TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE IN THE REAR WITH NO WARNING SIGNS FROM THE DASHBOARD. SHE SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING AND DROVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE. EVERYONE WAS ABLE TO SAFELY GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND A TOW TRUCK WAS CALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND THEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER ADVISED HER THAT THERE WAS A TOTAL FRACTURE IN THE REAR AXLE. SHE WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER THAT IT WOULD TAKE 4 WEEKS TO GET THE PARTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 104,000.