NHTSA Complaint #756976 — 2001 FORD WINDSTAR

THE PASSENGER SLIDING DOOR MECHANISM SEALED COMPLETELY ON MY RIGHT THUMB. IT DID NOT SENSE THAT THERE WAS AN OBSTRUCTION AND MY THUMB WAS DAMAGED EXTENSIVELY. WHEN THUMB WAS RELEASED, IT WAS COMPLETELY FLAT (SIZE OF A FLAT QUARTER) AND HAD EXTENSIVE CRUSHING DAMAGE. HAD NO FEELING FOR 4 MONTHS. NAIL DIED AND TOOK UNTIL JANUARY 2002 TO FALL OFF, CAUSING MUCH DISCOMFORT AND INABILITY TO PERFORM DAILY TASKS FOR FAMILY. CURRENTLY, NAIL HAS NOT GROWN BACK AND MAY NOT EVER. THIS DOOR MECHANISM, WHEN TESTED SHUT ON PLASTIC CUPS, STICKS, AND OTHER SMALL OBJECTS. THIS IS A FAMILY VEHICLE AND SHOULD HAVE AN INFA RED SENSOR THAT BACKS UP THE DOOR WHENEVER ITS BEAM IS BROKEN. IT CURRENTLY HAS A MECHANICAL SENSOR SO ONLY IF SOMETHING SUBSTANTIAL (IE: AN ADULTS WHOLE BODY) IS WEDGED IN DOOR, WILL IT BACK UP. EVEN THEN, IT CLOSES CONSIDERABLY (AND FRIGHTENINGLY ON VICTOM) BEFORE OPENING. I FEAR THAT ONE OF MY CHILDREN WILL GET WRIST OR HAND CLOSED AND CAUSE SERIOUS DAMAGE. I STILL HAVE SHOOTING PAIN IN JOINT OF THUMB AND NO THUMB NAIL. I NEED HELP DEMONSTRATING PRODUCT MALFUNCTION BEFORE MY CHILD OR SOMEONE ELSE'S IS SERIOUSLY CRUSHED!*AK