NHTSA complaint: 1995 FORD WINDSTAR — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
ON AUGUST 4, 1999 MY WIFE RETURNED HOME FROM AN ERRAND, PARKED THE VEHICLE ON THE FLAT SECTION OF OUR DRIVEWAY, PUT THE CAR IN "PARK" TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND REMOVED THE KEYS FROM THE IGNITION. SHE THEN WENT TO THE BACK LIFTGATE, OPENED IT TO REMOVE SOME ITEMS AND CLOSED THE LIFTGATE, WHICH REQUIRES A FAIR AMOUNT OF FORCE. SHE THEN WENT INTO THE HOUSE TO PUT AWAY THE ITEMS AND GET READY TO LEAVE AGAIN. DURING THIS TIME 2 OF OUR CHILDREN, PLUS A FRIEND OF ONE OF MY CHILDREN, GOT INTO THE BACK SEATS OF THE VEHICLE TO GET READY TO LEAVE WITH MY WIFE. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO ROLL FORWARD OFF THE FLAT DRIVEWAY, BEYOND WHICH IS A DOWNWARD SLOPING SIDE YARD. THE CAR ROLLED DOWNHILL APPROX 80 FEET AND HIT A TREE. BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND THE FRONT END SUSTAINED MAJOR DAMAGE. THE EXACT COST OF THE REPAIRS IS STILL NOT DETERMINED - THE CAR MAY BE TOTALLED. I HAVE HEARD ANTECDOTAL STORIES OF FORD TRANSMISSIONS JUMPING INTO GEAR, BUT I AM VERY CONCERNED IF MY VEHICLE IS NOT TOTALLED THAT I WILL HAVE TO TAKE BACK A DEFECTIVE VEHICLE. MY INSURANCE COMPANY INFORMS ME THEY ARE CONCERNED ONLY WITH COLLISION DAMAGE, NOT WITH A POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION. HOW SHOULD I PROCEED AFTER SUBMITTING THIS NOTICE?
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — Office of Defects Investigation