NHTSA Complaint #765028 — 1996 FORD WINDSTAR

AT SPEEDS OF 35MPH OR HIGHER THE SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE WAVERS SEVERELY MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO DETERMINE THE CORRECT SPEED. THIS DEFECT HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE NHTSA MORE THAN 100 TIMES. I REPORTED THIS TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD I HAD TO PAY FOR REPAIRS. AT 49000 MILES THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING. AS A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER I HAVE DRIVEN NUMEROUS FORD VEHICLES WELL OVER 100000 MILES AND NONE OF THEM HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. THIS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A MANUFACTURERS FLAW AND BE REPLACED BY THEM. THIS IS DEFINATLEY A SAFETY ISSUE! IF A VEHICLE OPERATOR CANNOT DETERMINE HOW FAST THEY ARE GOING THIS CVOULD RESULT IN A SERIOUS INJURY. THIS IS EVEN MORE EVIDENT DURING REDUCED VISIBLITY AND/OR AT NIGHT WHEN IT IS EVEN MORE DIFFICULT TO DETERMINE SPEEDS. I APPRECIATE ANY ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER IF POSSIBLE.*AK