1996 FORD WINDSTAR Suspension Problems

I BROUGHT KIDS TO SCHOOL AND I WAS PULLING OUT. I HEARD A NOISE AND MY TIRE WENT FLAT. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED HOME. MY HUSBAND CHECKED IT OUT AND FOUND THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE AND STABBED THE TIRE. I SAW THERE WAS A RECALL SO HOPEFULLY IT IS STILL COVERED BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE 100.00 TO FIX SOMETHING THAT'S ALREADY BEEN RECALLED. *LN

Mileage: 168,000

FORD WINDSTAR BRAKE, ABS BRAKE, CRUISE CONTROL, AND SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS REAR AXLE CRACKS! *TR

Mileage: 100,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE REVERSING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY AT LOW SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD AN UNUSUALLY LOUD NOISE. WHEN FURTHER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT FOUND THAT THE BRAKE LINES WAS BEING PINCHED BY THE SPRINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE AND THAT REPAIRS WOULD BE AT HIS EXPENSE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 164,954.

Mileage: 164,954

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE CAUSING THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE TO COLLAPSE. THE COIL SPRING TRAVELED THROUGH THE SIDEWALL OF THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 169,105.

Mileage: 169,105

FRONT SWAY BAR IS FOUND TO BE HOLLOW AND BROKE IN HALF ON PASSENGERS SIDE. FORD SHOULD BE LIABLE FOR THE REPAIR COST SINCE THEY WERE AWARE THAT THEY WOULD NOT HOLD UP IN SALTY AND SNOWY CONDITIONS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RIGHT CONTROL ARM OF THE REAR AXLE HAS SPLIT IN HALF. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHIFT. THE FAILURE HAS CAUSED THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL TO SHIFT BACK THREE INCHES. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED HIM TO CALL NHTSA. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 85,000.

Mileage: 85,000

1996 FORD WINDSTAR COIL SPRING WAS FOUND BY NON-FORD DEALER MECHANIC TO BE BROKEN IN HALF AND CAUSING BANGING NOISE IN FRONT END. FORD DEALER COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM, BUT BOTH COIL SPRINGS AND STRUTS WERE EVENTUALLY REPLACED BY NON-FORD MECHANIC BEFORE I WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT FORD'S RECALL ON THE COIL SPRINGS. AM I ENTITLED FOR REIMBURSEMENT BY FORD FOR THE COST OF THE REPAIR BILL? *NM

FRONT STABILIZER BAR BROKEN. TRIED TO GET PART. I WAS TOLD NOT YET AVAILABLE. *JB

Mileage: 105,450

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD WINDSTAR. THE SWAY BAR BROKE IN HALF. THE SWAY BAR WAS CONNECTED TO THE CARRIAGE. THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING AND RESULTED IN A COLLISION. THE SWAY BAR SNAPPED ABOUT THREE INCHES OUTSIDE OF THE LEFT FRAME BUSHING. IT WAS ALSO RUSTED AND CORRODED. IT WAS A HOLLOW TUBE THAT HAD BEEN CRACKED FOR SOMETIME. THE CONSUMER COULD TELL IT WAS CRACKED DUE TO CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FORD WHO INDICATED THAT EVERYTHING WAS FINE. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE FRONT WHEEL WAS LEANING. *AK *NM

I HAVE A 1996 FORD WINDSTAR 3.8L ENGINE WITH A BROKEN FRONT STABILIZER BAR. ABOUT 12 INCHES OF IT ARE HANGING NEAR THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. I CHECKED A FRIENDS WINDSTAR OF SIMILAR VINTAGE AND HE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM! THAT'S TWO OUT OF TWO. I KNOW FORD HAS RECALLED SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH OTHER VEHICLES. *JB

Mileage: 155,000

VEHICLE HAD CONSTANT ENGINE PROBLEMS ALONG WITH OTHER PROBLEMS THAT SURFACED AND ENDED ITS LIFE CYCLE. *LA THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED COOLANT LEAKS, HARD STARTING, ELECTRICAL NOISES, RADIO NOISES, VIBRATION UPON ACCELERATION ALONG WITH THUMPING NOISES, ERRATIC DASH LIGHT ILLUMINATION, INTERMITTENT DOOR AJAR LIGHT, BEARING NOISE AND THE ENGINE BLEW OUT PREMATURELY. *SC *JB FROM A NORMAL SITTING POSITION THE CONSUMER COULD NOT SEE THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. IT WASN'T UNTIL HE DROPPED SOMETHING ON THE FLOOR AND LOOKED UP THAT HE SAW THE LIGHT ON. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 FORD WINDSTAR. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED ON MARCH 17, 2005. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALERSHIP VERBALLY TOLD HER THAT VEHICLE WOULD PASS INSPECTION. HOWEVER, SHE DID NOT HAVE THIS INFORMATION IN WRITING. ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO THE STABILIZER BAR BROKE WHILE PULLING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS INJURED. HOWEVER, THERE WERE CHILDREN IN THE CAR. AFTER EXAMINING THE BROKEN STABILIZER BAR ONE COULD TELL THAT THE BAR WAS SHREDDED, AND THEY SAW WHERE THE BAR HAD BEEN WELDED ONTO THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE DEALERSHIP SHE ASKED IF THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT PRIOR TO PURCHASING IT. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN AN ACCIDENT, AND THERE WAS NO POLICE REPORT. HOWEVER, THERE WERE PREVIOUS ACCIDENTS PRIOR TO THE CONTACT'S OWNERSHIP OF THIS VEHICLE.*AK

WHILE DRIVING MY 1996 FORD WINDSTAR WITH MY FOUR CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE, THE REAR AXLE ARM CRACKED IN HALF CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO GO OUT OF CONTROL. WE WERE LUCKY TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD OFF OF THE HIGHWAY DRIVING AT 55 MPH DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT, NOR DID WE HIT ANYTHING. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE MECHANIC WHO HAS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE AXLE. THE COST WILL BE OVER $1,000. WE HAVE CONTINUAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE.

1996 FORD WINDSTAR - FRONT SPRING BROKE AND PUNCTURED TIRE. FORTUNATELY, I WAS JUST LEAVING MY DRIVEWAY. I DREAD TO THINK WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF I HAD BEEN TRAVELLING AT ANY SPEED. THE SPRING PUNCTURED AND WENT INTO MY TIRE - I COULDN'T REMOVE THE TIRE. I CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE WHO REFERRED ME TO A DEALERSHIP. THE CAR WAS TOWED AND THE SPRINGS WERE BOTH REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE ALONG WITH A NEW TIRE. HOWEVER, THIS WAS A RECALL AND I ONLY KNEW ABOUT IT FROM WORD OF MOUTH. FORD SHOULD HAVE NOTIFIED ME OF THE PROBLEM. THIS TYPE OF FAULT COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY AND THE PUBLIC SHOULD BE AWARE. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER SAID HE HAD SEEN THIS HAPPEN TO A FORD TAURUS AS WELL.

Mileage: 81,000

THE STABILIZER BAR BROKE ABOUT 5 INCHES FROM THE TIRE AFTER THE BEND AND INTO THE STRAIGHT PART OF THE BAR. EFFORTS I HAVE MADE TO FIND A REPLACEMENT PART NEW OR USED IS PROVEING DIFFICULT BECAUSE EVERY SINGLE PLACE HAS BEEN OUT OF THEM, THIS WOULD INDICATE TO ME THAT THERE IS A RASH OF BRAKEAGES OF THIS PART AND NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT.*AK

Mileage: 109,458

CONSUMER STATED THE STABILIZER BAR RUSTED AND BROKE THROUGH. AS A RESULT, A GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD WHEN TURNING IN EITHER DIRECTION.*AK

Mileage: 101,000

THE VEHICLE'S DOOR LOCKS LOCKED AND UNLOCKED ON THEIR OWN. *NM THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL AND THE ENGINE LIGHT AND THE ABS LIGHT WAS INTERMITTENT. THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED AN ACCIDENT WHICH MAY BE DUE TO THE BRAKE LINES. REFER TO RECALL#02V101000. *SC THE SWAY BAR RATTLED, THE TIE RODS WERE REPLACED. *JB

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 01I007000 NOTICE CONCERNING FRONT COIL SPRINGS. CONSUMER WENT TO THE DEALER WHEN THE RECALL WAS RECOGNIZED. HOWEVER, DEALER TOLD CONSUMER THAT THEY WILL NOT REPLACE THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS UNTIL ONE WAS BROKEN. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN THE SPRING BROKE IT PUNCTURED THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE TIRE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STAND STILL. *TC

Mileage: 117,400

WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRINGS SHEARED OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE SHIFTED TO THE RIGHT THEN FELL TO GROUND. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRINGS NEEDED REPLACEMENT. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

I JUST PAID OUR LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP (VAN WAS IN FOR A NYS INSPECTION) TO PERFORM WELD REPAIR ON THE "FRONT STRUT/CONTROL ARM SUPPORT ROD" BUSHINGS BECAUSE THEY WERE LOOSE AND, IN THE DEALERS WORDS, A SAFETY HAZARD (LOOSE DUE TO CORROSION AND QUESTIONABLE WELD QUALITY BY FORD MANUFACTURING). DEGRADATION OF WELDS ON A MAJOR SUSPENSION COMPONENT UNDER NORMAL WEAR & TEAR CONDITIONS- ISN'T THAT A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE? HOW MANY WINDSTARS HAS THIS HAPPENED TO? I CAN SEE REPLACING COMPONENTS (I.E. BRAKES, ALTERNATORS, TIRES, ETC.) OVER THE LIVE OF A VEHICLE BUT WELD REPAIR ON THE SUSPENSION SUB-FRAME? BASED ON OTHER COMPLAINTS, IS THIS A VIABLE CONDITION OR DID THE DEALER FLEECE ME? *AK

Mileage: 161,066

MY WIFE AND I OWN A 1996 WINDSTAR. GREAT VEHICLE, WE NOW HAVE 140000 MILES. COMPLAINT: FORD CAMPAIGN #01I007000 (FRONT COIL SPRINGS) MY REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT WAS DENIED VIA LLOYD-MANWELL FORD DEALERSHIP. THE SPRING BROKE ON THE HIGHWAY, LUCKY I (OR FAMILY) NOT INJURED. TOOK VEHICLE FOR REPAIR TO 3RD PARTY. FORD HAS THE FILE DETAILS. INCREDIBLE THAT FORD WOULD DENY A $200 CLAIM ON A TECHNICALITY AND THUS RISK A LIFETIME CUSTOMER. I WILL APPEAL ALL THE WAY TO BILL FORD IF NECESSARY.*AK

Mileage: 100,000

REPLACED RACK AND PINION FOR THE SECOND TIME 8/01 ( BY DEALERSHIP) AND 5/03. ALSO REPLACED FRONT END BEARING IN 1999 AND TRANSMISSION. WIRING HARNESS IN 2000. REAR A/C DOES NOT WORK AND THAT'S ONLY THE ITEMS I CAN REMEBER.*AK

Mileage: 85,550

THE FRONT STABILIZER BAR HAS BROKEN ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AT THE POINT WHERE THE BAR ATTACHES TO THE FRAME.*AK

CONSUMER STATES THAT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

FRONT LEFT SPRING BROKE PUNCTURING TIRE. VEHICLE HAD BEEN RETURNED FOR SERVICE ON DEFECTIVE PART, AT TIME WE WERE TOLD NOT TO WORRY WE WOULD KNOW WHEN PART NEEDED REPLACED. *NLM

Mileage: 900,000

THE CONSUMER REQUESTED AN INVESTIGATION OF FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND THEIR LACK OF RECALLS ON SOME SERIOUS DEFECTS. *MR. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A CLUNKING SOUND, HOWEVER THE DEALER STATED THE CLUNKING SOUND WAS NORMAL AND THEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED, THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED WITH ANOTHER FORD TRANSMISSION, WHICH FAILED ON A TEST DRIVE AND ONE OTHER OCCASION. COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE ENGINE THROUGH THE INTAKE GASKET, WHICH WAS RECALLED FOR THE 95 MODELS. THE TIMING CHAIN LEAKED. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE COILS IN THE SUSPENSION, WHICH FORD WOULD ONLY REPLACE WHEN THEY FAILED. THE BRAKE ROTORS FAILED AT 30000 MILES. SCC *JB

Mileage: 30,000

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS PUNCTURED THE DRIVER'S FRONT TIRE ALMOST RESULTING IN VEHICLE CRASHING. *NLM

THE STABILIZER BAR BROKE CAUSING VERY UNSTABLE DRIVING. WIFE COMPLAINED AND I LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND SAW THE BAR HANGING. IT LOOKS RUSTED THROUGH. THE CENTER OF THE BAR HAS AN OVBIOUS HOLE SO EITHER IT WAS MADE DEFECTIVE. VEHICLE IS UNDRIVABLE AND DANGERIOUS. MR

CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD BANG NOISE AND A CLUNK NOISE FROM THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL AREA. *SLC

WHEN STOPPING AT A LIGHT, ENGINE SOMETIMES WILL DIE. VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD AFTER PULLING OFF FROM A STOP. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, THEY REPLACED SOMETHING, AND TWO WEEKS LATER PROBLEM REOCCURRED. *AK THE ENGINE STALLS WHENEVER MORE THAN ONE DEVICE IS TURNED ON AT THE SAME TIME. THIS PROBLEM MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN HEAD LIGHTS AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON TOGETHER. THE VEHICLE ALSO SHAKES VIOLENTLY AFTER BEING DRIVEN FOR FEW HOURS. *YH

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING THE SWAY BAR BROKE, WITHOUT ANY WARNING. DEALER CONTACTED.*JB *YH

STABILIZER BAR COMPLETELY SNAPPED, CAUSING SIGNIFICANT BODY LEAN. REPLACEMENT IS NO LONGER HOLLOW.*AK

LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE STRUT BUSHINGS FAILED, CAUSING A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION TO EXIST IN THE FRONT END. MY MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORDS. IF SO, I FEEL THAT THE WHOLE SYSTEM SHOULD BE REPLACED BY THE MANUFACTURER. OTHERWISE, I SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR THE REWELDING OF THE BUSHINGS ($100.00).*AK

VEHICLE IS RIDING EXTREMELY ROUGH, CAUSING DIFFICULTY IN STEERING VEHICLE. MECHANIC STATED HEAD GASKETS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

CONSUMER WAS CALLING DEALER IN REGARD TO RECALL #01I007000 FOR FRONT COIL SPRINGS ON PREVIOUS MODEL YEAR VEHICLE. CONSUMER WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED FOR REPAIRS, BUT REFUSED TO REPAIR VEHICLE FREE OF CHARGE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AIK

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 30MPH ON SIDE STREET AND HEARD A NOISE. CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES, AND PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. VEHICLE STARTED PULLING TO RIGHT, SHE WAS ABLE TO CONTROL VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. MECHANIC STATED THAT LEFT REAR BACKING PLATE AND BRAKE SHOE ANCHOR RIVETS SHEARED OFF. *AK

THE FRONT COIL SPRING OF THE VEHICLE BROKE TEARING THE BRAKE LINE AND RIPPING OUT DRIVER SIDE TIRE AND THE FRONT END WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING. *YH

THE FRONT COIL SPRING OF THE VEHICLE BROKE TEARING THE BRAKE LINE AND RIPPING OUT DRIVER SIDE TIRE AND THE FRONT END WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING. *YH

THE CAR HAS BEEN RIDING ROUGH AND WHEN YOU WENT OVER BUMPS IN THE ROAD OR THE SURFACE WAS NOT EVEN, THE ENGINE FELT LIKE IT WAS ABOUT TO FALL OUT OF THE CAR. I HAD THE SHOCKS AND STRUTS CHECKED AND THEY WERE FINE. I DID RECEIVE AN EXTENDED COVERAGE ANNOUNCEMENT IN THE MAIL ON 8/2001 (PROGRAM #01M03) FOR THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS AND ASSUMED THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. I BROUGHT IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THE SPRINGS WERE FINE BUT, THEY HAD TO "WELD BOTH OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARE BRACKETS BACK ON TO THE CAR". THEY DID NOT GO INTO ANY EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THIS HAPPENED BUT I GOT THE FEELING FROM THEIR TONE OF VOICE AND BODY LANGUAGE THAT THIS WAS NOT SUPPOSE TO HAPPEN.*AK

WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE FAILS TO SHIFT INTO GEARS WHICH HAS CAUSED PROBLEMS WHEN ACCELERATING. ALSO, WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED A NOISE OCCURS IN FRONT END OF VEHICLE CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND PASSENGER'S DOOR CAME OPEN WITHOUT TOUCHING ELECTRICAL WINDOWS. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. ALSO, COIL SPRING FAILED DURING INSTALLATION. VEHICLE HAD SIX INCH SUSPENSION. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEMS. *AK

FRONT SPRING FRACTURED FOR NO REASON OTHER THAN IT WAS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT.FORTUNATE FOR US THE VAN WAS PARKED WHEN THE SPRING BROKE .HAD WE BEEN DRIVING WHEN THE SPRING BROKE ,IT WOULD HAVE PUCTURED THE FRONT TIRE AND POSSIBLY CAUSE ME TO LOOSE CONTROLL OF THE VAN .I PURCHASED A NEW SPRING FROM A FORD DEALER AND REPLACED THE FRACTURED SPRING .MY CONCERN IS I HAVE LEARNED THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH THE FRONT SPRINGS AND THAT NOTHING IS BEING DONE TO HOLD FORD ACCOUNTABLE TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE SPRINGS.THIS SEEMS TO BE A MAJOR PROBLEM. THANK YOU. I LOOK FORWARD TO HEAR FROM YOU IN REGARDS TO THIS PROBLEM.*AK

THE FRONT SUSPENSION SPRING ON DRIVER SIDE SNAPPED AND WENT INTO TIRE, HOWEVER THE TIRE WAS NOT DAMAGED.*YH

ON JUNE 6TH AS I WAS LEAVING MY DRIVEWAY TO GO TO WORK THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE SPRING BROKE OFF CAUSING THE LEFT FRONT TO DROP DOWN ON THE TIRE. AFTER CALLING THE DEALERSHIP (ARTINO FORD IN HURON, OHIO) I FOUND OUT THIS WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I ASKED THEM IF THEY HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH OTHER WINDSTARS AND THEY SAID "A FEW". I CALLED OUR LOCAL GARAGE TO SEE IF THEY COULD GET MY VAN IN TO REPAIR IT AND THEY SAID YES BUT DON'T DRIVE IT BECAUSE THEY HAD ANOTHER ONE THERE JUST LIKE IT AND THEY DROVE IT IN AND TORE THE BRAKE LINE OFF. I CALLED FORD MOTOR CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS TOLD THEY WERE NOT DOING ANY WARRANTY ON THIS PROBLEM "AT THIS TIME"., SHE ALSO SAID THAT THEY ARE HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT SPRINGS. ALSO, I HAD TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT SPRINGS BECAUSE AFTER 5 YEARS AND 55,000 MILES, THE RIGHT SIDE SAT LOWER THAN THE LEFT SIDE AFTER REPLACEMENT, CREATING ANOTHER SAFETY PROBLEM. BESIDES, WHO KNOWS HOW LONG BEFORE THE OTHER SPRING FAILS. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER INFORMED ME THAT THIS WAS THE 3RD WINDSTAR WITRH THE SAME PROBLEM HE HAS HAD TO PICK UP JUST IN OUR AREA. I THINK THIS IS A SATETY PROBLEM THAT FORD SHOULD ADDRESS RIGHT AWAY. WE ALREADY HAVE 5 IN OUR AREA ALONE. I WONDER HOW MANY MORE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM ACROSS THE U.S. PLEASE KEEP ME INFORMED.*AK

PROBLEM 1- ENGINE BLEW A HEAD GASKET AS BACKING OUT OF OUR DRIVEWAY, WE HAVE ONLY 72000 MILES ON IT AND WERE TOLD THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE 1995 FORD ENGINE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS REPAIR IS GOING TO COST $1,000.00. FORD HAS GIVEN US NO OPTIONS. 2ND-PROBLEM- ON THE SAME VEHICLE A MONTH BEFORE, AGAIN AS I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVE THE FRONT SPRING BROKE, PUNCTURED MY TIRE AND COLLAPSED THE SHOCKS, THAT COST $600.00. AGAIN, WHEN WE CALLED FORD WE WERE TOLD THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL ON THE TAURUS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM BUT IT WASN'T FOR THE WINDSTAR. NOW II HAVE A PROBLEM BELIEVING THAT THAY CAN RECALL ONE PRODUCT WITHOUT COVERING THE OTHER WHEN THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM OCCURED WITH MY VEHICLE. PLEASE ADVISE WHAT FURTHER ACTION I CAN TAKE. THANKS. *AK

VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN CONSUMER NOTICED THAT FRONT LEFT WAS LOWER THAN RIGHT. DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK

CONSUMER STATED THAT FORD WILL NOT REINBURSE FOR PASSENGER'S AND DRIVER'S COIL SPRINGS REPAIRS THAT WERE NEEDED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHUR DETAILS.*AK

EA 00 027/ SUSPENSION COIL SPRING BREAKAGE: WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY RIGHT SIDE COIL SPRING BROKE. VEHICLE TOWED TO A INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR REPAIRS. DEALER / MANUFACTURER WERENOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. .*AK FRONT COIL SPRING BROKEN TWICE WHILE DRIVING. *YH

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH HEARD A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER, REPLACED PASSENGER FRONT COIL SPRING. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING.*AK THE CONSUMER POINTED OUT TO A DEFECT STORY AN INTERNET (1-30-2001) THAT SAID THE US GOVERNMENT WAS INVESTIGATING 926,000 FORD WINDSTAR MINIVANS ABOUT SPRING BREAKING AND PUNCTURING TIRES. *YH

WHILE BACKING INTO A PARKING SPACE, LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE AND PUNCTURED TIRE. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

BOTH OF FRONT COIL SPRINGS ARE BROKEN. I HAVE BEEN HEARING A NOISE IN FRONT END, DRIVER'S SIDE. I TOOK THE WINDSTAR TO A MECHANIC AND HE SHOWED ME T BROKEN SPRING. WE LOOKED AT THE RIGHT-SIDE SPRING, AND THAT ONE WAS BROKEN ALSO. I WENT TO A LOCAL FORD DEALER, THE ROCHESTER AUTO COLLECTION. THEY SAID THEY DON'T HAVE MANY PROBLEMS WITH THE SPRINGS ON THE WINDSTARS. BUT MY MECHANIC SAID THAT HE HAS BEEN DOING A LOT OF SPRING JOBS ON 1996 WINDSTARS. MY SEARCH ON THE INTERNET TURNED UP MANY INCIDENTS OF PROBLEMS WITH THESE SPRINGS. I ALSO SAW THAT THE NHTSA IS ALSO INVESTIGATING THIS SAFETY PROBLEM. IT LOOKS LIKE FORD DOESN'T THINK THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. ARE THEY WAITING FOR PEOPLE TO DIE BEFORE THEY ISSUE A RECALL? THE METAL IS OBVIOUSLY INFERIOR AND DEFECTIVE. PLEASE LET ME KNOW OF ANY UPDATES. THANK YOU.........SANTE DICARLO. *AK

FRONT-LEFT SUSPENSION COIL SPRING BROKEN, POKED INTO TIRE, VEHICLE LOSS CONTROL IMMEDIATELY!!!!!!!*AK

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH COIL SPRING ON PASSENGER'S SIDE BROKE AND PUNCTURED TIRE, NO COLLISION OR INJURIES OCCURRED. *AK *SLC

THIS IS THE SECOND REPORT FOR THIS VEHICLE. THE RIGHT FRONT SPRING BROKE ON 4/15/2001. NOW ON 6/05/2001 THE LEFT SPRING BROKE. THE CAUSE OF FAILURE IS AS FOLLOWS. THE ORIGINAL SPRING IS PLASTIC COATED, ANY TYPE OF IMPERFECTION IN THIS PLASTIC COATING IS A SITE FOR CORROSION, THE CORROSION"PIT" BECOMES A STRESS RISER WHICH STARTS THE FATIQUE FAILIRE. BOTHE SPRINGS HAVE THE SAME TYPE OF FAILURE.

CONSUMER WAS MOVING OUT OF A PARKING LOT AND REAR OF VEHICLE DROPPED. CONSUMER GOT OUT OF VEHICLE, THINKING IT WAS A FLAT TIRE. REAR COIL SPRING ON LEFT SIDE BROKE AND PUNCTURED TIRE. DEALER DIAGNOISED THAT VEHICLE NEEDED REAR COIL SPRINGS AND STRUTS. A MEHANIC REPAIRED VEHICLE USING FORD PARTS ORDERED BY THE CONSUMER. BOTH SETS OF COIL SPRINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK

FRONT LEFT MACPHERSON STRUT SPRING BROKE. DEALER WAS INSPECTING VEHICLE.*AK *SLC

THE FRONT RIGHT COIL SPRING BROKE WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. DUE TO THE LOW MILEAGE AND REPORTED PROBLEMS WITH SPRING COILS ON OTHER FORD MODELS I AM BRINGING IT TO YOUR ATTENTION.*AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

DRIVER HEARD BANG, THEN RUBBING NOISE. SMELLED AND SAW SMOKE AND PULLED OVER THINKING CAR WAS ON FIRE. AFTER COMING TO A STOP, DRIVER AND PASSENGER HEARD EXPLOSION. FRONT LEFT COIL SPRING BROKE AND RUBBED INNER TIRE SIDE WALL CAUSING BLOWOUT.*AK

SPRING BROKE AS THE CAR WAS BEING JACKED UP TO DO A BRAKE PAD REPLACEMENT.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AND TURNING WHEEL OR WITH ANY MOVEMENT IN STEERING THERE COMES A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE, CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER STATED THAT THERE COULD BE A PROBLEM WITH BALL JOINTS.*AK PROBLEM BEGAN ABOUT 50000 MILES. ALSO THIS VEHICLE HAS A FAULTY SPEEDOMETER. *YH

WHILE DRIVING AND HAVING ANY MOVEMENT IN STEERING WHEEL THERE COMES A LOUD SPUEAKING NOISE FROM WHEEL, CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER NOTED THAT THERE COULD BE SOME PROBLEMS WITH BALL JOINTS.*AK

THE COIL SPRING AROUND THE DRIVERS SIDE STRUT BROKE. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT THE TIME THE SPRING BROKE. THE REPAIR SHOP I CALLED ABOUT REPAIR SAID THIS IS THE THIRD WINDSTAR IN A FEW WEEKS HE HAS REPAIRED WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THE OTHER TWO WERE 1995 WINDSTARS. I AM GRATEFUL THAT I WAS NOT DRIVING WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THE REPAIR SHOP INFORMED ME THAT WHEN THESE SPRINGS BREAK THEY USUALLY ALSO PUNCTURE THE TIRE. MY CONCERN IS THAT IF SOMEONE IS NOT AS LUCKY AS I TO HAVE THIS HAPPEN IN THIER DRIVEWAY , THAT THIS COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS IF NOT FATAL ACCIDENT. IF THIS IS A COMMON OCCURANCE I FEEL THAT OTHER WINDSTAR OWNERS SHOULD BE NOTIFIED. THANK YOU.

WHILE TRAVELING AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION FRONT COIL SPRING HAD BROKEN, CAUSING FRONT END OF VEHICLE TO DROP TO GROUND. *AK *SLC

WHEN DRIVERS SIDE COIL SPRING (OF THE STRUT) BROKE I ASKED THE DEALER IF THEY SHOULD REPLACE THE PASS. SIDE. THEY SAID THE WARRENTY WOULD NOT COVER IT. LUCKLY WHEN THE COIL SPRING WENT, BOTH TIMES THE CAR WAS PARKED. THE SPRING COULD HAVE POPPED THE TIRE WHILE DRIVING THUS CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THE COIL SPRINGS SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED WITH LESS THAN 60,000 MILES, THEIR MUST BE SOMETHING WRONG IN THE METAL OF THE SPRING.*AK

BOTH COIL SPRINGS BROKE WHILE PARKED; TOWED TO DEALER SHOP AND REPAIRED UNDER EXTENED WARRANTY. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK

FRONT SUSPENSION SPRING BROKE GOING OVER A SMALL (1") BUMP. NOW SPRINGS, STRUTS AND MOUNTS NEED TO BE REPLACED.*AK

WHEN COIL OF THE SPRING FRACTURED, IT RUBBED ON THE TIRE, REMOVING APPROXIMATELY 1/8 INCH OF SIDEWALL MATERIAL ALL AROUND THE TOP INNER SIDEWALL. THE OPINION OF THE SERVICE PERSONS WAS THAT IF IT HAD HAPPENED AT HIGHWAY SPEED, IT WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN CATASTRPHIC FAILURE OF THE TIRE WITH SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. FORD WOULD NOT ACCEPT FULL RESONSIBILITY FOR THE FAILURE (ALTHOUGH I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY).

SUSPENSION SPRING BROKE AND BLEW RIGHT FRONT TIRE. ALSO, STRUTS COLLAPSED, AND CONSUMER LOST CONTROL AND CAME TO A FULL STOP. *AK

SUSPENSION SPRING BROKE AND BLEW RIGHT FRONT TIRE. ALSO, STRUTS COLLAPSED, AND CONSUMER LOST CONTROL AND CAME TO A FULL STOP. *AK

CONSUMER COULD HEAR A WEARD NOISE, THEN SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING, FRONT TIRE BLEWOUT BECAUSE OF A COIL SPRING PUNCTURING TIRE.*AK

EA OO 027/ SUSPENSION COIL SPRING BREAKAGE; RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE WHILE DRIVING AT 55-60 MPH AND PUNCTURED TIRE. REPAIRS MADE AT AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. *AK REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. *SLC

WHILE BACKING OUT IT SOUNDED LIKE CONSUMER RAN OVER A CHUNK OF ICE, FROM SCRAPING NOISE. CONSUMER STOPPED, AND LOOKED, AND DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING. *AK WHILE THE CONSUMER CONTINUED DRIVING, HE DISCOVERED THAT THE LEFT FRONT OF THE VEHICLE HAD COLLAPSED AND WAS RIDING ON THE TIRE, WHICH LATER ON EXPLODED. BOTH FRONT SPRINGS WERE REPLACED. *YH

BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS BROKE AND ONE RIPPED UP THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE, DRIVER WAS ABLE TO STOP VEHICLE IN A SAFE MANNER, IT TOOK OVER 2 DAYS TO GET BACK ON ROAD, LOCAL DEALER HAD TROUBLE LOCATING COIL SPRINGS, TOLD THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAD 600 COIL SPRINGS ON BACK ORDER. CJ

COIL SPRING BROKE DAMAGING STRUTS AND TIRE, WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED LATER, ALSO REQUIRED TOWING CHARGES. *AK

COIL SPRING BROKE DAMAGING STRUTS AND TIRE, WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED LATER, ALSO REQUIRED TOWING CHARGES. *AK

WHILE DRIVING, FRONT COIL SPRING ON PASSENGER SIDE BROKE CAUSING DAMAGE TO 2 TIRES. *SLC

FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE. *AK

PARKED CAR IN DRIVEWAY, NEXT MORNING NOTICED CAR LOW ON RIGHT FRONT, HAD CAR TOWED TO FORD GARAGE. HAD BROKEN COIL SPRING RIGHT SIDE AND FORD HAD NO EXPLANATION WAY IT BROKE. HAD TO HAVE BOTH SPRINGS AND STRUTS REPLACED. SAW AN ARTICLE IN NEWPAPER ABOUT FORD HAVING A PROBLEM WITH COIL SPRINGS AND AN INVESTIGATION BY THE NHTSA AND THINK FORD SHOULD HAVE TO PAID FOR PART OR ALL OF REPLACEMENT

WHILE TRAVELING AT 35 MPH AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION, FRONT END FELL DOWN ON TIRES. TECHNICIAN STATED COIL SPRING BROKE. *SLC

WHILE TRAVELING CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE.THEN, FRONT END OF VEHICLE DIPPED DOWN TO LEFT SIDE DUE T A BROKE COIL SPRING. *AK

FRONT COIL SPRINGS BROKE, PUNCTURING TIRE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED.*AK

WHILE DRIVING 20 -25 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A CRUNCHING SOUND. THEN, FELT LIKE SOMETHING WAS RUBBIMG ON WHEEL. FRONT LEFT TIRE BLEWOUT, AND FRONT OF VEHICLE DROPPED TO GROUND, FRONT COIL SPRING HAD BROKEN. *AK

BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS BROKE WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED. IT WAS LIKE A MIMNI-=EXPLOSION. SEVERAL NEIGHBORS CAME OUT OF THEIR HOUSES TO CHECK. IN ADDITION, THE BREAKING OF THE SPRINGS ALSO BROKE THE DRIVER'S SIDE CYLINDER FOR THE ABS BREAKING SYSTEM. THE BREAKING OF THE COILS SPRINGS ALSO GOUGED VERY BADLY THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE. I REPLACED IT. THE BILL FOR THE WORK AND PARTS AND TIRE AMOUNTED TO OVER 500 DOLLARS. I CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY ON OR ABOUT APRIL 1, 2000. THEIR REP SAID "WE'RE VERY SORRY BUT CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT." IT HAPPENED IN WESLACO, TEXAS, WHERE I SPEND THE WINTERS. I LIVE IN VIRGINIA, MN. TELEPHONE HERE IN TX IS [XXX]. ADDRESS IS [XXX], [XXX]#[XXX], [XXX], TX [XXX]. I'M SENDING THIS TO YOU BECAUSE I READ AN ARTICLE IN THIS MORNING'S PAPER STATEING THAT THIS TYPE OF FAILURE WAS UNDER INVESTIGATION. PLEASE INCLUDE MY SITUATION IN YOUR DOCUMENTATION. *AK PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

COILD SRING FAILED, CAUSING FRONT TIRE TO BE SHREDDED AND BLOW OUT. *AK

THE ABS LIGHT HAS COME ON OVER 3 OCCASIONS. THE FIRST TWO TIMES OCCURRED WITHIN 2 YEARS AFTER THE PURCHASE OF THE VAN THEREFORE THE REPAIR WAS UNDER WARRANTY. THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT WAS 06/2000 DUE TO A WIRE SHORT AND THE REPAIR COSTED $219. ALSO, WE JUST NOTICED THAT A PIECE OF BAR WAS BROKEN OFF NEAR THE FRONT ALIGNMENT. TOOK THE VAN TO THE SHOP AND FOUND OUT THE SWAY BAR WAS BROKEN OFF. THE REPAIR SHOP INDICATED THAT THIS PART USUALLY LASTS THE LIFE OF THE VAN UNLESS WE HIT SOMETHING HARD. THIS WAS NOT THE CASE AND THE REPAIR WILL COST $430. *AK

PE 00 024/SUSPENSION COIL SPRING BREAKAGES: RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE WHILE PULLING OUT OF PARKING LOT. VEHICLE TOWED TO INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, AND STILL WAITING ON PARTS. *AK

WHEN DRIVING CONSUMER NOTICED VEHICLE WAS NOISY WHEN MAKING A TURN. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER FOR ROUNTIN REPAIRS, AND DEALER NOTED THAT LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKEN IN HALF WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. COIL SPRING WAS REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. PE00-024. *AK

SPEEDOMETER FLUCTUATED ALL OVER DIAL WHEN CAR WENT OVER 30 MPH; TRANSMISSION JUST FAILED WHILE CAR WAS BEING OPERATED, IT FAILED TO SHIFT AND DID NOT MOVE WHILE IN TRAFFIC; BRAKES FADE WHEN COMING TO A STOP ALL THE TIME (I HAVE REQUESTED REPAIRS REPEATEDLY, TOLD NO PROBLEM DETECTED); CAR CONTINUES TO ROLL 6-8 INCHES WHEN PARKED ON AN INCLINE; REAR SUSPENSION CREAKS WHEN GETTING IN AND OUT OF CAR; SEVERAL LEAKS IN ENGINE HAD TO BE REPAIRED (GASKET??). *AK

I HAD MY FRONT BRAKES REPLACED JANUARY 7 , 2000 . I RECENTLY HEARD A LOUD " TUMPING " NOISE IN THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL / AXLE ASSEMBLY. I TOOK THE VAN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THEY REPLACE THE " SWAY BAR / TIE RODS ON THE RIGHT SIDE AND DID A SUSPENSION ADJUSTMENT AND ASSURED ME THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED. I TOOK THE VAN OUT OF THE PARKING LOT ONLY TO RETURN IMMEDIATLY. I THEN TOOK THE " EXPERT " FRONT END MECHANIC FOR A TEST DRIVE . HE HEARD THE NOISE FOR THE " FIRST " TIME AND TOLD ME I NOW NEEDED STRUTS. THIS HE SAID WOULD SOLVE MY PROBLEM . I AM SCHEDULED TO HAVE THIS REPAIR DONE ON JULY 23 , 2000. I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS TO BE MY PROBLEM . ALSO I AM CONCERNED THAT MY DEALER AS WELL AS FORD WILL NOT COVER ANY OF THESE REPAIRS BECAUSE THE 36 MONTHS ON MY WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED BUT NOT MY 36,000 MILES ( I AM AT 33,900 MILES ) . IF YOU COULD SEND ANY INFORMATION ON RECALLS , CLASS ACTION SUITS OR HELPFUL TIPS ON WHAT TO DO I WOULD BE FOREVER GRATEFULL . THANKS RON TURNER

CONSUMER AND FAMILY GOT INSIDE OF VEHICLE, HUSBAND NOTICED A FLAT TIRE ON FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE. HE CHANGED THE FLAT TIRE. HALF A MILE DOWN THE ROAD NOTICED A SMELL COMING FROM VEHICLE. PULLED OVER ONTO THE SHOULDER. THEN HEARD A POP, DONUT TIRE POPPED OFF ALSO. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. MECHANIC TOLD CONSUMER THAT FRONT SPRINGS HAD TO BE REPLACED. DEALERSHIP HAS A BACK ORDER. *AK

VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR A COUPLE OF MINUTES WHEN THERE WAS A LOUD EXPLOSION. FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE COIL SPRINGS BROKE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO DROP DOWN TO THE GROUND, WHICH ALMOST DAMAGED THE TIRES. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. *AK *ML

FRONT COIL SPRINGS BROKE. VEHICLE TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THAT PARTS WERE ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO PREDICT WHEN THEY WOULD GET THE ORDERS IN. *AK

I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS FORD WINDSTAR SINCE I PURCHASED IT IN 8/98. IN JULY OF 99 MY VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND THEN IT BECAME A STALLING PROBLEM. FOR 3 MTHS THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. THEN ON APRIL 21,00 THE COIL SPRING BROKE, AND THE SPRING WAS JAMMED INTO OUR TIRE WHILE DOING 70 ON THE WEST VIRGINIA TURNPIKE. LUCKILY WE WERE NOT KILLED OR INJURED. FORD HAS RECEIVED A LETTER CONCERNING THESE ISSUE'S AND HAS NOT RESPONDED. *AK

LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE & PUNCTURED THE TIRE. DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLE & COULDN'T GIVE CONSUMER ON EXPLANATION WHY IT HAPPENED. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE STRUT. *AK *ML

STRUT SPRING BROKE AND BODY FELL OVER DRIVERS SIDE. WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME AT UP TO 10 MPH. WENT TO ONE REPAIR SHOP, TOLD THAT THE STRUT SPRING HAD BROKEN AND IT WOULD TAKE OVER A WEEK TO GET THE PART BECAUSE THERE WAS A NATIONAL BACKORDER FOR IT. FINALLY TOOK THE CAR TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER IN MERRILLVILLE, ART HILL FORD (NOT WHERE CAR WAS PURCHASED). WAS TOLD THE SAME THING REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF THE PART. NO LOANER WAS OFFERED. SERVICE REP COULD NOT GIVE AN ADEQUATE REASON AS TO WHY THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE, IN ONE MOMENT SHE SAID THAT IT WAS POSSIBLE THAT BECAUSE THIS WAS AN UNUSUAL OCCURRANCE, THE MANUFACTURER MAY NOT MAKE THE PART. IN THE NEXT BREATH I WAS TOLD THAT IN A CAR AT 64,000 MILES, ANYTHING COULD BREAK. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE I WAS PULLING UP TO A DRIVE-THROUGH BANK WINDOW, UP A SMALL UNEVENNESS IN THE PAVEMENT THAT I'D DRIVEN OVER MANY TIMES BEFORE WITH NO INCIDENT. A PREVIOUS CHECK FOR PAST COMPLAINTS IN THIS AREA SHOWED THAT A SIMILAR COMPLAINT WAS FILED IN 1997. IN THAT INSTANCE ALSO, THE PART COULD NOT BE FOUND. I HAVE OWNED 2 FORDS PRIOR TO THIS, INCLUDING A 1990 AEROSTAR WITH 193,000 MILES ON IT. THE STRUT SPRING HAS NEVER CRACKED, NOR SOME OF THE OTHER PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD WITH THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE. *AK

WHILE BACKING CAR OUT OF DRIVEWAY DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT SANK DOWN, TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER , AND THEY SAID THE SPRING MOUNTING ON DRIVERS SIDE WAS BUSTED. CONSUMER FELT THIS WAS UNSAFE BECAUSE IF IT WERE ON HIGHWAY, IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A VERY BAD ACCIDENT. ONLY ONE SPRING HAS BEEN REPLACED, SINCE THERE WAS ONLY ONE SPRING AVAILABLE. *AK *ML

NO SUMMARY

WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 30 MPH FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE ON THE DRIVER' SIDE. THE FRONT TIRE WAS DAMAGED BECAUSE OF THIS. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO AVOID A CRASH. THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. THIS IS A COMPANY OWNED VEHICLE. REPORT GIVEN BY PRESIDENT/CEO. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

THE VEHICLE WILL NOT TRAVEL IN A STRAIGHT LINE. CONSTANTLY PULLS / WANDERS TO THE RIGHT. DEALER HAS HAD CAR 10 TO 12 TIMES. PARTS REPLACED IN AN ATTEMPT TO CURE PROBLEM ARE : STEERING RACK, PART OF STEERING COLUMN, TIRES. CAR HAS BEEN ALLIGNED 8 TIMES. CAR HAS ONLY 22,500 MILES ON IT. FORD REGIONAL ENGINEER CONTACTED AND HIS ATTEMPT TO REPAIR MADE MATTERS WORSE. AFTER FORD ENGINEER FAILED ATTEMPT, DEALER HAS HAD CAR TWICE MORE TO ATTEMPT TO REMEDY BY ALLIGNING SLIGHTLY OUT OF SPEC. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS AND MAKES CAR DIFFICULT TO DRIVE SAFELY. I HAVE FILED A CLAIM AGAINST FORD AT THEIR DISPUTE SETTLEMENT BOARD. *AK

THE FRONT SPRING BROKE CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE STABILIZER BAR, THE UPPER STRUT BRACKET, AND THE ABS SENSOR. *SLC

WHILE DRIVING REAR AXLE BROKE, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS VEHICLE VIBRATES UNCONTROLLABLY. DRIVER HAS TO CUT THE VEHICLE OFF TO STOP VIBRATION. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

WHEN DRIVING AND MAKING ANY TYPE OF TURN OR GOING AROUND A CORNER, VEHICLE IS JERKING. WHEN DRIVING STRAIGHT CONSUMER DOESN'T HAVE ANY PROBLEMS. *AK

UPON ENTERING ROAD FROM STORE PARKING, A LOUD THUMP WAS HEARD FROM UNDER THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE ANTI-SWAY BAR HAD BROKEN APPROXIMATELY 6 INCHES FROM ITS CONNECTION POINT TO THE LEFT STRUT. THIS CAUSED THE REMAINING LINK TO INTERFERE WITH THE FRONT SUSPENSION (BOTH TURNING AND TRAVEL). *AK

VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN FOR REPAIR OF THE FRONT END SUSPENSION SEVERAL TIMES WITHOUT REMEDY OF THE FAILURE.

WHEN BRAKING OR TURNING RIGHT OR LEFT CLUNKING NOISES COMES FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ABOUT 40MPH STEERING WHEEL WOULD SHAKE. THIS CAUSES DRIVING TO BE DIFFICULT. HAVE NOT TAKEN TO DEALER AS OF YET. *AK

HAD THE SUB-FRAME INSULATOR REPLACED TWICE. HAD NEW ABS BRAKES PUT ON VEHICLE. THE ROTORS WERE CUT TWICE. THE SUBFRAME BUSHING THREAD LOADER WAS WORN DOWN. TIE RODS REPLACED TWICE, AND THE STRUTS WERE REPLACED TWICE ALSO. *AK

LOWER BALL JOINT FAILED, CAUSING RIGHT FRONT WHEEL TO COME OFF.

REAR AXLE PROBLEMS.

RIGHT SIDE SHOCK ABSORBER FAILED.

RIGHT FRONT CONTROL ARM FAILED, CAUSING THE WHEEL TO FELL OFF.

DRIVING 30MPH, WENT OVER POTHOLE WHICH CAUSED STRUT TO BE PUSHED UPWARDS & WAS CRUSHED. VEHICLE CAN BE DRIVEN, BUT NOT FOR LONG. TOOK TO FORD & COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM. TOOK TO 2 DIFFERENT MECHANICS & INFORMED BY BOTH OF CRUSHED STRUT. *AK