I purchased a uses 2004 Pontiac Montana on 1/23/05 and on 9/21/05 as I was driving on a city downhill street the rear axel became dislodged from the car. Pieces fell off the car and just missed oncoming traffic. Luckily I was only traveling about 25 mi. Per hr. The road was clear and dry. The car stopped immediately. It was determined that the tie rod holding the rear axel looked rusted and it cracked. The rod holding the rear axel is very thin metal and has designed holes in it. Just doesn't look like what should be holding a whole rear axel. The entire rear end of the car was replaced and I have been driving it. I don't feel safe in the car. Luckily I don't live where salted roads are necessary. The newspaper article re: 1998-2003 Ford Windstar rear axel corrosion alerted me to a corrosion problem maybe what happened to me. I did send an email to the ntsb at the time of the accident but was never contacted.

- Oakland, CA, USA