NHTSA Complaint #761511 — 1998 FORD WINDSTAR

I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO WALKER FORD ON 3/14/202 FOR A PROTECTIVE SPRING SHIELD, RECALL #01S19. WE NOTICED A CLUNKING NOISE FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SHORRTLY AFTER. WE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK TO WALKER FORD ON 5/3/02. UPON INSPECTION, WE WERE TOLD THE WELD FOR THE SUB FRAME WAS BROKEN. THIS HOLDS UP THE TRANSMISSION,ENGINE, SUSPENSION,.. THIS IS DEFINIEETLY A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE AND GONE UNCHECKED, I BELIEVE IT COULD HAVE LED TO A MAJOR ACCIDENT AND POSSIBLE INJURIES, NOT JUST TO MYSELF, BUT OTHERS WHO MAY BE DRIVING A VEHICLE WITH A SIMILAR PROBLEM. THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED AS PART OF ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND IS VERY RARE AND UNCOMMON FOR THIS TO BREAK, AS CONFIRMED BY ANOTHER MECHANIC. I BELIEVE THE WELD WAS DEFECTIVE. THIS VEHICEL IS WELL MAINTAINED AND THERE IS NO CAUSE FOR THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM OTHER THAN A DEFECT.