NHTSA Complaint #728636 — 1998 FORD WINDSTAR

AT THE 75000 MILE CHECK UP WITH HENRY CURTIS FORD, WE ASKED THAT THEY CHECK OUT AN ABNORMAL NOISE IN THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL. THEY REPORTED THAT THEY COULD NOT HEAR ANY PROBLEM. WE DROVE THE VAN TO UTAH THE NEXT WEEK. ON THE WAY BACK THE NOISE BECAME INCREASINGLY WORSE. WE DROVE IT LOCALLY FOR TWO WEEKS WITH THE NOISE BECOMING WORSE. WE CALLED FOR ANOTHER APPOINTMENT AFTER IT SOUNDED LIKE SOMETHING BROKE. WE TRIED DRIVING TO THE DEALERSHIP BUT ENDED UP NEEDING A TOW WHEN THE WHEEL BROKE. ABOUT SIX WEEKS LATER THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE BEGAN TO LOSE AIR. THINKING THAT WE HAD PICKED UP A NAIL WE WENT TO THE TIRE SHOP TO GET THE TIRE REPAIRED. THE SHOP DISCOVERED THAT THE WHEEL WAS LEAKING AIR AT THE WELDS. AFTER CALLING AROUND TO FIND A NEW WHEEL THEY CAME AND TOLD US THAT WHEELS WERE HARD TO FIND BECAUSE SO MANY WERE LEAKING AND BREAKING AT THE WELDS. QUITE FRANKLY I AM AFRAID TO LET MY WIFE PUT HERSELF AND OUR CHILDREN AT RISK OF THE WHEELS BREAKING WHILE SHE IS GOING SOMEWHERE. I WENT TO THE DEALER TO SEE WHAT THEY KNEW ABOUT THIS AND THEY SAID THEY KNEW NOTHING. I ASKED WHO THE MANUFACTURER OF THE WHEELS IS AND THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO GIVE ME THAT INFORMATION. I AM UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT THIS IS THE ONLY WHEEL FOR THAT CAR. I AM CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF OTHER FAMILIES WHO MIGHT BE TRAVELING IN A VAN THAT THEY FEEL IS SAFE WHEN THE DEALER CAN'T EVEN FIND THE PROBLEM AND SENDS THEM OFF TO THEIR DESTINATION WITH A FALSE IDEA OF SAFETY. I SHUDDER TO THINK WHAT WOULD HAPPEN TO A FAMILY TRAVELING AT 75 MPH DOWN A MOUNTAIN PASS IN NEVADA AND A WHEEL BREAKS. HAVE YOU HAD OTHER REPORTS OF THIS NATURE?