2001 FORD WINDSTAR Structure Problems

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and depressing the brake pedal, the front end of the vehicle made abnormal sounds. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that there was a fracture due to corrosion on the front sub frame. The mechanic related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V030000 (Structure). The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.

Mileage: 55,000

Rear axle cracked in multiple locations causes car to sway and tires to turn inward and bald

The contact's husband owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while in reverse, she heard an abnormal noise. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the control arm was cracked. The contact was then informed by the mechanic of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V03000 (Structure). The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that no recall was affiliated with the VIN. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

Mileage: 70,000

Car was in an single car accident. Steering and body damage. All fixed now. Need verification for salvage sticker.

THE AXLE WAS PART OF RECALL #11S16. AS PART OF THE RECALL THE AXLE WAS PATCHED, BUT THE AXLE IS NOW BROKEN BECAUSE THE "REPAIR" DID NOT CORRECT THE STRUCTURAL FLAWS IN THE AXLE.

Mileage: 165,000

WHEN I RECEIVED THE RECALL ABOUT THE POSSIBLE AXLE CRACKING DUE RUST I TOOK MY CAR IN AND HAD THE BRACKETS PUT ON AND THEN I RECEIVED A RECALL THE HAVE THE BRACKETS CHECKED WHICH I DID AND THEY WERE CORRECT. TODAY I TOOK MY VAN IN FOR PA INSPECTION AND WAS TOLD MY REAR AXLE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE HAD A CRACK IN IT WHICH YOU COULD SEE THROUGH THE OPENING OF THE BRACKET THEY INSTALLED. WHEN I ASKED THE MECHANIC IF FORD WAS GOING TO PAY TO REPLACE IT NOW SINCE THE BRACKET DIDN'T KEEP IT FROM CRACKING HE SAID NO. THEN I ASKED IF THE BRACKET WAS STRONG ENOUGH TO HOLD IT SO I CAN KEEP DRIVING, HE SAID HE WOULDN'T TRUST IT. I ONLY HAVE A 115,500 MILES ON IT, SO WHAT I'M BASICALLY BEING TOLD IS THE MINUTE THE RECALL WENT OUT I SHOULD HAVE HAD THEM REPLACE THE AXLE, INSTEAD OF THE STUPID BRACKETS WHICH WERE JUST BAND AIDS TO PLACATE UPSET OWNERS. I ONLY HAVE ONE CAR SO I HAVE TO DRIVE IT UNTIL I CAN AFFORD TO GET IT FIXED OR BUY ANOTHER CAR. I'M JUST ONE PERSON, HOW MANY MORE ARE FACED WITH THE SAME SITUATION. I ONLY HAVE UNTIL OCTOBER WHEN MY INSPECTION EXPIRES AND I'M PANICKING TRYING TO FIGURE WHAT I CAN DO. FORD KNEW THOSE BRACKET S AT BEST JUST BOUGHT THE OWNERS A COUPLE OF MORE YEARS BEFORE THEIR CARS COULD AGAIN BE A HIGHWAY HAZARD. IT'S STILL RUSSIAN ROULETTE IN MY OPINION THE AXLE AT A MINIMUM SHOULD BE REPLACE WITH A DISCOUNT TO THE ORIGINAL OWNERS.

THIS VAN LOOKS FINE ON THE OUTSIDE,BUT THE FRAME AND FLOOR ARE RUSTED OUT. I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET WHEN THE BRAKES WENT OUT AND WHEN I TOOK IT TO BE REPAIRED THE MECHANIC AT CARLS BODY SHOP , WHERE IT WAS TI BE REPAIRED TOLD ME IT WAS BEYOND REPAIR AND UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE VAN IS MADE TO TRANSPORT A WHEELCHAIR AND THE AREA WHERE THE WHEELCHAIR IS RUSTED THE WORST. THE MECHANIC ALSO TOOK PICTURES OF THE UNDER BODY TO SHOW ME HOW BAD IT REALLY WAS.

Mileage: 2

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL DELAYED IN RESPONDING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR BOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED TO BE TOWED TO ANOTHER SHOP IN REGARDS TO IT BEING A MODIFIED VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AND THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000. *JS

Mileage: 38,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DURING A ROUTINE CHECK-UP, AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUB-FRAME WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE COLONIAL FORD, INC DEALER (508-746-3400, 147 SAMOSET ST, PLYMOUTH, MA 02360) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS ROTTED OUT. THE TECHNICIAN, HOWEVER, STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,031.

Mileage: 106,031

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING A ROUTINE CHECK-UP AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC SHOP, THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BENNA FORD SUPERIOR (715-394-8669, LOCATED AT 3022 TOWER AVE, SUPERIOR, WI 54880) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED OUT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE MILEAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 250,000.

Mileage: 250,000

1. REAR AXLE FRACTURED SEVERELY & BROKE MAKING THE CAR UN-DRIVABLE ON 24 JAN 2019 WHILE IN MOTION DRIVING IN CITY TRAFFIC. FORD PUT BRACES ON THIS VEHICLE UNDER RECALL# 10S13, BUT THEY FAILED TO PREVENT FURTHER CORROSION AND METAL FATIGUE. THE AXLE WAS A BAD ENGINEERING DESIGN FROM THE DRAWING BOARD COMBINED WITH NOT E-COATING THE METAL DURING MANUFACTURING TO PREVENT CORROSION OF THE METAL DUE TO ROAD SALT. THE AXLE FRACTURED NEXT TO THE BRACE ON THE DRIVER SIDE AS SHOWN IN THE 4 IMAGES BELOW. I HAVE ONE TOW BILL (FLAT-BED) TO GET THE CAR OFF THE DOWNTOWN STREET TO MY HOME & WILL HAVE ANOTHER TOW BILL TO TRANSPORT IT TO WHERE I CAN REPLACE THE AXLE. 2. FRONT CRADLE FRAME'S MOUNT RUSTED OFF THAT ANCHORS THE STABILIZER BAR SO THE STABILIZER BAR HAD TO BE REMOVED. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL YEARS AGO. THE CRADLE FRAME PROBABLE WAS NOT E-COATED DURING MANUFACTURE EITHER. I CAN TAKE A PIC AND PROBABLE HAVE THE REPAIR INVOICE DETAILING THE DATE AND THE MECHANIC'S WORK TO REMOVE THE STABILIZER BAR. TO FIX THE CAR WILL NEED A NEW FRONT CRADLE FRAME, STABILIZER BAR, AND POSSIBLY MOUNT BRACKETS.

Mileage: 132,596

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER (GURLEY LEEP FORD LINCOLN, 320 E IRELAND RD, SOUTH BEND, IN 46614, (574) 291-6910) INDICATED THAT THEY SERVICED AN UNKNOWN RECALL FROM THE MANUFACTURER FOR THE REINFORCEMENT BRACKETS AND THAT THEY HAD NOT BEEN REQUIRED TO PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL REPAIRS. THE DEALER REPLACED THE REAR AXLES DUE TO THE REINFORCEMENT BRACKETS FRACTURING WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN BELOW 25 MPH. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT REQUIRED BY THE MANUFACTURER TO REINSTALL REINFORCEMENT BRACKETS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND SUGGESTED REPLACING THE SAME OEM REAR AXLES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TT CONSUMER STATED I FEEL THE REAR AXLES FAIL EVEN WITH THE RECALL BRACKETS ON, SO I FEEL FORD SHOULD PAY FOR THE BILL. THE TIRES WENT BAD AND OUT WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THE RECALL DID NOT WORK AND PUT NEW RECALL PARTS ON NEW AXLES. UPDATED 10/16/18*JB

Mileage: 122,983

REMOVED SUBFRAME TO REPLACE FAULTY TORQUE CONVERTER. FOUND SUBSTANTIAL RUSTING AT FIREWALL END OF SUBFRAME ON BOTH "ARMS", REQUIRING REPLACEMENT OF SUBFRAME. CALLED LOCAL DEALERS, NO "OPEN" RECALL (OVER 15 YEAR-OLD VAN) AND $4,900 NEW SUBFRAME QUOTE PROVIDED, WITH NO DEALER OR MANUFACTURER COVERAGE, AFTER CALLING NATIONAL AND CANADIAN MFCTR RECALL NUMBERS. MFCTR/DEALERS OF NO ASSISTANCE, WHATSOEVER. PART NOT ACTUALLY AVAILABLE.

Mileage: 104,000

THIS VAN WAS RECALLED FOR KNOWN ISSUES WITH THE REAR AXLE CORRODING. THIS RECALL INVOLVED INSTALLING SUPPORT BRACKETS ON THE AXLE. THE AXLE HAS NOW CRACKED ALMOST ALL THE WAY THROUGH NEXT TO THE BRACKET. THIS HAPPENED WHILE GOING OVER A SPEED BUMP SLOWLY. FROM MY RESEARCH ONLINE, THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE REPAIR THAT WAS ISSUED IN THIS RECALL.

Mileage: 140,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE DEALER (RUSS MILNE FORD, 24777 HALL RD, MACOMB, MI 48042, (877) 821-8648) INDICATED THAT A RECALL REMEDY WAS PROVIDED FOR THE REPLACEMENT BRACKETS BEFORE THE CONTACT OWNED THE VEHICLE. WITHIN A YEAR OF OWNING THE VEHICLE, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT A RECALL HAD ALREADY BEEN PROVIDED. ALTHOUGH THE CONTACT INFORMED THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE RECALL REMEDY FAILED TO CORRECT THE FAILURE, THEY STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD NEED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE CRADLE WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED TO THE POINT OF FRACTURING, CAUSING SHAKING AND A STRONG VIBRATION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE STATIONARY, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT ENGINE CRADLE OF THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE HOLES IN THE ENGINE CRADLE. MATTHEWS FORD OREGON IN OREGON, OHIO WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.

Mileage: 190,000

SUB FRAME

Mileage: 141,588

I WAS DRIVING AT AROUND 30 MPH, 2 CARS IN FRONT SLAMMED ON BRAKES, I WAS APPROXIMATELY 1 1/2 CAR LINKS BACK AND HIT THE BRAKES. ABS FAILED, AIRBAGS FAILED, AND SLID INTO CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS ON A CITY STREET GOING STRAIGHT.

Mileage: 86,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE SUBFRAME COMPLETELY FRACTURED AND FELL APART WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC (SPIELMANN SERVICE CENTER MN; 952-546-0508) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT FORD WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER (LUTHER NORTH COUNTRY FORD, LOCATED AT 10401 WOODCREST DR NW, COON RAPIDS, MN 55433; (612) 424-7648) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, AND DRIVE TRAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT 800-392-3673 AND STATED THAT ONLY THE SUBFRAME COULD BE REPAIRED FOR FREE, BUT THE DAMAGE FOR THE ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, AND DRIVE TRAIN WOULD HAVE TO BE PAID FOR BY THE CONTACT. A CASE NUMBER WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 184,500.

Mileage: 184,500

TAKATA INFLATORS;I FORD DENYING MY REQUEST F VIN #[XXX] I HAVE AN OBVIOUS CRACK (SEE PHOTOS) DIRECTLY UNDER THE BRACKET A BAND-AID THAT FORD ISSUED IN AN EARLIER RECALL ON MY REAR AXLE WITH THE SOLE PURPOSE OF THIS BAND-AID TO PREVENT SUCH CRACKING. APPARENTLY MY BRACKET PART WAS DEEMED INSTALLED CORRECTLY, EFFECTIVELY CAUSING A DENIAL FOR A REPLACEMENT PART ON MY WINDSTAR. CLEARLY THIS BRACKET FAILED AND DID NOT STOP MY REAR AXLE FROM EXPERIENCING CRACKING! FORD CLEARLY NEW EXACTLY WHERE THIS CRACKING WOULD OCCUR BECAUSE THE CRACK APPEARS DIRECTLY UNDER THE BRACKET INSTALLED TO CREATE A STRONGER PART. THE ONLY THING HOLDING THIS REAR AXLE TOGETHER IS THIS BRACKET. THIS PARTICULAR PART IN QUESTION IS DIRECTLY BELOW THE GAS TANK, SHOULD THIS CRUCIAL PART EXPERIENCE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING ON A 70MPH HIGHWAY WHAT WOULD HAPPEN? ALSO LOOKING AT MY WINDSTAR ON A LIFT WE NOTICED THE CENTER OF THE WINDSTAR SEEMS TO BE SAGGING (SEE PHOTOS) FROM WHAT APPEARS TO BE THE UNDER CARRIAGE BREAKING DOWN FROM RUST AND CORROSION, THIS APPEARS TO BE CAUSING EXTREME STRUCTURE FAILURE. I DO RESIDE IN ONE OF THE STATED SALT BELT STATES AS BEING THE STATE OF IOWA. WHAT WOULD THE FULL CRITERIA FOR THIS RECALL AND BUYBACK PROGRAM ON CERTAIN WINDSTAR?S IN 2011 THRU 2013 BE? WHY WAS MY WINDSTAR LIMITED EXCLUDED IN THIS RECALL? I STILL HAVE NOT BEEN ADVISED NOT TO DRIVE MY WINDSTAR BY ANY CURRENT FORD REPRESENTATIVES. HOWEVER FORMER FORD MECHANICS HAVE ADVISED ME NOT TO DRIVE MY WINDSTAR, THESE SAME MECHANICS? ARE ADAMANT MY WINDSTAR IS UNSAFE! I HAVE BEEN ATTEMPTING TO FIX THE CONCERNS THAT MOFFITTS FORD IN BOONE IOWA WANTED ME TO REPAIR AT THE TIME OF THE AXLE INSPECTION. ONLY HAVING MORE CONCERN BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION ABOUT THE AXLE. I WROTE [XXX] A LETTER 2/15/17 ASKING TO OVERTURN AND ALLOW REPAIR [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR *JS

Mileage: 18,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR A RECALL RELATED TO THE LOWER CONTROL ARM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REPAIR FOR THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS COMPLETED; HOWEVER, THE SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED. THE RUST WAS WITHIN THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE CONTROL ARM AND THE SUBFRAME. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE RUST WAS PART OF THE RECALL REPAIR THAT WAS COMPLETED. THE RECALL INFORMATION WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

Mileage: 140,000

I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL IN 2012 ABOUT THE SUBFRAME SUPPORTING THE MOTOR AND TRANSMISSION. FORD PUT TWO BRACKETS ON MY VEHICLE OVER THE RUST SPOTS. NOW THE FRAME HAS ALMOST RUSTED AWAY. MY MECHANIC SAID I SHOULD NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE IN THAT CONDITION, IT IS NOT SAFE. INSTEAD OF REPLACING THE RUSTY COMPONENT FORD PATCHED IT. I STILL DRIVE THE VAN, IT HAS 138,000 MILES ON IT. I LIVE IN MINNESOTA WHERE RUST IS A PROBLEM. THE FIX WAS INAPPROPRIATE FOR THE AREA. UPDATED 07/20/2017*JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V608000 (STRUCTURE). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT THE BRACKETS WERE INSTALLED PROPERLY, BUT FAILED TO PROVIDE A CORRECT DIAGNOSIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRE RUBBED AGAINST THE FRAME IN THE REAR AND FRACTURED THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE BRACKET. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE FRAME FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V608000 (SUSPENSION), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,302.

Mileage: 141,302

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE A RACK AND PINION WAS BEING INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V030000 (STRUCTURE), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE PREVIOUS REPAIR WAS NOT ADEQUATE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, AN UNUSUAL NOISE WAS HEARD UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME UNDERNEATH THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS BADLY RUSTED AND WAS CONSIDERED UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM PARTS OF THE FRAME THAT WERE FRACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,759. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Mileage: 111,759

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, A CLUNKING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRADLE MOUNT FRACTURED DUE TO CORROSION AND RUSTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

Mileage: 120,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE FRONT END FRAME FRACTURED AND DISENGAGED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHOCK ABSORBER, FRONT END SPRING, AND FRAME WERE FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Mileage: 100,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE ON THE FLOORBOARD AND THE CHECK ENGINE AND BRAKE INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED BEYOND REPAIR. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE OPTION WAS A COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF THE FRAME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE RECALL EXPIRED AFTER THREE YEARS. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REMEDIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 95,000.

Mileage: 95,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT SUBFRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND WAS PREVIOUSLY INSPECTED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V030000 (STRUCTURE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 146,000.

Mileage: 146,000

HOPING THEY HAVE A REPAIR FOR THE SUBFRAME PASSENGER REAR MINE IS BADLY ROTTED AND AFRAID TO DRIVE IT AS IT CAN CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT OR BE POSSIBLY HAZARDOUS FORD PLEASE CURE THIS.

IN MARCH 2015, I REPORTED TO FORD THAT THE REAR AXLE BROKE IN HALF WHILE DRIVING. WE HAD BEEN DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE 10 MINUTES BEFORE GOING 70 MPH. IF IT HAD BROKEN THEN, MY HUSBAND AND TWO DAUGHTERS (13, 15) WOULD HAVE MOST CERTAINLY BEEN KILLED. HOWEVER, GOD SPARED US BECAUSE WE WERE ONLY GOING 30 MPH ON A SIDE STREET WHEN THE AXLE FAILED. WHEN I REPORTED IT, FORD TOLD ME THAT THE REAR AXLE RECALL ( I HAD PERFORMED IN 2012) WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. ALSO, ANY PRIVATE MECHANICS I APPROACHED SAID IT WAS A FORD RECALL AND WOULD NOT PERFORM THE REPAIR. SO, AT 137,000 MILES WE JUNKED THE VEHICLE AT A JUNK YARD BECAUSE WE COULDN'T GET IT REPAIRED.

Mileage: 137,000

AFTER NOTICING WOBBLING OF MY BACK TIRE DRIVING MY DAUGHTER HOME FROM SCHOOL MY FATHER LOOKED AT ME VEHICLE TO NOT ONLY SEE THAT MY REAR AXEL HAD CRACKED (IN PROCESS OF INSEPCTION FOR RECALL REPAIR ON THAT) BUT ALSO NOTUCE THE THE FRONT SUB FRAME IS RUSTING SO MUCH THAT EVERYTHING ATTACHED TO IT IS STARTING TO DETACH.

Mileage: 186,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, A KNOCKING NOISE EMITTED FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME ENGINE CROSS MEMBER WAS CORRODED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THE REMEDY FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V030000 (STRUCTURE) WAS PERFORMED APPROXIMATELY 4 YEARS AGO. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD EXPERIENCED ADDITIONAL FAILURES RELATED TO THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,400.

Mileage: 61,400

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS BENT AND NOTICED THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V030000 (STRUCTURE). HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

Mileage: 115,000

OUR VAN HAS A RUSTING SUBFRAME. WE BROUGHT IT IN TO A MECHANIC BECAUSE OF A SCRAPING SOUND WE HEARD WHEN MAKING SHARP RIGHT-HAND TURNS, ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVING DOWN AN INCLINE. THE MECHANIC TOLD US OF A POTENTIAL RECALL ON A RUSTING SUBFRAME SO WE BROUGHT IT INTO A FORD DEALERSHIP. THEY REFUSED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE SUBFRAME AT THEIR COST.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED, AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR AND FRONT SUBFRAMES WERE SEVERELY CORRODED. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT SUBFRAME EXHIBITED A HOLE ON THE DRIVER SIDE AND THE REAR AXLE WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V030000 (STRUCTURE), BUT THE SUBFRAMES WERE NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,120. UPDATED 02/18/15*LJ UPDATED 10/2/2015*JS

Mileage: 91,120

IN 2011 FORD RECALLED OVER 400000 VANS (1997-2003) DUE TO SERIOUS CORROSION OF AXLES AND OTHER COMPONENTS. SPECIAL REPAIRS WERE DONE AT FORD EXPENSE. RECENTLY MY MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT THE REAR MOTOR MOUNT AND THE VAN SUB FRAME HAD CONTINUED TO RUST BADLY TO THE EXTENT THAT THE UNIT WAS A SAFETY RISK. A SEARCH OF THE INTERNET INDICATES THAT MANY, MANY REPAIRED FORD VEHICLES HAVE EXPERIENCED VERY SERIOUS CORROSION OF THE SUB FRAMES AND THE REPAIRED AXLES WITH SERIOUS RESULTS INCLUDING FAILURE OF SUB FRAMES AND OR AXLES WHEN DRIVING!! *TR

Mileage: 120,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 173,000.

Mileage: 173,000

THE REAR AXLE BROKE IN THE PLACE THAT WAS "FIXED" BY THE RECALL WORK IN 2010. NOTICED SQUEAKING NOISES (TIRE WAS RUBBING) AND A LARGE CLUNK AND WIGGLE WHEN TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT. TOOK A PHOTO WHEN I GOT TO THE PARKING LOT. MY REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WAS AT AN ANGLE TO THE VEHICLE AND THE REAR AXLE WAS BROKEN UNDER THE COLLAR THAT HAD BEEN ATTACHED BY A DEALER FOR THE RECALL. THE WELD HELD UP, BUT THE AXLE SNAPPED UNDERNEATH THE FIX-UP JOB. APPARENTLY THE RECALL FIX WASN'T REALLY A FIX. TOWED IT INTO A DEALER, WHO TOOK PHOTOS AND TALKED TO FORD. FORD SAID THEY WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING. COST ME $$ TO TOW IT TO THE DEALER AND BACK HOME AGAIN. DON'T HAVE $1,000 TO PAY THE DEALER FOR A NEW REAR AXLE. VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT THEY DIDN'T STAND BY THEIR WORK. VERY THANKFUL THAT I WAS NOT ON THE FREEWAY, AND THAT ALL MY CHILDREN WERE NOT WITH ME AT THE TIME. IT COULD HAVE BEEN SO MUCH WORSE! *TR

Mileage: 142,000

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS 2001 FORD WINDSTAR SE MINIVAN WHICH NOW HAS A RUSTED, CORRODED AND BROKEN PASSENGER SIDE ENGINE SUBFRAME WHICH RENDERS THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I COMPLIED WITH THE EARLIER FORD RECALLS WITH REGARD TO THIS ISSUE (11S16) AND THE SERVICE WAS COMPLETED (6/20/2012) AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP. NOW AFTER 27 MONTHS AND LESS THAN 16,000 MILES LATER, THE ENGINE SUBFRAME BREAKS AND THE COST TO REPAIR OF ABOUT $5,000.00 EXCEEDS THE KELLEY BLUE BOOK VALUES FOR THE VEHICLE. FORD HAS REFUSED ANY HELP AND CLAIMS THEY HAVE COMPLIED WITH THE RECALL WORK AND THE MATTER IS CLOSED. I BELIEVE THE RECALL SUPPORT BRACKET THAT WAS INSTALLED WAS NOTHING MORE THAT A BAND-AID APPROACH TO CORRECT A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE WITH SUBSTANDARD ENGINE SUBFRAME PARTS. I HAVE ASKED FORD TO BUY MY VEHICLE BACK, AS THAT WAS AN OPTION UNDER THE RECALL(11S16) BUT THEY HAVE REFUSED AGAIN SAYING THE MATTER WAS CLOSED. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THE ENGINE SUBFRAME PARTS SHOULD LAST MUCH LONGER THAN 13 YEARS OR 97,000 MILES. AFTER ALL FORD SUGGESTS THE 1ST ENGINE TUNE UP FOR THIS VEHICLE AT 100,000 MILES. I GUESS I WON'T BE WORRYING ABOUT THAT IN THE FUTURE. I HAVE THIS VEHICLE NOW FOR A SHORT WHILE AND I HAVE PICTURES OF THE BROKEN SUBFRAME. I WILL BE GETTING RID OF IT PROBABLY TO A JUNK YARD FOR SCRAP VALUE. I AM WORRIED ABOUT ALL THE OTHER WINDSTAR OWNERS DRIVING AROUND WITH THIS SAME POTENTIAL CONDITION ON OUR ROADS AND HIGHWAYS. I WANT YOU TO INITIATE A FOLLOW UP INVESTIGATION INTO THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE RECALL FIX(11S16) AS SEEN ON MY VEHICLE AND OTHERS. AS A RESULT OF THIS EXPERIENCE, I WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER FORD IN MY LIFE. *TR

Mileage: 96,859

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING AT APPROXIMATELY 4 MPH, THE MOTOR DETACHED, FELL FROM THE VEHICLE, AND PULLED ALL THE CABLES FOR THE GEAR SHIFT. IN ADDITION, THE ABS, THE AIRBAG, AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE MECHANIC STATED THAT A REAR AXLE AND THE FRONT SUB FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 236,000.

Mileage: 236,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, WHO STATED THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V030000 (STRUCTURE, SUSPENSION), HOWEVER THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

Mileage: 200,000

WHILE DRIVING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION I HEARD A LOUD BANG UNDERNEATH THE CAR AND I LOST ALL STEERING CONTROL! I PARKED THE CAR AND CALLED FOR A TOW. WHEN VAN WAS ON THE FLATBED I OBSERVED THE ENGINE MOUNTING HAD DETACHED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CAR. THE ENGINE AND OTHER COMPONENTS WERE HANGING DOWN. HAD VAN TOWED HOME. THROUGH MY OWN RESEARCH I FOUND THAT MY VAN WAS PART OF RECALL NO. 11S16 FOR CORROSION RELATED FRACTURES AT THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM REAR ATTACHING BRACKETS AND BODY MOUNT ATTACHMENTS AT THE REAR OF THE FRONT SUBFRAME. I WAS SHOCKED THAT I HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THIS RECALL BECAUSE I HAD BEEN NOTIFIED REGARDING RECALL NO 11S13 FOR REAR AXLE CORROSION RELATED CRACKING. VAN WAS TAKEN FOR INSPECTION AXLE AND WE WERE TOLD IT PASSED AND NOTHING ELSE NEEDED TO BE DONE. HAD VAN TOWED AGAIN, THIS TIME TO DEALER. DEALER SAYS SUBFRAME AND REAR AXLE NEED REPLACED AND FORD WANTS TO DO THE REPLACEMENT. AS A RESULT OF THE FRAME DETACHMENT, THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT NEEDS REPLACED. THERE ARE OTHER UNKNOWN COMPONENTS THAT MAY NEED REPAIRED/REPLACED AND THEY WON'T KNOW UNTIL THEY DO THE WORK. THE OTHER REPAIRS MAY OR MAY NOT BE PAID FOR BY FORD. UNDER FORD'S OWN REMEDIES, IF BRACKETS CAN NOT REPAIR THE ORIGINAL SUBFRAME, THEN A REPURCHASE OFFER FOR THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE MADE. TO DATE, FORD HAS REFUSED THIS AS A REMEDY. INSTEAD, THEY WANT TO REPLACE THE SUBFRAME AND AXLE THAT WOULD HAVE TO BE ATTACHED TO OTHER CORRODED PARTS OF THE VEHICLE. MY FAMILY'S LIVES WERE ALREADY PUT IN DANGER ENOUGH BY THESE DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS. I WAS NOT NOTIFIED REGARDING THE SUBFRAME RECALL AND THE REAR AXLE WAS IMPROPERLY HANDLED. THE AXLE SHOULD HAVE HAD REINFORCEMENT BRACKETS ATTACHED EVEN IF IT DID PASS INSPECTION. THIS WAS NOT DONE NOR WERE WE TOLD TO BRING IT BACK IN TO BE DONE. FORD SHOULD BE FORCED TO BUY BACK MY VEHICLE UNDER IT'S OWN REMEDY INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED TO THE NHTSA. *TR

Mileage: 212,600

WHILE BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY THE SUBFRAME FELL OUT OF MY VEHICLE CAUSING THE THROTTLE BODY TO OPEN ALL THE WAY DROPPED OUT OF REVERSE AND WENT INTO DRIVE LOST STEERING ,LOST BRAKES JAMMED VEHICLE INTO PARK TO STOP 1 FOOT FROM TELEPHONE POLE. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO FORD TOOK 1 WEEK TO HERE ANYTHING FROM THEM ,WAS TOLD I COULD NOT HAVE A RENTAL OR LOANER VEHICLE WHILE THEY HAD MY CAR. CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE WAS TOLD I COULD ONLY GET RENTAL CAR FOR 1 DAY FOR SUBFRAME AND 1 DAY FOR REAR AXLE RECALL , AS OF 7/14 2014 WAS TOLD I WOULD MAYBE HAVE MY VEHICLE BACK BY NEXT WEEK AFTER FORD EVALUATED MY CAR FOR REPAIRS. I DID NOT RECEIVE A PHONE CALL FROM FORD DEALER UNTIL 7/14/2014. *TR

Mileage: 236,000

I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 39 TOWARDS WISCONSIN DELLS WITH MY WIFE AND DAUGHTERS. ABOUT 15 MILES OUT OF MADISON WISCONSIN MY DAUGHTERS BEGAN SCREAMING I LOOKED BACK AND THERE WAS SMOKE EVERYWHERE. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED TO SIDE OF HIGHWAY AND GOT EVERYONE OUT OF THE VEHICLE. BOTH MY REAR TIRES HAD COLLAPSE. I HAD TO GET TOWED INTO A FORD DEALER IN MADISON WISCONSIN. THE REAR AXLE ON THE VAN HAD SPLIT IN HALF. CALLING FORD WAS NO HELP. THEY STATED THAT A RECALL HAD BEEN ON THAT VEHICLE A COUPLE YEARS BACK AND THAT THE WARRANTY ON THAT RECALL HAD EXPIRED. LUCKILY NOTHING HAPPENED TO MY FAMILY BUT IF THESE ISSUES ON THIS RECALL WHICH WAS DONE TWO YEARS AGO HASN'T FIXED THE PROBLEM SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET SERIOUSLY HURT! EVEN IF I FIX THIS PROBLEM I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO TRUST THIS VEHICLE. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS SOMEONE. THERE ARE MANY WINDSTARS THAT WERE REPAIRED AROUND THE SAME TIME BECAUSE OF RECALL THAT WILL BEGIN TO FALL APART AGAIN. PROBLEM NOT FIXED! *TR

Mileage: 140,000

TOOK IN FOR A RECALL ON SUBFRAME PUT ON SUPPORT BRACKETS. WENT TO GET IT INSPECTED. SUBFRAME IS ROTTED OUT. I WAS TOLD ANOTHER RECALL WAS DONE FOR THOSE IN COLD WEATHER CLIMATES. FORD RECALL COMPUTER IS DOWN. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE, AS THE FRAME WAS STRUCTURALLY UNSOUND. NO WAS WILLING TO FIX THE OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE, DUE TO THE RUSTED OUT FRAME. UPDATED 05/12/14

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE STEERING WHEEL THEN INDEPENDENTLY TURNED IN A COMPLETE CIRCLE. THE SUB FRAME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE AND DROPPED TO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V030000 (STRUCTURE). THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE THE OTHER COMPONENTS THAT WERE DAMAGED AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE. THE AFFECTED PARTS WERE THE CLOCK SPRING, EXHAUST FLEX PIPE, POWER STEERING BELT AND TRANSMISSION BRACKET, WHICH HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000. UPDATED 12/4/13*CN

Mileage: 95,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR SLIDING DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103,000.

Mileage: 103,000

HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED FOR 2 CORROSION RECALLS. WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY APPROX. 60MPH, HEARD A POP IN THE AREA OF THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE. TOOK VAN TO THE SHOP I USE, WHERE I WAS TOLD IT WAS PART OF THE FRAME AND NEED TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP(BLACKWELL FORD, PLYMOUTH, MI. 48170). DEALERSHIP SAID THE VAN NEEDED A SUBFRAME ASSY. AND RIGHT SWAY BAR BUSHING BRACKET, AND POSSIBLY MORE. ALL WAS DUE TO CORROSION, COMBINATION POOR DESIGN AND INFERIOR MATERIAL. THEY CONTACTED FORD MOTOR, SENT ESTIMATE, PICTURES AND INFORMATION. FORDS RESPONSE IS THAT IT WASN'T PART OF ANY RECALL, EVEN THOUGH THERE HAS BEEN AT LEAST TWO FOR CORROSION THAT I AM AWARE OF. THIS IS CLEARLY A DESIGN AND/OR A MATERIAL ISSUE WITH MY WINDSTAR. IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE, AND THERE IS NO WAY, WITH MY CONSCIOUS THAT I CAN TRY TO SELL IT. THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THE WINDSTAR. I'M SURE THIS IS PART OF HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE, WHAT CAN BE DONE? HOW MANY INJURIES OR DEATHS HAVE THERE BEEN BECAUSE OF CORROSION ISSUE WITH THE WINDSTAR? HELP!!!! *TR

Mileage: 150,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SWAY BAR BRACKET BECAME FRACTURED AS A RESULT OF THE SUB-FRAME BEING CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION, WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE ENTIRE SUB FRAME WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 178,000. RETURNED BY USPS ON 9-12-2013. SECOND ATTEMPT ON 10-31-2013 FAILED. *KB

Mileage: 178,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT INTO DRIVE, THE FRAME BECAME FRACTURED AND THE ENGINE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN VERIFIED THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,000. *TR

Mileage: 95,000

PASSAGE SIDE SUB FRAME IS RUSTED, ALMOST BROKEN. *TR

Mileage: 145,000

STOPPED TO GET MY OIL CHANGED, THEY SHOWED ME WHERE THE ENTIRE RIGHT FRONT SUBFRAME HAS RUSTED AWAY MAKING MY WINDSTAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I LOOKED ONLINE AND FOUND THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL WITH OF THESE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE RIGHT FRONT. THIS CAN CAUSE YOU TO LOOSE STEERING CONTROL OR IN AN EXTREME THE ENGINE TO FALL OUT GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, FORD RECALLED THE SAME PROBLEM ON THE REAR AXEL,,WHY NOT FIX THE FRONT ALSO. I LIVE IN ARKANSAN BUT BOUGHT THE WINDSTORM FROM A PERSON IN MISSOURI WHERE I SEE FORD LIST AS A STATE WITH A RUST PROBLEM BUT DOING NOTHING TO FIX IT. *TR

I HAVE A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR THAT WAS SERVICED FOR THE SAFETY RECALL 11S16,(11V030000 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER) 04/11/2011. MY VEHICLE WAS GROUNDED DO TO SIGNIFICANT SUBFRAME ROT BUT IT WAS DEEMED REPAIRABLE BY FORD. ON FEBRUARY 2, 2013 I NOTICED A 2 INCH LONG CRACK/PERFORATION ON THE TOP PART OF THE SUB-FRAME WHERE THE REPAIR BRACKET WAS ATTACHED WHEN I WAS ROTATING THE TIRES. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY WERE UNABLE TO HELP BECAUSE IT WAS REPAIRED ONCE AND THEY WONT PAY TO HAVE IT REPAIRED AGAIN. IM NOT SURE IF THEY MISSED THIS THE FIRST TIME IT WAS FIXED OR WHAT. I DO KNOW THAT ACCORDING TO FORD'S SPECS FOR DETERMINING IF A SUBFRAME IS REPAIRABLE OR NOT THIS CRACK WOULD DEEM IN NON-REPAIRABLE BECAUSE ITS WITHIN THE 2 INCH MARK FROM THE TOOLING HOLE. NOW IM JUST WAITING FOR THE SUBFRAME TO COMPLETELY CRACK WHILE IM DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THE REPAIR BRACKET THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM TO BEGIN WITH WILL NOT HOLD THE SUBFRAME TOGETHER IF IT COMPLETELY CRACKS AT THE SPOT AT WHICH ITS LOCATED IN. I ALSO BELIEVE THAT DUE TO DOWNWARD FORCE ON THE SUBFRAME BODY MOUNT AND THE FACT WHERE THE U SHAPED BRACKET IS SITTING ON THE SUBFRAME THAT HOLDS THE BRACKET ON THE SUBFRAME, IT IS ACTING LIKE A FULCRUM POINT WHERE THE SUBFRAME IS BENDING AND CRACKING. *TR

Mileage: 178,000

I HAVE A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR THAT WAS SERVICED FOR THE SAFETY RECALL 11S16,(11V030000 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER) 04/11/2011. MY VEHICLE WAS GROUNDED DO TO SIGNIFICANT SUBFRAME ROT BUT IT WAS DEEMED REPAIRABLE BY FORD. ON FEBRUARY 2, 2013 I NOTICED A 2 INCH LONG CRACK/PERFORATION ON THE TOP PART OF THE SUB-FRAME WHERE THE REPAIR BRACKET WAS ATTACHED WHEN I WAS ROTATING THE TIRES. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY WERE UNABLE TO HELP BECAUSE IT WAS REPAIRED ONCE AND THEY WONT PAY TO HAVE IT REPAIRED AGAIN. IM NOT SURE IF THEY MISSED THIS THE FIRST TIME IT WAS FIXED OR WHAT. I DO KNOW THAT ACCORDING TO FORD'S SPECS FOR DETERMINING IF A SUBFRAME IS REPAIRABLE OR NOT THIS CRACK WOULD DEEM IN NON-REPAIRABLE BECAUSE ITS WITHIN THE 2 INCH MARK FROM THE TOOLING HOLE. NOW IM JUST WAITING FOR THE SUBFRAME TO COMPLETELY CRACK WHILE IM DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THE REPAIR BRACKET THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM TO BEGIN WITH WILL NOT HOLD THE SUBFRAME TOGETHER IF IT COMPLETELY CRACKS AT THE SPOT AT WHICH ITS LOCATED IN. I ALSO BELIEVE THAT DUE TO DOWNWARD FORCE ON THE SUBFRAME BODY MOUNT AND THE FACT WHERE THE U SHAPED BRACKET IS SITTING ON THE SUBFRAME THAT HOLDS THE BRACKET ON THE SUBFRAME, IT IS ACTING LIKE A FULCRUM POINT WHERE THE SUBFRAME IS BENDING AND CRACKING. *TR

Mileage: 178,000

I HEARD LOUD CLUNKING SOUNDS IN THE FRONT THAT WERE MORE PRONOUNCED WHEN I WENT OVER BUMPS. THE SWAY BAR HAS BROKEN OFF FROM THE FRONT SUB-FRAME PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR. THE DEALER SAID THE SUB-FRAME IS SO RUSTED THAT THE ONLY WAY TO REATTACH THE SWAY BAR IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE FRONT SUB-FRAME AT A COST OF $3,500. IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER PREVIOUS RECALLS, SINCE THE PRIOR 2 RECALLS IN 2010 AND 2011 ONLY SPECIFICALLY COVERED THE REAR AXLE AND THE SEPARATION OF THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS ATTACHING BRACKETS AND BODY MOUNT ATTACHMENTS AT THE REAR OF THE FRONT SUB-FRAME. THIS PROBLEM IS SO SIMILAR TO THE JAN. 2011 RECALL W/A PART BREAKING OFF FROM A RUSTED SUB-FRAME. IT'S THE CORROSION OF THE SUB-FRAME THAT IS AT THE ROOT OF THESE PROBLEMS. THEY SHOULD HAVE JUST REPLACED THE SUB-FRAME AT THAT TIME INSTEAD OF DOING A PATCH JOB W/ BRACKETS. THE DEALER DEEMED MY CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE, AS I WON'T HAVE CONTROL OF MY CAR ON QUICK TURNS OR BE ABLE TO MAKE FAST MANEUVERS IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT OR TO AVOID POTENTIAL ACCIDENTS. ANOTHER RISK IS THAT MY ENGINE MAY FALL OUT THE BOTTOM OF MY CAR WHILE DRIVING (WHICH I SEE HAS HAPPENED TO OTHERS WITH MY SAME PROBLEM), ENDANGERING MY FAMILY AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD. I PLAN ON PARKING THIS CAR IN MY DRIVEWAY AND WAITING FOR FORD TO BE FORCED TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES. IN THE MEANTIME, IF ANY OF YOU HAVE A SIMILAR PROBLEM, PLEASE REPORT THEM TO FORD CORPORATION AND THE NHTSA, SO WHAT I BELIEVE TO BE AN INEVITABLE RECALL WILL BE EXPEDITED. EVEN THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE REP ENCOURAGED ME TO FILE A REPORT WITH THE NHTSA BECAUSE SHE HAS GOTTEN CALLS WITH OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. SHE WAS VERY SYMPATHETIC TO MY SITUATION BUT SAID THERE IS NOTHING SHE CAN DO UNTIL ENOUGH COMPLAINTS GET FILED WITH THE NHTSA SO THEY OPEN AN INVESTIGATION. WHAT HAPPENED TO COMPANIES WANTING TO HELP THEIR CUSTOMERS W/O BEING FORCED BY A GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY?! *TR

Mileage: 185,400

THE REAR AXLE, IS RUSTED AND SNAPPED LITERALLY RIGHT IN HALF WHILE DRIVING WITH MY TWO YOUNG CHILDREN! WE WERE LUCKY ENOUGH NOT TO HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT OR IN AN ACCIDENT! *TR

Mileage: 191,600

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR AN INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE FRONT PORTION OF THE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V030000 (STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS); HOWEVER THE VIN WAS INELIGIBLE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ORIGINALLY SOLD OR REGISTERED IN THE STATES MENTIONED IN THE RECALL DEFECT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

Mileage: 120,000

JUST 18-MONTHS AFTER THE FORD WINDSTAR SAFETY RECALL REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED, THE FRONT SUB-FRAME OF MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR CRACKED RESULTING IN LOSS OF STABILITY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP IN MIDLAND MICHIGAN. IT WAS DEEMED UNSAFE TO DRIVE BY THE FORD DEALERSHIP SERVICE MANAGER AND REPAIR TECHNICIAN. *TR

Mileage: 148,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V030000 (STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS) AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR RECALL SERVICE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UNBEKNOWNST TO HIM, THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT FULLY COMPLETED AND THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNSAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO THE SUB-FRAME BEING COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE PRESIDENT OF THE COMPANY AND THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS WERE INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. A LETTER WAS MAILED TO THE CONTACT ADVISING THAT THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER REPAIRED ONLY PART OF THE FRONT SUB-FRAME, THEY DID NOT REPLACE IT. THE CONSUMER LATER LEARNED FORD'S INSTRUCTION WAS TO PERFORM COSMETIC REPAIR OF THE CORROSIVE DAMAGE ON THE FRONT SUB-FRAME. SIX MONTHS LATER, WHEN THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL SERVICE STATION FOR AN OIL CHANGE, HE WAS INFORMED THE SUB-FRAME MOUNT WAS COMPLETELY ROTTED OUT. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY LETTER, AFTER WRITING TO FORD, THEY WOULD NOT HONOR ANY NEW REPAIRS. UPDATED 02/11/13

Mileage: 85,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V030000 (STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS) AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR RECALL SERVICE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UNBEKNOWNST TO HIM, THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT FULLY COMPLETED AND THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNSAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO THE SUB-FRAME BEING COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE PRESIDENT OF THE COMPANY AND THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS WERE INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. A LETTER WAS MAILED TO THE CONTACT ADVISING THAT THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER REPAIRED ONLY PART OF THE FRONT SUB-FRAME, THEY DID NOT REPLACE IT. THE CONSUMER LATER LEARNED FORD'S INSTRUCTION WAS TO PERFORM COSMETIC REPAIR OF THE CORROSIVE DAMAGE ON THE FRONT SUB-FRAME. SIX MONTHS LATER, WHEN THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL SERVICE STATION FOR AN OIL CHANGE, HE WAS INFORMED THE SUB-FRAME MOUNT WAS COMPLETELY ROTTED OUT. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY LETTER, AFTER WRITING TO FORD, THEY WOULD NOT HONOR ANY NEW REPAIRS. UPDATED 02/11/13

Mileage: 85,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING HE HEARD A NOISE UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSE THAT THE SUB FRAME OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE HAD ALREADY BEEN REPAIRED UNDER RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V030000 (STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS: UNDER BODY SHIELDS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,023. THE CONSUMER STATED THE RECALL PART WAS NOT REPLACED IN FRONT OR REAR SUBFRAME. A BRACKET WAS PUT IN FRONT OF SUB FRAME JUST IN CASE IT BREAKS. REAR SUB FRAME WAS COVERED WITH FOAM. IT WILL BREAK LATER. UPDATED 12/28/2012 *JS

Mileage: 142,023

7/21/2011 BOUGHT VAN FROM PRIVATE PARTY. RECALL COMPLETED IN MARCH OF 2011 REGARDING BACK AXLE. ON 7/13/2012 8PM, MY 18YR OLD SON, WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM LACROSSE PRACTICE, NEARLY KILLED. UPON PULLING OUT ONTO THE MAIN ROAD, HE LOST ALL CONTROLS, NO STEERING, NO BRAKES AND NO POWER. HE COASTED AND PRAYED IT WOULD STOP. I ARRIVED, WE CALLED AAA. FLATBED TO MY HOME DRIVER COULD NOT BELIEVE HIS EYES. THE ENGINE HAD FALLEN OUT. 7/16/12 CALLED FORD IN MICH AND SPOKE TO REP. TO BE TOWED 13 MILES AWAY TO ROUTE 23 AUTO AT OUR EXPENSE. REALLY? ROUTE23 WANTED NOTHING TO DO WITH ME (THEY DID RECALL). WENT BACK AND FORTH THEN PER RT23 "IT WILL BE A MONTH UNTIL WE CAN LOOK AT IT" GETTING KNOW WHERE. 7/18-22 BORROWED FRIEND CAR FOR TOURNAMENT. 8/1/12 CALLED MAGARINO FORD AND WITH GREAT CONCERN HAD A FLATBED THAT NIGHT. THIS TOW TRUCK DRIVER COULD NOT BELIEVE IT. FLUIDS RACED OUT AND DOUBLE STABILIZED FOR ENGINE SLIDING DURING TRANSPORT. 8/2/12 MAGARINO CALLED 9AM, PICTURES SENT TO FORD AND AWAITING REPLY. 8/5/12 T/C FROM M STATING FORD REFUSES TO BUY BACK AND SENDING A SUBFRAME. YOU MEAN A RECALLED ONE? MAGARINO CAUGHT IN MIDDLE I QUESTIONED WHETHER HE WOULD PUT HIS CHILDREN IN THIS VAN. HE SOFTLY REPLIED, "NO" WHAT AM I TO DO, OUT OF WORK 2 YEARS, SINGLE PARENT WITH NO CAR TO FIND WORK. 8/8/12 I QUESTIONED FORD WHY THIS VAN EVER LEFT RT 23 AUTO, ACCORDING TO RESEARCHED PAPER A PART WAS WAITING ON. YOU MEAN TO TELL ME THAT UPON THIS FIXED AXLE NOBODY NOTICED THE SUBFRAME WAS ROTTED FROM INSIDE OUT CAUSING THE ENGINE TO FALL OUT THE NEXT SUMMER NEARLY KILLING MY SON! BUT THEY SIGNED IT WAS FINE! REALLY? NOW WE HAVE CASE # 1373091992 8/10/12 PICKED UP VAN. BROKE= A/C, R-WINDOW, HEATER ENGINE, AIRBAG, BRAKE LIGHT ON, RUNS HOT STEERING= THUMPS MAKES NOISE (FULL FLUID) SKIP GEARS, SWAYS, BARELY CAN GET UP A HILL. 11YR OLD SCARED TO DRIVE IN IT

Mileage: 150,000

THE EXTERIOR AND UNDERPART OF THE VAN HAS TONS OF RUST ON IT. THE EXTERIOR IS THE LEAST OF MY WORRIES, BUT ALL THE METAL PIECES UNDER THE CAR CONTINUE TO RUST LIKE NO OTHER. *TR

WHEN DRIVING THE FRONT END OF MY VAN WOULD START SHAKING AT 54MPH. TOOK IT IN TO MY MECHANIC JULYOF 2012 TOLD ME MY SUBFRAME WAS BAD .FORD RECALLED MY VAN IN JAN OF 2011 HAD IT FOR FOUR MONTHS RECALL ON SUBFRAME AND REAR AXLE WAS COMPLETED IN MAY OF 2011 CONTACTED FORD THEY WILL NOT HELP ME. *TR

Mileage: 1,217,329

MAKING A LEFT TURN, HEARD A LOUD BANG. THE SWAY BAR LINK CAME LOOSE ATTACHED TO A CHUNK OF RUSTED METAL FROM THE SUBFRAME. THE SWAY BAR AND LINK ARE FINE. IT IS A PART OF THE SUBFRAME WHERE IT ATTACHES TO THAT CAME OFF. THERE IS NO WAY TO REATTACH THE SWAY BAR AS THE WHOLE SECTION WHERE IT ATTACHES TO SUBFRAME IS RUSTED. CALLED FORD DEALER IN ITHACA, THIS IS NOT COVERED BY THEIR RECALLS. *TR

Mileage: 86,604

I WAS DRIVING HOME WHEN I WENT AROUND A CORNER I HEARD A THUMP IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF MY WINDSTAR, THE FOLLOWING MORNING I TOOK IT INTO MY MECHANIC. HE LOOKED THE VEHICLE OVER AND TOLD ME THE SUB FRAME HAS RUSTED OUT WHERE THE STABILIZER BAR CONNECTS. THIS ISSUE WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED BY FORD THE PREVIOUS YEAR WHEN THEY HAD IT IN FOR THE REAR AXLE RECALL. I FIND FORD HAD MADE THE DECISION TO PUT SOME USELESS BRACKETS IN AND NOT REPLACE THE SUB-FRAME. I CALLED CUSTOMER CARE CONCERNING THE PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS ONLY A YEAR WARRANTY ON THE WORK SO THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO AS I HAD PICKED UP THE VAN END OF APRIL /BEGINNING OF MAY 2011. A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM AND QUITE EVIDENTLY THEIR FIX WITH SOME LITTLE BRACKETS DID NOT REPAIR THE ISSUE, I AM NOT SURE HOW SOME BRACKETS ARE SUPPOSE TO CORRECT A RUSTING OUT SUB FRAME TO BEGIN WITH. *TR

Mileage: 150,200

THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN RUINING EVERY FRONT TIRE PUT ON IT EVER SINCE THE RECALL FRONT SUBFRAME WORK WAS DONE ON IT BY FORD IN 9/2011 AND IT HAS BEEN THROUGH 2 SETS OF FRONT TIRES IN THE LAST 4,500 MILES SINCE THE WORK WAS DONE. FORD DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE ANY RESPONSIBILITY AND THE LAST DEALER WHO LOOKED AT IT TOLD ME I NEEDED TIRES. NO KIDDING. THE LAST TIME I TOOK IT TO FIRESTONE TO GET TIRES, THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULDN'T TOUCH IT AND THAT I NEEDED TO TAKE IT TO A BODY SHOP; THE SPECS WERE SO OFF. THE DEALER THAT DID THE ORIGINAL WORK REDOCUMENTED THE CAR'S PROBLEMS 3 TIMES BUT THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO BUY IT BACK AND THEY DID THE WORK ON IT THE BEST THEY COULD AND THIS IS WHAT I AM LEFT WITH: AN UNSAFE VEHICLE. I HAD A BLOW OUT ON INTERSTATE 95 ON CHRISTMAS EVE THAT COULD HAVE TAKEN MY LIFE AND ANOTHER BLOW OUT SINCE THEN AT A SLOWER SPEED (THANK GOD!) I NEED HELP NAILING FORD TO THE WALL ON THIS AND MAKING THEM BE RESPONSIBLE FOR RISKING MY SAFETY AND I AM SURE THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE. I WONDER IF OTHER PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HURT OR LOST THEIR LIVES OVER THIS?? OVER A FEW DOLLARS?? FORD NEEDS TO BE MADE TO ADMIT THEY DID NOT PROTECT THEIR CUSTOMERS PROPERLY. I WONDER IF IT ALL COMES DOWN TO AVOIDING LIABILITY FOR PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN INJURED. PLEASE HELP ME. *TR

ON SUNDAY JULY 8TH, 2012 I WAS DRIVING MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR I STOPPED AT A LIGHT AND AS THE LIGHT CHANGED I BEGAN DRIVING AND THEN HEARD A LOUD NOISE, MY WHEELS BEGAN TO SQUEEL AND PULL ALL OVER AND MY VAN CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP IN THE ROAD AND WOULD NOT MOVE.. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WAS TURNED OUTWARD BUT MY WHEEL WAS STRAIGHT. THANK GOD I WAS NOT ON AN EXPRESSWAY OR HIGHWAY WITH ALL MY KIDS IN THE VEHICLE.. I CALLED A TOW TRUCK THE DRIVER INSPECTED IT AND SAID SOMETHING UNDERNEATH THE FRONT FRAME HAD SNAPPED OFF.. SO TODAY I HAD IT TOWED INTO A FORD DEALER TO FIND OUT IT IS A NEW RECALL HOW CAN THESE WINDSTAR VANS HAVE SO MANY FRAME AND AXLE ISSUES AND BE SAFE TO DRIVE EXSPECIALLY WITH ALL THESE BRACKETS THEY ARE HAVING TO PUT ON THEM FOR THE RECALLS.. IF I WAS ON AN EXPRESSWAY ME AND MY SON WOULD OF BEEN HURT BADLY IF NOT KILLED.. NOT TO MENTION IF I WOULD OF HIT SOMEONE ELSE I COULD OF INJURED OTHERS TOO..I WILL NEVER TRUST ANOTHER WINDSTAR WITH MY FAMILY THIS IS CRAZY.. IT IS THE SUBFRAME FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM REAR ATTACHING FLAGES COMPLETELY BROKE/SNAPPED OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN A BASIC 40 MPH ROAD..WHEN IT BROKE IT MESSED UP THE UNDERNEATH OF MY VEHICLE IT RIPPED THE DRIVE SHAFT RIGHT OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION.. AND WHO KNOWS WHAT ELSE IS DAMAGED NOW.. PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THIS NOW BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY HURT.. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE NEAR THE SLIDING DOORS AND ROCKER PANELS. AS A RESULT, THERE WAS NOT PLACE TO SUPPORT THE UNIVERSAL JACK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND CONFIRMED THAT THE FRAME AND THE AREAS NEAR THE ROCKER PANELS WERE CORRODED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 230,000.

Mileage: 230,000

FRONT SUB-FRAME BADLY RUSTED AND SWAY BAR WELDED MOUNTS ON THE SUB-FRAME HAVE RUSTED AND BROKEN IN HALF CAUSING POOR STEERING CONTROL AND EXCESSIVE BODY ROLL. AS A NOTE, THIS VEHICLE WAS RUSTPROOFED WHEN NEW AND INSPECTED OVER THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE EACH YEAR. ALSO, FORD HAS INSPECTED THE FRONT SUB-FRAME IN JANUARY OF 2011 ON A RECALL AND IT APPEARS DID NOT FIND A PROBLEM WITH THE SUB-FRAME IN THIS AREA. GIVEN THE SEVERITY OF THE RUST IT WOULD APPEAR THE PROBLEM EXISTED AT THE TIME OF INSPECTION. *JS

Mileage: 99,500

MY DRIVERS SIDE BACK DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE AND MY PASSENGER SIDE BACK DOOR WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE. MY (ABS) LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF. THERE IS A CRACKING NOISE UNDER WHERE MY FRONT TIRES ARE ON BOTH SIDES. *TR

AT A MAJOR INTERSECTION GETTING ONTO A HIGHWAY OUR SUBFRAME GAVE OUT AND WE CAME TO A SCREECHING HALT & A DEAD STOP. THE ENTIRE SUBFRAME UNDER THE PASSENGERS SIDE OF THE VAN ROTTED AND THE WHEEL WAS UP AGAINST THE FRAME OF THE CAR. IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT. IT COST US $1,500.00. *TT

Mileage: 105,899

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V030000 (STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS: UNDER BODY SHIELDS) IN 2001. THE CONTACT STATED THAT PER THE RECALL, ATTACHING BRACKETS WERE INSTALLED TO BOTH FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS. MOST RECENTLY, THE SUB FRAME WAS FOUND TO BE FRACTURED NEAR THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THEY PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED THE VEHICLE UNDER THE RECALL AND WOULD NOT MAKE THE REPAIR A SECOND TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE RECALL DID NOT PERTAIN TO THE SUB FRAME AND THAT THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED THE RECALL DID SO ACCORDINGLY. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,500.

Mileage: 45,500

MY '01 WINDSTAR HAD SUBFRAME REPAIR IN SPRING 2011... WAS SAID TO BE " INSPECT SUBFRAME- DID NOT PASS BUT CAN BE REPAIRED". IT WAS REPAIRED AT THAT TIME. LAST WEEK, I HAD IT INTO A MECHANIC FOR AN UNRELATED PROBLEM WHERE HE HAD IT ON THE LIFT. HE TOLD ME THAT THE SUBFRAME IS "COMPLETELY ROTTED". I CURRENTLY PLAN TO RETURN TO FORD DEALER. ..UPDATED 04/16/12 *BF *TR

Mileage: 70,062

2001 FORD WINDSTAR. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO FORD RECALL #11S16 INVOLVING THE SUBFRAME LOWER CONTROL ARE DUE TO RUST/CORROSION *TGW THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY HIS MECHANIC, THAT THE STEERING ISSUES HE WAS EXPERIENCING WERE RELATED TO THE SUBFRAME RECALL. SUBFRAME BRACKETS WERE INSTALLED AT THAT TIME. HOWEVER, WHILE DRIVING, THE CONSUMER HEARD A KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, WHENEVER THERE WAS A BUMP IN THE ROAD. THE CONSUMER RETURNED TO HIS MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS STILL DUE TO THE SUBFRAME ISSUE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE MECHANIC WAS SURPRISED THAT THE DEALER HAD REPAIRED THE PROBLEM WITH A KIT, INSTEAD OF REPLACING THE SUBFRAME. THE CONSUMER RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE SWAY BAR, WHICH HAD DISCONNECTED FROM THE SUBFRAME, BUT IT COULD NOT BE REPAIRED UNLESS THE RUSTED SUBFRAME WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF $ 2,781.00. THE DEALER SENT FORD PICTURES OF THE SUBFRAME, BUT THEY REFUSED TO REPLACE IT AT THEIR EXPENSE. *JB

VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN NOVEMBER 2009. I FIRST BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE ABS/BRAKE LIGHT COMING ON, IN FEBRUARY 2010. THE NEXT INCIDENT WAS THE POWER WINDOWS ON DRIVERS SIDE AND BACK WINDOW WOULD NOT ROLE DOWN. THE NEXT INCIDENT WAS THE HEATER WONT WORK. A RECALL AND REPAIR WAS DONE ON THE REAR SUBFRAME 11S16 IN APRIL OF 2010.VEHICLE REPAIR WAS NOT COMPLETE NOW TAKING IN FOR FRONT UNDER CARRIAGE REPAIR ON WED 21,2012. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER:11V030000(STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO PASS STATE INSPECTION DUE TO CORROSION AND A CRACK IN THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,136 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 116,700.

Mileage: 107,136

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TURNING RIGHT INTO A PARKING SPACE, A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE WAS HEARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT SUB FRAME WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THERE WERE NO RECALLS RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 167,500 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 168,000.

Mileage: 167,500

MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR WAS REPAIRED AT VALLEY FORD IN VALLEY VIEW OHIO ON 4/14/2011 UNDER RECALL #20287. I HAD THE VAN IN FOR AN UNRELATED MATTER ON 12/07/2011 AT THAT TIME I WAS INFORMED BY MY MECHANIC THAT THE SUB-FRAME WAS RUSTED THROUGH. AFTER CONTACTING FORD'S NATIONAL SERVICE CENTER I TOOK THE VAN TO VALLEY FORD. THEY INSPECTED IT AND CONFIRMED THAT THE SUB-FRAME WAS RUSTED THROUGH. THEY FORWARDED THEIR FINDING TO FORD MOTOR CO. AND FORD MOTOR CO. WAS NOT WILLING TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE WITH THE SUB-FRAME. I BELIEVE THIS ISSUE SHOULD HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED UNDER THE INITIAL RECALL. SINCE AT LEAST APRIL OF 2011 ANY TIME MY CHILDREN, MYSELF, OR ANYONE ELSE RODE IN THE VEHICLE IT WAS SUBJECT TO A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE SUB-FRAME WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS OR FATAL INJURY TO THE OCCUPANTS OR OTHERS. *TR

Mileage: 138,000

2001 FORD WINDSTAR. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RECALLS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE RECEIVED A POSTCARD IN THE MAIL ADVISING HIM TO SEE HIS LOCAL DEALER REGARDING TWO RECALLS. HOWEVER, WHEN HE ARRIVED AT THE DEALER, THEY INFORMED HIM THE RECALLS HAD ALREADY BEEN DONE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEMS ARE PRESENT IN HIS VEHICLE. *JB

BEFORE FORD RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM, MY REAR AXLE BROKE IN HALF AT 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL AND FUMES FILLING THE CAR FROM TIRES RUBBING AGAINST WHEEL WELLS. IN MARCH OF 2011 FORD RECALLED AND REINFORCED THE SUBFRAME. INSPECTION IS NOW DUE ON MY VEHICLE AND MY MECHANIC WILL NOT PASS IT DUE TO THE INSTALLMENT OF THE RECALLED REINFORCEMENT. REPORTEDLY THE INSTALLATION WAS PERFORMED AND ATTACHED TO AN EQUALLY AS CORRODED PART AND FAILURE IS ONCE AGAIN IMMINENT. I RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE FORD DEALER THAT MADE THE RECALL REPAIR AND WAS TOLD THAT IT IS INDEED SAFE. I AM NOW STUCK WITH A POTENTIAL REPAIR BILL OF $700.00 THAT WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM DUE TO THE MODEL YEAR PARTS HAVING THE SAME ISSUES, OR JUST DRIVING THE VEHICLE UNTIL FAILURE OCCURS (AGAIN) AND GOING BACK TO FORD WITH A LAWSUIT AS I CANNOT IN GOOD CONSCIENCE SELL THIS VEHICLE TO ANYONE ELSE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V030000 (STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS). UPON HAVING THE REPAIRS COMPLETED, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT SWAY BAR LINK ALSO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION, BUT WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. NO ADDITIONAL REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 156,503. UPDATED 11/03/11 *BF UPDATED 05/12/2012 *JS

Mileage: 156,503

2001 FORD WINDSTAR. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RECALL FOR SUB FRAME RUSTING *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER REINFORCED THE BRACKET. HOWEVER, THEY CLAIMED THE BRACKET THAT RUSTED HOLDING THE SWAY BAR WAS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SWAY IN THE WIND. *JB

2001 FORD WINDSTAR. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE FRONT END *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED TWO RECALLS WERE ISSUED AND FOR THE PAST YEAR, HE HAS BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL AT GETTING HIS VEHICLE INSPECTED. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY SEVERAL DEALERS, THEY WERE NOT PERFORMING ANY RECALLS. *JB

ANNUAL STATE INSPECTION FOUND RUST AT MOUNT ON RIGHT FRONT SUBFRAME,,PASSENGER REAR ROCKER PANEL HAS RUST HOLE. ABS/BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON,EVEN AFTER THEY BEEN FIXED. *TR

TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR NEW TIRES BECAUSE ONE WAS GOING BALD FAST AND THEY FOUND THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR SUB FRAME MOUNT WAS RUSTED AWAY. *TR

Mileage: 93,688

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V385000 (SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT RECEIVED A SECOND RECALL NOTICE ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V030000 (STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS). THE AUTHORIZED DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE AND DID NOT NEED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN HOME, AND WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS THE VEHICLE STOPPED AND WOULD NOT DRIVE ANY FURTHER. THE CONTACT EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT BOTH FRONT WHEELS WERE POINTING OUTWARD AND THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS WERE FRACTURED. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD ATTEMPT TO BUY THE VEHICLE BACK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 113,000.

Mileage: 113,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE FELL OUT OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALER WHO STATED THE FRONT SUB FRAME WAS COMPLETELY COVERED WITH RUST WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO FALL OFF OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V030000 (STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS: UNDERBODY SHIELDS). THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 142,000.

Mileage: 142,000

TL - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER RECEIVING THE REPAIRS FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V030000 (COMPONENT: STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS) THE VEHICLE WAS VIBRATING, IT DID NOT HAVE ANY POWER WHEN PRESSING THE GAS AND IT WAS MAKING A LOUD NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE MOTOR MOUNT WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIRED THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFERED ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE RECALLS REPAIRS WERE DONE UP TO CODE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 185,000. PM

Mileage: 158,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETELY LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND DRIFTED INTO THE OPPOSING LANE WITHOUT INTENT. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS DEFECTIVE AND CAUSED DAMAGES WITHIN THE STEERING AND SUSPENSION MECHANISMS. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V030000 (STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS: UNDERBODY SHIELDS). THE FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THE REMEDY DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 59,524.

Mileage: 59,524

I HEARD A POPPING SOUND 2 TIMES AM I SAFE IN MY VEHICLE, I DID BUY IT USED. I LOOKED AT THE SIDE OF THE DOOR PANEL AND IT WAS MADE IN CANADA, DO I HAVE SOMETHING TO FEAR??? *TR

Mileage: 85,000

THE FRONT SUBFRAME SUSPENSION MOUNT FAILED WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR VAN AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND THUS I LOSS STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 60,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS OVER ROAD BUMPS AND POT HOLES, THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT A LOUD GRINDING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE CRADLE TO THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE FRAME COULD DETACH WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Mileage: 110,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V030000 (STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS: UNDERBODY SHIELDS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REINSPECTED AFTER THE RECALL REPAIRS AND SHE WAS INFORMED THAT RUST WAS STILL PRESENT AND COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE THE ENGINE TO DROP FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER SPRAYED THE VEHICLE WITH AN ANTIRUST AGENT BUT THE REMEDY DID NOT WORK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WAS INADEQUATE AND NEEDED TO BE CHANGED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

Mileage: 120,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE SERVICED, HE NOTICED RUST ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE FRAME. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT IT WOULD EVENTUALLY ROT AND THE ENGINE COULD FALL OUT FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SECOND MECHANIC WHO CONFIRMED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 77,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000.

Mileage: 70,000

I HAVE A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING HOME THE OTHER DAY I TURNED THE CORNER AND HEARD A LOUD "POP", LOST ALL STEERING AND COULD NOT MOVE THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER CAME AND LIFTER THE VAN UP AND LOOKED UNDERNEATH HE TOLD ME THE NEWS WAS NOT GOOD. HE SHOWED ME WHERE THE FRAME HAD BROKEN AND WHERE THE "ARM" WAS SUPPOSE TO BE WELDED TO. HE SHOWED ME THE"ARM/BAR" BEHIND THE RIGHT TIRE. THANKFULLY I DID NOT HIT ANYONE AND NO ONE HIT ME WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THE POLICE DID COME BECAUSE I WAS A SAFETY HAZARD SITTING IN THE LANE THE CARS WERE TRYING TO DRIVE IN. IF I HAD BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED GOING 60 MILES AN HOUR I SURELY WOULD HAVE FLIPPED OR CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT AS EVENTHOUGH IT HAPPENED WHILE SLOWLY TURNING A CORNER I HAD TO SLAM ON MY BRAKED CAUSING MY TIRES TO SQUEAL AND SMOKE AND THE WHOLE VAN TO SWERVE FROM SIDE TO SIDE. I SAT SHAKING IN MY VAN FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO READ MY COMPLAINT AND CONSIDER ADDING IT TO THE LIST OF RECALLS. I DO NOT KNOW HOW I AM GOING TO PAY FOR THIS REPAIR. AS A SINGLE MOTHER OF THREE CHILDREN MY MONEY IS VERY TIGHT AND THIS IS NOT SOMETHING INSURANCE COVERS. WHEN I TOLD THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER IT WAS A 2001 VEHICLE HE WAS VERY SURPRISED TO SEE THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE DO SOMETHING AND VERY QUICKLY TO CORRECT THIS POTENTIALLY FATAL PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 116,000

BROKEN SUBFRAME ON 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL POP NOISE AND IMMEDIATELY, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL, ESPECIALLY WHEN ATTEMPTING A TURN. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE FRONT SUB FRAME WAS CORRODED AND CRACKED NEAR THE FRONT PASSENGER AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN THE DEALER WHO INSPECTED AND RULED THE VEHICLE AS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIRS BECAUSE THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V030000 (STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS: UNDER-BODY SHIELDS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,000.

Mileage: 92,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR RECALL REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V030000 (STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS). THE DEALER ADVISED THAT DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION OF THE FRAME, THE ROCKER PANELS WERE DEFECTIVE AND WOULD COLLAPSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CONSULT WITH THE LOCAL DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

Mileage: 170,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT HEARD A BANGING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT SUBFRAME ON THE VEHICLE AND IT BEGAN TO SHAKE BETWEEN 50 AND 55 MPH. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS COVERED WITH RUST. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL NUMBER: 11V030000 (STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS) AND OFFERED NO OTHER ASSISTANCE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 99,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000. UPDATED 05/26/11 *BF THE DEALER PLACED TWO BRACKETS ON THE FRONT FRAME. HOWEVER, THEY STATED THE REPAIR CAN FAIL AT ANYTIME. UPDATED 05/31/11

Mileage: 98,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V030000 (STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SAT IDLE ON THE DEALERS LOT FOR APPROXIMATELY THREE MONTHS BEFORE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION OF THE FRONT PART OF THE SUB FRAME. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO HAVE THE SUB FRAME REPAIRED BEFORE RECALL REPAIRS COULD BE PERFORMED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT AND REAR OF THE SUB FRAME WAS ONE WHOLE PART AND IF THE FRONT WAS REPLACED, THE ENTIRE FRAME WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE FRAME WAS NOT REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V399000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) AND AS A RESULT, THE ENTIRE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM BECAME INOPERABLE AFTER RECALL REPAIRS. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED WITH THE POTENTIAL OF THE VEHICLE CATCHING FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000.

Mileage: 74,000

THERE IS A RE-OCCURRING DOOR FAILURE AND EXTENSIVE RUST DAMAGE ON 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED IN OCT 2006 WHEN THE FRONT STABILIZER BAR FAILED CAUSING THE VAN TO LOOSE CONTROL. FORD WILL NOT RELEASE THE RECORD OF REPAIR. MY VAN IS A MODIFIED WHEELCHAIR VAN AND WE ARE EXPERIENCING A SEVERE SAG IN THE FLOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION, HAD MULTIPLE REPAIRS DUE TO RUST AND YESTERDAY THE TOP GUIDE RAIL FOR THE SLIDING DOOR CRACKED AND THE TOP OF DOOR FELL DOWN ALMOST HITTING THE CAR NEXT TO ME. THE TRACKS ARE EXTREMELY RUSTED AND AS THE FLOORBOARD, BECOMING A SAFETY HAZARD. I BELIEVE THE RUST ISSUE IN THIS VEHICLE ARE FAR MORE EXTENSIVE THAN THE 2 RECALLS CURRENTLY IN PLACE. THIS MAY ALSO BE ACERBATED BY AUTHORIZED MODIFICATIONS TO ALLOW WHEELCHAIR ACCESS. IN ESSENCE, THE VAN IS RUSTING APART. *TR

Mileage: 56,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V030000 (STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS AND WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR REPAIRS. AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT FRAME WAS UNSTABLE AND HE COULD EASILY SHIFT IT USING HIS HANDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 167,000.

Mileage: 167,000

2001 FORD WINDSTAR. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE RECALL *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BECAUSE SHE RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER IN THE MAIL. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND INFORMED HER SHE WOULD RECEIVE ANOTHER LETTER IN THE MAIL STATING WHEN TO RETURN WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HAS NOT RECEIVED A LETTER. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE IS EMITTING GAS FUMES.. UPDATED 04/26/11

PRODUCT RECALL MADE ON PERSONAL VEHICLE IN FEBRUARY 2011 ( NOTIFICATION SENT ) HOWEVER VEHICLE WAS TURNED IN FOR REPAIR BECAUSE HOOD AND ENGINE WAS SMOKING AND OVERHEATING ! I WAS INFORMED THEN THAT THE CAR COULD BE POTENTIAL DANGER AND COULD RELATE IN VEHICLE DETACHMENT. I TURNED CAR INTO FORD DEALERSHIP AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STILL APPEARS AND CAR CAN NOT PASS INSPECTION. I FEEL VERY UNSAFE. *TR

Mileage: 58,000

2001 FORD WINDSTAR LIMITED. SUBFRAME AND FRAME NEEDS REPAIR DUE TO SALT CORROSION IN OHIO. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL TO REPAIR THESE ITEMS AS FORD CO. SHOULD HAVE USED SALT RESISTANT MATERIALS TO TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM. UPDATED IVOQ 03/17/11 *TR

Mileage: 148,320

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR LE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH WHEN THE RIGHT FRONT SUB-FRAME SEPARATED AND FRACTURED THE ENGINE CRADLE. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED OFF ROAD. THE CONTACT WAS UNINJURED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE RIGHT SUB-FRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 127,000.

Mileage: 127,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WHEN THE REAR AXLE FRACTURED FOLLOWED BY A LOUD NOISE WHICH CAUSED DIFFICULTY IN STEERING. THE CONTACT HAD RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V385000 (SUSPENSION: REAR: AXLE: NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY) AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE PART NEEDED FOR REPAIRS WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE AND THE CONTACT WOULD BE NOTIFIED WHEN THE PART HAD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS STILL WAITING FOR THE PARTS TO BECOME AVAILABLE. MOST RECENTLY, THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V030000 (STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS: UNDERBODY SHIELDS) BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT A REASONABLE TIME TO ADHERE TO THE RECALL HAD PASSED AND THE VEHICLE HAD NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 127,000. UPDATED 03/29/11*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE DEALER'S POSSESSION FOR SIX MONTHS TO REMEDY TWO RECALLS. UPDATED 09/19/11

Mileage: 127,000

IN 2008, I EXPERIENCED A FAILURE OF THE SUBFRAME ON MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR CARGO VAN. I DO MOSTLY SMALL-TOWN DRIVING - I.E. NOT OVER 45 MPH, WITH OCCASIONAL TRIPS ON THE NYS THRUWAY. I PURCHASED THE VAN USED AT 57,000 MILES FROM JOHNSON FORD, KINGSTON, NY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT 85,419 MILES. I DROVE MY VAN TO A LOCAL BUSINESS AT ABOUT 45 MPH, A DISTANCE OF 4-5 MILES. THAT DAY OR THE DAY PREVIOUS I HAD HEARD A FUNNY NOISE AS I TURNED THE WHEEL, BUT IT WAS NOT REPEATED. (I REALIZED AFTERWARD THAT THIS WAS THE SOUND OF THE SUBFRAME CRACKING, BUT IT WAS NOT LOUD ENOUGH TO REALLY RAISE ANY CONCERN WHEN I HEARD IT.) ON THE DAY OF THE FAILURE, I ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION, PARKED MY CAR, AND A FEW MINUTES LATER, WHEN I CAME OUT OF THE STORE, I DISCOVERED THAT MY TIRES HAD APPARENTLY BROKEN OFF AND WERE LEANING INWARD , THE CAR WAS UNDRIVABLE. I HAD IT TOWED TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE WAS ABLE TO FIND ME A USED SUBFRAME TO REPLACE THE ONE THAT BROKE. THERE WAS. OF COURSE, NO INFORMATION FROM FORD AT THAT TIME REGARDING THIS DEFECT. I HAVE NOW (FEB. 2011) RECEIVED A RECALL AND HAD MY SUBFRAME CHECKED BY THE DEALER AND AM WAITING FOR THE CALL ABOUT A "REINFORCEMENT KIT", WHILE STILL BEING EXPECTED TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE. I DO NOT CONSIDER THIS A SAFE VEHICLE, WITH OR WITHOUT THE "REINFORCEMENT" . I BELIEVE THAT FORD SHOULD BE COMPELLED TO BUY BACK ALL WINDSTARS STILL ON THE ROAD AS THEY WERE IMPROPERLY ENGINEERED AND THEREFORE VIOLATED NHTSA LAW AS TO MERCHANTABILITY. I WANT A VEHICLE WHOSE PARTS ARE ALL SAFE, NOT A VEHICLE PATCHED TOGETHER WITH EPOXY AND BALING WIRE. MY LIFE AND EVERYBODY ELSE'S LIVES ARE AT RISK FROM ANY OF THESE VEHICLES THAT ARE LEFT ON THE ROADS. I AM UNWILLING TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE ANYMORE, AND I AM NOW COMPELLED TO PURCHASE A NEW VEHICLE, WHICH I CANNOT AFFORD. FOR THE PRESENT I AM BORROWING A VEHICLE FROM A FAMILY MEMBER, WHICH IS OK IN THE SHORT-TERM, BUT IT DOESN'T ADDRESS MY LONG-TERM NEEDS. *TR

Mileage: 85,491

TODAY I WAS DRIVING MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR FROM YONKERS NY TO WHITE PLAINS NY WHEN THE REAR AXLE CRACKED. IT WAS A CLEAR, DRY DAY. THIS AXLE HAD CRACKED BEFORE - IN AUGUST 2010, PRIOR TO THE RECALL BEING ISSUED. AT THAT TIME, AS THERE WAS NO REPAIR BEING OFFERED BY FORD, I HAD THE AXLE WELDED. WELDING THE AXLE WAS A 'FIX' REPORTED BY OTHER WINDSTAR OWNERS SO I WAS NOT TOO BOTHERED. UNTIL TODAY I HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR AXLE. THE NEW CRACK IS APPROXIMATELY AN INCH FROM WHERE THE FIRST ONE HAD BEEN. THE VAN HAD TO BE TOWED TO MY USUAL MECHANIC. I AM TRYING TO FIND OUT IF FORD HAS THE PART TO FIX THIS. MY MECHANIC CALLED BUT SAID THEY DID NOT HAVE A REPLACEMENT. I AM NOT SURE WHAT I CAN DO NOW - THIS REALLY LEAVES ME IN A BAD SPOT AS I USE MY CAR DAILY. OTHERS I KNOW WHO HAVE THIS SAME VEHICLE AND TRYING TO HAVE THE RECALLED PART TAKEN CARE OF HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS BECAUSE OF LACK OF PARTS AND/OR PROBLEMS GETTING APPOINTMENTS. *TR

Mileage: 120,000

FRONT END STEERING,DISTURBING FRONT END FRAME SOUND,ABS LIGHTS NOTICED ABS BRAKING PROBLEM,BRAKE LIGHT,OD LIGHT,INTERIOR LIGHTS FLASH ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY WHEN DRIVING. HAVE TO CUT THE VAN OFF AND RESTART FOR TO STOP THAT ONLY LAST AWHILE. .TOOK INTO DEALER FOR RECALLS STILL DEALING WITH ELECTRICAL PROBLEM SO FORTH. I NEVER BEEN SO SCARED OF AN VEHICLE IN MY LIFE. *TR

DISTURBING SOUNDS FROM RIGHT SIDE FRONT END OF MY 2001 FORM WINDSTAR. STEERING WHEEL BECAME OFF CENTER. PROBLEM DIAGNOSED AS SUBFRAME CORROSION. *TR

Mileage: 138,000

I JUST GOT OFF THE EXPRESSWAY AND MADE A LEFT TURN WHEN THE FRONT WHEELS OF MY 2001 WINDSTAR BOTH TURNED OUT IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS. I HAD IT TOWED AND FOUND OUT THE FRAME BROKE. I HAD THE FRAME REPLACED WITH A USED ONE. COST $1,187.15 PLUS TOW $105.10. NOW I HEAR THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND I AM CONCERNED IT COULD HAPPEN AGAIN. AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS I WORRY ABOUT LOSS OF CONTROL. *TR

Mileage: 160,723

VEHICLE IS NO LONGER DRIVABLE & IS SITTING AT A FORD DEALERSHIP SERVICE LOT. INCIDENT OCCURRED ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2011 AT APPROXIMATELY 4:30PM. VEHICLE FRONT SUBFRAME CRACKED AND PASSENGER SIDE TIRE SEPARATED FROM CAR WHILE DRIVING RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE. CAR WOULD NOT STEER OR MOVE, COULD NOT BE PUSHED OUT OF TRAFFIC.

Mileage: 133,000

FRONT SUB FRAME RUSTED THROUGH FRONT END COLLAPSED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH. *TR

Mileage: 85,000

ABS BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON AND DISABLES THE ABS BRAKE FEATURE. *LN

Mileage: 80,000

MY 2001 WINDSTAR HAD BEEN MAKING A SCRUNCHING NOISE EACH TIME I WENT OFF A CURB. I TOOK IT TO A TIRE PLACE AS THAT'S WHEN I FOUND THE CRACK IN THE AXLE IN AUGUST 2010. THE TIRE DEALER DIDN'T MAKE THAT KIND OF REPAIR SO I CALL FORD DEALERSHIP WHO TOLD ME TO BRING THE CAR IN AND THAT A RECALL HAD JUST BEEN ISSUED. MY CAR SAT FOR SIX MONTHS. ON 1/26/2011 THE DEALER CALLED AND SAID MY AXLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED AND THAT I COULD PICK THE CAR UP. I COULDN'T PICK IT UP THAT DAY. ON 1/27/11 I HEARD THE NEWS STATE A NEW RECALL AND I LOOKED IT UP. TURNS OUT MY CAR IS INVOLVED IN THAT RECALL TOO. I WENT TO THE DEALER AND I COMMUNICATED TO THEM THAT I DO NOT WANT THAT VEHICLE BACK UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. THE ABS LIGHT HAS BEEN MALFUNCTIONING FOR THREE YEARS OR MORE. SINCE I GOT THE VEHICLE I HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH SENSORS AND I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AFTER HAVING ONLY AROUND 78,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. I COMPLETED ALL MAINTENANCE ON MY VEHICLE AS SUGGESTED BY FORD, YET I HAVE HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS. I CALLED FORD ON 1/27 AND TOLD THEM I DO NOT WANT THE VEHICLE BACK. THEY SAID A BUY BACK ISN'T BEING OFFERED FOR THIS RECALL AT THIS TIME. IT MAY BE OFFERED WHEN THE LETTER IS DISTRIBUTED. I STILL DO NOT WANT THIS VEHICLE BACK. I HAVE THREE CHILDREN AND I CANNOT TRUST THAT THIS VEHICLE IS SAFE. *TR

Mileage: 194,500

MY 2001 WINDSTAR HAS SEVERE CORROSION ON THE SUBFRAME. THE CORROSION IS LOCATED ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE NEAR THE FRONT WHEEL. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING HELD BY A DEALERSHIP FOR THE AXLE RECALL, I HAVE MADE THEM AWARE OF THE CORROSION BUT IT SEEMS THEY HAVE NO INTENTION OF REPAIRING IT SINCE IT IS NOT A RECALL. *TR

Mileage: 130,000

MY WIFE'S 2001 FORD WINDSTAR HAS HAD A PERSISTANT CLUNK IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. WHILE DOING SOME WORK ON THE VEHICLE THIS EVENING I DISCOVERED SEVERE RUST ON THE REAR BODY MOUNT OF THE FRONT SUBFRAME. THE AREA TO THE REAR OF THE BUSHING IS CORRODED THROUGH AND CRACKED. I HAVE GOOD DIGITAL PICTURES AND WILL PROVIDE THEM TO YOU IF YOU DESIRE. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN DESCRIBED REPEATEDLY BY MANY WINDSTAR OWNERS. FRANKLY, I FIND FORD'S CLAIM THAT THIS DOESN'T PRESENT "AN UNREASONABLE RISK" INFURIATING. I AM CALLING ON YOU TO RECALL THIS VEHICLE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. *TR

Mileage: 124,246

1/23/11 WHILE DRIVING TO BAPTISM VAN ALL OF A SUDDEN STARTED TO CLUNK IN THE RIGHT FRONT SUSPENSION. WHILE DRIVING HOME CLUNKING KEPT HAPPENING ON RIGHT HAND TURNS. GOT HOME, JACKED UP VAN, PULLED PASSENGER FRONT TIRE, FOUND EXCESSIVE RUST AND SWAY BAR COMPLETELY BROKEN FROM SUBFRAME. ALSO NOTICED FRONT A ARM EXCESSIVE RUST NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. VEHICLE WILL BE PARKED AND ONLY 10 YEARS OLD. DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO NEXT???? WIFE AND KIDS ARE NOT SAFE TO DRIVE IN. VAN IS SUPER CLEAN AND WELL MAINTAINED AND NO RUST ELSEWHERE. NOW WHAT DO WE DO??? ? PLEASE HELP!!!! *LN

Mileage: 138,585

THIS COMPLAINT IS RELATED TO YOUR NHTSA ACTION # EA10007 JANUARY 12, 2011, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR FORD WINDSTAR ON HWY 155 NORTH OF SAINT GERMAIN, WI. WITHOUT WARNING THE FRONT END RIGHT WHEEL DISLODGED AND THE CAR SWERVED VIOLENTLY ALL OVER THE HIGHWAY. LUCKILY, NO OTHER CARS WERE NEAR. THE ROADSIDE DITCHES WHERE THE FAILURE OCCURRED ARE MORE THAN 12' DEEP, SO THERE COULD ALSO HAVE BEEN INJURIES AND OR DAMAGE IF SHE HAD NOT REACTED AS QUICKLY AND FORCIBLY AS SHE DID. SHE WAS ABLE TO WRESTLE THE CAR ONTO THE SHOULDER AND CALL FOR HELP. UPON TOWING TO THE NEAREST FORD DEALERSHIP, IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED THAT THE UNDERCARRIAGE FAILED, THE FRONT RIGHT AXLE DISLODGED FROM THE TRANSMISSION, AND VARIOUS OTHER DAMAGE CAN ALSO HAVE OCCURRED. UPDATED IVOQ 02/16/11 *TR

Mileage: 75,000

VEHICLE BEGAN TO PULL DRAMATICALLY WHEN OPERATED AND COULD NOT BE ALIGNED PROPERLY. MAKES A LOUD THUMPING SOUND WHEN DRIVEN. THE FRONT RIGHT SUB FRAME HAS CORRODED SUCH THAT IT HAS NEARLY BROKEN OFF. I HAVE SPOKEN TO SEVERAL MECHANICS AND THERE IS NO REPAIR THAT CAN BE DONE SHORT OF A REPLACEMENT OF THE FRONT SUB FRAME. IT IS TO THE POINT WHERE THE ENGINE WILL DROP OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL WILL NO LONGER BE ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE. WHILE I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE IN FOR ALIGNMENT, IT CAN NOT BE ALIGNED AGAIN AND I HAVE BEEN ADVISED THAT THE CONDITION IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN TO A FORD DEALER FOR OTHER RECALL WORK AND WAS ADVISED THAT THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS DANGEROUS CONDITION. *TR

Mileage: 125,000

MY 2001 WINDSTAR FAILED THE YEARLY STATE SAFTEY INSPECTION BECAUSE OF FRAME ROTTING AT THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR FRAME MOUNT. I TRUST MY MECHANIC AND HE STRONGLY SUGGESTED THAT I DO NOT DRIVE THIS CAR ! HE WOULD NOT PUT A STICKER ON THE CAR. HIS ESTIMATE FOR REPAIR WAS OVER $2000 . *TR

2001 WINDSTAR [XXX] SEL SUB FRAME SNAPPED WHILE DRIVING ALMOST CAUSING A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. TOW COMPANY SAID THIS WAS VERY RARE THAT THE SUBFRAME HAD RUSTED THROUGH. REPAIRED AT A COST OF $1058.03 TOTAL PARTS (USED SUBFRAME) AND LABOR. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *LN

Mileage: 66,458

2001 FORD WINDSTAR 280,000 MILES NE OH 10-11-10. RIGHT SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM SEPARATED FROM FRAME. 65 MPH FROM LEFT LANE CROSSED 3 LANES RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. NO WARNING SIGNS SOMEHOW NO COLLISION. AXLE PULLED FROM TRANSMISSION. REPLACED: TIRE, AXLE, BOOTS. FRAME SHOP REINFORCED AND STRAIGHT FRAME, ALIGNED FRONT END. REPAIR DAMAGED TRANSMISSION COOLING LINES AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. *TR

Mileage: 280,000

WHILE DRIVING ON A LOCAL ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR BROKE DOWN AND WAS IMMOBILE. AFTER BEING TOWED AND INSPECTED BY A REPAIR SERVICE, THE CAUSE WAS DETERMINED TO BE THE FRONT SUBFRAME. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS FACING RIGHT WHILE ALL OTHERS WERE FORWARD FACING. THIS EASILY COULD HAVE RESULTED IN SERIOUS INJURY OR A CRASH IF OTHER VEHICLES HAD BEEN NEAR OR HAD THE VEHICLE BEEN TRAVELING AT HIGHER SPEED. *TR

Mileage: 126,000

I HAD TO REPLACE THE SUBFRAME ON MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. *TR

Mileage: 128,000

2001 FORD WINDSTAR CONFISCATED BY DEALER DURING RECALL INSPECTION ON 11/10/2010 DUE TO CRACK IN REAR AXLE. AS OF 01/04/2011, NO PARTS ARE AVAILABLE OR EXPECTED TO BE AVAILABLE IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE MOUNTING COSTS OF THIS CONFISCATION INCLUDING LOSS OF USE OF VEHICLE, REDUCED VEHICLE VALUE EVEN AFTER POSSIBLE REPAIR, COST OF INTERIM RENTAL VEHICLE, LACK OF COMMUNICATION BY FORD AND THE DEALERSHIP. *TR

Mileage: 155,000

I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT A RECURRING PROBLEM THAT I HAVE HAD WITH MY FORD WINDSTAR 2 YEARS AGO WHILE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE THE FRONT RIGHT CONTROL ARM PULLED FREE FROM THE SUB-FRAME ON MY WINDSTAR. FORTUNATELY NO ONE WAS HURT. I HAD THE SUB-FRAME REPLACED WITH ANOTHER USED FRAME BY A LOCAL MECHANIC. LAST FRIDAY I TOOK THE VAN TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER TO TAKE CARE OF THE MOST RECENT RECALL ON THE REAR AXLES. THE DEALERSHIP CALLED ME AT HOME AND TOLD ME THE FRONT SUB-FRAME WAS SEVERELY ROTTED AND THE RIGHT CONTROL ARM WAS BARLEY HOLDING ON TO THE FRAME. THEY DEEMED THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I HAVE PULLED THE VEHICLE FROM THE ROAD UNTIL I CAN GET IT FIXED. I FEEL FORTUNATE THAT IT DID NOT BREAK AT HIGHWAY SPEED WITH MY WIFE AND THREE KIDS IN THE VAN. *TR

Mileage: 105,000

WE OBSERVED CLUNKING IN THE FRONT END PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. WHILE TURNING THE WHEEL TO THE RIGHT TO PARK, A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD IN THE FRONT END. AFTER THAT, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED RIGHT WHILE THE CAR WAS GOING STRAIGHT DOWN THE ROAD. AFTER INSPECTION, THE PASSENGER SIDE ATTACHMENT POINT FOR THE SUB-FRAME WAS ROTTED OFF AND SEPARATED FROM THE MOUNT. SUBSTANTIAL CORROSION WAS ALSO NOTED ON THE DRIVE AND PASSENGER SIDE CONTROL ARM ATTACHMENT POINTS. *TR

Mileage: 140,000

ON DECEMBER 27TH, MY WIFE HAD HER FORD WINDSTAR LX RECALL ON THE REAR AXLE FIXED AT JIM KIEM FORD IN HILLIARD, OHIO. SHE ALSO WANTED FORD TO LOOK INTO A REALLY BAD NOISE THAT SHE WAS HEARING IN FRONT WHEN SHE WAS TURNING. IT WAS A LOUD BANGING NOISE. JIM KIEM FORD TOLD US THAT THE SOUND THAT WE HEARD WAS THE SUB-FRAME. THEY SAID THE SUB-FRAME WAS RUSTED AND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THEY SAID THAT THE ENGINE MIGHT FALL OUT OF THE CAR! MY WIFE AND CHILDREN HAVE BEEN USING THIS VAN EVERYDAY. I HAVE READ MANY WINDSTAR OWNERS COMMENTS ONLINE ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO GET A RECALL? DO CHILDREN HAVE TO DIE! *TR

Mileage: 181,000

I HAVE A FORD WINDSTAR 2001 MINI VAN AND I LIVE IN NEW YORK STATE. ON DECEMBER 7TH, 2010, AS I WAS PULLING LEFT INTO A PARKING SPACE I HEARD A LOUD CRACKING SOUND. (AT FIRST I THOUGHT I HAD ROLLED OVER A VERY LARGE PIECE OF ICE) I AGAIN PROCEEDED TO PULL IN, BUT MY CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. (ENGINE WAS STILL ON) I GOT OUT AND FOUND 3 OF MY TIRES FACING LEFT AND 1 FACING RIGHT. I CALLED AAA AND WAS PREPARING TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC. WHEN THE DRIVER/MECHANIC FROM AAA, INFORMED ME THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM (DRIVE ARM) HAD TORE AWAY FROM THE MAIN FRAME (FRONT AXEL) AT THE FRONT OF THE CAR, AND HAD TORE AWAY ALL OF THE DRIVING MECHANISMS AND WOULD NEED A WELDER FIRST , NOT A MECHANIC . SO I HAD HIM TAKE IT TO A LOCAL WELDER. HE WAS ABLE TO FIND SOME CLEAN METAL TO WELD IT BACK ON AND THEN RECOMMENDED I TAKE IT TO A MECHANIC TO FINISH UP WITH EVERYTHING ELSE THAT WAS NEEDED. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT IT WOULD NEED A CV JOINT AND THE LINKAGE FOR THE TRANSMISSION IN ORDER TO HAVE IT WORKING AGAIN. I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES WITH THE ENGINE, OR TRANSMISSION PRIOR TO THIS DAY. AND THE CAR HAS VERY LITTLE RUST ON IT'S BODY. SO I WOULD HAVE NEVER THOUGHT TO LOOK UNDERNEATH FOR ANY. AND BECAUSE IT WAS ALWAYS MAINTAINED WELL, A MECHANIC WAS HARDLY EVER UNDER HER TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANY POSSIBLE DAMAGE EITHER. SHE HAS LESS THAN 75,000 MILES ON HER SO I NEVER EXPECTED THIS TO OCCUR. I HAVE FILED A REPORT WITH FORD AFTER THE INCIDENT BUT ALL THEY COULD SAY WAS THANK YOU AND THEY'LL MAKE A NOT OF IT. AND THAT THE REAR AXEL WAS ON RECALL....BUT IF THAT WAS THE CASE, WHY NOT THE FRONT AXEL TOO??? *TR

Mileage: 75,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FRAME ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WAS SEVERELY RUSTED BEYOND REPAIR. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 126,000.

Mileage: 126,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT SHE WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE SUB FRAME AND CRADLE ASSEMBLY DUE TO RUSTING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 85,958. UPDATED 03/02/11 *BF UPDATED 04/28/11

Mileage: 85,958

THE FRONT END OF MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR MAKES A LOT OF NOISE LIKE IT IS GOING TO FALL APART. I'M AFRAID BECAUSE MY REAR AXLE BROKE IN 2 PIECES GOING 65 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE. I'M SURE SOMETHING IS GOING ON WITH MY FRONT SUBFRAME. HOW DO WE GET THIS INVESTIGATED? *TR

Mileage: 95,000

2001 FORD WINDSTAR RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ARM MOUNT FAILURE. JUST DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN I NOTICE MY STEERING WHEEL WAS NOT CENTERED, SLOWED DOWN UNTIL I GOT INTO PARKING LOT. WENT TO TURN AND LOST DRIVE, LOOKED AT FRONT END AND RIGHT TIRE WAS POINTING TO RIGHT AND LEFT TIRE WAS STRAIGHT, LOOKED UNDER VAN AND SAW THAT MOUNT HAD COME OFF FRAME AND AXLE PULLED OUT OF TRANSMISSION. HAD VAN TOWED BACK TO MY HOUSE. WENT RIGHT TO MY COMPUTER TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT FRONT END FAILURE AND THEIR IS. WAS GOING TO HAVE VAN REAR AXLE CHECKED PER RECALL BUT CAN'T EVEN GET IT TO FORD DEALERSHIP FOR THAT. CALLED FORD AND THEIR IS NO HELP. I AM A MECHANIC AND HAVE NEVER SEEN A MOUNT COME OFF A FRAME LIKE THIS. THIS VAN HAS ALWAYS BEEN PARKED IN A GARAGE AND WASHED AT A HIGH PRESSURE WASH WITH UNDER CAR RINSE. I THINK THIS IS POOR METAL OR A POOR DESIGN. *TR

Mileage: 95,713

WHILE ON A FAMILY TRIP TODAY IN MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR I NOTICED AN EXTREMELY LOUD GRINDING /RUBBING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT PSGR. SIDE, WHEN I RETURNED HOME I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP IMMEDIATELY WHERE I WAS TOLD THAT THE SUBFRAME HAD COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND WAS NEARLY THROUGH THE OTHER SIDE AS WELL AND WAS TOLD THAT MY ENTIRE FAMILY HAD BEEN AT RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH HAD THE OTHERSIDE FAILED AS WELL, AND TO STOP DRIVING IT IMMEDIATELY AND THAT IT WOULD COST IN EXCESS OF $2000 TO FIX. MY ANGER AND HORROR MULTIPLIED WHEN WHILE TRYING TO LOCATE AFFORDABLE USED REPLACEMENT PART ONLINE I DISCOVERED THAT FORD HAS RECEIVED MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAFETY ISSUE, HOW DARE THEY PUT MY LOVED ONES AND COUNTLESS THOUSANDS OTHER AT RISK BECAUSE THEY USED DEFECTIVE OR SUBSTANDARD PARTS. I WILL BE CONTACTING FORD DIRECTLY TO FIND OUT WHAT THEY INTEND TO DO TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE AND APPRECIATE ANYTHING THE NHTSA CAN DO TO HELP EXPEDITE THE RECALL OF SAID PARTS. *TR

Mileage: 141,328

AFTER MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN HEARD A THUMP NOISE. WHEN TRYING TO COMPLETE THE TURN AND STRAIGHTEN OUT THE WHEEL,THE CAR JUMPED TO THE LEFT AND ENDED UP IN THE MIDDLE OF A TWO LANED ROAD. AFTER HAVING VEHICLE TOWED TO SHOP WAS INFORMED THAT FRONT SUBFRAME HAD RUSTED OUT, CAUSING AXLE TO DISENGAGE FROM FRONT RIGHT TIRE RENDERING VEHICLE INOPERABLE. COULD NOT PUSH VEHICLE TO SIDE OF ROAD. HAD TO WAIT FOR POLICE VEHICLE TO PUSH TO SIDE OF ROAD.*LN

Mileage: 160,000

I OWN A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AGO I WAS DRIVING WITH MY FAMILY SOUTHBOUND ON THE HENRY HUDSON BRIDGE, DRIVING TO MANHATTAN FROM THE BRONX IN NYC. I WAS PROCEEDING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE SPEED LIMIT FOR THAT ROAD. I WAS DRIVING ALONG WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE COLLAPSED. THE FRONT-END SUB-ASSEMBLY COMPLETELY FAILED! I LOST COMPLETE CONTROL OF STEERING FOR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SWERVE, BUT I WAS ABLE TO APPLY THE BRAKES AND EVENTUALLY STOP THE VEHICLE BEFORE A COLLISION WITH OTHER VEHICLES OCCURRED. THE ENTIRE FRONT-END SUB-ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE REPAIR WORK, INCLUDING PARTS AND LABOR, COST ME APPROXIMATELY $2,000.00 OUT OF POCKET. I CONTACTED THE FORD DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE, BUT THEY REFUSED TO COMPENSATE ME FOR THE DAMAGES. I JUST READ AN ARTICLE IN THE WALL STREET JOURNAL THAT THE NHTSA IS INVESTIGATING FORD MOTOR COMPANY FOR THIS VERY PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 112,000

WE HAD JUST LEFT THE EXPRESSWAY. WE PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AND WENT TO TURN INTO A PARKING SPACE AND THE SHAFT WHICH WAS ATTACHED TO THE WHEEL CONNECTING IT FROM THE FRAME TO THE WHEEL, BROKE AT THE POINT OF THE FACTORY WELD CAUSING THE WHEELS TO DO THE "SPLITS"AND PULLING OUT THE DRIVESHAFT FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER CALLED THE CAR "TOTALLED" .THIS CAR IS IN GREAT CONDITION EXCEPT FOR THE METAL SOCKET HOLDING THE TIE ROD FROM THE WHEEL TO THE FRAME ALLOWING THE DRIVE SHAFT TO BE YANKED OUT. THIS IS A FACTORY WELD THAT BROKE AND IF IT HAD BROKEN WHILE ON THE FREEWAY, WE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. FORD MOTOR REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING TO REMEDY THE SITUATION. *TR

Mileage: 62,800

MY WINDSTAR IS AT DEALERS FOR BROKEN REAR AXLE AND I WAS TOLD FRONT SUBFRAME IS RUSTED. *TR

Mileage: 133,012

THE RIGHT CONTROL ARM BROKE OFF OF THE SUB FRAME WHILE BACKING OUT OF OUR DRIVE WAY. THE VAN IS NOT DRIVABLE (CONTACTING FORD TO FIND OUT WHAT CAN BE DONE). *TR

Mileage: 169,000

VEHICLE FRONT SUBFRAME STRUCTURE CORRODED AND CAUSED THE PASSENGER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM TO BREAK OFF WHERE THE MOUNTING TABS CONNECT INTO THE FRAME AND THE PASSENGER SIDE SWAY BAR MOUNT ALSO CORRODED CAUSING IT TO FAIL AT THE SAME TIME. OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING CAUSING THE CAR TO SKID AS THE PASSENGERSIDE AXLE CAME RIGHT OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION WHEN THE FRAME FAILED. *TR

Mileage: 182,200

FRONT RIGHT SUBFRAME BROKE AND ALLOWED WHEEL TO BE TRAPPED IN WEELWELL VERY CLOSE TO CRASH HAD REPLACED AND USED REPLACMENT BROKE JUST OVER ONE YEAR LATER

Mileage: 140,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A SLIGHT VIBRATION FOR A COUPLE OF SECONDS AND CONTINUED IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED AND THEY INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE COMPLETELY RUSTED DUE TO CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,000. UPDATED 12/01/2011 *LN

Mileage: 142,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH SHE NOTICED THAT SHE COULD TURN THE STEERING WHEEL BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT CHANGE DIRECTIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRAME UNDER THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND THAT THE TIE RODS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 150,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Mileage: 150,000

2001 FORD WINDSTAR REAR AXLE RECALL. I BROUGHT MY VAN IN FOR INSPECTION FOR THE REAR AXLE RECALL (1OS13) THE FORD DEALERSHIP CONDEMNED THE VEHICLE AND I WAS PROVIDED WITH A RENTAL CAR. FORD HAS NO PARTS TO FIX THIS CONCERN AND ALSO HAS NO TIMETABLE WHEN THIS WILL BE RESOLVED. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE TO ME AND FORD NEEDS TO STAND BEHIND THERE PRODUCTS AND SHOW LOYALTY TO THERE CUSTOMERS. *TR

Mileage: 82,000

2001 FORD WINDSTAR SE: MAY 4, 2010, BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY, LOUD NOISE, COULD NOT DRIVE CAR. DRIVER'S SIDE REAR AXLE FRACTURED, CAR TOWED TO MECHANIC WHO REPAIRED AND REINFORCED SAID FRACTURE BY WELDING. AUGUST 2010, FORD ANNOUNCES RECALL OF WINDSTARS, ISSUES LETTERS TO AFFECTED OWNERS LATE SEPTEMBER, 2010. RECEIVED FORD RECALL NOTICE DURING THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 18, 2010. SUNDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2010, WHILE DRIVING ON SIDE ROAD (5 PASSENGERS, PLUS DRIVER) SAME LOUD NOISE, CAR IMMOBILIZED. PASSENGER SIDE REAR AXLE FRACTURED. PASSENGERS LEFT STRANDED. CAR TOWED FIRST TO RESIDENCE THEN TO DEALERSHIP ON MONDAY AM. TOLD BY DEALER THAT CAR WOULD NOT BE REPAIRED UNTIL JANUARY OR FEBRUARY, 2011 (AT THE EARLIEST) AS NO PARTS AVAILABLE. *TR

Mileage: 140,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUB FRAME ON HER VEHICLE WAS COVERED WITH RUSTED AND DAMAGED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE SUB FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WILL BE REPAIRED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 114,000.

Mileage: 114,000

OUR 2001 FORD WINDSTAR STARTED MAKING A POPPING NOISE A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO, USUALLY AT SLOW SPEEDS AND WHILE TURNING. WHEN WE HAD IT CHECKED OUT, WE WERE TOLD THE SUBFRAME HAS RUSTED THROUGH AT ONE PLACE. THIS COULD POTENTIALLY POSE A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY RISK, AS THE MOTOR MOUNTS, STEERING CONTROL ARMS, ETC., ARE ATTACHED TO THIS SUBFRAME. *TR

Mileage: 185,000

MY WIFE AND I OWN A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE OTHER DAY AS WE WERE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WE HEARD A LOUD POP FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR. WE PULLED OVER TO FIND THAT THE SUBFRAME HAD BROKEN. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SUBFRAME HAD RUSTED; THE VEHICLE MADE A THUMPING SOUND AS IF THE WHEEL WOULD FALL OFF. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE BOLTS NEAR THE WHEEL WERE ALSO RUSTED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 120,000.

Mileage: 120,000

I HAVE A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR THAT THE FRONT SUBFRAME FAILED ON. I WAS SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT WAITING FOR IT TO TURN GREEN. WHEN THE LIGHT CHANGED I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND PUSHED ON THE GAS. I HEARD A BIG CLUNK SOUND AND THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SPIN FREELY. I SLOWLY DROVE THE VEHICLE INTO THE CENTER MEDIAN AND FOUND THAT THE FRONT SUBFRAME HAD FAILED RIGHT UNDER THE FLOORBOARDS. HAD THIS OCCURRED AT A HIGH SPEED THE OUTCOME COULD HAVE BEEN GRAVE. I HAD NO WAY TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THIS FAILURE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED ASAP. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN IN THE SALT BELT AS THEY SAY ALL ITS LIFE. *TR

Mileage: 125,000

THE FRONT SUB-FRAME ON THE RIGHT SIDE HAS SEVERE RUSTING AND CORROSION WHERE THE SUB-FRAME MEETS THE CONTROL ARM. I TOOK IT IN FOR INSPECTION AND WAS NOTIFIED BY THE MECHANIC THAT IT WOULD NOT PASS WITHOUT REPLACEMENT AND WAS NOT EVEN SAFE TO DRIVE OUT OF HIS SHOP. HE ALSO SAID THAT HE WAS SURPRISED THE CAR PASSED INSPECTION AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP LAST YEAR. THANKFULLY, IT WAS DISCOVERED BEFORE THE SUB-FRAME DETACHED. *TR

Mileage: 119,500

WHILST TURNING A CORNER THE FRONT SUBFRAME MOUNT SHEARED AT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM CONNECTION. I LOST STEERING AND POWER. MY CAR ENDED IN A DITCH AT THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. MYSELF AND MY ONE YEAR OLD SON WERE IN THE CAR AT THE TIME, WE WERE BOTH SHAKEN BUT NOT INJURED. WHEN THE SUBFRAME FAILED THE HALF AXLE LEFT THE TRANSMISSION, THUS LOSING POWER AND THE TWO FRONT WHEEL WERE LEFT POINTING IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS. WE HAVE NOT HAD THIS REPAIRED YET BUT HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT'S PARTS WILL BE IN EXCESS OF $1800 PLUS LABOR. THIS COULD COST $2500. WORSE STILL IF THIS HAD HAVE HAPPENED ON THE MOTORWAY, IT DOES BEAR TO CONSIDER THE CONSEQUENCES! I HAVE SEEN THOUSANDS OF SIMILAR CASES POSTED ON VARIOUS INTERNET SITES, THIS NEEDS TO BE REMEDIED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT! *TR

Mileage: 90,000

FRONT SUB FRAME RUSTED OUT ON THE RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE. AFTER GOING TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP TO HAVE MY TRANS REBUILT I WENT TO A MECHANIC TO SEE WHY I KEPT HEARING STRANGE NOISE FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VAN. WHEN THE MECHANIC LIFTED THE VAN HE SHOWED ME THE RUSTED SUBFRAME AND STATED THAT EVENTUALLY IT WILL FAIL AND THAT IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE ONLY WAY TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM IS TO REPLACE THE SUB FRAME, BECAUSE IT IS TOO THIN TO WELD IN THEIR OPINION. *TR

Mileage: 194,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH WHEN SHE HEARD AN ABNORMAL POP AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO STEER IMPROBABLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE DEALER REPLACED THE FRONT SUB FRAME DUE TO SEVERE RUST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS FRACTURED IN TWO. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,445 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 145,000. UPDATED 01/12/11*LJ UPDATED 04/19/11

Mileage: 140,445

I TOOK MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR SE TO BULL VALLEY FORD DEALERSHIP FOR REAR AXLE RECALL AND WAS INFORMED OF SEVERE RUSTING OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SUBFRAME FROM ONE OF THE SERVICE DESK REPRESENTATIVES AFTER THE INSPECTION. AFTER MORE RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND SEVERAL INTERNET POSTINGS REGARDING THIS SAME PROBLEM ON THE FORD WINDSTARS. IS THERE AN INVESTIGATION REGARDING THIS INFERIOR PRODUCT THAT FORD MANUFACTURING HAS USED ON THESE SUBFRAMES? IT IS A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE NOT ONLY FOR THE VEHICLE OWNER/OPERATOR BUT EVERYONE ELSE ON THE ROADWAYS!!! *TR

Mileage: 132,000

MY FAMILY (7 MEMBERS) WAS RETURNING HOME FROM A VACATION DAY. WE WERE 2 1/2 HOURS FROM HOME WHEN SUDDENLY OUR VAN JERKED TO THE RIGHT VERY HARD AND I LOST ALL CONTROL OF THE STEERING. OUR VEHICLE WAS HEADING STRAIGHT FOR A GUARDRAIL AND CONCRETE BRIDGE WALL. SOMEHOW WE MANAGED TO MISS BOTH AND ENDED UP IN THE DITCH OVER 500 YDS FROM WHERE WE FIRST LOST CONTROL. IMAGINE MY SURPRISE WHEN I GOT OUT EXPECTING TO SEE MAYBE A FLAT TIRE, BUT INSTEAD SAW THE PASSENGER FRONT TIRE SIDEWAYS. NOT KNOWING ALOT ABOUT CARS, I CALLED MY NEIGHBOR TO POSSIBLY HELP ME. HE DROVE THE LARGE DISTANCE WITH HIS TRAILER TO COME PICK US UP. WHEN HE GOT THERE HE LOOKED AND SAW THE FRONT SUBFRAME HAD COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY FROM THE BODY MOUNT AND HAD CAUSED THE LOWER CONTROL ARM TO SHEER OFF THE FRAME. THIS IN TURN CAUSED THE AXLE TO PULL OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION RENDERING THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY INOPERABLE. WHEN I GOT HOME THE NEXT MORNING I FOUND OUT THROUGH THE NEWSPAPER THAT THE REAR AXLE HAD JUST BEEN RECALLED FOR SIMILAR CORROSION PROBLEMS. I WAS ASTONISHED. WHAT MORE AMAZED ME WAS GIVEN THE FACT THAT SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH COULD HAVE EASILY OCCURRED THAT MORE WAS NOT DONE TO RESOLVE THE SITUATION. WHEN WE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER WE WERE TOLD THAT THEY WOULDN'T HELP US, BUT WE COULD TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THEIR DEALER AND THEY WOULD BE HAPPY TO REPAIR IT AT OUR COST, BUT IT WOULD COME WITH A 1 YR./12,000 MILE WARRANTY. THIS REPAIR COULD COST UPWARDS OF $5,000. I NOR MY NEIGHBOR,WHO HAS BEEN A MECHANIC FOR YEARS, HAVE NEVER SEEN A VEHICLE LESS THAN 10 YEARS OLD RUST APART LIKE THAT WHEN THERE IS BARELY ANY RUST ON THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. THIS SITUATION NEEDS SERIOUS ACTION BECAUSE THE PROBLEM IS NOT ONE THAT IS EASILY DETECTED BY ANYONE WHO DOESN'T KNOW WHAT THEY ARE LOOKING FOR. UNFORTUNATELY OURS WAS NOT DETECTED AHEAD OF TIME , AND THANKFULLY MY FAMILY WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT THROUGH WITH ONLY SOME BAD DREAMS AND SCARED KIDS. *TR

Mileage: 120,604

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AFTER A HEARING A LOUD NOISE. WHEN THE VEHICLE STOPPED THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE HAD BROKEN OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE FRONT SUB FRAME WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE SUB FRAME AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE FRONT SUB FRAME. IF THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING ANY FASTER THAN IT WAS IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 247,000.

Mileage: 247,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE K FRAME WAS COVERED WITH RUST. THE LOCAL MECHANIC REPLACED THE K FRAME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 99,000.

Mileage: 96,000

OCCURRENCE: 12 OCTOBER 2010. TRAVELING I-95 WASHINGTON,DC/SUITLAND, MD. VEHICLE: FORD WINDSTAR, 2001. SPEED : 60-65 MPH. TRAFFIC : DENSE. FAILURE OF DEFECTIVE PART : REAR AXLE SNAPPED IN TWO PARTS WHILE TRAVELING ON SMOOTH HIGHWAY, NORTHBOUND. EXPLOSIVE SOUND , LOTS OF SMOKE, EXTREME CONSTERNATION/FEAR OF HEART ATTACK EXPERIENCED BY MY WIFE AND I ( MY WIFE HAS A DANGEROUS HEART CONDITION "IHSS") AT OCCURRENCE. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED ON HAZARD FLASHERS. MANAGED TO MANEUVER ACROSS SEVERAL LANES OF TRAFFIC TO GET TO HIGHWAY SHOULDER SAFELY!! THANK GOD FOR THE ALERT FELLOW TRAVELERS BEHIND US!!! IF WE WERE HIT BY ANY 18-WHEELERS ON THE HIGHWAY, I WOULDN'T BE WRITING THIS COMPLAINT NOW!!! CONCERN FOR OUR SAFETY WAS SHOWN TO US BY FELLOW TRAVELERS; PARTICULARLY, MD TRAFFIC SAFETY PERSON, WHO SHOULD BE COMMENDED BY HIS SUPERIORS FOR HIS PROFESSIONAL AND UNDERSTANDING ACTIONS!! HE LOOKED AT THE DAMAGE AND SAID THAT HE HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT BEFORE; AND HE SAID THAT WE WERE LUCKY TO BE ALIVE!!! VAN WAS TRANSPORTED BY PROFESSIONALS TO THE NEAREST FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE I FIRST BECAME AWARE THAT A RECALL NOTICE WAS IN FORCE FOR MY VEHICLE!!! AT THIS POINT, I BECAME GREATLY DISTURBED THAT I HAD NO PREVIOUS NOTIFICATION OF THIS DANGEROUS CONDITION AND THAT MY WIFE, GRAND CHILDREN, ETAL WERE TRAVELING IN POTENTIAL ROLLING COFFIN! IN MY OPINION, THIS SEEMS TO BE CRIMINAL; PARTICULARLY IF GREATER PROFIT MOTIVES MIGHT BE INVOLVED! I CERTAINLY HOPE THAT INFERIOR MATERIALS WERE NOT USED IN THIS REGARD!! I WAS INFORMED THAT MY VAN WOULD HAVE TO REMAIN AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP UNTIL FORD MOTOR COMPANY DECIDES HOW I WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A SAFE VEHICLE , SINCE NO REPLACEMENT AXLES WERE AVAILABLE. (NB ; I HAVE NO IDEA WHATEVER OTHER DAMAGE EXISTS AS A RESULT OF THIS AWFUL FAILURE! I CERTAINLY DON'T WANT A DUPLICATE AXLE REPLACEMENT TO REPLAY THIS HORRIFIC CATASTROPHE! IN MY WIFE'S DELICATE CONDITION, I CANNOT EXPECT HER TO TRAVEL IN THIS UNSAFE VEHICLE! JUSTICE!!! *TR

Mileage: 80,000

WE HEARD A NOISE WHEN VEHICLE TURNED AND THEN WHILE PULLING AWAY FROM A STOP LIGHT THE SUBFRAME FELL OFF OF THE CAR LANDING ON THE ROAD. IT HAD COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. THE BOLT WAS STILL ATTACHED. THE MECHANIC CONFIRMED THAT IT HAD RUSTED THROUGH. THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 103,000

MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR WAS BROUGHT TO MY MECHANIC FOR POTENTIAL PROBLEM WITH FRONT STABILIZATION. UPON LIFTING TO VEHICLE ON THE LIFT, IT WAS OBVIOUS TO THE MECHANIC THAT THE REAR MOUNT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE SUBFRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED TO THE POINT THAT IT WAS HANGING DOWN. I WAS INSTRUCTED NOT TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE.. THE ISSUE AT HAND APPEARS TO BE AS IDENTIFIED IN THE NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE10026. *TR

Mileage: 89,450

ON A SUNDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 10, AROUND 9:00 P.M., WHILE MAKING A TURN INTO MY STREET,, I HEARD A LOUD NOISE, THE VAN ABRUPTLY STOPPED LEAVING MOST OF THE VEHICLE IN BETWEEN TWO ROADS. THE VAN COULD NOT BE PUSHED OUT OF THE WAY. THE POLICE RESPONDED TO REDIRECT TRAFFIC AND CALLED FOR A FLAT BED TOW WHICH COST $180! THEY NEEDED TO BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL SO THAT THE TIRES OR OTHER PARTS WOULD NOT BE DAMAGED. WITHOUT KNOWING WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE, IT WAS TOWED TO MY REPAIR SHOP. THE NEXT DAY I WAS INFORMED THEY COULD NOT DO THE REPAIR. THEN IT WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP THAT COULD DO THE REPAIR (ANOTHER $40). I UNDERSTAND THE FRAME CRACKED. THE REPAIR SHOP REMOVED AXEL SHAFT, SEAL REBUILT FRAME AT REAR OF LOWER CONTROL ARM AND UNDERCOAT. INSTALLED NEW SEAL, AXEL ASSEMBLY AND FLUID FOR THE COST OF $546. I CAN'T IMAGINE THE OUTCOME IF THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON THE THRUWAY DOING 65 MPH. *TR

Mileage: 96,000

CLUNKING NOISE FROM R/F OF VEHICLE WHEN TURNING LEFT, AND SEVERE PULL WHEN ACCELERATING. FOUND FRONT SUBFRAME RUSTED THRU AND CRACKED AT PASSENGER SIDE REAR MOUNT. HAD TO REPLACE FRONT SUBFRAME. *TR

Mileage: 136,120

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE EXAMINED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR STEERING ISSUES, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 116,000.

Mileage: 116,000

2001 FORD WINDSTAR WITH A CRACKED REAR AXLE. NO LETTER HAS BEEN RECEIVED TO ADDRESS THIS MATTER. OUR VAN MADE CREAKING NOISES AND WE HAD HEARD THROUGH THE MEDIA THAT A RECALL WAS BEGINNING. THE DEALERSHIP AND THE FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS DEPT. WILL NOT GIVE US A DEFINITE ANSWER AS TO WHEN WE CAN EXPECT A RESOLUTION. WE WERE GIVEN A 30 DAY RENTAL AND 14 DAYS HAVE PASSED AND NO ANSWERS. WE ARE GIVEN $30 A DAY FOR A RENTAL CAR BY FORD BUT MUST PAY TAXES TOTALING $3.30 A DAY. THE VOUCHER IS $38 DAILY WITH $8 USED FOR INSURANCE IF NEEDED. WE PAY THROUGH OUR PRIVATE INSURANCE COMPANY FOR SUCH COVERAGE. WHY CANNOT FORD USE THE ADDITIONAL $8 A DAY TO COVER OUR TAXES? THE EXPLANATION FOR THE RECALL WAS TO BE NO EXPENSE TO THE OWNER FOR CORRECTING THE PROBLEM. WE DID NOT CREATE THIS PROBLEM AND BOUGHT OUR VAN IN GOOD FAITH OF THE FORD MOTOR CO. REPUTATION. THIS CERTAINLY DOESN'T MAKE FOR GOOD CUSTOMER RELATIONS. NO DEFINITE DEADLINE FOR REPAIRS AND GIVING UP THE VAN TO USE A 4 DOOR CAR HAS BEEN VERY INCONVENIENT. I AM REQUESTING A DEADLINE BE ESTABLISHED AND FOR FORD TO USE THE ADDITIONAL $8 WE ARE NOT USING BUT WAS ALLOCATED FOR COVERAGE OF THIS PROBLEM TO BE COVERED FOR THOSE CUSTOMERS WHO ALREADY HAVE INSURANCE FOR RENTAL CARS UNDER THEIR PRIVATE INSURANCE CARRIER. *TR

Mileage: 92,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE THE DEALER INSPECTED THE REAR AXLE FOR RECALL 10V385000 SUSPENSION: REAR: AXLE: NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY THEY ALSO LOCATED A FAILURE AT THE FRONT H FRAME WHICH WAS CORRODED AND SEPARATED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WASN'T RECALLED, BUT IF A RECALL WAS ISSUED IN THE FUTURE HE COULD BE REIMBURSED FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WASN'T REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 114,000 MILES. THE AC COMPRESSOR LEAKED WATER ONTO THE FRAME AND CAUSED IT TO ROT. UPDATED EVOQ 11/12/10*JB UPDATED 01/20/11 *BF UPDATED 04/13/11

Mileage: 114,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETECTED THAT THE SUBFRAME EXHIBITED SUBSTANTIAL RUST CORROSION. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT HAD CONCERN OF THE POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Mileage: 90,000

AFTER HEARING SOME NOISE WHEN TURNING I INSPECTED MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR LX AND FOUND THE SUBFRAME/CRADLE RUSTED OUT ON RIGHT SIDE REAR MOUNT. I HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING YET TO FIX IT (LOOKING FOR PRICES) BUT I KNOW THE SUBFRAME/CRADLE IS BAD AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *TR

Mileage: 110,000

THE FRONT SUB FRAME AND CONTROL ARM RUSTED AT 116,000 MILES ONLY. THIS IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE ON ALL FORD WINDSTARS, MINE IS A 2001 MODEL. *TR

Mileage: 116,000

I WAS DRIVING DOWN I-75 IN TOLEDO OHIO AT 70 MPH WHEN MY REAR AXLE BROKE IN HALF ON MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR MINIVAN. LOST CONTROL BUT WAS ABLE TO NOT HIT ANYONE OR ROLL OVER. I HAVE HAD NO HELP FROM FORD AND NOTHING BUT A RUN AROUND FROM THEM HELP!!! I HAVE 4 CHILDREN AND NO TRANSPORTATION. MY ELDEST DAUGHTER HAS NO BUSING IN OUR COUNTY SO I HAVE TO TRANSPORT BOTH WAYS AND NO VEHICLE. NO WAY TO GET GROCERIES OR DR. APPTS. FORD PROMISED ME A RENTAL BUT 9 DAYS HAVE GONE BY AND NO HELP. WHAT DO I DO? THEY ARE TELLING ME IT WILL BE OVER THREE MONTHS BEFORE I CAN HAVE MY VAN REPAIRED. *TR

Mileage: 170,000

WENT FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE AND MY MECHANIC DISCOVERED THE PASSENGER SIDE SUB FRAME IS ALL BUT RUSTED OUT. *TR

Mileage: 148,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH DOWNHILL WHEN THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD, CRASHING NOISE FOLLOWED BY A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKING POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE SUB FRAME CRADLE HAD FRACTURED FROM THE FRAME WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER ALSO ADVISED THAT THE STEERING COMPONENTS, TRANSMISSION, DRIVE TRAIN AND FRAME WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000.

Mileage: 140,000

AS MY WIFE BACKED THE VAN OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY THE REAR AXLE BROKE IN HALF. *TR

Mileage: 149,000

I WAS DRIVING MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR MAKING A RIGHT TURN WHEN I STRAIGHTENED OUT I NOTICED THAT MY STEERING WHEEL WAS STILL TURNED AT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE. BEING CAUTIOUS NOW LISTENED FOR WARNING SOUNDS OF POSSIBLE FURTHER PROBLEMS, THERE WAS NO STRANGE SOUNDS OR SHAKING NOTHING TO INDICATE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN NEXT . AS I CONTINUED ON MY JOURNEY I WAS DRIVING 50KM AN HOUR WHEN SUDDENLY THE FRONT END OF THE VAN DROPPED SITTING ON BOTH FRONT TIRES, CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF STEERING AND BRAKING. I SLID DOWN THE STREET EVENTUALLY CRASHING INTO THE CURB THANKFULLY NO ONE WAS INJURED AND NO OTHER VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED. I EXITED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED TRANSMISSION FLUID POURING OUT ONTO THE ROAD. MY VAN WAS TOWED TO THE MECHANICS AND WE DISCOVERED THAT THE RIGHT CONTROL ARM THAT IS CONNECTED TO THE FRONT SUB FRAME BRACKETS WERE TOTALLY ROUGHED OUT DUE TO BAD DESIGN IN THE SUB FRAME IN WHICH THE BRACKETS ARE WELDED TO THE FRAME WHICH HAS A BOWL LIKE BASE WHICH COLLECTS WATER AND SALT AND SPEEDS UP THE CORROSION TIME. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE FOR OTHER WINDSTAR VANS, IF I WAS ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY DOING 100KM THIS WOULD OF BEEN A FATAL ACCIDENT. IF THIS WOULD OF HAPPENED THE POLICE WOULD OF DETERMINED THAT I WAS GOING TO FAST OR SOME OTHER REASON OTHER THAN THE CONTROL ARM BREAKING OF. THERE HAS BEEN A RECENT RECALL FOR THE REAR AXLE CRACKING AND SPLITTING IN HALF DUE TO BAD U SHAPE DESIGN OF THE AXLE IN WHERE AGAIN SALT AND WATER BECOME TRAPPED AND SPEED UP THE CORROSION TIME. SO I BELIEVE THAT THE CONTROL ARM IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WHICH NEEDS TO BE DEALT WITH BY ISSUING A RECALL AS WELL. *TR

Mileage: 170,000

MY WIFE PULLED OUT OF SOMEONE'S DRIVEWAY AND WITHOUT A WARNING, THE FRONT END OF OUR 2001 FORD WINDSTAR HAD FALLEN OUT DESTROYING THE CONTROL ARM, STRUT AND POSSIBLY MORE DAMAGE. THE VAN GOT TAKEN TO A GARAGE WHERE IT WAS REVEALED THAT THE CRADLE HAD BASICALLY SPLIT AND IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY, THERE WAS A HIGH PERCENTAGE THAT MY WIFE AND THREE CHILDREN WOULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED THANKS TO FORD MANUFACTURING DEATHTRAP PARTS. PARTS LIKE THIS SHOULD BE THE LAST THING TO EVER GO. WE BOUGHT THE VAN IN JUNE 2009 WITH ONLY 112,000 KMS ON IT. FORD SHOULD BE FOOTING THE BILL AND A RECALL SHOULD BE ORDERED IMMEDIATELY. I WILL NEVER BUY A FORD EVER AGAIN. I WILL BE GETTING THE VAN FIXED NEXT WEEK AND I WILL BE KEEPING THE OLD CRADLE AS EVIDENCE AND MY RECEIPT FOR THE COST OF REPAIRS. *TR

Mileage: 152,000

I WAS DRIVING A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR MINIVAN WITH 154K MILES ON A RAINY NIGHT AT HIGHWAY SPEED ON A 3 LANE INTERSTATE WITH 5 CHILDREN ABOARD. I HEARD A LOUD NOISE FROM THE VEHICLE AND LOST ALL CONTROL AS THE STEERING AND BRAKING WASN'T WORKING RIGHT. AS I TRIED TO GET ONTO THE SHOULDER, IT KEPT SWERVING TOWARD THE LEFT, BACK INTO THE LANES. WHEN IT FINALLY STOPPED MOVING, WE WERE STICKING OUT INTO TRAFFIC AND I FEARED WE WOULD BE HIT. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER SHOWED ME THAT THE RIGHT TIRE WASN'T EVEN POINTING STRAIGHT AHEAD ANYMORE AND SAID THAT THE AXEL PROBABLY BROKE. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE FRAME CRACKED AND IN HIS OPINION, HE WOULDN'T RECOMMEND FIXING THE VEHICLE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY SAID THE RIGHT FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM MOUNT ROTTED OFF WHICH PULLED OUT AXEL AND BROKE TIE ROD END AND SO ON, DUE TO NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. I RECEIVED ZERO DOLLARS FOR MY AUTO CLAIM AND MY FAMILY OF SEVEN HAD TO USE OUR 3 SEATER PICKUP TRUCK AS THE FAMILY VEHICLE FOR MONTHS AFTER THE INCIDENT. I LIVE IN A SNOW BELT STATE AND I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR OCCURRED IN A MERE 8 YEARS. I HAVE PICTURES OF THE VEHICLE AFTER THE INCIDENT AS WELL. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE INFORMATION FOR OPEN INVESTIGATION #PE10-026. MY HOPE IS THAT MY STORY IS USEFUL ENOUGH TO HELP PREVENT THIS SAME THING FROM HAPPENING TO OTHER 2001 FORD WINDSTAR OWNERS. *TR

Mileage: 154,731

MY 01 FORD WINDSTAR VAN SUB FRAME HAS LOT OF CORROSION. I HAVE NOTICE THIS AFTER READING REAR AXEL RECALL. *TR

Mileage: 156,000

REAR AXLE FRACTURED WHILE DRIVING MY FORD WINDSTAR 2001. AS A RESULT I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 116,000

REAR AXLE ON 2001 FORD WINDSTAR IS CRACKED. NOTICED A BANGING SOUND WHILE GOING OVER BUMPS. TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP THAT IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 93,929

I HAVE A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR WHICH IS SHOWING SIGNS OF A SUB-FRAME CORROSION FAILURE SIMILAR TO THE ONE DESCRIBED IN INVESTIGATION PR 10-026. THERE IS A "U-SHAPED" SUBFRAME ELEMENT WHICH CONNECTS TO THE MAIN FRAME NEAR THE OUTBOARD SIDE OF BOTH FRONT SEATS AND EXTENDS FORWARD AROUND THE FRONT OF THE CAR. IT DOES APPEAR VARIOUS SUSPENSION AND STEERING MEMBERS ARE CONNECTED TO THIS SUB-FRAME. THE PASSENGER-SIDE END OF THIS SUB-FRAME WHERE IT CONNECTS TO THE VEHICLE FRAME SHOWS SEVERE RUSTING AND METAL DELAMINATION AND A CRACK HAS FORMED ON THE END. THE DRIVER-SIDE END OF THIS SUBFRAME SHOWS NORMAL WEAR AND IS NOT IN IMMEDIATE RISK OF FAILURE. THE CORROSION TO THE PASSENGER-SIDE END IS EXCESSIVE AS COMPARED TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND OTHER FRAME ELEMENTS IN THE VICINITY. SOMETHING IS ACCELERATING THE CORROSION ON THE RIGHT SIDE. IT MAY BE DUE TO THE CONDENSATE DRAIN FROM THE AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEM. AT THIS TIME, THE SUB-FRAME HAS NOT FAILED BUT THE VEHICLE REPRESENTS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY RISK SINCE FAILURE-RELATED CRASHES HAVE BEEN REPORTED. THE REPAIR COSTS ARE ESTIMATED TO BE IN EXCESS OF $2000 FOR FRAME REPLACEMENT. I BELIEVE THAT FORD SHOULD QUICKLY DEVELOP AND DEPLOY A MEANS OF REINFORCING THE FRAME MEMBER AND OFFER THE REPAIR VIA RECALL TO WINDSTAR OWNERS. SINCE THE PARTS ARE CURRENTLY STILL ON MY VEHICLE, I CAN TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS SHOWING THE DETERIORATION OF THE SUB-FRAME ENDS. AS A SIDE NOTE: MY WINDSTAR IS EQUIPPED WITH THE REARSEAT AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEM. THE EVAPORATOR IS IN THE REAR QUARTER-PANEL ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE IN THE REAR OR THE VEHICLE. WHILE THIS AFFECTED COMPONENTS DO NOT APPEAR TO BE A CRITICAL PART OF THE VEHICLE'S STRUCTURE, THERE IS SIGNIFICANT CORROSION TO THE PARTS WHICH ARE IN THE PATH OF THE CONDENSATE DRAIN FOR THE REAR A/C SYSTEM AS WELL. THIS SEEMS TO CONFIRM THE BELIEF THAT A/C CONDENSATE RUN-OFF IS A KEY FACTOR IN THE SUB-FRAME CORROSION ISSUE. *TR

Mileage: 106,000

2001 FORD WINDSTAR WAS MAKING NOISES IN THE BACK FOR A COUPLE MONTHS. JUST RECENTLY, THE NOISE GOT MUCH LOUDER WHEN BACKING UP AND GOING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY. BEFORE DRIVING TODAY, I LOOKED UNDER THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE TO SEE THAT THE REAR AXLE BEAM WAS CRACKED AT LEAST 95% ABOUT 18 INCHES FROM THE DRIVERS WHEEL. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED IF I WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND LOST CONTROL. I HAVE TO GET THIS FIXED AND CANNOT DRIVE THE VAN. *TR

Mileage: 129,000

FORD WINDSTAR REAR AXEL BREAK 1. HEARD ODD SOUND UNDER CAR 2. REAR AXEL BROKE NEAR DRIVER SIDE OF CAR. 3. DEALER SAYS THEY CANNOT GET THE PART, I MUST FIND MY OWN. *TR

Mileage: 140,000

WHILE DRIVING OUR 2001 FORD WINDSTAR WHICH HAS ONLY 60,000 MILES AT ABOUT 20 MPH, A LOUD SNAP SOUND OCCURRED, FOLLOWED BY WOBBLING FROM THE BACK OF THE CAR AND BURNING RUBBER SMELL AS THE VEHICLE CAME TO A SCRAPPING STOP. WE GOT OUT TO SEE THAT THE REAR AXLE BAR HAD SNAPPED IN TWO ABOUT A FOOT OR SO FROM THE DRIVERS REAR WHEEL. WE CALLED GEICO AND FILED A CLAIM, THEY ARE GOING TO REPAIR IT BUT WE WILL STILL HAVE TO PAY A $500 DEDUCTIBLE. THEY SAID THAT IF THEY ARE SUCCESSFUL IN GOING AFTER FORD FOR THIS "DEFECT", WE WOULD THEM BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE $500 BACK . WE SEE ON THE INTERNET THAT THERE ARE TWO YOUTUBE.COM VIDEOS ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM AND THESE AXLES ARE SNAPPED EXACTLY WHERE OURS LET GO. WE ALSO SEE ON THE INTERNET THAT THE NHTSA HAS BEEN INVESTIGATING THIS PROBLEM SINCE MAY OF 2010. AS OF THAT DATE THERE WERE ALMOST 300 OCCURRENCES OF THIS FAILURE IN THE NORTHEAST, I GUESS MORE AND MORE OF THIS OCCURRENCE WILL CONTINUE UNTIL FORD RECALLS THIS DEFECTIVE WELD OR INADEQUATE THICKNESS OF THE REAR AXEL BAR ITSELF. WE HOPE NO-ONE HAS TO LOOSE THEIR LIVES BEFORE FORD ADDRESSES THIS ISSUE. WE ARE SO GLAD THAT WE NEVER MADE IT TO THE ENTRANCE OF THE HIGHWAY, BECAUSE I CANNOT IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *TR

Mileage: 60,100

MY WIFE WAS PULLING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY WITH HER 2001 FORD WINDSTAR WHEN THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE AND THE WHEELS TURNED AND LOCKED IN POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION IF IT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED AT HIGHWAY SPEED. THE VEHICLE HAS 96,000 MILES ON IT. IT COST $1,600 TO GET REPAIRED. FORD HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE METAL ON THESE VEHICLES. VEHICLE FRAMES SHOULD NOT RUST OUT. *TR

Mileage: 96,000

DRIVING ALONG AT MINIMAL SPEED, +/- 30 MPH, I HEARD AND FELT A "SNAP" IN THE REAR OF MY FORD WINDSTAR. THEN AN IMMEDIATE DRAGGING FEELING AND SCRAPING OF METAL FROM THE REAR END FOLLOWED. THE CAR SWERVED AND SLOWED TO A STOP. NO ADDITIONAL VEHICLES WERE INVOLVED, BUT AN EASY COLLISION COULD HAVE RESULTED, IF NOT FOR THE FACT I WAS APPROACHING A LEFT TURN LANE AND WAS ABLE TO STEER CLEAR OF TRAFFIC. I CHECKED THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE AND THE AXLE WAS CLEANLY BROKEN IN TWO, AS IF A SEAM HAD SPLIT. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION, LIFE THREATENING IN MY OPINION IF I WAS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *TR

Mileage: 134,000

I OWN A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR WITH JUST OVER 119,600 MILES ON IT. ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 6, 2010 I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK. I WAS GOING BETWEEN 35 AND 40 MPH. SUDDENLY I HEARD A LOUD NOISE SOMEWHERE CLOSE BEHIND ME AND I SAW SMOKE AND/OR DUST COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VAN. I THOUGHT I HAD BLOWN A TIRE BUT WHEN I GOT OUT AND LOOKED ALL THE TIRES WERE FINE ALTHOUGH I THOUGHT THE REAR TIRES WERE TILTED TOWARD EACH OTHER. WHEN MY HUSBAND CAME TO PICK ME UP, WE LOOKED UNDER THE REAR OF THE VAN AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR AXLE HAD BROKEN ALMOST IN HALF. *TR

Mileage: 119,660

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND SOUNDED LIKE A TIRE BLEW. PULLED OFF ROAD AND NOTICED REAR PASSENGER TIRE COMPLETELY BUCKLED IN. LOOKED UNDER VEHICLE AND SAW REAR AXLE WAS IN 2 PIECES. HAD TO REPLACE REAR AXLE, BRAKE LINE, AND TIRE. *TR

Mileage: 128,000

2001 FORD WINDSTAR. RIGHT FRONT SUBFRAME ROTTED AT MOUNTED POINT TO MAIN FRAME. HAD BEEN HEARING SLIGHT GRINDING NOISE FOR PAST WEEK OR SO FROM RIGHT SIDE OF VEHICLE. SEVERAL ATTEMPTS WERE MADE TO DIAGNOSE NOISE WITH NO SUCCESS. VEHICLE WAS RAISED ON JACKS FOR INSPECTION AND IT WAS FOUND THAT THE FRAME HAD ROTTED THROUGH AT THE MOUNTING POINT. VEHICLE REQUIRES COMPLETE FRONT SUBFRAME REPLACEMENT. *TR

Mileage: 178,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD, UNUSUAL EXPLOSION. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE FRONT SUB FRAME AND AXLE HAD FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING REPAIRS. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 110,000. UPDATED 11/19/10.*LJ ALSO, THE OIL PAN GASKETS WAS LEAKING. UPDATED 11/24/10

Mileage: 110,000

FOR SEVERAL MONTHS, MY WIFE AND I NOTICED A CREAKING/THUMPING SOUND COMING FROM THE LEFT REAR OF OUR 2001 FORD WINDSTAR SEL, WHICH HAS 111,000 MILES ON IT. THE SOUND WAS ESPECIALLY NOTICEABLE WHEN TURNING AT LOW SPEEDS AND AT THE SAME TIME EXPERIENCING AN ELEVATION CHANGE (E.G., ENTERING A DRIVEWAY FROM THE ROAD). THE FORD DEALER TOLD US WE NEEDED NEW REAR SHOCKS, WHICH WE REPLACED FOR $500+. THE VEHICLE HANDLED A LITTLE BETTER AND THE SOUND SEEMED TO BE REDUCED, BUT NEVER TOTALLY WENT AWAY. OVER THE NEXT COUPLE MONTHS, THE SOUND GRADUALLY WORSENED. WE WERE PLANNING A LONG ROAD TRIP FOR OUR SUMMER VACATION, SO WE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER THE DAY BEFORE WE WERE GOING TO LEAVE. THIS TIME, THE DEALER TOLD US THE REAR AXLE BEAM WAS CRACKED. I'M SURE THAT WAS PART, IF NOT ALL, OF THE PROBLEM THAT WE EXPERIENCED THE FIRST TIME WE BROUGHT IT IN, BECAUSE THE SOUND WAS THE SAME. REGARDLESS, WE WERE FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO DISCOVER THE PROBLEM BEFORE WE WERE ON THE ROAD WITH OUR THREE CHILDREN AND A VAN FULLY LOADED FOR A 10-DAY VACATION. I ASKED THE FORD TECHNICIAN HOW IT COULD POSSIBLY BE THAT FORD COULD MAKE A MINIVAN WITH A REAR AXLE BEAM THAT FAILED AFTER ONLY NINE YEARS OF ROUTINE USE. HE DIDN'T HAVE MUCH TO SAY, BUT ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS TAKE A CLOSE LOOK AT THE AXLE BEAM TO UNDERSTAND WHY. IT'S AS THIN AS AN ALUMINUM BASEBALL BAT, AND IT'S JUST AS HOLLOW. A POP CAN HAS MORE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY. I MENTIONED THE PROBLEM TO A NEIGHBORHOOD AUTO MECHANIC, AND HE SAID THIS HAPPENS ON 'ALL' WINDSTARS. RATHER THAN PAY THE $1000 REPAIR BILL, AND GIVEN THE DOZENS OF OTHER ISSUES WE'VE HAD WITH THIS SUBSTANDARD VEHICLE, WE DECIDED TO JUST BUY A NEW VEHICLE. WE WERE CONSIDERING TRADING THE WINDSTAR, BUT BEFORE DOING SO, I DECIDED TO SEE IF THIS PROBLEM WAS AS COMMON AS THE LOCAL MECHANIC IMPLIED. TURNS OUT IT IS. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, AND ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES NEED TO BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY. *TR

Mileage: 111,000

NHTSA EXPANDS FORD WINDSTAR CORROSION PROBE TO FRONT SUBFRAMES. I HAVE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THIS BUT HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE H-FRAME IN THE FRONT OF MY WINDSTAR REPLACED DUE TO CORROSION WHERE THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT WHEEL CONNECTION HAD CORRODED THROUGH AND THE WHEEL WAS GOING TO POTENTIALLY COME OFF. IT WAS MAKING A LOT OF NOISE AND NOT PERFORMING CORRECTLY SO MY MECHANIC TOOK A LOOK TO SEE IF THE SHOCKS, BALL JOINTS NEEDED REPLACEMENT. HE FOUND THE H-FRAME CORRODED AND REQUIRED REPLACING. THIS WAS 2 YEAR AGO AND COST ABOUT $2000 TO REPLACE. I AM NOW HAVING ISSUES WITH MY REAR END WHICH IS CAUSING LOUD NOISES GOING OVER BUMPS AND VIBRATING AT SPEED. WENT TO THE SAME MECHANIC AND HE SAYS THAT THE U-FRAME HOLDING UP THE REAR END IS CRACKED AND CORRODED. EVENTUALLY IT WILL BREAK THROUGH AND DROP THE CAR. SINCE THIS IS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR WITH 80,000 MILES, I HAVE DECIDED NOT TO UNDERGO THE REPAIRS BUT TO LOOK FOR A NEW VEHICLE. THE WINDSTAR HAS BEEN GARAGE KEPT FOR ITS ENTIRE LIFE. *TR

Mileage: 70,000

IT WAS RAINING & I WAS DRIVING HOME WITH MY SONS IN THE VAN WHEN IT SUDDENLY SWERVED OUT OF CONTROL, FISH-TAILING INTO THE DIRECTION OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I ALMOST LOST COMPLETE CONTROL AND NARROWLY AVOIDED HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE. I PROCEEDED HOME CAUTIOUSLY, THINKING THE WAY THE VAN WAS NOW HANDLING WAS DUE TO ROAD CONDITIONS. THE NEXT DAY IT CONTINUED TO HANDLE DIFFICULTLY, AND I NOTED A SQUEALING TIRE SOUND WITH TURNS - I THOUGHT PERHAPS THE TIRES NEEDED AIR, AND IT WAS STILL RAINING. THAT AFTERNOON, AS I WAS MERGING ONTO THE HIGHWAY, THE VAN RANDOMLY STARTED TO FISH-TAIL OVER TWO LANES, NEARLY ROLLING OVER. I WAS BARELY ABLE TO OBTAIN CONTROL. I PROCEEDED HOME CAUTIOUSLY, NOTING THE TIRES WERE SQUEALING MORE WITH TURNS & IT WAS MORE DIFFICULT TO HANDLE. ONCE HOME I CHECKED THE TIRES & THEY SEEMED FINE. I LOADED MY SONS IN THE VAN, AGAINST MY BETTER JUDGMENT, TO HAVE DINNER AT A FRIENDS HOUSE. I PLANNED TO HAVE HER BOYFRIEND CHECK IT WHILE WE WERE THERE (MY HUSBAND WAS GONE FOR TWO WEEKS). I CAUTIOUSLY DROVE DOWN OUR ROAD AND WHEN I TOOK THE LONG CURVE BY THE SCHOOL THE TIRES BEGAN TO SQUEAL LOUDLY AND THE VAN STARTED SWERVING ALL OVER, INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. IT ROCKED AND SWERVED & NEARLY FLIPPED, SCARING ALL 3 OF US NEARLY TO DEATH. I FINALLY WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VAN & HAD MY SON GET OUT AND WATCH AS I DROVE PAST SLOWLY. HE IMMEDIATELY STARTED SCREAMING TO GET OUT! THE WHEELS WERE ABOUT TO FALL OFF! I SLOWLY & FEARFULLY PULLED INTO THE CHURCH LOT WE WERE NEXT TO AND DISCOVERED THAT BOTH REAR TIRES WERE TIPPED IN AT THE TOP, LIKE A TEE-PEE. WE WERE ALL SHAKEN, KNOWING HOW CLOSE WE CAME TO DYING. THE VAN WAS EVENTUALLY LOADED ONTO A FLATBED TRUCK AND BROUGHT HOME. MY HUSBAND GOT HOME & DISCOVERED THE STEEL SUPPORT BEAM WAS SPLIT NEARLY IN HALF IN THE MIDDLE. I THANK GOD WE DIDN'T GO OVER THE BRIDGE THAT NIGHT - WE WOULD'VE HAD A MASSIVE ACCIDENT, INJURING/KILLING WHO-KNOWS HOW MANY PEOPLE! WE WONT REPLACE IT WITH USED PARTS & THERE AREN'T NEW ONES. *TR

BROKEN REAR AXLE IN MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR-2ND OCCURRENCE HAD THE AXLE REPAIRED/WELDED IN 2009 ON THE LEFT REAR AND NOW THE RIGHT REAR IS CRACKED RENDERING THE CAR UNDRIVEABLE. *TR

Mileage: 144,231

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT NOTICED AN UNUSUAL CRACKING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FRAME THAT HELD THE REAR WHEELS TOGETHER HAD FRACTURED IN HALF. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE DEALER OF THE FAILURE BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 106,000.

Mileage: 106,000

I WAS BACKING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY WHEN THE CAR BEGAN ROCKING AND THEN I HEARD A GRINDING NOISE. WHEN I LOOKED AT THE REAR END I REALIZED THE REAR AXLE HAD SNAPPED IN HALF. *TR

Mileage: 98,000

WHILE DRIVING OUR 2001 FORD WINDSTAR PULLING A 7'X12' TRAILER AT 60 M.P.H. ON A TWO LANE STATE ROUTE ROAD WE CROSSED AN INTERSECTION OF A COUNTY ROAD THERE WAS A SMALL HUMP AT THE INTERSECTION THERE WAS A VERY LOUD BANG FOLLOWED BY A TIRE SCREECHING AND LOSS OF STEERING THE VAN PULLED VERY HARD TO THE RIGHT INTO THE GRASS CORRECTING WE CAME BACK INTO OUR LANE AND STARTED INTO THE ONCOMING LANE I WAS ABLE TO BRING THE VAN BACK TO OUR LANE AND THEN SLOWLY BACK TO THE GRASS WHERE WE CAME TO A STOP 1500' PAST THE INTERSECTION AFTER LOOKING AT THE VAN I HAD FOUND THAT THE BACK MOUNT OF THE RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS WET AND HAD RUSTED AND BROKE OFF CAUSING THE RIGHT WHEEL TO TURN OUT PULLING THE DRIVE SHAFT OUT AND LOCKING UP THE WHEEL CAUSING THE LOSS OF STEERING I BELIEVE THAT OVER TIME THE EVAPORATOR DRIPPED CONDENSATION ON TO THE MOUNT CAUSING IT TO RUST A FAIL THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS STRUCTURAL FAILURE AND COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURIES OR DEATH AND IS JUST NOT A PLEASANT TIME NOT WANTING TO PAY $900 TO $2000 TO BE REPAIRED I FOUND A GOOD SUB FRAME AT A JUNK YARD FOR $150( SOME FRAMES MAY BE MORE MONEY) AND WILL REPLACE IT MYSELF THIS IS A VERY BIG AND HARD PROJECT THAT WILL TAKE A LOT OF TIME I HAVE THE RIGHT TOOLS AND KNOWHOW I DON'T RECOMMEND TRYING FOR EVERYONE THIS IS A BACKUP VEHICLE SO I HAVE THE TIME TO FIX IT FORD OR THE N.H.T.S.A. SHOULD RECALL ALL VEHICLES WITH THE POTENTIAL OF THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOME ONE GETS BADLY HURT OR DIES THIS PROBLEM WILL NOT GO AWAY ONLY GET WORSE I URGE ALL OWNERS OF ANY WINDSTAR TO CHECK THERE RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ARM MOUNTS TO SEE IF THEY ARE BAD. *TR

Mileage: 177,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE MAIN SUB FRAME WAS SEPARATED AND COVERED WITH RUST ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH HE HEARD A NOISE COMING ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. A LOCAL MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE FRAME WAS COVERED WITH RUST AND SEPARATING FROM THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO PROGRAM OR WARRANTY TO COVER THE FAILURE. CLAIM#0355841870 WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 69,000.

Mileage: 69,000

REAR AXEL CRACKED IN TWO DRIVING AROUND 40 MPH AS OF TODAY DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX IT 07/01/2010. ALSO PASS SIDE DOOR OPENS EVERY ONCE AND AWHILE WHEN DRIVING. *TR

Mileage: 130,000

2001 WINDSTAR REAR AXLE BROKE IN HALF CAUSING THE REAR TIRE TO SMOKE AND BURN THE RUBBER OFF THE TIRE AND THE UNDERCOATING ON THE WHEEL WELL. DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH. STARTED TO FEEL A SWAY JUST BEFORE IT BROKE, NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. TIRE WAS VERY HOT AND SMOKING,WE WERE TOLD SHE WAS LUCKY THE TIRE DID NOT BLOW. *TR

Mileage: 127,585

I OWN A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR LIMITED AND WHILE DRIVING THE CAR THE REAR AXEL SNAPPED IN HALF. I WAS STUCK BUT THANKFULLY WAS ABLE TO HAVE A TOW TRUCK BRING IT TO MY HOUSE. BOTH BACK TIRES AND TOTALLY BENT IN AS THE AXEL IS LITERALLY BROKEN IN HALF. I NOW HAVE NO MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION WHICH KILLS ME AS WE ALWAYS KEPT THIS CAR UP TO DATE ON ALL MAINTENANCE. WE JUST HAD THE FRONT ALIGNED, TIE RODS REPLACED AS WELL AS MANY OTHER REPAIRS RECENTLY. AS I SAID WE ALWAYS HAVE THE OIL CHANGED AND ALL OTHER SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE ON TIME. THIS IS A REAL BLOW AS RIGHT NOW WE DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX IT OR REPLACE IT. I CANNOT BELIEVE FORD DOES NOT HAVE TO HAVE A RECALL ON THIS AND THEIR ERROR IS OUR LOSS AND THE LOSS OF MANY OTHERS. I AM DISGUSTED AND ALTHOUGH A FORD COSTUMER FOR MANY, MANY YEARS WILL NO LONGER CONSIDER FORD IN THE FUTURE. SHAME ON YOU FORD, LIVES ARE AT STAKE HER; HAVE A CONSCIENCE. *TR

Mileage: 108,000

I OWN A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR LIMITED AND WHILE DRIVING THE CAR THE REAR AXEL SNAPPED IN HALF. I WAS STUCK BUT THANKFULLY WAS ABLE TO HAVE A TOW TRUCK BRING IT TO MY HOUSE. BOTH BACK TIRES AND TOTALLY BENT IN AS THE AXEL IS LITERALLY BROKEN IN HALF. I NOW HAVE NO MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION WHICH KILLS ME AS WE ALWAYS KEPT THIS CAR UP TO DATE ON ALL MAINTENANCE. WE JUST HAD THE FRONT ALIGNED, TIE RODS REPLACED AS WELL AS MANY OTHER REPAIRS RECENTLY. AS I SAID WE ALWAYS HAVE THE OIL CHANGED AND ALL OTHER SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE ON TIME. THIS IS A REAL BLOW AS RIGHT NOW WE DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX IT OR REPLACE IT. I CANNOT BELIEVE FORD DOES NOT HAVE TO HAVE A RECALL ON THIS AND THEIR ERROR IS OUR LOSS AND THE LOSS OF MANY OTHERS. I AM DISGUSTED AND ALTHOUGH A FORD COSTUMER FOR MANY, MANY YEARS WILL NO LONGER CONSIDER FORD IN THE FUTURE. SHAME ON YOU FORD, LIVES ARE AT STAKE HER; HAVE A CONSCIENCE. *TR

Mileage: 108,000

REAR AXLE CRACKED IN HALF CAUSING FURTHER DAMAGE TO THE VAN. *TR

Mileage: 120,000

BRAKE LIGHT WAS ON IN MY 2001 FORD, WINDSTAR. BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO OUR MECHANIC TO CHECK IT OUT AND MAKE NECESSARY REPAIRS. OUR MECHANIC CALLED ME AND INFORMED ME THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS ROTTED OUT AND THAT IN HIS OPINION IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND THE COST TO REPAIR IT WERE NOT WORTH IT. WE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE NEW IN OCTOBER OF 2001 AND IT ONLY HAS ABOUT 28,000 MILES ON IT. WE DO NOT LIVE ANY WHERE NEAR THE OCEAN, BUT LIVE IN MASSACHUSETTS, WHERE SALT AND SAND ARE USED ON THE ROADS IN THE WINTER. BUT AS YOU CAN TELL WITH THE LOW MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE IT WAS NOT DRIVEN MUCH ANY WAY. I AM FORCED TO BUY A NEW VEHICLE TO REPLACE THIS ONE. *TR

Mileage: 28,000

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED, THE REAR AXLE SNAPPED, WHICH RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, I WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION WITH A VEHICLE IN THE NEXT LANE. *TR

Mileage: 206,000

2001 WINDSTAR WAS FISHTAILING WHEN I HIT BUMPS. LOOKED UNDER THERE AND THE REAR AXLE WAS CRACKED. ONLY HANGING TOGETHER BY LESS THAN 1" GOT ANOTHER FROM A JUNKYARD AND IT IS CRACKING NOW TOO. SAFETY ISSUE!! FORD SHOULD PAY!!! *TR

Mileage: 135,000

THE REAR AXLE COLLAPSED, JUST AS MY FAMILY WAS HEADING TO THE HIGHWAY FOR A ROAD TRIP. WE WERE ABLE TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY REPAIRED THE VEHICLE TO THE COST OF $900. WE HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO AUTHORIZE THE REPAIR AS IT WAS THE ONLY CAR WE HAD THAT COULD TRANSPORT MY FAMILY OF SIX TO A CHRISTMAS VACATION. I HAD READ ABOUT REAR AXLE FAILURES IN THESE MINI VANS TWO YEARS AGO FROM THIS WEBSITE WHEN I RESEARCHED AND FILED A COMPLAINT AFTER THE BRAKES FAILED WHILE TRAVELING AT 65MPH ON THE HIGHWAY IN THIS SAME VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 115,000

REAR AXLE BROKE, CAR WAS TOWED (FLATBED) TO REPAIR FACILITY. BROKEN AXLE ASSEMBLY REMOVED AND REPLACED WITH A NEW AXLE. *TR

Mileage: 87,650

2001 FORD WINDSTAR MINIVAN REAR AXEL BREAK. WENT ON-LINE AND HAVE READ HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT REAR AXLES BREAKING IN HALF. NO OTHER CARS AXLES ARE BREAKING. *TR

Mileage: 141,000

REAR AXLE ON MY SON'S 2001 FORD WINDSTAR CRACKED ALMOST ALL THE WAY THROUGH ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. ABOUT 14 INCHES FROM THE WHEEL. BOTH REAR TIRES WERE WRECKED BECAUSE OF RUBBING INSIDE OF WHEEL WELL. *TR

Mileage: 121,649

VEHICLE: 2001 FORD WINDSTAR LX; MILEAGE APPROX. 113K TODAY, I HAD A SCHEDULED APPT. FOR MY LOCAL GARAGE TO INSPECT A NOISE/VIBRATION ISSUE WITH THE FAMILY MINIVAN. THIS IS THE VEHICLE WHICH MY WIFE AND KIDS USE ROUTINELY. WHILE BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY TO GET TO THE GARAGE, I HEARD A LARGE SNAP AND THE REAR-END OF THE VAN SLUMPED ONTO THE DRIVER'S REAR TIRE. THE REAR AXLE BEAM HAD SNAPPED IN HALF. IN REVIEWING ONLINE FORUMS WITH OTHER FORD DRIVERS, THIS IS FAILURE IS A FREQUENT OCCURANCE WITH FORD WINDSTARS AFTER 100K MILES. THAT IS NOT A LARGE NUMBER OF MILES, CONSIDERING THE "INVESTMENT" TYPICAL MIDDLE CLASS FAMILIES NEED TO MAKE IN ORDER TO HAVE A VEHICLE FOR COMMUTING. I SHUDDER WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED IF MY FAMILY WAS TRAVELING AT HIGHER SPEEDS ON AN EXPRESSWAY. IT IS TO A POINT THAT ONE CAN NOT FIND REPLACEMENT REAR AXLE BEAMS FOR REPAIRS BECAUSE OF THE GREAT NUMBER OF REPAIRS REQUIRED IN THE MARKET. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS TREND WITH THE FORD WINDSTAR... THIS CAN BE ANOTHER TOYOTA LYING IN WAIT.

Mileage: 112,608

I OWN A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WE ARE THE ORIGINAL OWNERS AND HAVE PERFORMED ALL ROUTINE MAINTENANCE ON THE VEHICLE. IT BEGAN MAKING A GRINDING NOISE IN THE BACK WHEN TURNING INTO OUR DRIVEWAY WHICH HAS A SLIGHT RIDGE AT THE END OF IT. WE HAD OUR MECHANIC CHECK IT AND HE FOUND THAT THE REAR AXLE IS CRACKED HALF WAY THROUGH. FORTUNATELY WE FOUND THIS BEFORE IT BROKE WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY. I DON'T KNOW WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO TO FIX IT YET BECAUSE WE CAN'T AFFORD AN $1100 REPAIR BILL. *TR

Mileage: 150,251

FRONT WHEEL ON PASSENGER SIDE DISCONNECTED FROM FRAME WHILE MOVING. FRAME RUSTED. *TR

Mileage: 175,000

2001 FORD WINDSTAR SEL, PASSENGER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE OFF FRAME BECAUSE OF RUSTED, CORRODED CRADLE. *TR

Mileage: 93,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE FRONT BALL JOINT BROKE AND THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL; HOWEVER, HE WAS ABLE TO AVOID A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE RUSTED AND CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 91,000.

Mileage: 91,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. HE STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE RIGHT FRONT SUBFRAME BROKE AND THE RIGHT WHEEL MADE A LEFT TURN AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN AND STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THEY REPLACED THE FRONT SUB FRAME AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WERE NO OPEN RECALLS AND THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY CAN DO FOR HIM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE IS 107000. UPDATED 5/6/10 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE RIGHT FRONT CONTROL ARM AND FRAME MOUNT BROKE. UPDATED 06/18/10

Mileage: 105,000

ON FEB. 21, 2010 IT WAS NECESSARY TO HAVE MY VEHICLE TOWED BY AAA. AFTER THE DRIVER GOT IT ON THE RAMP TRUCK, HE TOLD ME HE WANTED TO SHOW ME SOMETHING AT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THERE IS A CRACK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE REAR AXLE. HE INFORMED ME THAT MINE WAS THE THIRD VEHICLE OF THE SAME KIND IN ABOUT 2 WEEKS, THAT HE HAD TO TOW BECAUSE OF A BROKEN AXLE. I HAVEN'T DRIVEN IT SINCE, UNTIL I CAN MAKE SOME ARRANGEMENTS TO GET IT FIXED. APPARENTLY FROM INFORMATION I HAVE FOUND, THERE ARE NUMEROUS PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. IT HAPPENS UNEXPECTEDLY AND USUALLY AROUND 100,000 TO 122,000 MILES. THERE IS AS YET NO RECALL BUT I THINK THERE SHOULD BE. IT'S A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

Mileage: 122,000

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND HEARD NOISE IN BACK , CAR WAS STEERING ERRATIC , WENT TO REPAIR SHOP AND WAS TOLD THE REAR AXEL ON MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR BROKE . I WAS TOLD THIS IS A ONGOING PROBLEM WITH WINDSTARS AND FORD WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT . IT WILL COST ME 1200.00 TO FIX . FORD IS LUCKY NO ONE WAS KILLED IN A ACCIDENT WITH THIS PROBLEM . LOOK ON THE INTERNET I FOUND OVER 60!!!! COMPLAINTS ON DIFFERENT SITES REGARDING THIS PROBLEM . DO SOMETHING PLEASE. LUCKILY I WAS GOING SLOW !! *TR

Mileage: 148,000

I HAVE A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR AND FOR THE 3RD TIME THE REAR END TIRE SUPPORT HAS BROKEN IN HALF DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. MY FAMILY AND I FEEL LUCKY TO BE HERE TO WRITE THIS AT THIS TIME AND IT IS MY 17 YEAR OLD SONS PRIMARY CAR TO DRIVE SO I CAN HAVE GENERAL INSURANCE BUT NOT FULL COVERAGE. I FEEL IF HE WAS DRIVING WHEN THIS HAPPENED HE WOULD HAVE BEEN IN A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT, GOD WAS WATCHING OUT FOR US. IT HAS COST ME OVER A THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR EACH REPAIR AND AT THIS TIME I AM WITHOUT THE FAMILY VEHICLE AND DON'T SEE THAT IT WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA TO FIX THIS AGAIN KNOWING THAT ITS GOING TO BREAK AGAIN. I CANT AFFORD A NEW VEHICLE AND THIS CAR HAS BEEN DEPENDABLE OTHER THAN THIS PROBLEM. THE REAR END IS SCARCE AT SALVAGE YARDS, WE HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO LOCATE ONE YET THAT TELLS ME I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE HAVING THE PROBLEM. THE VAN IS MADE FOR SEVEN AND THERE ARE 5 IN MY FAMILY SO OVERLOADING IS NOT THE PROBLEM, NOR RUST THEY ARE FREE FROM THAT AND THE LAST REPAIR WE REPLACED THE SHOCKS TO REDUCE VIBRATION PROBLEMS IF IT EXISTED. I FEAR SOON I WILL READ ABOUT A FAMILY TRAGEDY BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM AND I WANT IT ON RECORD ABOUT THIS COMPLAINT. BEFORE MAKING EACH REPAIR WE CHECKED TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL AND TO DATE THERE IS NONE. I AM IN THE SERVICE WORK BUSINESS AND I UNDERSTAND THING FAIL, BRAKES, WATER PUMPS, COMPUTERS, ENGINES BUT I SHOULD HAVE NEVER HAD TO PUT A NICKEL INTO THIS PROBLEM. ANY HELP OR GUIDANCE YOU CAN GIVE ME WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING. *TR

Mileage: 181,000

DURING A REAR TIRE CHECK ON OUR 2001 FORD WINDSTAR IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THERE IS A CRACK IN THE REAR AXLE BEAM. FRIENDS OF OURS HAVE THE SAME YEAR VEHICLE AND LAST YEAR THEIR WINDSTAR REAR AXLE BEAM BROKE IN TWO AND LOCKED UP THE REAR WHEELS, LUCKILY THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT. I HAVE BEEN MONITORING OUR AXLE BEAM SINCE THEN AND NOW IT IS CRACKING. I DON'T DARE HAVE MY WIFE DRIVE IT, ESPECIALLY ON THE HIGHWAY. WHY HAS FORD NOT RECALLED THIS??? THIS COULD BE CATASTROPHIC AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IF IT SNAPPED. I NEED TO GET THIS FIXED IMMEDIATELY AND HAVE HEARD IT IS AT LEAST $1,000 !! *TR

Mileage: 135,900

201 FORD WINDSTAR. ENGINE/TRANSMISSION SUBFRAME/CRADLE RUSTS THROUGH LEAVING VEHICLE UNCONTROLLABLE. IT IS REPORTED TO BE CAUSED BY AC DRAIN DRIPPING DIRECTLY ON SUBFRAME ASSEMBLY. *TR

Mileage: 100,000

TRAVELING ALONG A MAJOR HIGHWAY APPROX. 70 MPH, THE ENGINE CRADLE ASSEMBLY BECAME DETACHED FROM THE FRAME DUE TO CORROSION AND SUBSEQUENTLY THE CV AXEL BECAME DETACHED FROM THE WHEEL AND THE CONTROL ARM ALSO BECAME DETACHED. THE VEHICLE BECAME UN CONTROLLABLE AND LUCKILY WE DIDN'T FLIP OR HIT SOMEONE ELSE. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS CONDITION AND A SUB FRAME ASSEMBLY SHOULDN'T COME APART ON A VEHICLE WITH ONLY 70K MILES ON IT. I HAVE CALLED FORD MOTOR CO. WITH NO HELP OR EVEN AN APOLOGY AS THERE IS NO RECALL FOR ANY ISSUES LIKE THIS. AGAIN, THIS IS VERY SERIOUS ISSUE AND WE WERE LUCK WE WEREN'T KILLED. *TR

Mileage: 71,000

DRIVEN DOWN THE ROAD THE FRONT PASSENGER AXLE POPS OUT LOSE OF ALIGNMENT VEHICLE WONT RUN BOTH FRONT TIRES ARE LOOKING THE OPPOSITE WAY.... HOW CAN I FIND OUT HOW TO FIX THIS. VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVABLE. *TR

Mileage: 180,000

OUR NOT FOR PROFIT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR WHICH FAILED TO PASS NYS INSPECTION BECAUSE THE SUB-FRAME IS RUSTED THROUGH. THIS VEHICLE HAD LESS THAN 160K MILES ON IT. WE WASH OUR VEHICLES EVERY MONTH OR SO IN THE WINTER TO RID THEM OF SALT SO THAT CORROSION IS KEPT TO MINIMUM. TOO BAD FORD DOESN'T STAND BY THEIR PRODUCTS LIKE TOYOTA, (WHICH PAID OWNERS OF DEFECTIVE PICK-UPS WHICH HAD UNDERBODY CORROSION 1 & 1/2 BLUE BOOK VALUE FOR VEHICLES). ANOTHER REASON NOT TO BUY AMERICAN: SHODDY MATERIALS, SHODDY WORKMANSHIP & UNCARING CUSTOMER SATISFACTION. *TR

Mileage: 160,000

ON NOVEMBER 3RD, 2009, THE REAR AXLE FAILED IN MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR WHILE I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CAR HAD BEGUN PERFORMING ERRATICALLY SO I WAS NOT TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEED, BUT EVEN AT LOW SPEED IT WAS ESSENTIALLY UNCONTROLLABLE WHEN THE FAILURE HAPPENED. IN THE WEEKS LEADING UP TO THE ACTUAL FAILURE, I HAD EXPERIENCED HANDLING PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. AFTER MY MECHANIC REPLACED THE FRONT STRUTS AND REAR SHOCKS THE CAR STILL DIDN'T HANDLE RIGHT. THEY THOUGHT THIS MIGHT BE BECAUSE THE REAR ALIGNMENT WAS NOT A LITTLE OUT OF SPEC - THEY WERE WAITING FOR SHIMS TO COME IN TO CORRECT THAT WHEN THE AXLE FAILED. IN ADDITION TO MY UNHAPPINESS ABOUT THE COMPLAINTS - THE VEHICLE KIND OF SWERVED WHEN GOING AROUND CORNERS, ESPECIALLY HIGHWAY ON/OFF RAMPS - THE ONLY WARNING THE CAR GAVE IN THE WEEKS UP TO THE FAILURE WAS SEEMINGLY-RANDOM INDICATIONS FROM THE TIRE-PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT. IN END END, THE GARAGE I TOOK THE CAR TO ENDED UP REPLACING THE REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY AND THE TWO REAR TIRES - WHEN THE AXLE FAILED THE TIRES HAD RUBBED AGAINST THE TIRE WELLS. WHEN SEARCHING ONLINE FOR OTHER REPORTS OF THIS PROBLEM I CAME ACROSS SEVERAL HERE, AND POSTED MY OWN. (MY OWN DESCRIPTION AS WELL AS FOUR PICTURES OF THE FAILED PART ARE ON THE SITE UNDER NOVEMBER 3RD 2009: HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/WINDSTAR/2001/DRIVETRAIN/REAR_AXLE_SNAPPED_IN_TWO.SHTML. *TR

Mileage: 111,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHILE HE WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AND SHIFTING INTO THE "REVERSE" POSITION. THE VEHICLE SUDDENDLY FAILED TO OPERATE IN REVERSE. IMMEDIATELY, THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS PLACED INTO THE "DRIVE" POSITION; FOLLOWED BY NO POWER RESPONSE. THE DRIVER TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL WAS TURNED OUTWARDLY WHEN THE RIGHT SHAFT DISENGAGED FROM THE DIFFERENTIAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE ENGINE CRADLE WHICH EXHIBITED SEVERE RUST AND CAUSED THE LOWER CONTROL ARM TO BREAK. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR MALFUNCTION. THE CONTACT HAD CONCERN OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 71,000.

Mileage: 71,000

THE MOUNTING EARS ON THE RIGHT FRONT SUBFRAME (H-FRAME THAT ALL THE SUSPENSION, STEERING , AND DRIVETRAIN) THAT CONNECTS THE LOWER CONTROL ARM TO THE FRAME ROTTED OFF THE FRAME ALLOWING THE PASSENGER SIDE TIRE ASSY. TO SWING OUT FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE CAUSING A LOSS OF CONTROL. FORTUNATELY IT HAPPENED WHEN TURNING LEFT AT A INTERSECTION AND NOT ON THE FREEWAY. THE WHOLE FRONT H FRAME HAS TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE IS AN 01 FORD WINDSTAR WITH APPROX. 61,000 MILES, ALWAYS TAKEN GOOD CARE OF AND GARAGE KEPT. ORIGINAL OWNER NEVER ANY ACCIDENTS. *TR

Mileage: 61,000

2001 FORD WINDSTAR. SUBFRAME RUSTED AWAY WHERE IT ATTACHES TO THE MAIN FRAME. CONSEQUENCES MIGHT BE LOSS OF STEERING, ROLLOVER OR OTHER SERIOUS ACCIDENT. FORTUNATELY, THE PROBLEM WAS DISCOVERED AND REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $1700 BEFORE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT OCCURRED. *TR

Mileage: 99,900

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DURING ROUTINE INSPECTION FOR AN OIL SERVICE, A MECHANIC LOCATED EXCESSIVE RUST IN THE ENGINES SUB FRAME. ENGINE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING INCREASES THE RISK OF VEHICLE CRASH.THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. HE NOTIFIED THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 87,000.

Mileage: 87,000

FRONT SUBFRAME RUSTED THROUGH AT PASSENGER SIDE MOUNTING POINT REQUIRING REPLACEMENT OF THE FRONT SUBFRAME. THE CONDITION WAS NOTICED IMMEDIATELY AFTER FAILURE DUE TO A CHANGE IN THE DIRECTION OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND A POPPING NOISE DURING TURNS, CONFIRMED AND REPAIRED AT AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP BEFORE ANY FURTHER DAMAGE ACCUMULATED. I NOTICED A RECALL ISSUED ON KIAS OF THE SAME VINTAGE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 88,000

MY WIFE LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, 2001 WINDSTAR, 71,000 MILES, RIGHT FRONT LOWER CONTROL ROD BROKE LOOSE FROM ENGINE CRADLE AND SHE LOST CONTROL OF STEERING. I HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO FORD DEALERSHIP. SUBFRAME RUSTED OUT AT RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ROD MOUNTING, VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVEN IN WINTER,DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW THIS COULD HAVE RUSTED OUT AND CAUSED A POSSIBLE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. SUBFRAME HAS BEEN ORDERED, ESTIMATE FOR REPAIRS FROM FORD DEALER IS $2,000.00. I HAVE NOT CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY, IT APPEARS THAT THEY DO NOT CARE ABOUT THIS FAILURE JUDGING FROM OTHER CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME FAILURE. IF THIS IS CAUSED BY WATER DRIPPING FROM THE AC COMPRESSOR OR A DEFECT IN THE SUBFRAME METAL, FORD SHOULD BE ASSISTING IN THESE REPAIRS. I HAVE BEEN A LOYAL FORD CUSTOMER FOR 30 YEARS AND CAN NOT BELIEVE THEY WOULD NOT HELP WITH THIS TYPE OF SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

Mileage: 71,000

WHILE DRIVING 2001 FORD WINDSTAR ON A 1-HOUR TRIP TOWARD HOME, I NOTICED THE BACK WHEELS FISH TAILING THAT OCCURRED IN EVERY ROUGH SPOT IN THE ROAD. I IMMEDIATELY THOUGHT THE TIRE WAS GOING FLAT AND PULLED OVER TO CHECK IT. SINCE THE TIRES VISUALLY LOOKED FINE, I DROVE TO THE NEXT EXIT TO A GAS STATION AND CHECKED THE TIRE AIR PRESSURE AND FOUND IT WAS AT PROPER LEVELS. I WAS STILL UNSURE WHAT COULD CAUSE THE "FISH TAILING" OR "HYDROPLANING" FEELING, YET I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT THE REST OF THE WAY HOME WITHOUT A MAJOR ACCIDENT; ALTHOUGH MY CAR KEPT "FISHTAILING".. THE NEXT MORNING, MY HUSBAND TOOK THE WINDSTAR TO A SERVICE MECHANIC TO INSPECT THE TIRES. WHAT HE FOUND WAS A REAR AXLE THAT WAS "RUSTED FROM THE INSIDE OUT" ABOUT 3/4 OF THE WAY. THE MECHANIC'S INITIAL ESTIMATE IS $1000 (FOR REPLACEMENT OF NEW AXLE AND LABOR). WE ARE RELIEVED THAT THE REAR AXLE DIDN'T BREAK WHILE WE WERE DRIVING AS THE CAR COULD HAVE FLIPPED AND KILLED ALL OF US. WHAT COULD CAUSE CORROSION ON THE INSIDE? THE REAR AXLE SHOULD BE MADE TO NEVER CORRODE OR BREAK UNDER NORMAL ROAD DRIVING CONDITIONS. AFTER RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET, I HAVE FOUND OTHER 8 YEAR OLD, SAME MAKE/MODEL WINDSTAR OWNERS REPORTING THE SAME CONDITIONS. THIS IS AN UNSAFE PART ESPECIALLY NOTING THAT PEOPLE ARE KEEPING THEIR CARS LONGER DUE TO ECONOMY. FORD SHOULD OWN UP TO THIS PART FAILURE AND RECALL AND REPLACE THIS PART AT NO CHARGE TO THE OWNERS IMMEDIATELY! *TR

Mileage: 154,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE MADE A VERY LOUD BANGING NOISE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE WAS ROTTED OUT. THE REPAIR COST WAS ESTIMATED AT MORE THAN $500. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 110,000. UPDATED 04-23-09 UPDATED 04/24/09.*JB

Mileage: 110,000

I STARTED HEARING A KNOCKING -- POPPING NOISE WHENEVER I TURNED THE WHEEL. I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC AND HE SAID IT COULD BE THE BUCKLES IN THE STEERING RACK. WHEN I BROUGHT THE VAN TO BE FIXED, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT MY PROBLEMS ARE WORSE THAN THAT. THE REAR AXLE CARRIER IS CRACKED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND THE FRONT SUBFRAME TO BODY IS ALMOST COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. HE STATED THAT HE HAS SEEN THIS PROBLEM ALOT IN 2001 FORD WNIDSTARS WITH MILEAGE OVER 100,000 MILES. MY VAN HAS 108,000 MILES. I HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS VAN INCLUDING REPLACING STRUTS, STEERING RACK, ABS LIGHTS CONSTANTLY ON THE DASH. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. ALL THESE ISSUES HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED AND STILL NO RESOLUTION. I AM VERY FRUSTRATED. THIS LATEST "MECHANICAL" ISSUE GOING TO COST ME WAY ABOVE $2000. I HAVE ALWAYS DRIVEN FORD CARS/VANS. I AM NOT SURE IF GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY, IF I WOULD BUY ANOTHER FORD VEHICLE. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH FORD. *TR

Mileage: 108,000

THE CRADLE ON MY 2001 FORD WINSTAR BROKE OFF ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DUE TO RUST. OTHER SIDE IS FINE. BUT IN THE PASSENGER IS TOTALLY BROKEN OFF, MAKING POPPING AND CRACKING NOISES. VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TR

Mileage: 102,000

I OWN A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR AND WHILE DRIVING THE REAR AXLE BEAM SNAPPED IN HALF THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN THIS IS NOT A ISOLATED EVENT FORD SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS. *TR

Mileage: 126,000

WHILE PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, THE REAR AXLE ON MY FORD WINDSTAR SNAPPED IN HALF. CLEAN BREAK WITH BOTH REAR TIRES HOLDING UP THE REAR OF THE CAR. *TR

Mileage: 131,000

I OWN A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. I NOTICED STRANGE SOUND WHEN CORNERING AND BROUGHT CAR TO DEALER. THE REAR AXLE IS SEVERELY CRACKED. BEING A FRONT WHEEL DRIVE CAR, THE REAR AXLE IS MORE OF A STABILIZER, AN INVERTED, U SHAPED LENGTH OF STEEL. CRACK IS HALF WAY UP ONE SIDE OF U AND OVER THE TOP. $500 PART PLUS LABOR WOULD BE $1000+ REPAIR. STILL DECIDING TO REPAIR OR SCRAP CAR. IT IS TOO UNSAFE TO DRIVE. DEALER STATES THEY'VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT. ON WEB BOARDS, I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL CRACKED / BROKEN AXLE COMPLAINTS. THIS IS A REAL SAFETY ISSUE. AXLES SHOULD BE INSPECTED FOR CRACKS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN ANY COLLISION OR INCIDENT AND DEALER CAN VOUCH FOR MAINTENANCE RECORD. DEALER THINKS CRACK STARTED SMALL AND GREW WITH EACH TURN - ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNING OVER A HILL OR INTO A LOW POINT IN THE ROAD WHEN FLEX PRESSURE IS LARGEST. THEY'VE WORKED ON CAR SEVERAL TIMES OVER PAST YEAR ' REPLACING BRAKES . . . THE CRACK IS GLARING NOW AND HARD TO MISS. I AGREE THAT IT PROBABLY STARTED SMALL. AXLES ON WINDSTARS SHOULD BE EXAMINED CAREFULLY FOR HAIRLINE CRACKS WHICH WILL GROW. *TR

Mileage: 120,000

THE LOWER CONTROL A-ARM ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BROKE LOOSE FROM THE FRAME CAUSING THE VAN TO DROPTO THE GROUND. THIS LUCKLY HAPPENED WHEN I JUST PULLED INTO A PARKING SPOT IN FRONT OF A WENDY'S. *TR

Mileage: 98,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION AND THE MECHANIC EXPLAINED THAT THE SUBFRAME AND ENGINE CRADLE WERE RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC FURTHER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS VERY UNCOMMON. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THE FAILURE SEEMS TO ORIGINATE FROM THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, THE CONTACT FOUND NUMEROUS OTHERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FAILURE; THEREFORE, THEY EXPECTED THE CONTACT TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 108,000.

Mileage: 108,000

REAR SUBFRAME AXLE ASSEMBLY PART #2F2Z 4B435 AA BROKE IN HALF CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE & LOSS OF BRAKES. *TR

Mileage: 95,880

HAD JUST GOTTEN ONTO HIGHWAY GOING ABOUT 45 MPH ,CHANGED LANES TO ACCELERATE AND FELT LIKE A TIRE BLEW OUT ,HEARD SOMETHING DRAGGING, LUCKILY EXITED OFF QUICKLY PULLED OVER TO FIND THAT REAR AXEL HAD BROKE AND BOTH TIRES WERE ON THEIR WAY TO CAVING IN. NO ACCIDENT OR INJURY-THANK GOD. CALLED FORD DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD NO RECALLS ON AXLES AND THIS WAS A "COMMON OCCURRENCE." *TR

Mileage: 92,000

FAILURE OF THE RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ARM MOUNTS AT THE SUBFRAME OCCURRED WITH NO WARNING OR PRIOR SYMPTOMS. MY VEHICLE IS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR WITH APPROXIMATELY 71K MILES. MY CHILDREN AND I WERE ON A HIGHWAY ON-RAMP APPROACHING HIGHWAY SPEED WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, CAUSING THE WHEEL TO SWING OUT FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE AXLE SHAFT TO PULL OUT OF THE TRANSAXLE. THE VAN SWAYED AND BUCKED WITH THE REAR END BOUNCING UP AND DOWN OFF THE GROUND NEARLY FLIPPING THE VEHICLE. I CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED FOUR OR FIVE SECONDS LATER AT HIGHWAY SPEED. THE VAN WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL SERVICE STATION WHERE IT REMAINS ABOUT 100 MILES FROM MY HOME. MY LOCAL DEALER WAS CONTACTED BUT THE SERVICE WRITER SAID I WOULD NEED TO CONTACT THE FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS CENTER WHO IN TURN INFORMED ME THAT IT WAS NOT WITHIN FORD MOTOR COMPANY'S GUIDELINES TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. LINDA, THE DEPARTMENT SUPERVISOR, SAID THAT THERE IS NOTHING SHE CAN DO, UNLESS THE NHTSA ISSUES A RECALL, BECAUSE THE VAN IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND OUT OF THE 5 YEAR RANGE THEY USE FOR MAKING "GOOD RELATIONS ALLOWANCES". I KNOW THERE HAS BEEN AT LEAST 12 OR 13 SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THE NHTSA WEB SIGHT AND OTHERS ON BLOGS (IE ALLWORLDAUTO.COM ) SO I AGREE WITH ONE OF YOUR COMPLAINANTS THAT "THIS IS A SEVERE FAILURE THAT IS PREMATURE, NOT EASILY DETECTABLE, POTENTIALLY FATAL, AND WILL LIKELY OCCUR MORE FREQUENTLY AS THESE VEHICLES AGE". I TOO, STRONGLY URGE THE NHTSA TO CONDUCT AN ENGINEERING INVESTIGATION REGARDING THIS FAILURE. *TR

Mileage: 71,000

PAINT BLISTERING AND COMING OFF, 2001 FORD WINDSTAR SE, COLOR IS EMERALD. HAS COME OFF ON THE HOOD DOWN TO BARE METAL AND ALSO THE PANELS UNDER THE DOORS. *TR

WITHOUT ANY WARNING THE REAR AXEL ON MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR MINIVAN SNAPPED COMPLETELY IN TWO. WE HAD JUST GOTTEN OFF A BUSY HIGHWAY AND LUCKILY WERE GOING VERY SLOWLY ON A SIDE STREET. WE ALL WOULD SURELY HAVE BEEN KILLED IF THIS HAD HAPPENED 5 MINUTES EARLIER. *TR

Mileage: 78,000

2001 FORD WINDSTAR 70,000 MILES, HAD A MINOR FENDER BENDER TOOK TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR, ONCE I RECEIVED THE VAN BACK AN HOUR AFTER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, CALLED DEALER THEY STATED THAT THEY NEEDED TO RESET THE CODES BRING IT BACK WHEN I COULD. THE VERY NEXT DAY AND EVERY DAY AFTER THAT UNTIL THE FINAL DAY I CALLED STATING THE STEERING WHEEL SEEMED ODD AND I HAD TO SLIGHTLY TURN IT TO THE LEFT TO GO STRAIGHT. I AGAIN WAS TOLD THAT THEY JUST NEEDED TO REALIGN THE STEERING WHEEL BUT NOT TO WORRY. ON THE FIFTH DAY I CALLED AND SAID I WASN'T SURE THE VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE THE WHEEL NOW HAD TO BE TURNED HALF WAY TO THE LEFT TO GO STRAIGHT. AGAIN I WAS TOLD NOT TO WORRY JUST BRING IT IN THE NEXT DAY. 3 MINUTES LATER THE VEHICLE STOPPED AND WOULDN'T MOVE. A TOW TRUCK WAS CALLED AND IT TURNS OUT THE CONTROL ARM THAT WAS JUST REPLACED FELL OFF!! THE DEALER INFORMED ME IT WAS NOT THEIR FAULT DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE FRAME WAS ROTTED OUT, SOMETHING THEY CLAIM TO HAVE NEVER SEEN. NEEDLESS TO SAY AFTER HOURS ON THE PHONE WITH FORD AND THE DEALER SO FAR I HAVE GOTTEN NO WHERE. SO I DECIDED TO DO SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND FOUND THIS SITE WHICH INFORMED ME THAT THERE ARE ALMOST 15 CASES OF THE SAME THING REPORTED! WHY DOES FORD THINK THIS IS NOT THEIR PROBLEM AND ARE THEY WAITING FOR A FATAL ACCIDENT TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS? *TR

Mileage: 70,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE PAINT ON THE ROOF AND REAR OF THE VEHICLE HAD ABNORMAL DISCOLORATION AND WAS BECOMING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. TWO MONTHS LATER, HE NOTICED WATER LEAKING THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. A PROFESSIONAL TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE HOOKS HOLDING THE WINDSHIELD TOGETHER WERE DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS REGARDING THIS FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 63,000.

Mileage: 55,000

THERE WAS NO CRASH OR INJURY, I WAS JUST WANTING TO KNOW IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE PAINT ON A 2001 WINDSTAR. I JUST BOUGHT ONE AND DID NOT REALIZE THE ROOF PAINT IS PEELING. I CALLED THE DEALER AND I GUESS I AM SCREWED. *TR

ON OCTOBER 19, 2007 I BACKED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AND BEGAN TO GO FORWARD WHEN I FELT AN ALARMING SENSATION IN MY CAR. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO INSPECT MY TIRES. ALL LOOKED FINE SO I RETURNED TO MY CAR, SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AGAIN AND BEGAN TO GO FORWARD WHEN I FELT THE REAR OF THE CAR SWAY. I PULLED OVER AGAIN AND LOOKED UNDER THE BACK OF THE CAR WHEN I SAW THAT MY REAR AXEL HAS SNAPPED IN TWO. ON THE DAY OF THE EVENT MY CAR HAD 65,700 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC IN WAKEFIELD, MASS. BOTH THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER AND THE MECHANIC SEPERATELY TOLD ME THIS WAS SHOCKING AND NOT SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HAPPEN TO A CAR. AFTER ANALYZING MY CAR THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE BROKEN AXEL WAS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THERE IS A CLEAN BREAK IN THE AXEL WHERE THE TWO BROKEN PARTS FIT TOGETHER SNUG LIKE A PUZZLE. THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF AN ACCIDENT OR TAMPERING TO THE AXEL. THE MECHANIC SHOWED ME WHERE THERE IS A PART OF THE AXEL WHERE WATER CAN GET IN, BUT THERE IS NO WAY FOR THE WATER TO ESCAPE. AS A RESULT THE AXEL RUSTED FROM THE INSIDE UNTIL IT WEAKENED AND BROKE. MY MECHANIC HAS PHOTOGRAPHED THIS PART AND IS HOLDING IT AT HIS GARAGE FOR INSPECTION. AS AN ASIDE, I HAVE ALSO CONTACTED THE OWNER OF STONEHAM FORD, MARK MELKONIAN, TO REPORT THE PROBLEM. HE LOOKED UP MY SERVICE ACCOUNT AND VERIFIED I HAVE "BEEN FAITHFUL IN THE MAINTANENCE SCHEDULE." I, LIKE MY MECHANIC, BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE IN WHICH OTHER CONSUMERS WILL SOON, IF NOT ALREADY, EXPERIENCE AN AXEL BREAK. HAD THE AXEL GIVEN WHEN I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE, THE OUTCOME MIGHT HAVE BEEN MUCH MORE SEVERE. I AM AFRAID IF THIS IS NOT REVIEWED ANOTHER FAMILY MAY HAVE A CRITICAL OUTCOME IN THE COURSE OF THE AXEL GIVING WAY. COULD YOU PLEASE ADVISE WHAT I NEED TO DO TO HAVE SOMEONE LOOK AT THIS PART OF THE CAR AND HOW IT SIMPLY CRACKED IN TWO. *TR

Mileage: 65,700

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 2001 FORD WINDSTAR FRAME WAS CRACKED. ON 02/23/07 THE VEHICLE WAS RAISED TO SEE IF THE CAUSE OF A LOUD NOISE WHICH CAME FROM THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE COULD BE FOUND. SHE STATED THAT THE TIRE LEANED INWARD. IT WAS OBSERVED THAT THE FRAME HAD A CRACK ABOUT 3 INCHES FROM THE BRAKE DRUM. THE CONTACT HAD NOT CALLED ANYONE TO FIND OUT WHAT SHOULD BE DONE. A NEW FRAMED WAS INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE. SHE STATED THAT SHE STILL HAS THE TIRE THAT CAME FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WILL SUBMIT PICTURES OF THE TIRE AND OF THE CRACKED FRAME FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90000.*AK THE AXLE WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 04/05/07. *JB

NOV 9, 2002, IS WHEN WE PURCHASED THE RED WINDSTAR VAN WE WERE TOLD THAT THE DEALERSHIP HAD USED IT AS A PROMOTIONAL CAR FOR THE OWNERS AND THEIR WIVES. FEBRUARY A COMPLAINT OFFICER AT FORD TOLD ME THEY WERE JUST PUTTING THE CAR IN OUR NAME IT WAS LISTED UNDER ENTERPRISE STILL. I CALLED TO ASKED WHY WE WERE JUST GETTING THE RECALL NOTICE FOR THE SEAT WHEN I HAD CALLED THEM 5 TIMES WITH THE CALL I MADE 2-7-07 AND WHY HAD THEY NOT SENT A NOTICE FOR THE SLIDING DOORS. *NM

Mileage: 75,000

THE PASSENGER FRONT DOOR OPENED AS THE CONSUMER TURNED A CORNER. THE DOOR WAS CLOSED AND THERE WAS NO INDICATION FROM THE COMPUTER IT WAS AJAR. *JB

WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE REAR LIFTGATE WINDOW SHATTERED TWICE. *AK WITH BOTH OCCURRENCES, THE WEATHER WAS MODERATE, PARKED, LOCKED AND UNOCCUPIED, NO KEYS WERE IN THE IGNITION. *SC

Mileage: 51,000

ON 3/22/05 I WAS COMPLETELY STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WITH NO-ONE BEHIND MY VAN WHEN MY BACK LIFTGATE WINDOW EXPLODED. THIS IS THE SECOND WINDOW IN THE PAST 5 MONTHS TO EXPLODE IN MY VAN. (SEE COMPLAINT OF INCIDENT 10-23-04) THE ONLY COMMONALITY BETWEEN THESE EVENTS WAS THAT BOTH MORNINGS WERE COOL AND THE INSIDE OF THE VAN HAD BEEN WARMED FOR 20-30 MINUTES. THE DEALER AND GLASS REPAIR COMPANY ASKED IF THE FRAME HAD BEEN BENT IN THE PAST, BUT THIS VAN HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT OF ANY KIND -NOT EVEN A FENDER-BENDER.*AK

Mileage: 63,000

ON 10/22/04 I DROPPED MY CHILD AT SCHOOL, AND EXITING THE PARKING LOT THE LEFT REAR SIDE WINDOW OF MY 2001 WINDSTAR VAN EXPLODED. I WAS IN A SCHOOL PARKING LOT, TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH. ON 3/22/05 I WAS COMPLETELY STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WITH NO-ONE BEHIND MY VAN WHEN MY BACK LIFTGATE WINDOW EXPLODED. THE ONLY COMMONALITY BETWEEN THESE EVENTS WAS THAT BOTH MORNINGS WERE COOL AND THE INSIDE OF THE VAN HAD BEEN WARMED FOR 20-30 MINUTES. *AK

Mileage: 55,000

BACK PASSENGER SLIDING DOOR OPENS UNINTENDED AND DOES IT WHILE THE VEHICLE IS ON. *JB

PROBLEMS WITH SIDE SLIDING DOORS. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN BOUGHT TO THE DEALER'S ATTENTION 6 TIMES. THE DEALER HAS ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM BUT HAS NOT BEEN SUCCESSFUL. *BF *NM

BOTH SLIDING DOORS DID NOT CLOSE FULLY. THE DOORS WOULD SHUT AND POP BACK OPEN EVEN WHEN LOCKED. THE MECHANIC REPLACED SEVERAL COMPONENTS BUT ONLY PROVIDED A TEMPORARY FIX. THE FAILURE STILL EXIST. AT 50,000 THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS REPLACED TWICE WITHIN A YEAR BECAUSE IT CONTAINED A LEAK. *JB

Mileage: 50

SLIDING DOOR SHUT ON ITS OWN. TODDLER WAS CAUGHT IN THE DOOR, AND THE DOOR STRUCK HIS HAND. THERE SHOULD BE A SENSOR FOR PEOPLE EXITING OR ENTERING THE VEHICLE.*AK

Mileage: 60,000

NUMEROUS THINGS HAVE GONE WRONG SINCE WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. ITEMS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY: ELECTRIC SEAT STOPPED WORKING TWICE, AND TRANSMISSION WOULDN'T SHIFT WHEN IT WAS SUPPOSED TO. ITEMS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY: BRAKES REPLACED AT 30,000+ MILES-TOLD WAS NORMAL FOR THEM TO WEAR OUT SO QUICKLY; RACK AND PINION REPLACED AT AROUND 55,000 MILES; MONTHS AFTER BRAKES REPLACED, BRAKES GRIND LOUDLY WHEN COMING TO A STOP (BRAKES CHECKED NUMEROUS TIMES, BUT WAS TOLD THEY WERE OK); ABS BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON AFTER DRIVING (NOT ILLUMINATED ON START UP, BUT COMES ON LATER); BACK DOME LIGHT NOT SECURE-FALLS OUT; DOME LIGHTS SOMETIMES COME ON WHEN BRAKING; CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON FOR MONTHS, DIDN'T HAVE IT CHECKED, BUT TURNED OFF BY ITSELF; SLIDING DOOR DRAGS-RUSTED ON VECHICLE FRAME.*AK

NUMEROUS THINGS HAVE GONE WRONG SINCE WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. ITEMS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY: ELECTRIC SEAT STOPPED WORKING TWICE, AND TRANSMISSION WOULDN'T SHIFT WHEN IT WAS SUPPOSED TO. ITEMS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY: BRAKES REPLACED AT 30,000+ MILES-TOLD WAS NORMAL FOR THEM TO WEAR OUT SO QUICKLY; RACK AND PINION REPLACED AT AROUND 55,000 MILES; MONTHS AFTER BRAKES REPLACED, BRAKES GRIND LOUDLY WHEN COMING TO A STOP (BRAKES CHECKED NUMEROUS TIMES, BUT WAS TOLD THEY WERE OK); ABS BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON AFTER DRIVING (NOT ILLUMINATED ON START UP, BUT COMES ON LATER); BACK DOME LIGHT NOT SECURE-FALLS OUT; DOME LIGHTS SOMETIMES COME ON WHEN BRAKING; CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON FOR MONTHS, DIDN'T HAVE IT CHECKED, BUT TURNED OFF BY ITSELF; SLIDING DOOR DRAGS-RUSTED ON VECHICLE FRAME.*AK

CONSUMER NOTICED THAT DRIVER'S REAR SIDE DOOR DID NOT LATCH. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND MECHANIC REPLACED THE DOOR SWITCH. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED, AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. *AK

ROOF BRACKETS ARE LOOSE. THIS IS CAUSING A LOUD RATTLING NOISE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

Mileage: 44,458

WE HAVE A 01 FORD WINDSTAR LIMITED WITH AUTOMATIC DOORS, WITH SAFETY SENSORS. THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WAS WORKING INTERMITTENTLY, NOT ALWAYS OPENING AND CLOSING WITH THE BUTTONS. MY 3YR OLD DAUGHTER REACHED IN THE VAN TO GET A TOY AND THE DOOR CLOSED ON HER ARM,(WITHOUT ANYONE TOUCHING A BUTTON TO CLOSE THE DOOR) THE DOOR EVENTUALLY OPENED. THE INJURY CONSISTED OF BROKEN SKIN AND A SEVERE BRUISE ON THE OUTER AND THE INNER SIDE OF THE ARM. THE VAN WAS STILL COVERED BY EXTENDED WARRANTY AND FOUR PARTS WERE REPLACED: 1. CONTR ASY BDY S 2. SENSOR ASY - AC 3. R/CONTR & LAT A 4. ACTU ASY - BDY SD THE DOOR IS STILL HAVING PROBLEMS OPENING ALL OF THE TIME. THE FORD DEALERSHIP CANNOT FIND A PROBLEM WITH IT.

Mileage: 59,000

I OWN A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR SEL WITH POWER SLIDING DOORS. I AM CONCERNED WITH THE PROBLEM I AM HAVING BECAUSE ONE OF THE MECHANISMS USED TO OPERATE THE DOOR IS INOPERABLE AND THE DOOR NO LONGER WORKS ELECTRICALLY. THE STANDARD COST FOR THIS REPAIR IS $1800.00, ALOT OF MONEY FOR A DOOR REPAIR. MY CONCERN IS THAT IF THE POWER MECHANISM IS NOT WORKING THESE DOORS SHOULD BE ABLE TO OPERATE SAFETLY MANUALLY. THAT IS NOT THE CASE THE DOOR IS EXCESSIVELY HEAVY (HEAVIER THAN A MANUAL DOOR) AND WHEN THE VECHICLE IS ON AN INCLINE THE DOOR WILL NOT STAY OPEN. I HAVE TWO CHILDREN (AGES 3 AND 1) AND I AM CONCERNED FOR THEIR SAFETY WITH THIS DOOR. I FEEL THERE SHOULD BE SOME SAFETY PRECAUTION TO HOLD THE DOOR OPEN WHEN THE POWER FAILS. THE DOOR SHOULD REQUIRE SOME SORT OF SLIGHT TUG OR PULL TO CLOSE NOT JUST GRAVITY. I THINK IF THIS ISSUE IS NOT RESOLVED ON THESE POWER DOORS SOMEONE IS GOING TO LOSE A FINGER, HAND OR MUCH WORSE. OTHERWISE I THINK THAT MANUFACTURERS SHOULD MAKE THESE REPAIRS MORE AFFORDABLE, MOST FAMILIES (WHICH IS THE MAJORITY OF OWNERS OF MINI-VANS) ARE ON TIGHT BUDGETS AND $2000.00, IS JUST OUTRAGEOUS FOR A DOOR REPAIR! *AK

THE LIFTGATE GLASS SHATTERED WITHOUT ANY CAUSE. DEALER COULDN'T DETERMINE THE CAUSE, BUT REPLACED THE GLASS. *AK *MR

Mileage: 29,000

BOUGHT THE USED VEHICLE FROM A USED CAR DEALER. DIDN'T CHECK FOR PAINT PEELING OR RUST, THOUGHT A 2 YEAR OLD CAR WOULDN'T HAVE ANY. I WASHED THE CAR, AND AS I WAXED IT, DISCOVERED THE PEELING PAINT ON THE ROOF RIB, ALMOST ENTIRE LENGHTH OF VEHICLE, THEN FOUND RUST AT THE BOTTOM OF THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR AND REAR PASSENGER SLIDING DOOR. CONTACTED FORD, INSTRUCTED ME TO GO TO LOCAL DEALERSHIP, WENT TO GERVAIS FORD IN AYER MA. SERVICE MANAGER LOOKED OVER THE CAR, MADE NOTES, INFORMED ME HE WOULD CONTACT FORD HEADQUARTERS TO SEE IF THEY WILL DO ANYTHING. TWO WEEKS LATER, HE CONTACTED ME AND INFORMED ME THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO REGARDING THE PAINT OR THE DOORS RUSTING FROM THE INSIDE OUT.

Mileage: 67,000

OVER THIRTY SEPARATE WARRANTY REPAIRS OVER TWO YEARS. FAULTY ELECTRICAL DOOR LOCKS (KIDS COULDN'T EXIT), TRANSMISSION LEAKAGE, TRANSMISSION FAILURE, FRONT-END DEFECTS WITH LOUD THUMPING NOISES AND SEVERAL BODY PROBLEMS. MOST NOTABLE BODY PROBLEMS ARE WIND NOISE AND WATER LEAKAGE THROUGH DOORS AND WINDOWS. MOST RECENTLY, THE FUEL PUMP FAILED (@ 37,000 MILES). FORD HAS ALL ALONG REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEMS. NOW THAT THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY, THEY HAVE AGAIN SAID THEY WILL NOT DOING ANYTHING. THE VEHICLE IS UNRELIABLE AND UNSAFE TO OPERATE.*AK

Mileage: 37,500

WHEN CLOSING PASSENGER SLIDING DOOR THE DOOR WOULD NOT CLOSE. CONSUMER MADE CONTACT WITH THE DEALERSHIP. *AK

THE CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE A CHILD WAS GETTING OUT OF THE VEHICLE, THE SLIDING DOOR CAUGHT THE CHILD'S RIGHT ARM WHICH RESULTED IN INJURY. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *NLM

THE CONSUMERS CHILD STUCK HER FINGER INSIDE OF THE A SMALL HOLE IN THE CONSOLE AND A SAW HAD TO BE USED TO GET THE CHILD'S FINGER OUT OF THE HOLE. *NLM *CB *JB

THE HOOD OF THE SUV IS PARTIALLY MADE OF CHROME WHICH RATTLED AT HIGH SPEEDS. *NLM

Mileage: 1,600

I HAVE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON EDMUNDS.COM (TOWN HALL) FROM OTHER WINDSTAR OWNERS. I'M CONCERNED FOR MY FAMILY WITH THESE DOORS FAILING. I AM GOING BACK TO MY FORD DEALER FOR A SECOND VISIT TO HAVE THEM FIX A PROBLEM THAT IS OF GRAVE IMPORTANCE TO MY FAMILY AND FAMILIES OF WINDSTAR OWNERS. FORD NEEDS TO TAKE THIS MATTER MORE SERIOUSLY AND PROVIDE MORE SUPPORT TO FIX THESE PROBLEMS WITH THESE DOORS FAILING TO WORK PROPERLY. YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER IS APPRECIATED. *PH *JB **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS**770812

Mileage: 33,000

CONSUMER STATES THE AUTOMATIC DOORS HAVE NO SENSORS TO STOP THEM IF SOMEONE OR SOMETHING IS IN THE WAY. DOOR ALREADY CLOSED ON CONSUMER WHILE REMOVING CHILDREN FROM VEHICLE. *TT

CONSUMER STATES RIGHT SLIDING DOOR HANGS 1/2 WAY AT TIMES. RIGHT SIDE DOOR LUBED AND ADJUSTED. DOOR MOULDING NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. DRIVERS DOOR WEATHERSTRIP REPLACED. CHECK WINDNOISE, NO PROBLEM FOUND. ALL DOOR LOCKS AND REAR LIFTGATE SHOCKS WERE GREASED. RIGHT DOOR HANGS UP AND WILL NOT OPEN EASILY. *TT

BOTH POWER SLIDING DOORS WILL NOT STAY CLOSED. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO DEALER 6 TIMES, HINGES AND MOTOR HAVE BEEN REPLACED. DEALER UNABLE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM.*AK

POWER SLIDING DOOR FAILED TO STAY CLOSE. WHILE DRIVING ALONG DOOR AJAR SIGNAL ON THE DASHBOARD WILL ILLUMINTATE TO ALERT THAT DOOR HAS POPPED OPEN. POWER SLIDING DOOR CANNOT BE MANUALLY FORCED TO CLOSE. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK

WHILE DRIVING DOWN A 2 LANE HIGHWAY, MY DRIVER'S SIDE AUTOMATIC DOOR OPENED ON IT'S OWN. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TURNED OFF THE AUTOMATIC SETTING, AND SHUT THE DOOR MANUALLY. LUCKILY, I WAS IN THE VAN ALONE, NOT WITH MY WIFE AND 3 1/2 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND TOLD ME TO GET IT TO THEM RIGHT AWAY. THEY COULD NOT GET IT TO MALFUNCTION WHILE IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT, BUT I DID INFORM THEM THAT THE DOOR, WHEN FULLY CLOSED, DOES STICK OUT FURTHER THAN THE PASSENGER SIDE. THEY READJUSTED THE DOOR AND SAID THAT NO OTHER REPORTS OF THIS HAPPENING HAS EVER OCCURRED WHEN THEY TALKED TO FORD ENGINEERING. BUT, I SEE ON THIS SITE MANY REPORTS OF A SIMILAR NATURE. WAITING ON DEALERSHIP FOR POSSIBLE EXCHANGE OF VEHICLE.*AK

BRAKES FAILED ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS (REPAIR DATES: 3/22/02, 4/1/02 AND 4/15/02). FIRST, MY WIFE NOTED THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS GOING ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR BEFORE THERE WAS ANY RESPONSE. THE DEALERSHIP ADVISED THAT THIS WAS NORMAL. WE INSISTED THAT IT WASN'T, UNTIL THERE LEAD TECHNICIAN FOUND AND REPLACED A FAULTY HCU. THE SECOND FAILURE CAME WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY WIFE AND 6 MONTH OLD BABY FROM MO TO VA. WHILE ON THE WEST VIRGINIA TURN PIKE, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES FAILED AGAIN AND EVENTUALLY THE BRAKEING SYSTEM FAILED ALL TOGOETHER BY THE TIME WE REACHED OUR DESTINATION OF SUFFOLK VIRGINIA. BARTON FORD, IN SUFFOLK VA, REPLACED THE HCU AND THE ECU AND REPAIRED A BRAKE FLUID LEAK. THE THIRD INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING BACK TO MO. ONCE AGAIN THE BRAKES DID NOT RESPOND NORMALLY. ONCE BACK IN O'FALLON, MO. THE DEALERSHIP FOUND A AIR BUBBLE IN THE BRAKE LINE AND THEY REPROGRAMMED THE ABS MODULE. EACH BRAKE FAILURE ALSO AFFECTED THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM AND THE SPEEDOMETER. WE HAVE ALSO HAD TO HAVE ONE WINDOW REPLACED, THE DRIVERS SIDE SLIDING DOOR ADJUSTED, A SEAL INSERTED IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO A RECALL ITEM, AND BOLTS TIGHTENED AT THE ENGINE CRADLE MOUNTS. RECENTLY, THE FUEL CAP INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED FOR A PERIOD OF 5 DAYS FOR UNKNOWN REASONS AND WE ARE CURRENTLY UNABLE TO FILL THE GAS TANK TO ITS NORMAL CAPACITY. THIS VEHICLE IS UNSAFE AND HARDLY WORTH THE $27,220 THAT WE ARE PAYING FOR IT.

SLIDING DOOR BEHIND DRIVER KEEPS COMING OPEN WHILE DRIVING. DEALER HAS MADE NUMEROUS ADJUSTMENTS AND PROBLEM KEEPS OCCURRING. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE FOR CHILDREN OR ANYONE IN THE REAR. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

WITHOUT WARNING SIDE ELECTRICAL DOOR WILL OPEN AND SHUT WITHOUT COMMAND. ALSO SENSOR ON DOOR IS NOT FUNCTIONING ACCURATELY, DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. MECHANIC HAS SERVICED VEHICLE 8 TIMES, AND HAS NOT RESOLVED THE PROBLEM.*AK CONSUMER ADDS THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SLIDING DOOR IS THE PROBLEM. THE DOOR WILL ALSO CLOSE OR OPEN PATHWAY THEN CHANGE DIRECTIONS. DOOR MOTION CAN GO ON FOR 5 MINUTES. SENSOR ALSO FAILED. DOOR WILL PUSH ON ANYTHING THAT IS IN ITS WAY. *TT

PASSENGER REAR SLIDER DOOR WILL NOT STAY OPEN WHEN VEHICLE IS PARKED ON A HILL. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

THE PASSENGER SIDE POWER SLIDING DOOR OPENS ON ITS OWN WHILE THE CAR IS MOVING. IT HAPPENED TWICE IN ONE DAY. I WAS TOLD THAT FORD IS "AWARE OF THE PROBLEM" AND THAT THEY ARE WORKING ON A NEW HINGE ASSEMBLY. IN THE MEANTIME, I AM AFRAID TO PUT MY KIDS IN THE VAN. I SEE OTHER COMPLAINTS FOR THIS SAME ISSUE (738418, 866315, 871988, 730676, 871684). I ALSO KNOW OF TWO OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. LUCKILY, NO ONE WAS HURT, BUT THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.*AK

DRIVER'S SIDE SLINGING DOOR AUTOMATICLY OPENED WHILE DRIVING. DEALER IS INSPECTING THE VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

SLIDING DOOR LOCKS MALFUNCTIONED, AND IS UNABLE TO UNLOCK. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE DOOR WILL UNEXPECTEDLY OPEN WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK. *JB. ALSO THE DRIVER SEAT WILL NOT MOVE, DEALER REPLACED THE FUSE, THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS INOPERATIVE. AND THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT WAS ON.*JB

SLIDING SIDE DOOR HAS A FAULTY MECHANISM. WHILE DRIVING DOOR JUST OPENED ON ITS OWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION, AND IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.*AK

CONSUMER STATED ARM REST ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE IS BROKEN, CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK CLUNK NOISE IN FRONT END WHILE TURNING OR ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, CAN ALSO BE FELT WITH VIBRATION, PASSENGER SIDE DASH AREA HANGING. BOTH SLIDING DOOR RUBBER STOPS MISSING, DRIVERSIDE SLIDING DOOR STOP REPLACED. GRINDING NOISE IN REAR WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. WHEN HEAT IS ON VENT SMELLS LIKE SOMETHING IS BURNING. WIPERS WILL NOT CLEAR WINDSHIELD, WASHER SOLVENT SPRAYS IN ONE SPOT. NORMAL OPERATION. *TT

WHILE DRIVING, THE AUTOMATIC SLIDING DOOR INTERMITTENTLY OPENS, DEALER HAS REPLACED AUTOMATIC DOOR SENSOR, BUT THAT DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. *AK *YD

THE PASSENGER SLIDING DOOR MECHANISM SEALED COMPLETELY ON MY RIGHT THUMB. IT DID NOT SENSE THAT THERE WAS AN OBSTRUCTION AND MY THUMB WAS DAMAGED EXTENSIVELY. WHEN THUMB WAS RELEASED, IT WAS COMPLETELY FLAT (SIZE OF A FLAT QUARTER) AND HAD EXTENSIVE CRUSHING DAMAGE. HAD NO FEELING FOR 4 MONTHS. NAIL DIED AND TOOK UNTIL JANUARY 2002 TO FALL OFF, CAUSING MUCH DISCOMFORT AND INABILITY TO PERFORM DAILY TASKS FOR FAMILY. CURRENTLY, NAIL HAS NOT GROWN BACK AND MAY NOT EVER. THIS DOOR MECHANISM, WHEN TESTED SHUT ON PLASTIC CUPS, STICKS, AND OTHER SMALL OBJECTS. THIS IS A FAMILY VEHICLE AND SHOULD HAVE AN INFA RED SENSOR THAT BACKS UP THE DOOR WHENEVER ITS BEAM IS BROKEN. IT CURRENTLY HAS A MECHANICAL SENSOR SO ONLY IF SOMETHING SUBSTANTIAL (IE: AN ADULTS WHOLE BODY) IS WEDGED IN DOOR, WILL IT BACK UP. EVEN THEN, IT CLOSES CONSIDERABLY (AND FRIGHTENINGLY ON VICTOM) BEFORE OPENING. I FEAR THAT ONE OF MY CHILDREN WILL GET WRIST OR HAND CLOSED AND CAUSE SERIOUS DAMAGE. I STILL HAVE SHOOTING PAIN IN JOINT OF THUMB AND NO THUMB NAIL. I NEED HELP DEMONSTRATING PRODUCT MALFUNCTION BEFORE MY CHILD OR SOMEONE ELSE'S IS SERIOUSLY CRUSHED!*AK

THE POWER REAR DOORS ATTEMPT TO SHUT BUT THEN FAIL TO LATCH LEAVING THE DOORS AJAR. THIS HAPPENS REGULARLY DURING HOT WEATHER. MY DAUGHTER WAS INJURED WHEN BOTH DOORS FAILED TO LATCH AND THEN THE CHILDREN SHUT THE DOOR MANUALLY (NON-POWER ASSIST) INJURING HER FINGERS IN THE DOOR. THIS PROBLEM WITH THE FAILURE TO LATCH HAS BEEN REPORTED BY OTHER FORD WINDSTAR OWNERS WE KNOW WITH 1999 OR 2000 MODELS. THIS TIME THE TEMPTURE WAS IN THE 70'S

ONLY METHOD OF OPENING VEHICLE DOOR FROM OUTSIDE USING A KEY IS THROUGH DRIVERS SIDE DOOR OR USING REMOTE ENTRY SYSTEM. CONSUMER COMPLAINT IS THAT IF DRIVER'S DOOR IS INOPERABLE ,AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS INOPERABLE, THERE IS NO WAY TO OPEN VEHICLE FROM OUTSIDE. *AK THERE SHOULD BE AN OPTION TO MANUALLY OPEN EACH OF THE DOORS. ELIMINATING THIS OPTION WAS JUST TO SAVE A FEW DOLLARS ON THE PART OF THE MANUFACTUREE. *YH

THE POWER SLIDING DOOR DOES NOT ALWAYS CLOSE TO THE "FLUSH" POSITION. THE MINIVAN HAS BEEN BROUGHT BACK TO DEALERSHIP WHERE PURCHASED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASSIONS. 1ST TIME: DOOR GOES TO THE CLOSED POSITION THEN RETRACTS SLIGHTLY OPEN AND STAYS THERE. REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO POWERSLIDE WHERE UNSUCCFESSFUL. BROUGHT IT TO THE DEAL AND THEY MAD AN "ADJUSTMENT" (DETAILS NOT AVAILABLE). 2ND TIME: DOOR RETRACTS SLIGHTLY AFTER REACHING THE CLOSED POSITION. WILL EVENTUALLY REACH THE CLOSED POSITION BUT ONLY WITH MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS. ALSO, DETECTION OF OBJECT IN THE PATH OF SLIDING DOOR NOT WORKING WELL. I NEEDED TO STOP THE DOOR FROM SLIDING WITH THE ENTIRE FORCE OF MY BODY (THIS OULD HAVE SERIOUSLY INJURED MY 3-YEAR OLD IF SHE HAD BEEN STANDING THERE AT THE TIME). A VISIT TO FORD RESULTING IN REPROGRAMMING THE SENSOR AS THEY ARE RECEIVING INFORMATION FROM FORD ON THESE REPAIRS ON A WEEKLY BASIS. TESTED THE SLIDING DOOR IN FORD'S PARKING LOT BEFORE LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP AND IT WAS WORKING FINE. GOT HOME, SWITCHED AROUND MY CARSEATS, AGAIN, THE DOOR DID NOT CLOSE ALL THE WAY. LEFT IT ALONE FOR A WHILE, WENT BACK OUTSIDE AND THE DOOR SUCCESSFULLY CLOSED ON THE FIRST ATTEMPT. DID NOT HAVE OCCASSION TO USE THE SLIDING DOOR FOR 4 DAYS, OPEN. *AK