL THE WAY THROUGH. I CALLED WENDLE FORD WHO HAD SOLD ME THE CAR. THEY SAID IT WASN'T A WARRANTY ITEM AND THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A FAILURE BEFORE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER SHIP TO SHOW THEM THE CRACKED WHEELS. THEY THEN TOLD ME THAT I WAS THE SECOND PERSON TODAY (JANUARY 14, 2000) WHO HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH CRACKED WHEELS ON AN AEROSTAR, BUT IT STILL ISN'T A WARRANTY OR RECALL ITEM AND THEY WOULD BE HAPPY TO SELL ME NEW WHEELS. I DON'T BELIEVE WHEELS SHOULD BE CRACKING AFTER 3 YEARS. THIS IS ALSO A SAFETY CONCERN. LUCKILY THE PROBLEM WAS FOUND BEFORE IT CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE TO BELIEVE THAT THIS PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD IF 2 OF US IN ONE DAY AT ONE DEALERSHIP HAD THE PROBLEM. *AK