1999 FORD WINDSTAR Structureframe And Members Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V030000 (STRUCTURE). WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 225,000...UPDATED 05/21/15 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE RECALL WAS INCORRECTLY PERFORMED. HE SIGNED OVER THE TITLE. UPDATED 11/19/15 *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V030000 (STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS). THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL. HOWEVER, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED AND UNSAFE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE SUB FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THAT THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TURNING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH A CRACKING SOUND WAS HEARD FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME FRACTURED AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE SUB FRAME SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE, DUE TO RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 136,553.

TL* THE OWNS 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V030000 (STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS). APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK LATER, THE CONTACT COULD HEAR A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT SUB FRAME WAS RUSTED ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE SWAY BAR MOUNT. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THIS FAILURE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 54,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, FOR THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGJ ID NUMBER 10V385000 (SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY). THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE SUBFRAME FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 242,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING HE HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE. THE CONTACT MENTION THAT HE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE SUB FRAME ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BROKE AS A RESULT OF CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

I BOUGHT A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR IN DELAWARE OHIO AT BYERS FORD AND ON THE FIRST DAY I GOT IT WHEN I WOULD PUT ON THE BREAKS THE VAN WOULD SHAKE SO BAD. AFTER A FEW MONTHS THE ABS LIGHT WOULD COME ON THEN GO OFF. I WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC THAT IS WAS JUST A SENSOR. I RECEIVED THE FIRST RECALL OF THE REAR AXLES BACK IN OCTOBER OF 2010 AND HAD THEM CHECKED AND THEY PUT SOME SPRAY ON THEM. I THEN GOT THE SECOND RECALL FOR THE FRONT SUBFRAME IN FEB OF 2011 AND WHEN I SET UP MY APT IT WAS NOT TILL MAY 25TH 2011 THAT I GOT IN. FOR 3 MONTHS I DEALT WITH THE EMERGENCY BREAK LIGHT BEING ON, THE ABS LIGHT BEING ON A CLICKING NOISE UNDER MY STEERING WHEEL AND ON TOP OF THAT I HAVE BEEN DRIVING MY FAMILY...

MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR SE HAS BEEN RECALLED FOR THE FOLLOWING RECALLS 09S09 SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM MODIFICATION, 10S13 REAR AXLE INSPECTION AND REPAIR, AND 11S16 SUBFRAME FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM REAR ATTACHING FLANGES & REAR BODY MOUNT ATTACHMENTS INSPECTION AND REPAIR. I DIDN'T RECEIVE NOTICE OF ANY OF THESE RECALLS, AND FOUND OUT FROM A FRIEND ABOUT THEM. SEVERAL MONTHS AGO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF MY VAN STARTED MAKING A SOUND WHILE DRIVING. I WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC THAT LOOKED AT IT THAT IT WAS DUE TO RUSTING OF THE REAR BODY MOUNT ATTACHMENT OF THE SUBFRAME. I TOOK MY VAN IN TO A FORD DEALER TODAY 5/21/2011 FOR THE RECALL INSPECTIONS. I WAS TOLD IT PASSED ALL INSPECTIONS, BUT WAS ONLY IN THE SERVICE DEPT. FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES. THERE IS ALSO SEVERE RUST ON OTHER AREAS OF MY FRONT SUBFRAME THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED IN FORD'S...

RUSTED SUBFRAME. *TR

1999 FORD WINDSTAR. FRONT SUB FRAME CORROSION. FORD SERVICE REFUSED TO REPAIR IT. *TR

MY SON-IN-LAW AND DAUGHTER WE DRIVING ON HWY 421 AT 50 MPH. THE VAN STARTED SHAKING AND THEY SMELLED RUBBER AND HEARD GRINDING. HE PULLED OVER AND THE BACK TIRES WERE PUSHED IN AND THE RIGHT BACK TIRE LOST ITS LUG NUTS AND TIRE WAS FALLING OFF. THEY REMOVED THE CHILDREN FROM THE CAR. IT SCARED THEM TO DEATH! MY SON-IN-LAW STARTED WALKING TO A GAS STATION. MY DAUGHTER LOOKED UNDER THE VAN AND SAW THE AXLE WAS SNAPPED IN HALF. A NICE TOW TRUCK MAN STOPPED TO HELP. HE SAID, THIS VAN IS ON RECALL DO YOU KNOW WHAT AN AXEL IS..SHE SAID YES....HE LOOKED UNDER THERE AND TOLD HER IT WAS FOR SURE SNAPPED IN HALF! I CAN'T BELIEVE THE FORD WINDSTAR IS DOING THIS! IT IS VERY UPSETTING. IT WAS TOWED TO HERSH FORD IN MICHIGAN CITY, INDIANA AND WERE GIVEN A RENTAL AND TOLD IT COULD...

1999 FORD WINDSTAR- FRONT SUB FRAME RUST. LOCAL FORD DEALER SAID THEY WOULD NOT FIX IT. VIN [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS FOR RECALL 10V385000 (SUSPENSION: REAR: AXLE: NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY) THE CONTACT INFORMED THE DEALER THERE WAS SEVERE CORROSION ON THE FRONT SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING OVER A BUMP. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF A RECALL ON THE SUBFRAME 11V030000 (STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS: UNDERBODY SHIELDS) BUT THE DEALER STATED THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE SUBFRAME. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INFORMED IF THE VIN WAS INCLUDED OR NOT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BY EMAIL BUT HAD NOT RESPONDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.

FRONT SUB FRAME BROKE. *TR

I TOOK MY VAN IN FOR RECALLS. THEY SUPPOSEDLY FIXED THE AXLE HOWEVER I THINK THEY JUST PUT STUFF ON IT AND DIDN'T EVEN CHECK IT. THEN THEY FOUND SOME OTHER STUFF THEY WANTED TO FIX LIKE THE TIE ROD LINKS. I DIDN'T LET THEM FIX IT BUT I TOOK IT TO SOMEONE ELSE AND THEY FOUND A SERIOUS CRACK AND CORROSION ON MY FRONT FRAME. IT IS ABOUT TO BREAK!! THEY DIDN'T TELL ME ABOUT THIS. ALMOST EVERYTHING UNDER MY VAN HAS CORROSION AND IF THE AXLE IS FAULTY BECAUSE OF THAT WHY ISN'T THE OTHER STUFF UNDER RECALL. IS FORD WAITING FOR ME OR SOMEONE ELSE GET KILLED AND THEN TAKE CARE OF IT OR IS MY LIFE NOT IMPORTANT TO THEM? *TR

DRIVING THROUGH RESIDENTIAL AREA AND WENT TO MAKE A TURN ONTO ANOTHER STREET AND STEERING WENT OUT AND I WENT UP THE CURB THROUGH ON COMING TRAFFIC LANE. WHEN INSPECTED UNDER VEHICLE THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SUBFRAME WAS CORRODED, RUSTED AND BROKEN OFF. I HAD TO PURCHASE A USED INTACT FRONT SUBFRAME FROM A JUNKYARD AS THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME A NEW ONE WAS $2000.00. I HAD THE USED SUBFRAME PUT ON AND IT IS OKAY NOW. BUT THE ENTIRE PURCHASE OF A NEW SUBFRAME WOULD HAVE BEEN MORE THAN MY VEHICLES VALUE. *TR

1999 FORD WINDSTAR FRONT SUBFRAME ROTTED OUT, CRACKED, AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TR

CRACKED & CORRODED "K" FRAME WHICH SUPPORTS ENGINE& TRANS. IN FRONT END OF 1999 FORD WINDSTAR VAN. REPLACED K FRAME TO REMEDY PROBLEM. *LN

I TOOK THE WINDSTAR TO HAVE THE TWO RECALLS REPAIRED AND WHEN THE BASIL FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAS DONE WITH THAT THEY INFORMED ME THAT MY VAN WAS UNDRIVEABLE BECAUSE THE RIGHT FRONT SUB FRAME WAS CRACKED. THEY SAID IT WOULD COST $1600. TO REPAIR IT. WITH ALL THE RUST ON THE DOORS AND DOOR SILL I FIND IT RIDICULOUS TO SPEND THAT AMOUNT WHEN THE RUST WOULD BRING DOWN THE VALUE OF THE VAN TO ALMOST NOTHING. THIS IS THE FIFTH FORD I HAVE HAD AND YOU WOULD THINK I WOULD HAVE LEARNED ABOUT THE RUST FACTOR. GETTING BACK TO THE SUB FRAME I PHONED THE NUMBER LISTED ON THE FORD WEB PAGE BUT AFTER ABOUT FIVE PHONE CALLS I DECIDED TO CALL THE CORPORATE OFFICE. I WAS DIRECTED TO A VOICE MAIL...GAVE MY INFORMATION AND WAS TOLD WE WOULD HEAR FROM THEM IN SO MANY BUSINESS DAYS. IT...

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HAVING THE INSPECTED BY THE STATE, THE INSPECTOR NOTICED THE SUBFRAME WAS BROKEN IN TWO PLACES. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC TO HAVE THE SUB FRAME REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE SUB FRAME AND AT THE TIME THE MANUFACTURER STATED THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO SINCE THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF THE RECENT STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS: UNDERBODY SHIELDS (11V030000) RECALL AND STATED THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD HAVE RELEASED THIS RECALL LONG AGO. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.

THE RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ARM PULLED LOOSE FROM THE SUBFRAME CROSSMEMBER DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST. THE LEADUP TO THE INCIDENT WAS COMPLETELY UNEXPECTED. THE CONTROL ARM PULLED LOOSE AT 70 MPH AND CAUSED THE WINDSTAR TO VEER BACK AND FORTH USING 4 LANES OF TRAFFIC TO COME TO A STOP. LUCKY FOR ME WAS THAT THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC IN MY IMMEDIATE AREA AND NO OTHER CARS WERE INVOLVED. *TR

FLEET OWNED 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. VEHICLE HAS BEEN LOCATED IN THE CHICAGO AREA SINCE NEW. COMPLAINT WAS THAT THE EXHAUST WAS LOUD AND LOOKED TO BE HANGING LOW. THE EXHAUST FLANGE ON THE FLEX-PIPE SECTION RUSTED THIN AND BROKE OFF FROM THE Y-PIPE. I THEN NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR OF THE SUBFRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AND THE SUBFRAME WAS HANGING DOWN ABOUT 1.5" FROM WHERE IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE. THE EXHAUST Y-PIPE FLANGE IS MUCH LOWER THAN IT SHOULD NORMALLY BE, WHICH TELLS ME THAT THE ENGINE/TRANS ASSEMBLY IS LEANING TOWARDS THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR MOUNT OF THE SUBFRAME IS CRACKED WHERE IT MEETS THE BODY. ALSO NOTED THAT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE SUBFRAME WHERE THE ENGINE MOUNT ATTACHES AND THE SUBFRAME REAR CROSSMEMBER MEET, THE SUBFRAME IS ALMOST COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. I CAN FORESEE THIS PROBLEM EVENTUALLY CAUSING THE AXLES...

I HAVE 1999 FORD WINDSTAR 3.8 LITER WITH 123,297 MILES, I OWN THIS CAR SINCE 2000. THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR SUBFAME END AT THE MOUNT IS RODED OUT,SPLIT AND CAME OFF THE BUSHING. I HAD TAKEN IT TO SEARS ON 01/21/11 AND HAD ADVISED THAT IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. I HAD CONTACTED FORD DEALER AND EXPLAINED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE REAR AXLE FOR RUSTING. THIS IS SIMILAR SITUATION AND SHOULD DO REPARIS AT NO COST TO THE OWNER. THE DEALER GAVE ME FORD TOLL FREE NUMBER. WHEN CONTACTED FORD THEY ADVISED THAT THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS AS THE WARRANTY IS OVER. I EXPLAINED IT IS A BAD PRODUCT AND FAILURE DUE TO RUSTING IS SIMILAR SITUATION AS AN AXLE RUSTING. IF AN AXLE RUSTING IS HONORED BY FORD WHY NOT FRAME RUSTING. THEY SAID I WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE EXPENCES...

MY SUSPENSION BROKE ON MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR LEAVING ME WITH NO STEERING. I RAN OFF THE ROAD AND THANKFULLY WENT INTO A FIELD. VERY SCARY. THIS IS A 1400. REPAIR. I FOUND OUT THAT THIS HAS CAUSED ACCIDENTS FOR OTHERS AS WELL. I AM JUST WONDERING WHY THIS PART WAS NEVER A RECALL? APPARENTLY REAR AXLES HAVE BEEN RECALLED DUE TO SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCES. THE FORD COMPANY DID TELL ME THIS MAY BE A FUTURE RECALL BUT IS NOT AS OF YET. I DO NOT KNOW IF THEY ARE WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO DIE OR WHAT BUT THIS IS A SERIOUS MATTER. *TR

IN AUGUST OF 2010 I WAS DRIVING MY WINDSTAR WHEN I HEARD A LOUD BANG DURING A TURN. I KNEW I HAD NOT HIT ANYTHING AND AS I STRAIGHTENED OUT MY WHEEL I NOTICED THAT IT WOULD NOT RETURN TO THE NORMAL POSITION. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP TO GET IT LOOKED AT. AS SOON AS THE MAN PUT THE VAN UP IN THE AIR HE KNEW WHAT WAS WRONG. THE SUBFRAME ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WAS ALMOST RUSTED THROUGH. THE MAN TOOK IT DOWN AND TOLD ME NEVER TO DRIVE THE CAR AGAIN IN THIS SHAPE. HE SAID THAT HE HAD NEVER SEEN SO MUCH RUST UNDER A CAR THAT WAS STILL RUNNING. MY WINDSTAR ONLY HAS 86000 MILES ON IT. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW SOMETHING LIKE THAT CAN HAPPEN TO A CAR THAT HAS SUCH LOW MILES, I THOUGHT IT SHOULD HOLD UP...

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY WANDERED OUT OF THE LANE TOWARDS ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL AND AVOID CRASHING INTO A VEHICLE. SUDDENLY, THE FRONT END DRIVER SIDE COLLAPSED TO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. A MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME HAD COMPLETELY FRACTURED AS A RESULT TO EXCESSIVE RUST AND WAS BEYOND REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING STATE INSPECTED WHEN THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR RECALL 10V385000 (SUSPENSION: REAR: AXLE: NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY). THE CONTACT HAD NOT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,109.

THE FRONT SUBFRAME OF MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR CRACKED IN TWO WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR

AROUND OCTOBER 20TH, 2010, MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR WAS MAKING A WEIRD NOISE WHEN I A MAKE A RIGHT TURN AND ALSO WHEN I STEP ON THE GAS PEDAL. THE NOISE CAME FROM THE FRONT RIGHT OF THE VEHICLE, AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS A BRAKE PROBLEM. I TOOK IT RIGHT A WAY TO MY MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. WHEN THE TECHNICIAN LIFTED THE VAN, HE NOTICED RIGHT A WAY THE SUB FRAME ALL RUSTED AND BROKEN. MY MECHANIC DID NOT LET ME DRIVE IT BECAUSE IT'S A HIGH RISK, HE SAID THE ENGINE CAN FALL ANY MOMENT. DUE TO THE HIGH COST OF REPLACING A NEW SUB FRAME, THE TECHNICIAN SUGGESTED A USED ONE BUT IN GOOD CONDITION. IT COST ME $723.00 TO REPLACE IT. I WENT TO THE NEAREST FORD DEALER TO COMPLAINT BUT I WAS TOLD THAT SPECIFIC PART OF THE VEHICLE WAS NOT RECALLED AND...

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FEEL UNSTABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER HAVING HIS VEHICLE IN FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE, THE MECHANIC INFORMED HIM THAT HE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE CRADLE DUE TO RUST AND BEING FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A CERTIFIED DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE ENGINE CRADLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 64,000. UPDATED 12/14/2011 *CN THE ENGINE CRADLE WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED ON THE RIGHT SIDE. UPDATED 08/05/11

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY TURNING LEFT . THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN LEFT UNTIL MORE THAN USUAL FORCE WAS APPLIED TO TURN THE WHEEL ,WHICH AT THE TIME THE WHEEL DID TURN A DULL THUD WAS AUDIBLE. THIS ACTION OCCURRED TWICE WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE IN CITY TRAFFIC. THE VISUAL INVESTIGATION REVEALED A LARGE AREA OF THE INSIDE OF THE FRONT SUBFRAME ON THE DRIVERS SIDE HAD COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. APPROXIMATELY AN AREA 4' X 8' WAS GONE WITH SOME EVIDENCE OF METAL TEARING/FATIGUE. *LN

1999 FORD WINDSTAR : ENGINE CRADLE CRACKING AND HAS FRACTURED AWAY FROM MOTOR MOUNT. *LN

FRONT SUB-FRAME CORROSION ON PASSENGER SIDE NEAR MOUNT RESULTING IN COMPLETE BREAK. THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF RUST ANYWHERE ELSE ON THE SUB-FRAME, THE FRAME OR UNDERBODY. SYMPTOM WAS LOUD CLANKING FROM FRONT-RIGHT AND "JERKING" SENSATION ON SOME TURNS, ACCELERATION. DID NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING, SO BROUGHT TO NTB FOR EXAMINATION (THINKING IT WAS A BALLJOINT, ETC.) TECHNICIANS INVITED ME TO INVESTIGATE UNDER THE LIFT AS THEY WERE INCREDULOUS OF SUCH A SEVERE BREAK AMIDST AN OTHERWISE RUST-FREE SUB-FRAME.*TR

HI I JUST SAW THAT YOU WERE INVESTIGATING WINDSTAR RUST ISSUES. TWO YEARS AGO, IN 2008, OUR 1999 WINDSTAR STARTING MAKING WEIRD NOISES WHEN I WENT OVER CURBS OR TURNED THE WHEEL. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THE FRONT FRAME AND AXLE HAD RUSTED. IT WAS A COUPLE THOUSAND DOLLARS TO FIX. THEY SAID IT WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. I DID NOT WISH TO FIX IT (SINCE IT WOULD COST AS MUCH TO FIX AS THE VAN WAS WORTH) AND THEY SAID IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND DID NOT RECOMMEND I LEAVE WITHOUT FIXING IT. SO WE TRADED IT IN (EXPLAINING FULLY WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT) WHEN WE PURCHASED A VAN FROM THE HONDA DEALERSHIP DOWN THE ROAD. I JUST SAW THAT YOU WERE INVESTIGATING RUST ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH WINDSTARS AND THOUGHT I WOULD PASS THIS INFO ALONG. THANKS *TR

AT THE END OF NOVEMBER I NOTICE A LOOSENESS IN THE STEERING OF MY 99 FORD WINDSTAR. I WAS ABLE TO GET IT HOME AND IN THE DRIVEWAY. I LOOKED AT THE FRONT -END AND NOTICED A RUSTED AND CRACKED FRONT FRAME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. I HAD REPLACED THE CRACKED AXLE MY SELF IT COST ME $874.27 I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANYTHING FROM FORD ON THIS YET. I CAN NOT DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE IT IS A NOT IN GOOD SHAPE AT ALL. IT ONLY HAS JUST UNDER 90,000 MILES. AND HAS HAD A NEW INTAKE PUT ON WHICH IS PLASTIC AND NOW THE ENGINE RUNS VERY ROUGH. ALSO IT HAS TROUBLE WITH THE SIGNAL LIGHTS. THIS CAR HAS TURNED OUT TO BE A LOUSY CAR. *TR

1999 FORD WINDSTAR LX FRONT SUB-FRAME RUSTED OUT ON PASSENGER SIDE. THIS SECTION OF THE SUB-FRAME IS ALWAYS WET WHEN THE AIR-CONDITIONER IS TURNED ON IN THE SUMMER AND THE CONDENSATION FROM THE AIR-CONDITIONER LEAKS ONTO THE SUBFRAME AT THIS SPECIFIC AREA, AND IN THE WINTER SALT IS CAUSING SUB-FRAME TO RUST OUT AND BREAK AT THIS SPECIFIC AREA. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW. *TR

I OWN A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH AGO 15 NOV,2010, I NOTICED THAT THE ALIGNMENT OF THE FRONT TIRES WAS OFF. AND THE STEERING SEEMED LOOSE AND A LITTLE UNRESPONSIVE. I IMMEDIATELY DROVE HOME AND REMOVED THE PASSENGER FRONT TIRE AND COULD NOT BELIEVE WHAT I SAW. THE FRONT SUB-FRAME / ENGINE CRADLE WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED WHERE THE SUB-FRAME ATTACHES TO THE UNI-BODY. THE AREA WHERE THE MOUNTING BUSHING THAT ATTACHES THE SUB-FRAME TO THE UNI-BODY ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS TOTALLY CORRODED / RUSTED / ROTTED AWAY. THE BUSHING WAS COMPLETELY PUSHED THROUGH THE SUB-FRAME AND HAD NOTHING TO SUPPORT IT ANY MORE. I BROUGHT IT TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER WITH THE PRINT OUT OF THE CURRENT INVESTIGATION OF THIS ISSUE. THEY TOLD ME IT IS NOT A RECALL YET AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR OUT OF MY OWN POCKET. *TR

FRONT SUB FRAME CORROSION. *TR

WHILE DRIVING MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR I STARTED TO HEAR A GRINDING SCRAPPING NOISE WHEN MAKING RIGHT TURNS THE NOISE PROGRESSIVELY STARTED TO GET EVEN WORSE I STARTED TO HEAR A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE BROUGHT CAR TO MECHANIC INSPECTED AND FOUND THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS COMPLETED RUSTED OUT AND THE ENGINE COULD DROP AT ANY TIME WAS ADVISED NOT TO DRIVE VEHICLE ,LUCKILY NOTHING HAPPENED WHEN I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY DAUGHTER DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I CONTACTED FORD AND THEY HAVE TOLD ME THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON THIS PARTICULAR SITUATION, AFTER CHECKING ONLINE I HAVE SEEN SO MANY COMPLAINTS I AM NOW OUT A CAR AND NO MONEY TO BUY NEW ONE, THANK GOD MY DAUGHTER WAS NOT HURT OR ANYONE ELSE I WISH FORD WOULD REALIZE THIS VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND NOT WAIT FOR SOMEONE TO GET KILLED!!! *TR

WHILE PULLING ONTO A BUSY ROAD THERE WAS LOUD NOISE AND THE VEHICLE LOST ALL CONTROL AND SKIDDED ACROSS THE ROAD AND INTO A DRIVEWAY. FORTUNATELY NO PROPERTY DAMAGE OR PERSONAL INJURY OCCURED. THE VAN WAS TOWED TO MY MECHANIC AND HE INFORMED ME THAT SUBFRAME ON THE RIGHT SIDE HAD JUST BROKEN OFF. CLEARLY THIS MUST BE SOME SORT OF A DEFECTION THE MANUFACTURER. *TR

1999 FORD WINDSTAR LX BROKEN SUB-FRAME I BEGAN TO HEAR A SCRAPING NOISE WHILE DRIVING, ESPECIALLY ON RIGHT TURNS. I HAD RECENTLY PURCHASED 4 NEW TIRES FROM FIRESTONE, SO TOOK IT BACK THERE THINKING THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE. INSTEAD I WAS TOLD THAT THE SUB FRAME IS BUSTED (ALSO CALLED ENGINE CRADLE), AND THAT REPAIR WOULD BE EXTENSIVE IN LABOR TO THE TUNE OF AT LEAST $1500! ...AND THAT WOULD BE FOR A REPLACEMENT PART FROM A JUNK YARD (WITH SAME POTENTIAL PROBLEM) RATHER THAN A NEW PART. RIGHT NOW I CANNOT AFFORD EITHER ONE. I ASKED A WELDER ABOUT IT, HOPING TO HAVE IT WELDED RATHER THAN REPLACED FOR MUCH LESS MONEY, BUT HE SAYS THAT WOULD NOT BE WISE GIVEN THE HEAVY LOAD PLACED ON THE SUBFRAME. PLEASE CONSIDER A RECALL ON THIS DANGEROUS DEFECT TO PREVENT TRAGEDY. THANKS. FIRESTONE STAFF WARNED ME...

TOOK CAR IN FOR INSPECTION AND WAS TOLD THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS ROTTING AWAY AT THE POINT WHERE THE SWAY BAR CONNECTS TO THE CRADLE. AND THAT IT WILL COST OVER 800.00 TO FIX. THIS SHORTLY AFTER HAVING THE REAR AXLE REPAIRED DUE TO A RECALL FORM FORD. BY THE WAY FORD DID NOT SAY ANYTHING TO ME ABOUT THE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT WHERE THE RUST WAS ROTTING AWAY THE CRADLE. *TR

I HAVE A 99 FORD WINDSTAR WITH SUB-FRAME RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL FORD DEALER AND PUT UP ON A LIFT AND INSPECTED AFTER I NOTICED A NOISE AND PULLING TO THE RIGHT. THE SUB-FRAME HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE WHERE IT MOUNTS TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE ITSELF HAS LITTLE TO NO RUST UNDERNEATH EXCEPT TO THE SUBFRAME IN TWO SPOTS. THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE DRIVEN NOW AND I WAS TOLD THE SUBFRAME WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. DUE TO THE VEHICLE NOT BEING RUSTED UNDERNEATH AND NOT BEING DRIVEN IN SALTED ROAD CONDITIONS, I WOULD HAVE TO CONCLUDE THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT? THE WINDSTAR IS CLEAN ENOUGH UNDERNEATH TO ALMOST EAT OFF. AGAIN THERE IS LITTLE TO NO RUST UNDERNEATH EXCEPT TO THE SUBFRAME. THANK YOU FOR LOOKING INTO THIS MATTER. *TR

TOOK MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR TO HAVE FRONT TIRES REPLACED AND MECHANIC NOTICED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SUBFRAME MOUNTING BOLT IS SEVERELY RUSTED. WHEN I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE RECALL WORK DONE FOR THE REAR AXLE, I TOLD THEM ABOUT THE RUSTING OF THE SUBFRAME MOUNTING BOLT AND THEY SAID I WOULD HAVE TO MAKE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT AND PAY FOR THIS MYSELF BECAUSE THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. MY VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE, I AM SCARED TO DRIVE IT, AND I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX IT!!! *TR

1999 WINDSTAR VAN WHEN CHANGING THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE OUR MECHANIC SAW THE RIGHT FRONT DRIVE AXLE COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. NHTSA DEFECT INVESTIGATION #PE 10016 IS CONSISTENT WITH THIS PROBLEM.I WANT TO BE ADDED TO THIS INVESTIGATION. THERE ARE NO WARNING SIGNS FOR THIS PROBLEM. WE WERE LUCKY WE HAVE A GOOD MECHANIC WHO SPOTTED THE PROBLEM. THIS CAR IS AT A FORD DEALERSHIP IN MISSOURI. . I WISH SOMEONE WOULD GO AND SEE THIS PROBLEM FIRST HAND. ALL OTHER CARS WITH THIS PROBLEM WERE NOT DETECTED AND WERE IN A CRASH. THIS WOULD BE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO ACTUALLY SEE THE PROBLEM BEFORE THE CAR IS WRECKED. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR ANYONE WHO HAS A FORD WINDSTAR VAN 1999 THRU 2003. THERE IS NO WARNING AND WHEN THAT FRONT AXLE BREAKS THERE IS NO CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. ANYONE...

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 10 MPH THE CONTACT WAS TURNING A CORNER WHEN SHE FIRST EXPERIENCED A CRACKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE STATED THE SUB-FRAME OR THE ENGINE CRADLE WAS COVERED WITH RUST. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.

FRONT A SUBFRAME WAS ALMOST COMPLETE RUSTED OUT AND DETACHED FROM FRONT END. THIS WAS NOTICED BY MY REGULAR MECHANIC DURING AN OIL CHANGE. THE COMPLETE FRONT A FRAME ("SUBFRAME") HAD TO BE REPLACED, INCLUDING CONTROL ARMS, ALIGNMENT; FRONT BRAKE PADS. COST WAS $1687. *TR

1999 FORD WINDSTAR SUBFRAME RUSTING AND HAVING TO BE REPLACED. VAN FAILED SAFETY INSPECTION BECAUSE OF A HOLE IN SUBFRAME DUE TO RUST. TOTAL COST PAID OUT OF POCKET IN 2008 $1240.56. *TR