I received the recall letter from Ford, took it to the dealer and had it inspected. They told me everything was fine. Less than a month later I was driving and blew my drivers side rear tire. Had it towed to a shop (no longer have a spare) they in turn put a new tire on and then informed me that they could not allow me to drive it. They showed me that my rear axle had cracked and that was what caused the tire to blow.

So I called the dealer and they were very rude and said that they need to inspect the vehicle to find out what the problem was, I in turn told them what the problem was and that it had been noted from my mechanic that fixed the tire. I told them that they just had inspected it and said it was fine. No matter they want to inspect again ( mind you they didn't even have the decency to put the car in our name just the VIN.) Upon finding my car in their records they said they still need to see it and then it would cost $300 to replace. This should be free since it was their fault because they said it was fine.

In September of 2015, I received a recall notice on my 2001 Windstar van, stating that Ford Motor had some problems with repairs that had been completed as part of a earlier recall repair correcting the weak rear axle on this vehicle. Not having any issues with the vehicle, I waited.

On Friday 1/8/16, I heard some strange noises from the rear of the vehicle while taking a left hand turn in a parking lot. On Monday 1/11/16, while driving at highway speeds, a low grinding noise emanated from the rear of the vehicle and I stopped to inspect the left rear wheel. The rear axle was bent and the top of the wheel had begun rubbing on the inside of the wheel well. I slowly drove to the Ford dealership and left the car to be examined, thinking about that recalled recall from Sept.

The service manager let me know that the recall was to inspect the reinforcement brackets installed under safety recall 10S13 and if they were not installed properly the axle would be replaced free of charge, but if properly installed, the axle replacement would cost me $300. Yes, the brackets were installed properly, the axle is broken and not safe to drive and Ford Motor expects me to pay $300 for the replacement.

After spending an hour on the phone with the company Ford Motor hires to deal with unhappy customers, the agent informed me that while the brackets designed to keep the axle from breaking were installed properly, I would need to pay to replace the axle that was, in fact, broken. The logic escapes me, along with my $300.

Called up Ford customer care about my rear axle collapsing while driving. They told me that a recall notice was done in 2011 on the van, but at the the time I do not have a problem. The first fix did not work caused the sub frame of the rear axle collapses according to the shop where the van was towed. It needed a subframe assembly of the rear axle. Ford told me that it is passed the warranty period and they will not cover cost of repair. It is a good thing that there was no accident when it happen- best Mother's Day gift.

Just what FORD means- FOUND ON THE ROAD DEAD!!! Just junk the minivan.