1998 FORD WINDSTAR Suspensionrear Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING OVER A SPEED BUMP, THE REAR AXLE BROKE IN HALF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMIEND THAT THE REAR AXLE BROKE DUE TO CORROSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V385000 (SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 216,000.

POPPING IN FRONT END WHEN TURNING OR HITTING BUMPS. THE POPPING SOUND WAS OFTEN. HAD NEW TIRES PUT ON, AND WHEN I TOOK IT IN TO HAVE FRONT END ALIGNED. FORD TECH. SAID FRONT SPRINGS WERE BROKE. WAS AN EST. OF $1200.00 ON IT CAN'T AFFORD. THIS WAS 5/20/2011. CONTACTED MFR ABOUT THE RECALL THAT WAS ISSUED ON THIS PART 7/12/2001. WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO, BECAUSE OF A TIME LIMIT. HOW CAN THEY PUT A TIME LIMIT ON SAFETY & PEOPLES LIVES BECAUSE THE SPRINGS ARE BROKEN,THEY CAN PUNCTURE THE TIRES AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. NOW WE ARE WITHOUT TRANSPORTATION. AND MY SON IS DISABLED AND HAS NUMEROUS DR. APPTS. MILES AWAY. BUT MY HANDS ARE TIED. THE MFR. DID ADVISE TO HAVE ANOTHER RECALL CHECKED OUT WHICH IS THE SPEED CONTROL BECAUSE IT CAN CATCH FIRE. WHEN I ASKED WHY, YOU JUST TOLD ME IT...

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHEN SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE CROSS MEMBER AND SUB FRAME WERE SEVERELY CORRODED AND CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V385000 (SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 52,560.

1998 FORD WINDSTAR MINI VAN REAR AXLE BROKE ...VEHICLE WAS STATE INSPECTED TWO MONTHS PREVIOUS AND PASSED WITHOUT ISSUE .. NOTICED A VIBRATION IN REAR AREA .. REPLACED SHOCKS THINKING THAT WAS CULPRIT .. ISSUE GOT WORSE ... LESS THEN 700 MILES AFTER COMPLETED PASSED STATE INSPECTION AXLE BROKE ALLOWING REAR TIRES TO RUB INNER WHEEL WELL .. VAN BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE AT 55 MPH ... WAS LUCKY TO GET IT SLOWED DOWN TO 25 AND LIMPED INTO MY DRIVEWAY .. I WAS SOLE OCCUPATION WHEN THIS HAPPENED .. LOOKED UNDERNEATH AND FOUND ISSUE. WENT ONLINE AND FOUND RECALL NOTICE FOR VEHICLES OF THIS YEAR FOR SALT USE AREAS .. THESE INCLUDED WEST VIRGINIA .. 8 MILES FROM WHERE I LIVE ... MARYLAND .. 12 MILES FROM WHERE I LIVE AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA .. 50 MILES FROM WHERE I LIVE .. BUT VIRGINIA WAS NOT COVERED ... EVEN THOUGH...

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR WAGON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS CORRODED AND FRACTURED IN HALF. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V385000 (SUSPENSION: REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL NOISE FROM THE REAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 01I007000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS) AND BELEIVED THE REAR SUSPENSION HAD EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 222,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FISHTAIL UNEXPECTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS FRACTURED AND EXHIBITED EXCESSIVE CORROSION FROM THE INSIDE OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V385000 (SUSPENSION: REAR: AXLE: NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY). THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REPAIR UNTIL LATE NOVEMBER OF 2010. THE CONTACT STATED THE RECALL NOTIFICATION SPECIFIED THE URGENCY OF THE REPAIR; AND EXPRESSED HIS CONCERN OF THE POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. THERE WAS NO FAILURE MILEAGE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE

THIS HAS HAPPENED ON THE INNER ROADS AND NEAR FROM MY HOUSE. I HAD HEARD THE CREAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR AND THOUGHT ABOUT MY CAR'S SHOCKS ARE SHOT. THEN SUDDENLY I LOST CONTROL AND STOPPED THE CAR, LUCKILY NO INJURIES EITHER TO ME OR THE NEARBY PROPERTY. WITH HAZARD LIGHTS ON I DROVE THE CAR VERY SLOWLY HOME AND LOOKED UNDER THE CAR. WHAT I SAW REALLY SHOCKED ME. THE REAR AXLE BEAM OF MY FORD WINDSTAR(1998) CRACKED APPROXIMATELY 18"-24" FROM THE DRIVER SIDE REAR WHEEL AND THE ENTIRE WELDING (?)HAS SEPARATED FROM THE MID PORTION. I COULD SEE THE RIGHT PORTION OF THE BEAM WELDED AND INTACT. I HAD JUST REPAIRED THE BREAK FLUID LINE FOR ALMOST $600 AND THE MECHANIC NEVER SAID A WORD ABOUT THIS CRACK BEFORE THE REPAIRS. I BELIEVE THE REAR AXLE / BEAM IS A PART OF THE VEHICLE THAT SHOULD LAST...

MY 98 FORD WINDSTAR REAR AXLE SPLIT IN TWO PULLING INTO MY WORK . I HAD NOTICED A NOISE FROM THE BACK A FEW DAYS BEFORE. I JUST PUT NEW TIRES ON THE VAN AND NOTICED WHILE A FELLOW EMPLOYEE WAS WELDING MY AXLE SO I COULD GET HOME THAT THE INSIDES OF MY NEW TIRES WERE WORE DOWN ALREADY .I CAN NOT AFFORD A NEW AXLE NOW AND I HAVE KIDS .I'M ALSO AWARE THAT THIS IS NOT THE FIRST WINDSTAR TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM I'M GLAD I WAS NOT GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WITH MY FAMILY AND THAT HAPPEN. THIS IS A FORD PROBLEM AND I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO FIX A STEEL AXLE BECAUSE WATER GETS IN IT AND IT RUSTS IT SHOULD OF BEEN PUT TOGETHER SO WATER CANT GET IN IT. THANK U PLEASE TAKE CARE OF THIS. *TR

MY 1998 FORD WINDSTAR GL REAR AXLE BROKE IN TWO WITH NO PRIOR WARNING SUCH AS NOISE, HANDLING PROBLEMS OR VIBRATION. BEING ONLY 12 MILES FROM HOME I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE VERY SLOWLY UNTIL WE GOT HOME. BY THE TIME WE GOT TO OUR DRIVEWAY WE HAD ALSO LOST ALMOST ALL BRAKE PEDAL. THE FOLLOWING DAY I RAISED THE REAR OF THE VAN AND FOUND THE CRACK IN THE REAR AXLE ABOUT 18 INCHES FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR TIRE, AND THE ABNORMAL MOVEMENT AFTER THE BREAK HAD CAUSED THE BRAKE LINE TO THE REAR TIRES TO SEPARATE. TOTAL REPLACEMENT COST SO FAR HAS BEEN 500.00 DOLLARS AND I DID ALL WORK MYSELF. I HAVE NOT YET FINISHED THE BRAKE LINES AND SHOCKS WHICH WILL BE EVEN MORE COSTS. I KEPT THE AXLE AND WILL BE GLAD TO SUBMIT IT FOR TESTING AND/OR SEND PHOTOS IF REQUESTED. *TR

1998 FORD WINDSTAR'S REAR AXLE BROKE WHILE DRIVING ON THE ROAD. NO APPARENT REASON FOR FAILURE. THE CONSEQUENCE OF THE FAILURE IS THE LOSS OF THE ABILITY TO DRIVE OR HANDLE THE CAR. AXLE SNAPPED COMPLETELY INTO TWO PIECES AND DRAGGED AGAINST ROAD. REAR WHEELS WERE AT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE TO THE ROAD. REAR AXLE HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TR

I HAVE A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR AND JUST NOTICED THAT THE REAR AXLE HAS CRACKED. AS I CHECKED ONLINE I NOTICED THAT THIS WAS BEING INVESTIGATED FOR 1999 - 2007 WINDSTARS, AND I JUST THOUGHT I WOULD ADD MY 1998 MODEL TO THE LIST. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE 98 MODELS INCLUDED IN ANY RECALL. *TR

1998 FORD WINDSTAR - REAR AXLE BROKEN IN TWO PIECES. *TR

MY WIFE CALLED ME AT WORK TODAY BECAUSE SHE WAS STRANDED ALONG THE ROAD. WHEN I GOT THERE WHAT I FOUND WAS A MAJOR SURPRISE. THE REAR AXLE OF OUT 1998 FORD WINDSTAR HAD BROKE IN 2 AND WAS LYING ON THE GROUND. SHE SAID THAT EARLIER SHE HAD HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR AND STOPPED TO CHECK TO SEE IF SHE HAD A FLAT TIRE BECAUSE THE STEERING FELT WEIRD. NOT SEEING AN FLAT TIRES SHE DECIDED TO DRIVE HOME SEEING THAT SHE WAS ONLY A MILE FROM HOME. ABOUT 3/4 OF THE WAY HOME SHE MADE A TURN ONTO OUR ROAD AND THERE WAS A LOAD NOISE AND SHE WAS NOT ABLE TO EASILY CONTROL THE VAN AND ENDED UP ON THE BANK OF A NEIGHBORS YARD. HALF THE CAR ON THE BANK AND THE OTHER HALF ON THE ROAD. I HAVE CONTACT FORD VIA EMAIL...

BROKEN REAR AXLE ON A 98 FORD WINDSTAR WITH ONLY 90,100 MILES ON IT. *TR

I HAVE REPLACED THE REAR AXLE NOW FOR THE THIRD TIME. THE FIRST TIME IT BROKE IN HALF COMING INTO MY HOME DRIVEWAY. THE SECOND TIME I HEARD A THUMPING NOISE FROM THE REAR OF THE VAN AND LOOKED TO FIND A CRACK IN THE AXLE,I REPLACED IT YET AGAIN. THIS LAST TIME THE SAME THING HAPPENED,CLUNKING NOISE TO FIND YET ANOTHER CRACK. THE VAN HAS 130,000 MILES HAS SOME BODY RUST,BUT NO REASON FOR SOMETHING CRITICAL LIKE THIS TO BE HAPPENING. *TR

READING ON-LINE BECAUSE MY MECHANIC'S PUZZLED ABOUT THE NOISES, I FIND THAT IT'S NOT ONLY THE 1999+ WINDSTARS THAT HAVE HAD A PROBLEM, BUT -- IF YOU WOULD LOOK AT #2 AND #3 HERE AT THIS LINK: HTTP://WWW.ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM/COMPLAINT/1998/FORD/WINDSTAR/SUSPENSION IT'S APPARENT THAT THIS AXLE BREAKAGE HAS OCCURRED IN 1998'S AS WELL. THAT IS WHAT I HAVE, IN WHICH I'M HEARING SIMILAR NOISES. LIVING IN A SALT-BELT STATE, THIS IS SCARY; DON'T EVEN DARE TAKE IT ON THE FREEWAY! HARD TO GET OUT OF TOWN (SUCH AS TO A GRADUATION THIS WEEKEND) WITHOUT FREEWAYS. VERY SAD ... & HARD TO REPLACE IT, TOO, WHILE ON ONLY SOCIAL SECURITY. SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE TO INCLUDE 1998S (SEE LINK ABOVE) IN THIS INVESTIGATION, TOO, IT APPEARS. I DIDN'T PAY NEARLY $4000 TO ONLY DRIVE A VEHICLE IN TOWN, AND NOT BE ABLE TO GO ANYPLACE! :O( [XXX] PS * DIDN'T GIVE "DAY" B/C THIS...

THE REAR AXLE ON MY 1998 FORD WINDSTAR CRACKED. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO CATCH IT BEFORE IT COMPLETELY BROKE IN HALF. *TR

WHILE ENTERING THE MERGE RAMP OF THE NORTHERN STATE PARKWAY REAR AXLE SNAPPED IN TWO. *TR

THE REAR AXLE OF OUR 1998 FORD WINDSTAR GL, WITH ONLY 99,630 MILES, BROKE WHILE GOING DOWN A ROAD GOING ABOUT 30 MPH. I HIT SMALL POTHOLE, HEARD A CLUNK AND THEN NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT HANDLING PROPERLY. NOT KNOWING WHAT WAS WRONG AND SINCE I WAS CLOSE TO HOME, I DROVE IT HOME AND LOOKED UNDERNEATH AND NOTED THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS SPLIT ABOUT 75% THROUGH. THE REAR WHEELS WERE SITTING TILTED TOWARD THE VEHICLE. WE HAD A TOW TRUCK TAKE THE VAN TO HAVE IT FIXED. *TR

OUR 1998 FORD WINDSTAR MINI VAN REAR AXLE BROKE. WE WERE RETURNING HOME. WHEN WE RETURNED I WENT ONLINE TO CHECK HOW MUCH IT WOULD COST TO REPAIR AND WAS SURPRISED TO FIND THAT THIS VAN WAS NOT THE ONLY 98 TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM.*TR

I HAVE A 98 FOR WINDSTAR GL. ON OCT 9TH I WAS COMING BACK FROM WORK AND THE REAR OF THE CAR KEPT FISH TAILING / SLIPPING TO ONESIDE AND AS WELL AS THAT NIGHT WHEN I HAD TO TAKE MY SON TO THE HOSPITAL AND BACK. ALMOST LOST CONTROL COMING BACK FROM THE HOSPITAL. I DID NOT GET IN THE CAR AT ALL THAT 10TH CAUSE OF THAT. ON OCT 11TH 2009 I WAS BACKING OUT FROM MY PARKING SPOT IN MY APARTMENT COMPLEX WITH MY FAMILY IN THE CAR. AS I BACKED UP AND AS I PUT IT IN DRIVE I HEARD A LOUD BANG LIKE I BACKED UP INTO A CAR. GOT OUT TO SEE MY BACK TIRES BENT IN. I PULLED UP SLOWLY AND LOOKED UNDERNEATH IT AND SAW THAT MY REAR AXEL ASSY SPLIT IN HALF. MY MECHANIC NEVER SAW ANYTHING LIKE IT. I SEARCHED...

THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD NUMEROUS BRAKING PROBLEMS/AXLES/SWAY BARS/CALIPERS/ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS

THIS VAN IS 3 YEARS OLD. CORROSION MOST LIKELY CAUSED THE PROBLEM WITH STRUT RODS & SWAY BAR LINKS. OBVIOUSLY THIS MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONCERNED WITH QUALITY B/C OF ALL THESE PROBLEMS. THE FORD COMPANY WILL NOT REIMBURSE ME (MY VAN IS NO LONGER COVERED BY FACTORY WARRANTY) UNLESS THEY ISSUE A RECALL ON ANY PARTICULAR PROBLEM. I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY I WOULD HAVE ALL THESE PROBLEMS WITH A VEHICLE THAT WAS LESS THAN 2 YRS OLD WHEN THE PROBLEMS STARTED. MAYBE YOU CAN'T HELP ME, BUT I WANTED TO LODGE A COMPLAINT.*AK

I BELIEVE FORD HAS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH SWAY BAR LINKS. I OWN A 1995 TAURUS, 1998 WINDSTAR, AND 2000 TAURUS. THEY ALL HAVE THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. THE LINKS ON THE 2000 HAVE BEEN REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. I ALSO KNOW OTHER FORD OWNERS THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I AM ALSO AWARE OF A RECALL ON EXPLORERS FOR SWAY BAR LINKS.*AK

WHEN TRAVELING BETWEEN 60-70 MPH THE BACK OF VEHICLE STARTS SWAYING LIKE HAVING A FLAT TIRE. ALSO WHEN A 18 WHEELER OR 15 FOOT TRUCK PULLS IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE ROCKS. THE DEALER IS NOT ABLE TO DETECT PROBLEM WITH THE WINDSTAR. *AK