1997 FORD WINDSTAR Steering Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE FRONT SPRING FAILED AND PUNCTURED THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT RECALL #01I007000: SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS WAS RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE RECALL EXPIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,000. *AK

Mileage: 142,000

DT: THE CONTACT STATES HAS BEEN HAVING SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE SINCE 2002. ON APRIL 28, 2004 THE SPEEDOMETER WAS NOT PROVIDING AN ACCURATE SPEED READING. ON DECEMBER 9, 2004 THE SLIDING DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK OR SLIDE PROPERLY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR AND DETERMINED THAT THE SLIDE WHEELS WERE DRY. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE DOOR LATCH, AND NOW IT NEEDED REPLACEMENT AGAIN. ON FEBRUARY 5, 2005 THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED AT 75, 172 MILES, AND ON NOVEMBER 21, 2005 THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. ALL REPAIRS HAVE BEEN DONE AT CONTACT'S EXPENSE.*AK

Mileage: 75,172

WHILE TURNING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE DRIVER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE RACK AND PINION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

TIE RODS WERE WORN OUT. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

Mileage: 12,000

LEFT SIDE TIE ROD BROKE WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS, ALSO, SUSPENSION JOINTS NEEDED TO BE WELDED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER . *AK

NHTSA RECALL 97V-097000 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION LEAKING OVER CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND PROBLEM WITH STEERING LOSS. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. *AK

WHY WOULD TIE RODS FAIL AT 47000 MILES. *AK

STEERING LOCKED UP ON RIGHT TURNS AT LOW SPEEDS. BY FORCING THE WHEEL TO TURN, THERE WAS AN AUDIBLE POPPING SOUND AND THEN THE STEERING UNLOCKED AND FUNCTIONED PROPERLY.

STEERING FAILURE CAUSED A VEHICLE COLLISION.

WHILE DRIVING UP HILL AT 40MPH THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. VEHICLE CRASHED INTO GUARDRAIL. *AK

STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY FAILED CAUSING VEHICLE TO PULL.

SERVO COVER RECALLED.

POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE. VEHICLE ROLLS AFTER BEING IN PARK ON SLIGHTEST INCLINE.