NHTSA Complaint #738210 — 1995 FORD WINDSTAR

THE BRAKE LINES IN THIS VEHICLE WERE ROTTED AND WHEN I HAD TO STOP SHORT IN TRAFFIC, THE BRAKES LINES BURST IN TWO PLACES. I HAD SLOWED FROM ABOUT 40 TO ABOUT 10 MPH WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL FELL TO THE FLOOR AS ALL THE BRAKE FLUID WAS LOST. I STRUCK A CAR STUCK IN FRONT OF ME, AND PUSHED IT INTO A THIRD CAR IN FRONT OF IT. TOTAL BODY DAMAGE TO ALL THREE CARS WAS MORE THAN $6000, WUTH ONE OIF THE DRIVERS ALSO PUTTING IN MEDICAL BILLS FOR ABOUT $400(WHIPLASH). MY INSURANCE COMP[ANY BELIEVED ME, AS THEY HAD SPOKEN TO THE MECHANIC WORKING ON THER CAR THE NEXT MORNING. UNFORTUNEATELY THEY DISCARDED THE BRAKE LINES BEFORE I COULD GET THEM FOR MY INSURANCE CO., AMICA. FORD TURNED DOWN AMICA'S REQUEST THAT THEY SUBROGATE THE COSTS (SURPRISE!). IN RETROSPECT, I GUESS MY FAMILY AND I GOT OFF LUCKY, BUT IT COULD EASILY HAVE BEEN A LOT WORSE.*AK