NHTSA complaint: 1999 FORD WINDSTAR — STEERING
ON THE 21ST OF DEC 99, MY WIFE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN OUR WINDSTAR. THIS ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF THE HORN WERE USEABLE. THE WAY THE HORN BUTTON IS NOW YOU WILL HAVE A DIFFICULT TIME TRYING TO FIND THE EXACT SPOT TO PUSH TO GET THE HORN TO SOUND. WHEN TIME IS CRITICAL IN THE OUTCOME, SEARCHING FOR THAT EXACT SPOT ISN'T A PLAYER. THIS WAS THE CASE ON THE 21ST. WHEN AN INDIVIDUAL TRIED TO CROSS THE HIGHWAY HE HIT OUR VAN ON THE RIGHT SIDE CAUSING $6500 IN DAMAGE. PRIOR TO THE IMPACT SHE TRIED TO HIT THE HORN BUT COULD NOT FIND IT WHEN IT WAS NEEDED MOST. WE ARE ALMOST 100% POSITIVE THAT IF SHE COULD HAVE FOUND THE HORN SHE COULD HAVE SOUNDED IT, AND THE OTHER DRIVER WOULD HAVE SEEN HER COMING. LUCKILY MY 18 MONTH OLD AND 5 YR OLD DAUGHTERS WERE NOT WITH HER AT THE TIME. NOW I HAVE A $30,000 MINIVAN THAT WILL NEVER BE OF ANY VALUE AGAIN. SURE IT WILL BE FIXED, BUT WHO WOULD EVER WANT A VEHICLE LIKE THAT THAT HAS HAD EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. I GUESS THATS MY LOSS THOUGH.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — Office of Defects Investigation