NHTSA Complaint #755620 — 2001 FORD WINDSTAR

I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ON NOVEMBER 10, 2001. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN BROUGHT FROM ANOTHER DEALER, AND WHEN I PICKED IT UP, IT WAS PURPORTED TO HAVE BEEN EXAMINED AND EVERYTHING WORKING. WHEN I GOT A FEW MILES DOWN THE ROAD, I NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS FLASHING. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD TO TAKE IT TO A DEALER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND HAVE IT CHECKED. SINCE IT WAS SATURDAY, I HAD TO WAIT UNTIL THE NEXT WEEK TO HAVE IT CHECKED. I WAS TOLD AT PRESTIGE FORD THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR MODULE WAS NOT THE RIGHT ONE FOR MY CAR. THE CAR WAS MANUFACTURED 3 DAYS AFTER THE MODULES CHANGED FOR THE NEW CARS. THEY ORDERED THE PART, I CAME BACK A WEEK LATER TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. THE COMPUTER STILL SHOWED A PROBLEM, AND MECHANIC SAID THAT HE HAD REPLACED THE PART BUT WOULD HAVE TO CONTACT FORD TO SEE WHAT TO DO ABOUT THE OTHER PROBLEM. A WEEK LATER HE CALLED AND SAID HE HAD NOT REACHED FORD YET. I SAID THAT MY AIR BAG WORKED, THOUGH, AND HE SAID NO. THE NEXT DAY I WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE IN A FRONT END CRASH. WE STRUCK AT APPROX. SAME ANGLE AND BOTH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. MINE DID NOT. I STOPPED WHEN I SAW HER COME OVER ON WRONG SIDE OF THE ROAD. SHE HIT ME AT APPROX. 35 MPH. MIDDLE SEAT IN THE CAR CAME OUT OF THE ANCHORS. I HIT THE STEERING WHEEL AND WAS THROWN AGAINST THE DOOR. I WAS INJURED, NECK, CHEST, ARM, SIDE. I BELIEVE THE VEHICLE WAS DEFECTIVE, I WAS ALLOWED TO DRIVE IT WITHOUT THE OFFER OF A LOANER, AND I FEEL THAT THE AIR BAG COULD HAVE DIMINISHED MY INJURIES. I AM ALSO VERY CONCERNED ABOUT BACK SEAT COMING LOOSE.*AK