1997 FORD WINDSTAR Suspension Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 1997 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH THE REAR AXLE BEAM BECAME FRACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. A PRIVATE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE REAR AXLE BEAM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO REPAIRS MADE ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

Mileage: 140,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE TRACK BAR DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO WOBBLE EXCESSIVELY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 09/21/12*LJ THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF FAILURES. UPDATED 09/26/2012 *JS

Mileage: 90,000

I PURCHASED A 1997 FORD WINDSTAR AND FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND IS THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE COIL SPRINGS/SUSPENSION. (RECALL#01I00700) < I BELIEVE THIS IS THE RECALL #. LONG STORY SHORT MY FRONT TIRES ARE FLAT DOUE TO THE COIL SPRINGS. NONE OF THE DEALERS I TOOK IT TO ARE WILLING TO FIX THIS. THEY SAY IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER ANY RECALL... PLEASE HELP ME BETTER UNDERSTAND WHY FORD WONT FIX THIS DEFECT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS ABNORMALLY LOW. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, HE NOTICED THAT THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS FRACTURED DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE TIRES TO DEFLATE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01V199000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS); THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED ACCORDING TO THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 6/4/09 *CN THE EXHAUST SYSTEM WAS REPLACED AND BRAKE LINES SNAPPING. UPDATED 06/09/09.*JB

Mileage: 70,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH THE PASSENGER SIDE TIRE EXPLODED CAUSING THE FRONT END TO HIT THE GROUND. THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE FRONT COIL SPRING WAS BROKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 132,000.

Mileage: 132,000

1997 FORD WINDSTAR RECALL FOR COIL SPRINGS. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE RECALL WAS NOT REPAIRED IN 2001 WHEN IT WAS RECEIVED BECAUSE THE DEALER STATED THAT IF THEY WERE NOT BROKEN THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE IT, THEY WOULD JUST PUT PLASTIC SHIELDS OVER THEM. NOW DEALER STATES THAT THE RECALL EXPIRED. *KB

I HAVE 1997 FORD WINDSTAR. FEB. 1, 2007 I WAS GOING ABOUT 20 MPH, ANDPASSENGER FRONT SPRING SHATTERED. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED. MY MECHANIC SAUD I WAS LUCKY I WAS NOT ON THE EXPRESSWAY WHEN IT HAPPENED. I HAD IT FIXED, IT COST ME $1036.00. I CALLED FORD TO TRY AND GET REIMBURSED, AND THEY TOLD ME THAT I DID NOT HAVE IT REPAIRED AT A FORD DEALER. IF I HAD KNOWN THEY WERE BAD I WOULD HAVE. I NEVER RECEIVED ANY WARNING AT ALL. THEY DID NOT EVEN HAVE ME DOWN AS THE REGISTERED OWNER. HERE IS THE RECALL # 011007000, FRONT COIL SPRING CORROSION. THEY SAID IT COVERS FROM 1995-1998 WINDSTARS. HERE IS MY VIN. #2FMDA514VBD14446. ALL I WOULD LIKE IS TO GET SOME OF MY MONEY BACK, I LIVE ON $699. A MONTH, AND FOR THEM TO ADMIT I WAS COVERED. THEY ARE BEING REALLY NASTY ABOUT THIS. I WAS TOLD TO CALL BY FOX 6 IN MILWAUKEE, KATRINA CRAVY CONSUMER REPORTER. *AK

Mileage: 100,349

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

HAVE A 97 FORD WINDSTAR ALL OF A SUDDEN I HAD A TIRE BLOW COMPLETELY HERE TO FIND OUT THAT THE COIL SPRING ON DRIVERS FRONT BROKE AND WENT INTO TIRE, THEN TO FIND OUT THERE WAS A RECALL 2 YEARS AGO ON IT BUT WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF IT AND ALSO A FEW WEEKS AGO, VAN ALL OF A SUDDEN KEPT GETTING REAL HOT WITH ROLLING WHITE SMOKE JUST TO FIND OUT THAT THERE WAS PROBLEMS WITH THE HEAD GASKETS ON THESE WINDSTARS BUT YET STILL WAS NEVER NOTIFIED, THIS IS NOT RIGHT, I FEEL WE WERE CHEATED, NOW HAVE A VAN THAT SITS AND STILL OWE $10,000 ON BECAUSE I'M A FAMILY MAN OF SIX AND CANNOT AFFORD THE COST OF THESE MAJOR REPAIRS, I'M AFRAID OF WHAT MIGHT OF HAPPENED IF THIS WOULD OF BLEW WITH ALL MY FAMILY IN IT ON A HIGHWAY, IS THIS HOW THE FORD COMPANY TREATS THEIR CONSUMERS BY LYING AND DECIEVING THEM.

Mileage: 88,890

THE RUMBLING/RATTLING IN THE FRONT END WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE WE BOUGHT THE CAR NEW. I TOOK IT IN TO FORD AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING. OUR PREVIOUS WINDSTAR DID NOT DO THIS. I'M AFRAID SOMETHING IS GOING TO COME LOOSE AT HIGH SPEED.*AK

CONSUMER STATES WITH NO WARNING THE FRONT COIL SPRING SNAPPED CAUSING VEHICLE TO DROP. CAUSE UNKNOWN DEALER NOTIFIED.*JB *YH

FROM 12,000 MILES TO PRESENT MILEAGE, THE VEHICLE HAD THREE TRANSMISSIONS REPLACED WITHIN FIVE YEARS, AND THE PROBLEM IS REOCCURRING. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT COIL SPRING HAD BROKEN. (RECALLED IN NOVEMBER/NHTSA#01I00700)-WAS CHECKED. THE MECHANICS HAD PLACED A PLASTIC SLEEVE OVER COILS, AND THE SPRING HAD BROKEN THROUGH AND PUNCTURED THE TIRE AT 5 MPH. THE OVERDRIVE AND ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON. THE MECHANICS SAID THAT SOMETHING INSIDE OF THE TRANSMISSION WAS BAD. *SCC

HOLLOW STABILIZER BAR FRACTURED JUST OUTSIDE OF RIGHT STABILIZER BAR MOUNT, BROKEN END OF BAR AND CONNECTING PIECE LEFT HANGING NEXT TO RIGHT TIRE. RESULTED IN POOR HANDLING & SEVERE REACTION TO CROSS WINDS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.*AK

VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR RECALL CAMPAIGN 01V199000 WHERE DEALERSHIPINSTALLED PROTECTIVE SHIELDS AROUND FRONT COIL SPRINGS TO PREVENT CORROSION. HOWEVER, WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO USE SNOW CHAINS FOR USE IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE SNOW CABLE ON THE RIGHT/FRONT WHEEL MADE CONTACT WITH THE PROTECTIVE SHIELD AND CAUSED SHIELD TO SHEAR OFF. APPROXIMATE DISTANCE BETWEEN TIRE WITHOUT CHAIN AND PROTECTIVE SHIELD WAS 1/4 OF AN INCH. THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 25 TO 30 MPH IN SNOW. THE PART IS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION. *AK CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE DEALER NEEDS TO WARN CONSUMERS OF THIS WHEN RECALL REPAIRS ARE MADE. *JB

WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE.*AK CONSUMER STATED THAT MANUFACTURER PAID FOR THE REPAIRS.*SLC

PASSENGER SIDE REAR BRAKE DRUM CRACKED BUT WAS NOT NOTICED IMMEDIATELY. WHEN IT WAS REPAIRED, THERE WAS SEVERE DAMAGE TO ALL COMPONENTS WITHIN THE DRUM. IT SEEMS VERY UNUSUAL THAT THIS HAPPENED, ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING THE LOW MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE. THIS IS ONE OF NUMEROUS FAILURES THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS. I HAD THE DRIVER FRONT COIL SPRING BREAK, BUT IT WAS EVENTUALLY RECALLED. BASED ON THE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS VEHICLE IN YOUR DATABASE, I FEEL THIS VEHICLE IS VERY UNSAFE, AND NOT RELIABLE. FORD HAS HAD MANY RECALLS FOR VARIOUS VEHICLES IN THE PAST 2 TO 3 MONTHS.*AK

MY WIFE, MELISSA HAS BEEN FOLLOWING THIS PROBLEM FOR OVER A YEAR AND A HALF, SHE HAS BEEN TOLD BY THE MECHANIC AT CAMPUS FORD THAT THERE HAS BEEN PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT END SUSPENSION ON FOR WINDSTAR'S, HE STOPPED SHORT OF SAYING ANYMORE. OUR CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SERVICE DEPT AT THIS DEALERSHIP ON AND OFF FOR THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF. WE KEEP HAVING DIFFERENT STORIES TOLD TO US, AND TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM DOESNOT EXIST..WELL WE JUST PAID 350.00 DOLLARS FOR NEW WELDING ON THE FRONT SUSPENSION, WE HAVE HAD THE STRUTS REPLACED AND A SPRING REPLACED, WE ALSO HAD UNUSUAL TIRE WARE ON THE RT PASSENGER SIDE AND THE TIRE REPLACED. WE ARE WORRIED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, WE HAVE TWO CHILDREN AND MY WIFE IS A VISITING NURSE AND DRIVES ALOT, THE DEALERSHIP IS POO-POOING HER OFF LIKE SHE IS A NOBODY...PLEASE HELP US. *AK

LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING BURST, CUASING TIRE TO BLOWOUT. HAD TIRE REPLACED. WAS DRIVING WITH REPLACED TIRE ON, AND STARTED HEARING RATTLING. TOOK BACK TO DEALER, AND WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC THAT WELDS ON RIGHT SIDE HAD BROKEN AND NEEDED REWELDING.*AK

RIGHT COIL SPRING BREAKAGE FOR NO APPARENT REASON.*AK

LOWEREING OF THE PASSENGER WINDOW CAUSED DOOR TO UNLOCK AND OPEN WHILE TRAVELING - RECALL 01S19 WAS PERFORMED DURING REPAIR OF THE WINDOW - COIL SPRING SHIELDS COLLIDE WITH INNER STRUT TOWER - POSSIBLY 2 INCHES OF TRAVEL IN SUSPENSION - VEHICLE BOTTOMS OUT - DEALER IS NOT ACCOMODATING - MORE TO THIS STORY!

LEFT COIL SPRING CAME UNDONE WITHOUT WARNING AND BLEWUP TIRE WHILE DRIVING.. RIGHT COIL SPRING CAME UNDONE WITHOUT WARNING AND CAR HAD TO BE TOWED.*AK

MY WINDSAR WHILE SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY FOR 34 HOURS SUDDENLY HAD ITS FRONT COIL SPRING SNAP. HAD I BEEN DRIVING THIS VAN I AM SURE IT WOULD HAVE DISTROYED THE TIRE. MY INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TOLD ME HE HAS HAD FIVE WINDSTARS THIS YEAR WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.*AK

WHEN DRIVING SLOWLY IN TRAFFIC FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN TIRE DEFLATING. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED INSPECTED AND FOUND OUT THAT SUSPENSION COILSPRING WAS BROKEN WITHOUT A WARNING OF PROBLEM.*AK

FRONT LEFT COIL SPRING BROKE IN HALF, CAUSING LEFT SIDE OF VEHICLE TO FALL. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

EA 00 027/SUSPENSION COIL SPRING BREAKAGE: A RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING BROKE WHILE PARKED IN DRIVEWAY. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT COVER UNDER A RECALL. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER . *AK

BACKING UP IN DRIVE WAY, FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FELL TO THE GROUND/TIRE WAS RIPPED APART ON THE INSIDEOF TIRE WALL/SPRING COIL BROKE/CALLED TOW TRUCK/DEALER SAID COIL SPRING BROKE/REPLACED COIL SPRING/ THEY HAD FAILED TO REPLACED THE DRIVER SIDE COIL/ I THOUGHT THIS WAS VERY IRRESPONSIBLE/COULD HAVE THE SAME HAZARDOUS POTENTIAL TO BREAK.*AK (DOT NUMBER: 4BM3DDER TIRESIZE: P215/70R15)

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 75MPH AND FRONT COIL SPRING ON DRIVER'S SIDE BROKE PUNCTURED TIRE. VEHICLE WAS KEPT IN CONTROL. FORD DEALER HAD HEARD NOTHING ABOUT THIS, AND WOULDN'T STAND BEHIND PROBLEM.*AK TIRE WAS REPLACED ON WARRANTY AND THE STRUT WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER. *YH

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 75MPH AND FRONT COIL SPRING ON DRIVER'S SIDE BROKE PUNCTURED TIRE. VEHICLE WAS KEPT IN CONTROL. FORD DEALER HAD HEARD NOTHING ABOUT THIS, AND WOULDN'T STAND BEHIND PROBLEM.*AK TIRE WAS REPLACED ON WARRANTY AND THE STRUT WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER. *YH

CONSUMER CAN HEAR A CRICKLING NOISE. CONSUMER HEARD ABOUT AN INVESTIGATION OF SUSPENSION AND FEARED IT MAY BREAK AND PUNCTURE A TIRE.*AK

HAD SHACKING PROBLEM RIGHT AFTER PURCHASED AND DID NOT GET ANY SATISFACTION FROM DEALER. NOW THE FRONT SUSPENSION WENT OUT AND 2S ETS OF BALL JOINTS, AND DID NOT HAVE THE VAN SINCE JULY OF THIS YEAR. PLEASE CALL ME AT 920-899-9650 WE HAVE PUT ALOT OF MONEY INTO THIS VAN AND THEY ARE ASKING FOR MORE TO FIX OTHER ITEMS IN THE SUSPENSION. IS THEIR ANY RECALLS?

WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE. THEN TOOK VEHICLE TO A TECHNICIAN. HE TOLD CONSUMER THAT IT WAS LEFT FRONT COIL SPRING THAT BROKE. *AK

THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 35MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND NOTICED THAT PASSENGER'S REAR STARTED TO SWERVE INTO THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. CONSUMER PULLED OVER ONTO THE SHOULDERS AND CALLED A TOW TRUCK.*AK

WHILE DRIVING FRONT END COIL SPRING BROKE, CONSUMR LOST CONTROL AND ALMOST HIT TWO CARS.*AK

FRONT PASSENGER-SIDE COIL SPRING FAILED BY SHEARING, CAUSING TIRE TO PUNCTURE WHILE CAR WAS PARKED. IF CAR HAD BEEN MOVING, THE FAILURE WOULD HAVE CAUSED A POTENTIALLY SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *AK

WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY ALL OF A SUDDEN HEARD A LOUD NOISE. LATER ON, NOTICED LOSS OF STEERING. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO FRONT COIL SPRING FAILURE. OWNER SEEKS REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS. *AK *ML

FRONT DRIVERSIDE TIRE WENT FLAT, FRONT SUSPENSION SPRING HAD BROKEN IN TWO PIECES AND PUNCTURED A HOLE IN THE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE.

AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS VEHICLE VIBRATES. DEALER HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND HAS NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

VEHICLE MAKING A POPPING NOISE THROUGOUT THE FRAME. NLM