2002 FORD WINDSTAR Structure Problems

Axle broke on rt side just underneath the bracket that ford installed for recall.i was only going 10mph when it happened no warning I was able to gain control and stop was towed into a shop not driveable if this seems to be a problem mine looked fine they must filled it up with expand foam I would think that would trap in more moisture but these are dangerous they should all be fixed or bought back from the customer

The van took off without my control and the brakes stopped working and the fuel system it caused me to have two accidents within a week of each other

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V385000 (Suspension) and 11V030000 (Structure) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the subframe was severely corroded. The failure mileage 59,839.

Mileage: 59,839

The driver and passenger side sliding doors tend to not open or close correctly sometimes you have to manually pull them open or they do not completely close and you have to bump the back end of it to close right

ON SATURDAY AUGUST 29, 2020 I WAS DRIVING IN MY 2002 FORD WINDSTAR DOWN A ROAD THAT WAS UNDER CONSTRUCTION. THE SPEED LIMIT OF THE ROAD IS 35 MPH AND THERE IS A CURRENT BUMP IN THE ROAD AT AN ASPHALT ELEVATION CHANGE. AS SOON AS I WENT OVER THE BUMP IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT SOMETHING WAS SEVERELY WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS A LOUD "BANG" AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN VIBRATING WILDLY AND MAKING SEVERE NOISES. IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT SOMETHING SIGNIFICANT HAD OCCURRED IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND PULL ONTO A SIDE STREET SHORTLY THEREAFTER. I EXITED THE VEHICLE AND IMMEDIATELY NOTICED THE REAR DRIVER-SIDE WHEEL WAS ANGLED INTO THE BODY OF THE VAN. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, PEERING UNDER THE VEHICLE IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT THE ACTUAL CAUSE WAS THAT THE VEHICLE'S REAR AXLE HAD FRACTURED NEARLY COMPLETELY THROUGH (SEE PICTURES). IN THIS CONDITION BOTH REAR TIRES COLLAPSED INTO THE VEHICLE FRAME. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION I DISCOVERED THAT THERE HAD ALREADY BEEN RECALLS RELATED TO THE REAR AXLE ON THIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. AFTER THE INSPECTION, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE PREVIOUS RECALL FOR THE VEHICLE TO INSTALL BRACKETS ON THE AXLE HAD BEEN PERFORMED IN DEC 2010 AND THAT THEY HAD BEEN INSTALLED CORRECTLY. DUE TO THIS, FORD'S POSITION WAS THAT THE RECALL WAS DONE ACCORDING TO SPECIFICATIONS RELATED TO THE RECALLS AND REFUSED TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS SAFETY FAILURE ON THEIR VEHICLE. I TRIED TO CONTEND THAT THE INTENT OF THE RECALL WAS TO PREVENT THE AXLE FROM FRACTURING, WHICH OBVIOUSLY THEIR PREVIOUS RECALL "FIX" DIDN'T APPROPRIATELY ACCOMPLISH. IT WAS A FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE TO HAVE AN AXLE FRACTURE WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE, AND FORD'S PREVIOUS RECALL "FIX" FAILED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM MAKING THE VEHICLE A HAZARD TO DRIVE.

Mileage: 160,500

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED, THE CONTACT HEARD AN UNKNOWN PART DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL THEN BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS CONTACTED BY PHONE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V385000 (SUSPENSION) AND 11V030000 STRUCTURE). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO METRO FORD CHICAGO (6455 S. WESTERN AVE, CHICAGO, IL 60636, (773)776-7600, TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIRS PERFORMED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT AN UNKNOWN BUSHING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED PRIOR TO THE RECALL REPAIR BEING PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 144,000.

Mileage: 144,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THERE WAS WATER ENTERING INTO THE VEHICLE FROM THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. IN ADDITION, THE TRIM BY THE FRONT WINDSHIELD AND FRONT FRAME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WERE RUSTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.

Mileage: 125,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN VEERING TO THE RIGHT AND LEFT. THE CONTACT TEMPORARILY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, BUT MANAGED TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT DROVE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO QUICKLY DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS RUSTED AND FRACTURED IN HALF. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DORIAN FORD (35900 GRATIOT AVE, CLINTON TWP, MI 48035, (586) 792-4100) IN 2016 FOR AN UNKNOWN RECALL REPAIR REGARDING THE BRACKETS FOR THE REAR AXLE. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THEY INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND PASSED IT ON FEBRUARY 9, 2016. THE DEALER REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE MANUFACTURER, BUT THEY WERE ONLY CONCERNED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER COVERED BY A WARRANTY AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,643. *BF CONSUMER STATED DORIAN FORD DID A RECALL INSPECTION ON FEB 9 2016 AND CERTIFIED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SAFE CONCERNING THE AXEL. THE MILEAGE AT TIME OF REPLACEMENT IS 113,643. 'PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB

Mileage: 113,643

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE REAR AXLE FRACTURED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN AND WAS TOWED TO BEAU TOWNSEND FORD LINCOLN (1020 W NATIONAL RD, VANDALIA, OH 45377, (937) 898-5841). THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRACKETS FAILED TO SECURE THE REAR AXLE, WHICH THEN CAUSED THE REAR AXLE TO PREMATURELY FRACTURE. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V608000 (SUSPENSION). THE DEALER DID NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE STATUTE TO RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIR WAS EXPIRED. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO COVER THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO REPLACE THE REAR AXLE DUE TO THE MIS-INSTALLATION OF THE BRACKETS. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V385000 (SUSPENSION), AND NHTSA ACTION NUMBERS: EA10007 (SUSPENSION AND STRUCTURE) AND PE10006 (SUSPENSION). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

RH BACK SIDE OF SUBFRAME, IS ROTTED/CORRODED SO BAD THAT THE METAL TORE ALL AROUND THE SUBFRAME BUSHING. TO WHERE IT IS NOT BEING HELD UP BY THE BUSHING ON THE RIGHT HAND LOWER/BACK IS NOT HOLDING UP THE FRONT SUBFRAME... NOW, THE VEHICLE IS MAKING A VERY LOUD POPPING NOISE WHEN DRIVING AND TURNING... AND WHEN TURNING FAST ENOUGH (MORE TURNING LEFT THEN RIGHT) CAN FEEL WHOLE FRONT END JERK LIKE ITS ABOUT TO GO THE OPPOSITE WAY THE VAN...REPLACED THE LEFT FRONT STRUT ASSEMBLY AND CONTROL ARM TO FIND OUT THAT DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THEN AFTER REPAIRS AND LOOKING DEEPER.. NOTICED RIGHT FRONT SIDE, SAGGING ALMOST 2-4 INCHES LOWER THEN LEFT FRONT... THAT'S WHEN WE NOTICED THE SUBFRAME COMPLETELY BROKEN/RUSTED OFF FROM THE BODY BUSHING (ON THE FRONT RIGHT LOWER/REAR BUSHING)

THE SWEIGH BAR LINKS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE. BREAKS AND ROSTERS TOO! THE TIRES ARE NEW WITH INLINEMENT AND ROTATION DONE! I HAVE WENT THROUGH SEVERAL SETS OF TIRES! THE VEHICLE JUST DOESN'T DRIVE CORRECTLY! THE VEHICLE IS ALSO MISSING WITH NO FOUND REASON AND WILL RANDOMLY DIE! IT FEELS VERY LOSE AND UNSAFE ON THE ROAD! THE COIL PACK, PLUGS AND PLUG WIRES REPLACED! ALL NEW FLUIDS INCLUDING ANTIFREEZE, BREAK FLUID, POWER STEERING FLUID, OIL AND TRANSMISSION FLUID! THE AIR FILTER AND OTHER FILTERS! NEW FUEL PUMP AND IT'S STILL NOT RIGHT! BREAK LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF AND EMERGENCY BREAK ISN'T SET NOR IS IT LOW ON FLUID! NEW BREAKS AND CALIBER AND ROTOR! SERIOUSLY HAVE INVESTED SLOT OF MONEY IN THIS VEHICLE! ALSO MOTOR FOR WINDOWS BEING REPLACED NOW! GAGE HAND WILL PERIODICALLY GO ALL THE WAY TO THE RIGHT THE AFTER A FEW SECONDS GO BACK TO NORMAL! THIS STARTED IN APRIL OF 2017 AND IS STILL CONTINUING

Mileage: 150,000

FORD HAD PUT THE BRACKETS ON THE REAR AXLE. THESE FAILED. REAR AXLE CRACKED. ALMOST CAUSING MY FAMILY TO CRASH INTO TREE

Mileage: 117,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. IN 2010, THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V608000 (SUSPENSION) CONCERNING THE REINFORCEMENT BRACKETS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE REAR AXLE FRACTURED AND THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS EXTENSIVE RUST AND CORROSION AND THE REAR AXLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

Mileage: 110,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE FRONT FRAME FRACTURED OR WAS RUSTED, WHICH CAUSED THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL TO DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO REPAIR GARAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V385000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000.

Mileage: 81,000

DRIVING ON HWY 49 DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WHEN I LOST CONTROL WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR. LUCKILY WE CAME TO A STOP OFF THE HWY. I COULD SEE MY TIRE WAS ALMOST SIDEWAYS AND BLOWN. MY FINANCE PICKED US UP AND SAID THE AXLE HAD SNAPPED AND TOOK A PICTURE. IT IS SATURDAY AND I'M WITHOUT A CAR. I FOUND OUT THIS WAS RECALLED. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE FORD WILL FIX THE ISSUE AND IN A TIMELY MANNER SINCE I HAVE NO OTHER CAR.

Mileage: 161,201

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V030000 (STRUCTURE). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED THE ANNUAL SAFETY INSPECTION. THE SAFETY INSPECTOR DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME AND BUSHINGS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A COLLISION SHOP WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED TO THE DEALER, BUT NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000. UPDATED 10/04/16*LJ *TR

Mileage: 170,000

HUSBAND WAS GOING TO WORK IN EARLY MORNING AND HAD JUST SLOWED AS HE EXITED HIGHWAY, WENT OVER FIRST SET OF RAILROAD TRACKS AT SPEED LIMIT, THEN THE FRONT END OF VAN RAISED INTO THE AIR ABOUT A FOOT THEN SLAMMED DOWN AS HE CROSSED THE SECOND SET OF TRACKS AND HE LOST CONTROL. HE HAD NO BRAKES OR STEERING AND THE VAN CRASHED INTO A CURB BEFORE STOPPING. IT NARROWLY MISSED GOING UNDER A SEMI-TRUCK. IT TOOK SEVERAL HOURS TO BE TOWED TO FORD DEALER AND MISSING AN UNPAID DAY OF WORK, OUR INSURANCE SECURED A RENTAL CAR SINCE FORD REFUSED TO DO SO. THE 2002 WINDSTAR HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER THE 2011 REAR AXLE RECALL 10S13 AND SUBFRAME 11S16 PASSED INSPECTION AT THAT TIME, BUT BOTH APPEARED TO HAVE FAILED IN THIS INSTANCE. THIS FAILURE CAUSED OVER $3000 IN COLLATERAL DAMAGE TO THE STEERING AND EXHAUST SYSTEMS THAT FORD SAYS WILL BE OUR FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY IF IT CAN EVEN BE FIXED DUE TO MANY PARTS NO LONGER BEING PRODUCED.THOSE WOULD NEED TO BE FOUND THROUGH SALVAGE OR AFTERMARKET SOURCES. THEY HAVE ONLY OFFERED TO REPAIR THE FAILED SUBFRAME ISSUE AND POSSIBLY THE RECALLED REAR AXLE. WE RECENTLY LEARNED AFTER THIS ACCIDENT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL 15S27 ON THE PRIOR AXLE RECALL REPAIR FOR INCORRECTLY INSTALLED BRACKETS. WE RECEIVED NO NOTIFICATION OF THIS RECALL FROM LATE 2015 TO HAVE THE AXLE FIXED PROPERLY. FORD HAS OFFERED TO BUY BACK THE VAN FOR $1339, WHICH APPEARS TO BE SUBSTANTIALLY LESS THAN WHAT WAS OFFERED FOR BUY BACKS IN 2011 WHEN THE INITIAL RECALL WAS DONE. OUR VAN ALSO HAD ABOUT 40,000 FEWER MILES ON IT THAN VANS OF THE SAME AGE AND MAKE, BASED ON AN AVERAGE OF 15,000 MILES A YEAR. WE HAVE OWNED THIS VAN SINCE 2002 AND BEEN AT OUR SAME ADDRESS FOR 10 YEARS, SO OUR LACK OF NOTIFICATION ABOUT THIS LATEST RECALL IS UNACCEPTABLE. FORD APPEARS NEGLIGENT BOTH IN DEALING WITH A DANGEROUS STRUCTURAL ISSUE AND NOTIFYING OWNERS OF RECALLS TO FIX IT.

Mileage: 145,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT AN INSPECTION LOCATION, THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE SUB FRAME HAD FRACTURED DUE TO CORROSION AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V030000 (STRUCTURE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

Mileage: 40,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE HAD A FRONT END ALIGNMENT AND OTHER REPAIRS PERFORMED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUB FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. UPDATED 04/14/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE SUBFRAME WAS COMPLETED CORRODED. *JS

Mileage: 120,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE TIRE BEGAN TO RUB THE INNER FENDER WALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AXLE WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V030000 (STRUCTURE) BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE AXLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED INITIALLY UNDER THE RECALL AND NOT BRACKETED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. UPDATED 12/03/15*LJ UPDATED 12/09/15.*JB

Mileage: 140,000

THEY HAD A RECALL IN 2011 WHERE THEY PUT SUPPORT BRACKETS ON THE REAR AXLES. MINE DID HAVE THE BRACKETS PUT ON AND RIGHT BEHIND THE BRACKET THE AXLE STILL BROKE DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AT 40 MPH WHERE WE ALMOST HIT ANOTHER CAR WITH CHILDREN INSIDE HER AND MY VEHICLE. FORD SAID THE BRACKETS ARE ONLY WARRANTIED FOR 12 MONTHS. THESE VANS DO NOT NEED BRACKETS THEY NEED NEW AXLES. *TR

Mileage: 85,000

WHEN BRINGING MY WINDSTAR IN FOR AN ALIGNMENT IT WAS FOUND THAT THE SUBFRAME HAD ROTTED AND CRACKED NEAR THE CONTROL ARM. FORD HAD "COMPLETED" THE NECESSARY REPAIRS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE AND HAS STATED THAT THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE EVEN THOUGH IT WAS THE ORIGINAL REASON FOR THE RECALL. ACCORDING TO THE INFORMATION FROM THE ORIGINAL RECALL FORD WAS SUPPOSED TO REPLACE THE SUBFRAME HOWEVER SMALL BRACKETS WERE ADDED TO THE VAN INSTEAD. I DO NOT FEEL THAT THE RECALL WAS PROPERLY DONE BY FORD. *TR

Mileage: 154,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE DRIVER HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE MADE A CRACKING NOISE. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE PASSENGER REAR WHEEL WELL WAS DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 166,000.

Mileage: 166,000

WE WERE SLOWING TO PULL UP TO OUR HOME. WE WERE DRIVING ABOUT 10 MPH. ABOUT 70 FEET FROM OUR HOME. IT SOUNDED LIKE THERE WAS A FLAT TIRE WITH RUBBING AND BUMPING NOISES. WE PARKED ON THE STREET IN FRONT OF OUR HOME. UPON INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE TIRES WERE INTACT. THE TIRES ARE BOWING IN. WE LOOKED UNDER THE REAR OF THE CAR. WE SAW A LARGE CRACK OF THE REAR AXLE CLOSER TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE CAR. FORD RECALLED THE REAR AXLE FOR THIS VERY REASON 3 YEARS AGO DUE TO CORROSION CAUSED BY YEARS OF EXPOSURE TO SALTED ROADS. FORD PERFORMED THE RECALL WORK BY PLACING A BRACKET ON THE AXLE. THE BRAKE ON OUR AXLE OCCURRED UNDER THE BRACKET. FORD IS NOT ASSUMING RESPONSIBILITY EVEN THOUGH THE SUPPORTS THEY PLACED ON THE AXLE FAILED TO DO THEIR JOB. THERE ARE OTHER COMPLAINTS THIS YEAR FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM. THE BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ALL THE BROKEN AXLES THIS YEAR WERE THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLES AND TYPE ROADS THEY WERE TRAVELING ON. I BELIEVE THAT THERE MORE OUT THERE THAT HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM THAT HAVE NOT BEEN REPORTED TO THIS WEBSITE YET. I ALSO BELIEVE THAT MORE AXLES THAT HAVE ALREADY RECEIVED THE RECALL FIX ARE GOING TO FIND THEIR AXLES BREAKING IN THE NEAR FUTURE AS WELL. AS FOR NOW THE RECALL OF THESE AXLES, FORD HAS CLOSED THE CASE UNTIL FORCED TO REOPEN THE RECALL. FORD SHOULD REPLACE THE ENTIRE AXLE ON ALL THE WINDSTARS THAT WERE UNDER THE ORIGINAL RECALL. *TR

Mileage: 184,741

SLIDING SIDE DOORS AND REAR WHEEL WELLS RUSTING FROM BOTTOM UP. THERE IS A DRAMATIC AMOUNT OF RUST. WORRIED ABOUT STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF DOORS IN CASE OF A SIDE-ON COLLISION. THIS IS TRUE FOR BOTH THE WINDSTAR AND FREESTAR. *TR

REAR AXLE BROKE IN HALF AS I WAS TURNING A CORNER AT VERY LOW SPEED, CAUSING TO LOOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND RUN OFF ROAD. *TR

Mileage: 200,000

BROUGHT IN VAN FOR RECALLS 09S09, 10S13 AND 11S16. THIS WAS FOR THE SUBFRAME ISSUES AND SPEED CONTROL SWITCH. SPEED CONTROL SWITCH WAS SUPPOSED TO ADDRESS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. BRAKE FLUID STILL LEAKING AND NOW DEALERSHIP IS CHARGING ME FOR BRAKE SWITCH REPAIR AND BLEEDING OF BRAKES. ALSO ABS LIGHT CAME ON AFTER SERVICE AND NOW DEALERSHIP SAYS ABS SENSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I BELIEVE THESE ARE ALL RELATED TO ORIGINAL RECALL BUT DEALERSHIP SAYS NO. *TR

Mileage: 97,000

ATTEMPTED TO CHANGE LANES, MOTORIST FROM BEHIND SPED UP, APPLIED BRAKES, ABS LIGHTS FLASHED ON DASH, CAR DID NOT SLOW, PRESSED BRAKES HARDER AND REAR BRAKES LOCKED UP, CAUSING ME TO SIDE SWIPE GUARD RAIL. *TR ABS LIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS HAVE REMAINED ON FOR OVER 2 YEARS. HAVE SPEND THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ATTEMPTING TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM, TO NO AVAIL. BRAKES ARE INTERMITTENT AT BEST. ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS ARE STILL ON.

Mileage: 74,042

ABS BRAKE LIGHTS ON, AFTER RESEARCH, ITS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH FAULTY ABS MODULES. SUBFRAME IS ROTTING OUT WITH THE MOUNTING POINTS OF THE SUBFRAME PEELING AWAY. O/D LIGHT COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY, AFTER RESEARCH, COMMON PROBLEM POINTS BACK TO A BAD VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR. MILEAGE DOES NOT SEEM TO BE A FACTOR. FAULTY HARD LINES FOR REAR HEATING. MULTIPLE CRACKS IN LINES CAUSE RADIATOR FLUID LOSS. VERY VERY COMMON PROBLEM, LOOKED AT 10-15 WINDSTARS IN PULL-A-PARTS LOT, ALL WITH FAULTY HARD LINES. *TR

Mileage: 88,000

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, I AM SERIOUSLY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS VEHICLE AND THE WAY I AM TREATED BY FORD MOTORS. THE CAR SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND ALMOST FLIPPED. THANK GOD THAT INJURIES WERE NOT THAT SERIOUS BUT THE CAR IS NOW TOTAL LOSS. AFTER TAKING THE CAR TO PRIVATE MECHANICS, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT SUBFRAME BROKE AND THE AXLES, CONTROL ARMS ALL BROKE. IT WAS THEN DISCOVERED THAT THIS WAS PART OF A RECALL. CAR WAS TOWED TO FORD MOTORS DEALERSHIP. A REQUEST HAS BEEN MADE TO PROVIDE ME WITH SAFETY REPORT ON THE VEHICLE. FORD AND ITS DEALERSHIP FORCED ME OUT OF THEIR DEALERSHIP AND KICKED ME OUT. THE CAR IS THEIR FOR MONTHS AND I HAVE BEEN SENDING FORD ONLINE MESSAGES VIA EMAIL AND PHONE BUT THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO BUY THE CAR OR GIVE ME ITS VALUE NOR FIX THE CAR. I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT A CAR FOR MORE THAN 4 MONTHS NOW AND FORD IS NOT DOING THE LEAST TO EVEN TRADE THE CAR FOR ANOTHER ONE. I AM SERIOUSLY DISAPPOINTED. *TR

Mileage: 105,000

RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL BODY PANEL ROTTED A HOLE THAT EXTENDS INTO THE SLIDING DOOR ROLLER AREA AND INTERIOR TO THE SEALS OF THE VEHICLE. WHILE THIS HAS NOT CAUSED AN ACCIDENT, I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE INTEGRITY OF THE SLIDING DOOR AND PROTRUSION INTO THE PASSENGER CABIN. *TR

THE VAN WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT, I WAS IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME. A NOISY METAL BRAKING SOUND & MOVEMENT OF THE VAN, MADE ME THINK I WAS HIT BY ANOTHER CAR, BUT NO ONE WAS AROUND. THE FRONT LEFT COIL SPRING BROKE, IN MORE THAN 1 PLACE. I HAD 15 MINUTES BEFORE BEEN ON A BUSY HIGHWAY IN A LOT OF TRAFFIC, I AM JUST GLAD NOTHING HAPPENED THEN. ON THE 1998 FORD WINDSTAR, I KNOW THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THE 2002 FORD WINDSTAR HAS HAD 2 OTHER RECALLS, IN REGARDS TO CORROSION PROBLEMS, ON BACK AXLE & FRONT FRAME. *TR

Mileage: 132,500

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V030000 (STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS: UNDERBODY SHIELDS) AND WAS REPAIRED. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE CONTACT HEARD A BANGING NOISE IN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE CONTROL ARM WAS DETACHED FROM THE SUB FRAME AND THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE REPAIR WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000.

Mileage: 126,000

MY WINDSTAR WENT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP A FEW MONTHS AGO FOR THE SUBFRAME RECALL AND REAR AXLE RECALL. IT WAS SAID TO BE IN GREAT CONDITION AND FITTED WITH THE REPAIR KITS. SUBSEQUENTLY, MY HUSBAND WENT UNDER THE CAR FOR UNRELATED REASONS AND SAW THE SUBFRAME BRACKET WAS NOT HOLDING ANYTHING BECAUSE THE PASSENGERS SIDE SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED AWAY. WHEN HE TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP THE MECHANIC STATED THAT IT SHOULD BE LEFT WITH HIM BECAUSE IT WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. MY HUSBAND REQUESTED THEY REMOVE THE BACK AXEL BRACKET WHICH THEY DID ONLY TO REVEAL A CRACK IN THE AXEL. WE WERE TOLD BY SEVERAL EMPLOYEES THAT IT SHOULD BE REPLACED. HOWEVER THE DEALERSHIP CONTACTED FORD DI DEPT WHO REJECTED THE CLAIM BASED ON THE FACT THAT IT WAS POOR WORKMANSHIP OF THE DEALERSHIP AND THE DEALERSHIP BLAMES FORD. NEEDLESS TO SAY THEY GAVE ME BACK MY CAR WITH A RUSTED SUBFRAME AND CRACKED AXEL STATING THAT IT WAS IN FACT REPAIRED TO FORDS STANDARD. MY HUSBAND HAS PICTURES OF BOTH THE SUBFRAME W KIT AND AXEL. IT IS DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND HOW FORD CAN DEEM IT SAFE TO DRIVE? IN ADDITION TO THE ORIGINAL RECALL, I BELIEVE FORD IS COVERING UP THE DEFECT AND ATTEMPTING TO GET AWAY WITH PUTTING RECALL "KITS" ON CARS THAT MAY BE UNSAFE. I WOULD LIKE TO BE SURE MY CAR IS INFACT SAFE. *TR

Mileage: 125,000

FRONT RIGHT COIL SPRING BROKEN AND LEFT SIDE SHOW FATIGUE IN SAME AREA. VEHICLE HAD OTHER RECALLS DUE TO HIGH-CORROSION AREAS. *TR

Mileage: 133,540

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF RECALL NUMBER:11V030000 (STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS) AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER; HOWEVER, THE ENTIRE MOUNT WAS COVERED WITH RUST AND THE RECALL REPAIR DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE DEALER ADVISED HIM THAT THEY WERE ONLY RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT WAS INDICATED IN THE RECALL AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 130,000.

Mileage: 130,000

2002 FORD WINDSTAR. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO NUMEROUS RECALLS FOR VEHICLE, THE LAST INVOLVING THE SUBFRAME SNAPPING AND SEPARATING FROM THE BODY CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL *TGW THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE REAR AXLE SNAPPED IN HALF.

Mileage: 162,210

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS: 10V385000 (SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY) AND 11V030000 (STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS). UPON RECEIVING THE VEHICLE FROM THE AUTHORIZED DEALER, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT WOULD ALSO HEAR RATTLING AND BANGING NOISES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT A BRACKET ON THE FRAME WAS HANGING OFF AND THE PIPING WAS STILL CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Mileage: 140,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V030000 (STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS: UNDERBODY SHIELDS) AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WAS NO SIGN OF CORROSION OF THE SUB FRAME AND MEMBERS HOWEVER, THE ENGINE MOTOR MOUNT WAS FOUND TO BE SEVERELY CORRODED AND CRACKED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO GUARANTEE THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WOULD BE EFFECTIVE TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS THEN CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT BECAUSE THE RECALL DID NOT INCLUDE THE ENGINE MOUNT, THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,526 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

Mileage: 84,526

BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY THERE WAS A HORRIBLE SOUND, LIKE THE BRAKES STICKING. EMPLOYEE GOT OUT & THE TIRE WAS CUT COMPLETELY AROUND. THE ESTIMATE IS $900 TO REPLACE THE SPRINGS & STRUTS ON BOTH SIDES. I FEEL THIS IS DIRECTLY LINKED TO THE INVESTIGATION & FINDINGS OF THE SALT BELT CORROSION ISSUES, BUT THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THE SPECIFIC COMPONENTS EFFECTED ON THE VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 125,320

MY 2002 FORD WINDSTAR MINIVAN DRIVER SLIDING DOOR WONT OPEN AND DOOR LOCKS WONT CROSS OVER AT TIMES CAUSE SAFETY ISSUE FOR MY CHILD IF THERE WAS A FIRE OR SOMETHING NOBODY COULD GET OUT THAT DOOR IV SEEN NUMEROUS ISSUES ON-LINE WITH OTHER PEOPLE ABOUT THERE DOOR AND DOOR LOCKS ON THERE 2002 WINDSTAR I HOPE SOMEONE WILL LOOK IN TO THIS ORDER A RECALL OF THE BAD PARTS OF THE LOCKS AND LATCHES. *TR

Mileage: 65,345

WEST HER FORD OF AMHERST ADVISED US TO REPLACE THE FRONT SUB FRAME ON OUR 2002 WINDSTAR BECAUSE IT WAS CRACKED DUE TO ROAD SALT. ALTHOUGH IT PASSED NYSI, THEY TOLD US IT WASN'T SAFE TO DRIVE, SO WE SPENT $1600 TO REPLACE IT (RATHER THAN REPLACE THE VEHICLE). NOW, THEY'VE RECALLED THE REAR AXLE FROM THE SAME MODEL AND YEAR VEHICLE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM (CRACKED DUE TO ROAD SALT). *TR

Mileage: 89,000

FORD WINDSTAR VAN, WHICH WAS ALREADY SUBJECT TO REAR AXLE RECALL, AND THE REAR AXLE DID BREAK ON IT IN MAY, AND WAS REPLACED AND I RECEIVED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPLACEMENT FROM FORD. HOWEVER, ANOTHER INCIDENT HAPPENED IN DECEMBER. MY 21 YEAR OLD SON WAS IN AN ACCIDENT DRIVING THIS VAN ON THURSDAY, DEC. 16. THE VAN LOST TRACTION AND PULLED TO THE RIGHT, PULLING HIM INTO A DITCH AND DOWN A STEEP EMBANKMENT. THE FRONT OF THE VAN WAS RIPPED OFF, TIRES SLASHED, VAN ALMOST FLIPPED OVER, AND THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. HE HIT A DIRT EMBANKMENT HEAD ON GOING ABOUT 30-35 MPH. THE ROADS WERE ICY THAT DAY, AND HE WAS ON A CURVE... THE VAN WOULD NOT RESPOND TO STEERING TO CORRECT THE DIRECTION THE VAN WAS GOING. I EXPERIENCED SOMETHING SIMILAR LAST WINTER; THE VAN SEEMED TO PULL TO THE RIGHT, GOING OFF THE ROAD WITHOUT ALLOWING THE DRIVER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, WHEN I WENT OFF THE ROAD, IT WAS IN A SHALLOW DITCH AND IT CAUSED NO DAMAGE TO THE VAN. MY SON WAS NOT AS FORTUNATE, AND HE COULD HAVE BEEN SEVERELY INJURED. I FEEL THAT THIS MAY HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE CURRENT INVESTIGATION INTO THE FRONT SUSPENSION... THE VAN COULD NOT BE CONTROLLED, AND PULLED TO THE RIGHT. OUR INSURANCE CO. IS TAKING CARE OF THIS, AND I DON'T KNOW THE CURRENT LOCATION OF THE VAN. IT IS TOTALED, I KNOW THAT. I ASKED STATE FARM TO CHECK OUT THE FRONT SUSPENSION FOR WEAKNESS OR RUST, BUT DON'T KNOW IF THEY'LL KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE FRONT IS SO DAMAGED FROM THE WRECK THAT THE TIRES ARE TURNED SIDEWAYS, AND I BELIEVE THE FRONT AXLE IS BROKEN. PLEASE SEND SOMEONE TO LOOK AT MY VAN, AND SEE WHAT CAUSED THIS WRECK; MY SON COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. THANK YOU FOR THE WORK YOU'VE DONE SO FAR.... YOUR ORGANIZATION IS SO VALUABLE TO CONSUMERS. *TR

Mileage: 167,000

2002 FORD WINDSTAR. CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WENT IN FOR INSPECTION FOR A RECALL THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE AXLE WAS CRACKED. *KB THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED IT WOULD BE 3-4 MONTHS BEFORE THE VEHICLE IS RETURNED TO HIM. PRIOR TO THE AXLE FAILURE, THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED AND THE REAR DOOR WOULD SPONTANEOUSLY OPEN. *JB

WHILE DRIVING OUR VAN FIRST SEEMED TO BE PULLING IN THE BACK TO THE RIGHT (REAR PASSENGER SIDE. MY HUSBAND INSPECTED THE TIRE AND THOUGHT MAYBE WE NEED TO GET NEW TIRES SOON. IT SEEMED TO BE SOMEWHAT DRIVABLE WHEN WE WERE ON THE DRY PAVEMENT, BUT WE HAVE ALOT OF SNOW COVERED ROADS AS WELL AND ON THESE THE VEHICLE WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY UNMANAGEABLE. IT WAS CONSTANTLY FISHTAILING THE WHOLE WAY DOWN OUR SNOW COVERED RURAL ROAD. WHEN WE FINALLY GOT HOME, MY HUSBAND PULLED IT INTO THE GARAGE. RIGHT AWAY HE NOTICED THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WAS TURNED INWARD, WHICH HAD NOT BEEN VISIBLE A FEW HOURS EARLIER WHEN HE HAD INSPECTED IT. WHEN HE LOOKED UNDERNEATH, SURE ENOUGH THE BACK AXEL WAS BROKEN ABOUT 1/4 OF THE WAY FROM THE RIGHT WHEEL. I AM GRATEFUL WE MADE IT HOME SAFELY. THREE TIMES ON OUR WAY HOME OUR VAN WAS FISHTAILING AND ANOTHER VEHICLE WAS COMING FROM THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION AND WE NEARLY HAD AN ACCIDENT. VERY SCARY! I COULDN'T DRIVE OVER 45 MPH ON THE PAVEMENT, OR 20 MPH ON THE SNOW COVERED, SLUSH COVERED ROADS. THE VAN FELT LIKE IT WAS SLIDING ALL OVER FROM THE BACK. *TR

Mileage: 171,097

SUBFRAME IS RUSTING OUT ON 2002 FORD WINDSTAR LEADING TO DANGER. *TR

Mileage: 120,000

THE REAR AXLE OF MY 2002 FORD WINDSTAR BROKE YESTERDAY. I WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 15 MPH WHEN I HEAR A NOT TOO LOUD BANG AND WHEN I EXITED MY CAR AND SAW THE WHEEL, I KNEW RIGHT AWAY WHAT HAD HAPPENED. I CONTACTED FORD THIS MORNING AND I WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD TAKE MINIMUM 3-6 MONTHS TO FIX. *TR

Mileage: 130,000

2002 FORD WINDSTAR FRONT SUB-FRAME CORROSION EXTENSIVE CORROSION TO SUB FRAME MECHANIC INSISTS THE AUTOMOBILE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE IN CURRENT CONDITION. *TR

Mileage: 66,000

2002 FORD WINDSTAR 114,356 MILES DRIVER SIDE REAR AXLE HAS A HOLE RUSTED IN BOTTOM OF THE U SHAPED AXLE. *TR

Mileage: 114,356

THE POWER SLIDING DOOR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF MY 2002 WINDSTAR SOMETIMES WILL NOT STAY CLOSED UNLESS I GET OUT OF THE CAR AND PUSH ON IT. ALSO , IT WILL NOT STOP IF AN OBJECT IS IN THE WAY AND WILL OPEN WHEN THE FUELING DOOR IS OPEN. I SEE MANY REPORTS OF THIS ON THE WEB SITES. YOU SHOIULD PROBABLY HAVE SOMEONE INVESTIGATE THESE INCIDENTS. YOUR OTHER REPORTS TEND TO BLAME THE OWNERS OF THE CARS. THE DOOR DOES NOT CLOSE ALL THE TIME. IF YOU NEED SOMEONE COMPETENT TO INVESTIGATE THESE INCIDENTS GIVE ME A CALL. *TR

Mileage: 100,000

2002 FORD WINDSTAR REAR AXEL ASSEMBLY/ AXEL BEAM. VAN HAS 120,000 MILEAGE. REAR AXEL BEAM SHEARED IN HALF DURING HIGHWAY TRAVEL, CATASTROPHIC FAILURE CAUSED VAN TO ALMOST ROLL OVER AND SKID OUT OF CONTROL, SINCE BACK TIRES, NO LONGER CONNECTED, WERE FLOPPING AND WOBBLING. SKIDDED OVER 200 FEET. NO INJURIES LUCKILY. UPON VIEW OF AXEL ASSEMBLE IT WAS RUSTED FROM THE INSIDE. INSURANCE DID NOT COVER THIS MECHANICAL FAILURE. $600 DOLLARS TO REPAIR WITH USED PART. PITTSBURGH PA. *TR

Mileage: 120,000

1.MY WIFE WAS TRAVELING EAST BOUND ON RT59 IN STOW, OH AT 36 MI/HR. THERE HAD BEEN A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM WHAT WE THOUGHT WAS THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE THE WEEK PRIOR. WE HAD A MECHANIC WORK ON THE BRAKES AND FLUIDS AND ASKED TO INVESTIGATE THE SOUND. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE DETECT ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. SO WE CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. 2. THE 2002 FORD WINDSTAR'S REAR AXLE BROKE IN HALF CAUSING MY WIFE TO LOSE TEMPORARY CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. SHE WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL AND PULL OVER, AVOIDING SERIOUS INJURY. 3.WE HAD THE ENTIRE REAR AXLE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1200. *TR

Mileage: 118,000

2002 FORD WINDSTAR BROKEN REAR AXLE 144,000 MILES NO ACCIDENT FORD DEALERSHIP TO REPAIR 1,200.00 QUOTED. *TR

Mileage: 144,000

WHILE DRIVING MY 2002 FORD WINDSTAR I STARTED TO HEAR A GRINDING SOUND AND COULD TELL SOMETHING WAS WRONG AND HAD TO PULL OVER. I WAS DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED AT THE TIME FORTUNATELY. IT ENDED UP BEING THAT THE REAR AXEL BROKE. THE MECHANIC INDICATED IT APPEARED TO HAVE RUSTED FROM THE INSIDE OUT. THANKFULLY THIS HAPPENED 2 DAYS AFTER A RETURN FROM VACATION AT WHICH TIME WE WERE TRAVELING 70+ MPH ON THE WEST VIRGINIA TURNPIKE. *TR

Mileage: 123,500

REAR AXLE CRACK FOR NO REASON. PERSON DRIVING ALMOST INVOLVED IN CRASH. ASSUMING FAULTY DESIGN IN AXLE. *TR

Mileage: 126,000

I OWN A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR IT WAS MAKING NOISE IN THE REAR SO I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND MY REAR AXLE IS CRACKED IN HALF MY TIRES ARE LEANING IN I CANT DRIVE IT. ITS MY ONLY VEHICLE LOTS OF COMPLAINTS ON-LINE YOU WOULD THINK FORD WOULD DO SOMETHING THANK YOU *TR

Mileage: 129,000

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2002 FORD WINDSTAR REGULARLY, COMMUTING TO BASKETBALL CAMPS WITH MY DAUGHTER AND HER FRIENDS AND TAKING A COUPLE ONE DAY VACATIONS THAT REQUIRED SIGNIFICANT TRAVEL. SHE SAID THAT THERE WAS A TAPPING AND SQUEALING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VAN FREQUENTLY. SHE TOOK THE VAN OUT FOR THE LAST TIME AND RETURNED SAYING THAT THERE WAS A LOUD BANG AND THAT THE VAN WAS SWAYING IN THE REAR. WE NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE WAS TIPPED INTO THE WHEEL WELL AND UPON INSPECTION FOUND THE REAR AXLE WAS FRACTURED AND THE TWO PIECES WERE MISALIGNED. THE VAN IS OBVIOUSLY UNDRIVABLE AND WE"RE IN THE PROCESS OF DETERMINING REPAIR COSTS. UNFORTUNATELY WE WERE RETURNING FROM A CAR DEALERSHIP AND WERE PLANNING TO RETURN WITH THE VAN TO BE EVALUATE FOR TRADE WHEN WE DETERMINED THE DAMAGE. *TR

Mileage: 79,317

FIRST TIME I WAS RIDING ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY DOING ABOUT 65 MPH AND I HEARD A LOUD CRACK FOLLOWED BY A RUBBING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR. WHEN I LOOKED IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR THEIR WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE BACK. I PULLED OVER AND MY REAR TIRES WERE POINTED INWARD AND THE AXLE WAS BROKEN IN HALF. THAT HAPPENED AROUND FEBRUARY 2010. I HAD IT REPLACED FROM MY MECHANIC WITH A USED REAR AXLE AND THE SAME THING JUST HAPPENED AGAIN ON JULY 8TH, 2010. AFTER TALKING WITH MY MECHANIC, HE SAID HIS PARTS SUPPLY GUY IS GETTING A LOT OF REQUESTS FOR THESE AXLES. *TR

Mileage: 84,000

I HAVE A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR WITH 94,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE LATELY BEEN HEARING A LOUD BANGING SOUND WHENEVER I MAKE TURNS SO I BROUGHT TO THE MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT THE REAR AXLE IS NEARLY CRACKED IN HALF. I CAN SEE THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS CAR. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT, AFRAID THAT WHEN IT SPLITS, I'M GOING TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. I SIMPLY CAN'T AFFORD THE $1000 PLUS IT'S GOING TO COST ME TO REPAIR IT, AND BETTER YET, MY OTHER CAR IS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. SO I'M ALSO AFRAID I'LL HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS TWICE. *TR

Mileage: 94,000

I HAVE A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR MINIVAN AND I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN I FELT LIKE I LOST CONTROL OF THE BACK END OF THE VAN AND THEN I HEARD METAL SCRAPPING NOISES. I STOPPED THE CAR AND FOUND THE PASSENGER REAR TIRE TILTED IN AND A BIG CRACK IN THE REAR AXLE. APPROX SPEED AT THE TIME 40 MPH. *TR

Mileage: 130,000

2002 FORD WINDSTAR REAR AXLE CRACKED. *TR

Mileage: 93,000

2002 FORD WINDSTAR REAR TRAILING AXLE BROKE COMPLETELY ,CAN NOT BE WELDED BACK TOGETHER. DRIVING ALONG A COUNTRY ROAD ABOUT 35 MILES AN HOUR AND IT JUST GAVE WAY. VEHICLE HAD BEEN INSPECTED RECENTLY WITH NO DEFECT RECOGNIZED. OWNERS NEED TO COMPLETELY REPLACE THE PART WITH A NEW AXLE AS PART CAN NOT BE FOUND IN SALVAGE YARD IN OUR AREA DUE TO THIS BEING A VERY COMMON ISSUE. *TR

Mileage: 128,000

I WAS ENTERING THE HIGHWAY AS I STARTED TO ACCEL I HEARD A LOUD THUMP. IMMEDIATELY MY CAR BEGAN SWERVING AND ALMOST TIPPED OVER, IT FELT AS THOUGH THE REAR TIRES FELL OFF. THERE WAS A LARGE AMOUNT OF SMOKE AND SPARKS COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR AND I STRUGGLED TO STAY IN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. ULTIMATELY THE REAR AXLE BROKE IN HALF WITHOUT WARNING AND OUT OF NO WHERE. I DID NOT HIT ANYTHING AND WAS DRIVING SAFELY. LUCKILY THERE WAS A BREAK IN TRAFFIC OR I HAVE NO DOUBT I WOULD HAVE HIT OTHER CARS ON THE ROAD. THE CAR CAME EXTREMELY CLOSE TO FLIPPING, IT TIPPED AT ONE POINT AND WOULD HAVE FLIPPED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IF NOT FOR MY QUICK REACTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND MY MECHANIC IMMEDIATELY TOLD ME AXLES DO NOT BREAK LIKE THIS AND HE ADVISED ME TO CALL FORD TO SEE IF THERE WAS A MANUFACTURES PROBLEM WITH THE AXLE. I CALLED MY LOCAL DEALER AND WAS ADVISED THAT FORD HAVE EXPERIENCED NO PROBLEMS LIKE MINE AND MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY SO THERE IS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. ONLY AFTER I CAME HOME AND SEARCHED THE WEB DID I REALIZE THERE ARE THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF OTHER WINDSTAR OWNERS WHO EXPERIENCED THE SAME KIND OF BREAKAGE AND I BELIEVE A MORE AGGRESSIVE INVESTIGATION NEEDS TO TAKE PLACE. THE AXLE NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED AND IF THIS IS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT IT NEED TO BE FIXED BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. *TR

Mileage: 91,000

2002 FORD WINDSTAR REAR AXLE IS CRACKED ON BOTH SIDES. VEHICLE HAS 104,000 MILES. WELL MAINTAINED AND NEVER ABUSED. I WAS SHOCKED AND IN AWE WHEN I NOTICED THIS TODAY WHILE I WAS ROTATING THE TIRES. I WENT ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM AND UNDER INVESTIGATION. I AM A SAFETY PROFESSIONAL AND A MEMBER OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF SAFETY ENGINEERS (ASE). MY TWO CHILDREN RIDE IN THIS VEHICLE EVERY DAY. SOME OF THESE VANS ARE USED AT DAYCARE DENTERS AND SMALL BUS COMPANIES. THIS IS A SERIOUS DEFECT. I HAVE READ COMMENTS ABOUT PEOPLE DOWN-PLAYING THIS, AND FEELING THIS IS A WASTE OF TIME. THIS INVESTIGATION IS COMPLETELY JUSTIFIED AND RATIONAL. OWR VAN IS IN GREAT SHAPE AND SHOWING NO OTHER SIGNS OF MAJOR RUST OR DEFECTS. IF THIS HAD FAILED ON THE HIGHWAY, THE RESULTS COULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY. THESE ARE FAMILY VEHICLES DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY FOR TRANSPORTING A BUNCH OF KIDS. I DROVE TWO 5 YEAR OLDS TO A BIRTHDAY PARTY 40 MILES ON THE HIGHWAY YESTERDAY WITH NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE PROBLEM. FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME. I CAN PROVIDE PICTURES. THANK YOU *TR

Mileage: 104,000

REAR AXLE FAILURE; FORD WINDSTAR 2002. *TR

Mileage: 76,200

2002 FORD WINDSTAR WITH 118,000 MILES. REAR AXLE CRACKED. HAD TO REPLACE AXLE FOR 1000. MY FAMILY COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. I HAVE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS. DO SOMETHING. *TR

Mileage: 118,000

2002 FORD WINDSTAR. PICKED MY DAUGHTER UP AT COLLEGE TO COME HOME FOR THE SUMMER. COLLEGE 4 HOURS FROM HOME. MISSED A TURN TO GET ON HIGHWAY. TURNED AROUND IN A GAS STATION AND THOUGHT I HAD A FLAT TIRE AS THE STEERING FELT FUNNY. STOPPED, GOT OUT TO LOOK, HERE THE REAR AXLE HAD BROKEN ABOUT 12 INCHES IN FROM THE WHEEL ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. CALLED AAA, GOT TOWED, TOW DRIVER TELLS ME HE HAS PICKED UP AT LEAST 6 WINDSTARS IN LAST YEAR WITH SAME PROBLEM AND ALL IN THE EXACT PLACE WHERE IT HAS BROKE. I JUST THANK GOD I WASN'T BACK ON I 80 GOING 65 WHEN IT HAPPENED. SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED BY THIS. I WAS LUCKY. PLUS HAD TO MISS WORK, BUY A USED AXLE, STAY IN A HOTEL, ETC..... FORD SHOULD STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT AND REIMBURSE THESE EXPENSES. *TR

Mileage: 113,000

WENT OVER A SMALL POT HOLE AND REAR AXLE BROKE. NEEDED TO REPLACE REAR AXLE. AXLE ALSO NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED FOR CRACK IN 2009. *TR

Mileage: 96,990

BACKING UP WHEN REAR AXLE BROKE ON VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 203,000

WHILE DRIVING OUR 2002 FORD WINDSTAR AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH ON ROUTE 22 IN UNION, NJ, THE REAR AXLE BROKE IN TWO. THE VEHICLE STARTED EXHIBITING SOME CONTROL PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR END SWAYING PRIOR TO A LOUD BANG FOLLOWED BY THE VEHICLE DRAGGING TO A STOP. THE REAR TIRES RUBBED AGAINST THE INSIDE WHEEL WELLS PRODUCING ODOR AND SMOKE AT THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. *TR

Mileage: 137,807

2002 FORD WINDSTAR; THE REAR AXLE BROKE IN TWO WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH. BOTH TIRES TILTED OUT, AXLE CRACKED A LITTLE TO THE LEFT OF CENTER WHILE LOOKING AT IT FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. FORTUNATELY MY WIFE WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VAN. I UNDERSTAND THIS HAS HAPPENED IN HUNDREDS OF WINDSTARS, AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE BEFORE PEOPLE DIE, IF THEY HAVE NOT ALREADY. *TR

Mileage: 112,000

I HAVE A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR SEL. IN OCTOBER OF 2009 MY VAN STARTED PULLING TO THE LEFT AND BECAME HARD TO CONTROL ON THE ROAD. WHEN I LOOKED AT MY VAN FROM THE BACK I COULD SEE MY BACK TIRES WERE BOWED OUTWARD. I TOOK MY VAN TO THE AUTO SHOP AND WAS TOLD THE BACK AXLE WAS CRACKED AND READY TO BUST. I HAVE READ ABOUT THIS SAME THING HAPPENING TO OTHER CONSUMERS WITH 2002 WINDSTARS AND I THINK IT'S A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED. I HAD A LARGE REPAIR BILL AND MY BRAND NEW BACK TIRES WERE COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE BOWING OF THE TIRES AS A RESULT OF THE BUSTED AXLE. *TR

Mileage: 90,000

THE PASSENGER DOOR DOES NOT CLOSE ALL THE WAY VEHICLE WAS NOT IN A ACCIDENT HAD PLACED IN SHOP NUMEROUS TIMES BUT TO KNOW AVAIL. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE 1999 WINDSTAR FOR BODY BUT NOT ON THE 2002. COULD THIS ALSO APPLY TO MY OTHER VEHICLE SINCE I DO NOT FEEL SECURE DRIVING MY CHILDREN IN THIS VEHICLE. THE SHOP SAID AS LONG AS THE DOOR LOCKS I HAVE NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT. PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL ME AT [XXX] OR HOLDEN_[XXX] . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 30 MPH, SHE HEARD AN UNUSUAL BANGING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE SHE WAS ADVISED THAT THE MAIN BEAM HAD FRACTURED. THE MECHANIC PERFORMED THE NECESSARY REPAIRS BY WELDING THE BEAM SECURELY TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON HER VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 119,500.

Mileage: 119,500

YESTERDAY, MARCH 15, 2010, I WAS DRIVING BACK TO WORK AFTER LUNCH AND NOTICED AN UNUSUAL RUBBING AND RATTLING SOUND AT THE REAR OF MY 2002 FORD WINDSTAR VAN. I PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT TO LOOK AT THE TIRES (I THOUGHT ONE MIGHT BE DEFECTIVE) - I DIDN'T NOTICE ANYTHING UNUSUAL. I CONTINUED ON TO WORK (APPROXIMATELY 1/4 TO 1/2 MILE AWAY AND PARKED MY VEHICLE. I GOT DOWN AND LOOKED UNDER THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND SAW THAT THE REAR AXLE HAD BROKEN COMPLETELY IN HALF AND THE RIGHT REAR TIRE WAS LEANING INTO THE FENDER WELL. IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR SO I CALLED A TOW TRUCK TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REMOVED TO A REPAIR CENTER. THE RESULT WAS THAT I HAD THE PART WELDED BACK TOGETHER BUT THE TIRES ARE STILL COCKED OUT AT AN UNUSUAL ANGLE WHICH I AM PRETTY SURE WILL CAUSE THE TIRES TO WEAR IN AN UNSAFE WAY. NOT ONLY THAT BUT THE REAR END OF THE VAN SITS AT AN ODD ANGLE NOW. I JUST PURCHASED THE CAR IN OCTOBER 2009 AND IT ONLY HAS 52K MILES ON IT. I WENT ONLINE AND CHECKED TO SEE IF THERE HAVE BEEN ANY COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS PROBLEM AND FOUND THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS MODEL VEHICLE WITH THE VERY SAME PROBLEM. I WAS SURPRISED THAT WERE SO MANY. I SENT AN INQUIRY TO FORD MOTOR CORP AND AM AWAITING A RESPONSE IN REGARDS TO REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT PARTS SUPPORT. *TR

Mileage: 52,000

THE REAR DOOR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE FOR MORE THAT A WEEK NOW OPENS ON IT'S OWN WHILE I AM DRIVING ALONG THE HIGHWAY. FOR MORE THAN TWO YEARS THE DOOR HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM DUE TO THE FACT THAT EITHER OF THEM WILL CLOSE ON THE FIRST ATTEMPT WHEN THE AUTOMATIC BUTTON TO CLOSE THEM IS USED. 3 TIMES IN 2 WEEKS, CAR HAS STALLED WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MILES PER HOUR. *TR

OUR 2002 FORD WINDSTAR SE ON CHRSTMAS NIGHT ON OUR WAY HOME FROM IN-LAWS THE REAR AXLE SNAPPED IN HALF, AFTER SEARCHING ONLINE I FOUND THAT THIS HAPPENED TO 2 OTHER PEOPLE AND FEEL THIS IS A LIFE THREATENING PROBLEM AND FORD SHOULD MAKE A RECALL ON ISSUE. BEING THIS HAPPENED ON A HOLIDAY WE HAVE TO WAIT TILL MONDAY MORNING WHEN OUR MECHANIC OPENS SHOP TO FIND OUT WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO. ALSO OUR INSURANCE COMPANY WAS NOTIFIED AND IS SENDING SOMEONE ON TUESDAY TO APPRAISE THE DAMAGE. HERE IS THE LINK TO THOSE PEOPLE THIS HAPPENED TO HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=SUNU9D7EJMU THIS ONE EVEN MADE THE NEWS. THANK YOU FOR TAKING YOUR TIME TO REVIEW THIS ISSUE. *TR

Mileage: 81,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. DURING AN OIL CHANGE A MECHANIC DISCOVERED FRAME CORROSION. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN BECAUSE THE ENGINE CAN FALL OUT WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 80,000.

Mileage: 80,000

WHEN DRIVING MY 2002 FORD WINDSTAR MINI VAN ON THE HIGHWAY WE NOTICED A LOUD SLAMMING NOISE FROM THE REAR CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE CONTROL, SWERVING TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER AND STALLING WITH THE TAIL END STILL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TWO LANE HIGHWAY, AS THE TRACTOR TRAILER BEHIND US WHO WAS VERY ALERT NEARLY MISSED A REAR END COLLISION WITH OUR VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION OF THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WE NOTICED THE REAR AXLE BEAM WAS SPLIT IN TWO, RUSTED AND ROTTED OUT AND HANGING TO THE GROUND, A TOW TRUCK WAS NOTIFIED AND THE OPERATOR STARED IN DISBELIEF THAT THE AXLE HAD BROKEN IN HALF. THIS OBVIOUS DEFECT COULD HAVE COST US OUR LIVES. THIS DEFECT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY BEFORE A SOME LIVES ARE LOST AS A RESULT OF THE FORD WINDSTAR REAR AXLE BEAM BREAKING WHILE OCCUPANTS AND PASSENGERS ARE RIDING IN THIS VEHICLE. THIS INCIDENT WAS REPORTED TO THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE ASSISTANCE CENTER AND THEY TOOK THE INFORMATION ABOUT THE VEHICLE AND THE NATURE OF THE COMPLAINT ADVISING ME TO SPEAK TO A FORD SERVICE MANGER AND FOR THE DEFECTIVE VEHICLES BROKEN AXLE TO BE INSPECTED BY A FORD DEALER.FORDS CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE REP ADVISED ME NOT TO RETURN A CALL TO THEM BECAUSE THEY HAVE THE INCIDENT ON FILE AND THE FORD SERVICE MANAGER WOULD FOLLOW UP ON THE COMPLAINT. UPON SPEAKING TO THE FORD SERVICE MANAGER HE ASKED A BOUT THE TYPE OF PROBLEM YEAR AND MODEL OF THE VEHICLE. BEING A 2002 WINDSTAR WITH 153,000 MILES HE STATED THAT BECAUSE OF THE MILEAGE AND THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE FORD WOULD NOT ASSIST ME IN GETTING THIS SITUATION RESOLVED. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE COST TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM WOULD BE 5 HOURS LABOR CHARGE @ $100.00 PER HOUR AND THE COST OF THE AXLE BEAM WOULD BE $500.00 PLUS WHAT EVER OTHER DAMAGES INCURRED. AS THESE WOULD BE MY OUT OF POCKET COSTS PLUS A $275.00 TOW CHARGE. NEEDLESS TO SAY HOW COSTLY THIS EVENT BECAME AS WELL AS THE POSSIBLE WORST CASE SCENARIO A FATAL ACCIDENT COULD HAVE OCCURRED AS A RESULT OF THIS DEFECT. THIS MUST BE ADDRESSED. *TR

Mileage: 152,934

WHEN DRIVING MY 2002 FORD WINDSTAR MINI VAN ON THE HIGHWAY WE NOTICED A LOUD SLAMMING NOISE FROM THE REAR CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE CONTROL, SWERVING TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER AND STALLING WITH THE TAIL END STILL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TWO LANE HIGHWAY, AS THE TRACTOR TRAILER BEHIND US WHO WAS VERY ALERT NEARLY MISSED A REAR END COLLISION WITH OUR VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION OF THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WE NOTICED THE REAR AXLE BEAM WAS SPLIT IN TWO, RUSTED AND ROTTED OUT AND HANGING TO THE GROUND, A TOW TRUCK WAS NOTIFIED AND THE OPERATOR STARED IN DISBELIEF THAT THE AXLE HAD BROKEN IN HALF. THIS OBVIOUS DEFECT COULD HAVE COST US OUR LIVES. THIS DEFECT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY BEFORE A SOME LIVES ARE LOST AS A RESULT OF THE FORD WINDSTAR REAR AXLE BEAM BREAKING WHILE OCCUPANTS AND PASSENGERS ARE RIDING IN THIS VEHICLE. THIS INCIDENT WAS REPORTED TO THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE ASSISTANCE CENTER AND THEY TOOK THE INFORMATION ABOUT THE VEHICLE AND THE NATURE OF THE COMPLAINT ADVISING ME TO SPEAK TO A FORD SERVICE MANGER AND FOR THE DEFECTIVE VEHICLES BROKEN AXLE TO BE INSPECTED BY A FORD DEALER.FORDS CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE REP ADVISED ME NOT TO RETURN A CALL TO THEM BECAUSE THEY HAVE THE INCIDENT ON FILE AND THE FORD SERVICE MANAGER WOULD FOLLOW UP ON THE COMPLAINT. UPON SPEAKING TO THE FORD SERVICE MANAGER HE ASKED A BOUT THE TYPE OF PROBLEM YEAR AND MODEL OF THE VEHICLE. BEING A 2002 WINDSTAR WITH 153,000 MILES HE STATED THAT BECAUSE OF THE MILEAGE AND THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE FORD WOULD NOT ASSIST ME IN GETTING THIS SITUATION RESOLVED. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE COST TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM WOULD BE 5 HOURS LABOR CHARGE @ $100.00 PER HOUR AND THE COST OF THE AXLE BEAM WOULD BE $500.00 PLUS WHAT EVER OTHER DAMAGES INCURRED. AS THESE WOULD BE MY OUT OF POCKET COSTS PLUS A $275.00 TOW CHARGE. NEEDLESS TO SAY HOW COSTLY THIS EVENT BECAME AS WELL AS THE POSSIBLE WORST CASE SCENARIO A FATAL ACCIDENT COULD HAVE OCCURRED AS A RESULT OF THIS DEFECT. THIS MUST BE ADDRESSED. *TR

Mileage: 152,934

I WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, HEARD AN UNUSUAL NOISE, FELT LIKE I HIT A BUMP, MOMENTARILY LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, TRAVELED APPROXIMATELY 50 MORE FEET TO SIDE OF ROAD WITH ALL KINDS OF INTERMITTENT BUMPING, SCREECHING AND UNUSUAL SOUNDS. I GOT OUT AND SAW MY DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE FOLDED INTO THE WHEEL-WELL. I SAW THE SAME THING ON THE OTHER SIDE. HAD TO HAVE A FLATBED TAKE IT TO A GARAGE. REAR AXLE HAD BROKEN IN TWO AND WILL BE REPLACED. THERE IS SOME OTHER POSSIBLE DAMAGE TO EQUIPMENT NEAR REAR AXLE THAT HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. *TR

Mileage: 110,000

I WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, HEARD AN UNUSUAL NOISE, FELT LIKE I HIT A BUMP, MOMENTARILY LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, TRAVELED APPROXIMATELY 50 MORE FEET TO SIDE OF ROAD WITH ALL KINDS OF INTERMITTENT BUMPING, SCREECHING AND UNUSUAL SOUNDS. I GOT OUT AND SAW MY DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE FOLDED INTO THE WHEEL-WELL. I SAW THE SAME THING ON THE OTHER SIDE. HAD TO HAVE A FLATBED TAKE IT TO A GARAGE. REAR AXLE HAD BROKEN IN TWO AND WILL BE REPLACED. THERE IS SOME OTHER POSSIBLE DAMAGE TO EQUIPMENT NEAR REAR AXLE THAT HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. *TR

Mileage: 110,000

MY 2002 FORD WINDSTAR HAS A CRACKED REAR AXLE! MY FIANCE NOTICED IT "FISHTAILING" ALOT AND A NOISE FROM THE REAR OF THE VAN. I CHECKED RIGHT AWAY AND SAW THE TIRE LEANING IN ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. UPON LOOKING UNDERNEATH I SAW THE AXLE CRACKED ALMOST COMPLETELY IN TWO! SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND GOT HUNDREDS OF HITS ON WINDSTARS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM!! *TR

Mileage: 125,000

WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED (35 MPH), SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING OR APPARENT REASON, THE REAR AXLE SNAPPED ON MY 2002 FORD WINDSTAR MINIVAN, LOCKING THE REAR WHEELS AND CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE AXLE, (FORD CALLS IT A "HOUSING" LOOKED AS IF IT HAD SIMPLE SNAPPED IN HALF. - AT THE DEALERSHIP, I LEARNED THAT A SIMILAR INCIDENT HAD BEEN REPORTED A MONTH EARLIER. - MY CONCERN IS THAT THIS MAY OCCUR REPEATEDLY AND TO OTHERS TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. THE WINDSTAR MINIVAN IS THE VEHICLE OF CHOICE FOR PEOPLE WITH YOUNG CHILDREN. THIS FAILURE CAUSED BOTH REAR TIRES TO FAIL TO MOVE, AND IN MY OPINION IS A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF A CRITICAL COMPONENT OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 92,300

WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED (35 MPH), SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING OR APPARENT REASON, THE REAR AXLE SNAPPED ON MY 2002 FORD WINDSTAR MINIVAN, LOCKING THE REAR WHEELS AND CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE AXLE, (FORD CALLS IT A "HOUSING" LOOKED AS IF IT HAD SIMPLE SNAPPED IN HALF. - AT THE DEALERSHIP, I LEARNED THAT A SIMILAR INCIDENT HAD BEEN REPORTED A MONTH EARLIER. - MY CONCERN IS THAT THIS MAY OCCUR REPEATEDLY AND TO OTHERS TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. THE WINDSTAR MINIVAN IS THE VEHICLE OF CHOICE FOR PEOPLE WITH YOUNG CHILDREN. THIS FAILURE CAUSED BOTH REAR TIRES TO FAIL TO MOVE, AND IN MY OPINION IS A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF A CRITICAL COMPONENT OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 92,300

CLUNKING NOISE HEARD IN RIGHT REAR OF 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. INSPECTION BY OWNER FOUND CRACK IN REAR AXLE BEAM. FORD DEALER REPLACED AXLE BEAM STATING IT WAS CRACKED DUE TO IMPROPER JACKING. THEY POINTED OUT TWO "DIMPLES" IN THE UNDERSIDE OF THE AXLE BEAM AS EVIDENCE OF THE IMPROPER JACKING, AND STATED THAT THE CRACK STARTED THERE. AFTER THE REAR AXLE BEAM WAS REPLACED, I INVESTIGATED THE UNDERSIDE OF THE NEW BEAM, AND FOUND THE IDENTICAL "DIMPLES" WERE PRESENT ON THE NEW BEAM. THESE "DIMPLES" ARE, I BELIEVE, CAUSED BY THE FORMING OF THE BEAM BY THE MANUFACTURER AND NOT DUE TO IMPROPER JACKING. I BELIEVE THAT THE REAR AXLE BEAM OF MY FORD WINDSTAR CRACKED BECAUSE OF AN INHERENT DEFECT CAUSED DURING THE FORMING PROCESS. *TR

Mileage: 70,000

REAR SLIDING PASSENGER DOORS FAIL TO CLOSE WHEN USING AUTO CLOSE FEATURE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND EACH TIME THE DOORS ARE SERVICED. SHORTLY AFTER BEING SERVICED THE DOOR STOP LATCHING CLOSED AGAIN. THE DOOR SLIDE HARDER ON THE VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH THE AUTO CLOSE FEATURE SO SOME OPERATORS WILL USE THE AUTO FEATURE AND THEN LATCH THE DOOR BY MANUALLY PUSHING ON IT. MISCOMMUNICATION HAS LEAD TO DRIVING WITH THE DOOR NOT LATCHED. WHEN DRIVING WITH DOOR UNLATCHED THE POWER LOCKS, AND INTERIOR LIGHTS MAY CYCLE ON AND OFF CAUSING A DISTRACTION TO THE DRIVER AND INCREASE RISK OF ACCIDENT. *NM

Mileage: 49,000

DT: THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT IS ON, CHECKED ALL DOORS TRYING TO OPEN WITHOUT TOUCHING THE HANDLES, AND HAVE CLEANED THE CONNECTIONS. ALSO, CHECKED THEM TO MAKE SURE THERE WAS NO DEBRIS, AND LIGHT WAS STILL ON. HAD AN ISSUE LAST YEAR, CLEANED IT, AND IT WENT OFF, BUT NOW IT WAS ON. *AK.

POWER SLIDING DOORS OPEN WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. POWER DOORS DO NOT RELEASE WHEN PERSON IS IN THE WAY. POWER DOORS DO NOT CLOSE AND OPERATE TO SPECIFICATIONS. VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED BY EXTREME FORD IN OVERLAND PARK, KS NUMEROUS TIMES. THERE CONTINUES TO BE ISSUES SURROUNDING THIS PROBLEM. POWER DOORS HAVE ALSO CHIPPED REAR GLASS FORD HAS REPLACED GLASS ONCE ALREADY. **AK UPDATED 07/16/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

1) WE WERE DRIVING HOME FROM TULAS,OK AFTER THE THANKSGIVING DAY HOLIDAY ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON. PULLED INTO OUR DRIVEWAY. OPENED THE POWER DOORS.) THE RIGHT SIDE POWER DOOR TRAPPED MY DAUGHTERS RIGHT LEG WHEN IT WAS OPENING AND DID NOT SENSE THERE WAS RESISTANCE. THE DOOR BROKE HER FEMUR. *AK

Mileage: 27,503

IN THE FRONT OF THE CAR UNDER MY FEET AS I DRIVE, EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE I HEAR A LOUD METAL NOISE AND I CAN FEEL THE VIBRATION. IT'S HARD TO EXPLAIN THE NOISE BUT IT SOUNDS MOST LIKE A LOW SOUNDING POP. IT GENERALLY HAPPENS WHEN I'M TURNING OR GOING OVER A BUMP. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE BOLTS ON THE SUB FRAME WERE LOOSE AND HAD TO BE TOURIST. THEY HAVE HAD TO DO THIS TWICE NOW AND MY CAR CURRENTLY HAS 35,000 MILES ON IT. I FIRST NOTICED THE NOISE IN JANUARY OF 2003 AND MY CAR PROBABLY HAD ABOUT 16,000 MILES ON IT THEN. *CB

Mileage: 16,000

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, INTERMITTENTLY THE BACK RIGHT SLIDING DOOR COMES AJAR. THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED ON THREE OCCASIONS. THE DEALER HAS NO IDEA WHAT CAUSES THE PROBLEM. CURRENTLY, THE CONSUMER HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE BACK/LEFT SIDE DOOR CLOSING SECURELY. *AK THE DOOR HAD BEEN LEAKING SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE DOOR HAD A SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE IN SPACE BETWEEN THE FRONT DOOR IN COMPARISON TO THE DRIVER DOOR. ALSO THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS INOPERATIVE. *SC *JB

Mileage: 17,500

DRIVER SIDE SLIDING DOOR DOES NOT OPEN AND CLOSE ALL THE TIME. THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED THREE TIMES TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND ALL REPAIR ATTEMPTS HAVE FAILED TO DATE.*AK OVER THE 18 MONTH PERIOD WE HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE, WE HAVE HAD THE DRIVERS POWER SEAT REPAIRED, MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL SHORTS FIXED, VCP SYSTEM REPAIRED TWICE, AS WELL AS SEVERAL OTHER MORE MINOR ELECTRICAL ISSUES FIXED. THE QUALITY OF THIS 2002 FORD WINDSTAR LIMITED HAS BEEN VERY POOR.

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING SIDE DOORS WILL OPEN AND CLOSE INTERMITTENTLY. *AK

THE VEHICLE WAS SHAKY AND UNSTABLE TO RIDE AND OR STEER UNDER HEAVY EIGHTEEN WHEELER TRAFFIC, WHEN THEY PASSED THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE (AERODYNAMICS OR DESIGN PROBLEM) *NLM *SCC *JB

Mileage: 2,700

SLIDING DOORS CAN RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY

Mileage: 200

WHEN 18 WHEELER(S),TRACTOR TRAILER(S), AND OR TRAILER(S) PASSED THE VEHICLE, IT SHAKED VIOLENTLY, AS IF A TIRE WAS BLOWN. THE DEALER SAID THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO AN ENGINEERING FLAW. MR SCC *JB

THE POWER SLIDING DOORS DO NOT REVERSE DIRECTION WHEN THEY ENCOUNTER RESISTANCE. MY 2 YEAR OLD SON PLACED HIS HAND IN THE OPENING AND IT WAS ALMOST CRUSHED. IF I HADN'T BEEN STANDING DIRECTLY BEHIND HIM AND COULD PULL EXTREMELY HARD TO GET THE DOOR TO REVERSE DIRECTIONS I FEEL HE PROBABLY WOULD HAVE SUFFERED SEVERE INJURY TO HIS HAND. DT

SLIDING DOOR SENSOR DOESN'T RESPOND QUICKLY ENOUGH WHEN OBJECTS ARE IN THE WAY TO AVOID CLOSING. CONSUMER'S ARM WAS BRUISED DUE TO GETTING CAUGHT AS DOOR WAS CLOSING. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AKCONSUMER IS CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF HER GRANDCHILDREN. THE DEALER DID NOT SEEMED INTERESTED IN THE PROBLEM CONSUMER PRESENTED TO HIM, STATING THAT IS THE WAY THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE. *JG

BOTH POWER SLIDING DOORS WILL NOT RETRACT WHILE BEING CLOSED IF AN OBJECT IS IN THE DOORWAY. CONSUMER IS CONCERNED YOUNG CHILD MIGHT GET CAUGHT IN THE DOOR.*AKCONSUMER ALSO STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER FELT THAT THERE WAS NOT A WAY TO ADJUST THE SENSITIVITY OF THE DOORS. CONSUMER SAID THAT HE PHYSICALLY HAD A CHANCE TO TEST A CHRYSLER MINI VANS SLIDE DOOR SENSITIVITY AND IT RETRACTED MUCH EASIER. *SCC

BACK DOORS WILL NOT OPEN SOMETIMES, AND WILL NOT CLOSE SOMETIMES.*AK CONSUMER WAS INFORMED TO CALL DEALERSHIP PERIODICALLY, BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER WAS WORKING ON A SOLUTION, HOWEVER IT HAS BEEN 8 MONTHS AND THERE IS STILL NO REMEDY. *JB

POWER SLIDING DOORS HAVE SENSORS TO RETRACT UPON SENSIING OBJECT, DOORS DUE NOT RETRACT TIMELY, PRESSURE IS FELT ON A ADULT ARM,WRIST, CHILD, INFANT COULD BE CRUSHED. TESTED VARIOUS OTHER FORD WINDSTARS AND ALL SLIDING DOORS HAD DIFFERENT SENSING, SOME WERE WEAK AND SOME WERE TIGHT, NOT TWO THE SAME. IF A ADULT CANNOT PUSH THE DOOR OR STOP THE FORWARD MOTION, THEN A CHILD WOULD NOT STAND A CHANCE.*AK