2001 FORD WINDSTAR Power Train Problems

REAR AXLE SNAPPED IN HALF WITH NO WARNING AS I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 40 MPH ON A BUSY ROAD. VERY DANGEROUS.

MY VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED IN 2001. THERE WAS A RECALL PUT OUT FOR THE SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY. IN 2011, ACCORDING TO SUNSET FORD DEALERSHIP (WHERE I TOOK IT FOR AXLE REPAIR AND WAS DENIED) THE RECALL WAS REMEDIED IN 2011. HOWEVER, AS STATED ALONG WITH THE RECALL NOTICE, THE TIME THAT THE BRACKETS WERE MIS INSTALLED CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE REAR AXLE, CORROSION AND FRACTURING. THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT IS HAPPENING TO MY VEHICLE RIGHT NOW AND THE DEALERSHIP ALONG WITH FORD CORPORATE IS SAYING THIS AXLE REPAIR WILL BE FULLY AT MY COST. ACCORDING TO THEIR AUTOMATED RECALL PHONE INFORMATION, UP UNTIL 2016 THEY WERE OFFERING TO REPLACE THE AXLE FOR $300 ( A DISCOUNTED RATE) FOR CUSTOMERS AFFECTED. I DO NOT AT ALL FEEL I SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS REPAIR. I CONTACTED FORD CORPORATE A FEW TIMES NOW AND HAVE BEEN TOLD NO ITS NOT THEIR FAULT....

DRIVING HOME I HEARD A THUD AND MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR SPUN OFF THE ROAD. TURNS OUT THE AXLE CRACKED IN HALF AND ALMOST KILLED ME. TOWED THE CAR INTO THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND EVEN THOUGH THERE IS AN OPEN SAFETY RECALL ON MY WINDSTAR AND FORD KNOWS OF THOUSAND OF AXLE PROBLEMS THEY SAID THAT IT IS NOT COVERED. FORD'S WAY OF GETTING PUT OF IT EVEN THOUGH MY BROTHERS 2003 WINDSTAR AXLE FAILED AND YET FORD COVERED THAT ONE. THIS IS NOT RIGHT. THEY KNOW THERE AXLES ARE BAD AND HAVE HAD THREE SAFETY RECALLS ON THESE AXLES.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF AN UNKNOWN RECALL REGARDING THE REAR AXLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BLACKWELL FORD INC (41001 PLYMOUTH RD, PLYMOUTH, MI 48170; 734-453-1100) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT A REPAIR WAS NOT NEEDED. THE RECALL WAS DEEMED COMPLETED. APPROXIMATELY TWO YEARS AFTER THE RECALL, THE VEHICLE UNDERWENT ROUTINE INSPECTION AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR AXLE FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT, DUE TO THE VEHICLE PASSING INSPECTION FOR THE RECALL, THEY WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE THE REPAIR. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,628.

REAR AXLE BROKE WHILE DRIVING EVEN THOUGH RECALL BRACKETS WERE PROPERLY REPLACED. THIS ISSUE COULD CAUSE DEATH OR SEVERE INJURY. LUCKILY FOR US, WE WERE JUST TURNING A CORNER ON THE WAY TO THE STORE. FORD WILL NOT HELP WITH FINANCIAL COSTS DUE "EXTENDED WARRANTY HAVING EXPIRED IN OCT OF 2016". PEOPLE STILL DRIVING THESE VEHICLES SHOULD BE MADE AWARE THAT UNLESS YOU'VE HAD THIS COMPLETELY REPLACED, AND REALLY THAT'S NO GUARANTEE, THIS COULD STILL OCCUR WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING.

REAR AXLE CRACKED WHILE DRIVING, THIS IS THE SECOND AXLE THAT BROKE FOR THIS VAN

WHILE DRIVING AXLE BROKE ON VAN WHILE GOING DOWN ALLEY. CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY END RESULT THEY SAY REINIKE FORD A DEALERSHIP IN LIMA, OHIO REPLACED THE FAULTY SUPPORT BRACKETS IN 2011. WHICH WAS A RECALL ON VAN. WHILE ALL ALONG DEALERSHIP WASN'T TELLING ME THEY DID THE RECALL WORK. I FEEL THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE SOMEONE LOSSES THERE LIFE. WHICH THERE WERE DRIVERS THAT HAVE LOST THERE LIFE AND MANY SERIOUSLY HURT BECAUSE OF THE SAME ISSUE. FORD HAS PUT THERE RECALL OUT. BUT SOMETHING NEEDS DONE WITH THE DEALER. *TR

REAR AXLE THE REAR AXLE ON MY WINDSTAR BROKE YESTERDAY ON THE LEFT SIDE OUTSIDE OF THE SUPPORT BRACKET INSTALLED BY THE DEALER FOR THE 2011 RECALL. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WHEN I NOTICED THE TIRE RUBBING ON THE FRAME. I GOT THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP (BETTEN FORD IN GRAND RAPIDS, MI) WHO ADVISED THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE CAR UNLESS I PAID FOR THE REPAIR AS THE BRACKET HELD AND THE AXLE BROKE IN A DIFFERENT LOCATION. FORD CUSTOMER SUPPORT ADVISED THE SAME THING. *TR

RECALL REAR AXLE CRACKS. I TOOK MY FORD 2001 WINDSTAR FOR 3RD RECALL AND LEARNED THAT I HAVE CRACKS IN MY AXLE. FORD DEALER AND CUSTOMER SERVICES SAID THAT THE OFFER F DISCOUNTED REPLACEMENT EXPIRED ON OCTOBER 30TH 2016 WHERE I NEED TO PAY FULL PRICE TO FIX IT. WE CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY AND WHY IS CONSUMER PAYING FOR DEFECTIVE PARTS WHICH WAS THE ORIGINAL RECALL WHERE DEATHS OCCURRED? INSTEAD OF REPLACING THE PARTS, FORD WAS ALLOWED TO PUT BRACKETS TO HOLD UP THE AXLE. THE DEFECT IS STILL THERE AND NOW CONSUMER ARE DRIVING UNSAFE AND WHEN REALIZED OF SITUATION, A SUBSTANTIAL COST BY THE CONSUMER TO CORRECT FORD'S NEGLIGENCE. WHY IT IS ALLOW AND WHAT CAN BE DONE FOR WORKING FOLKS WHO CANNOT REPLACE NEW CARS. WE TOOK A LOT OF CARE OF OUR CAR SO WE CAN HAVE A CAR. WHY IS FORD NOT RESPONSIBLE TO...

WHILE DRIVING WITH MY THREE SMALL CHILDREN, THE REAR AXLE OF MY VAN BROKE. I WAS GOING AT A MINIMAL RATE OF SPEED AND WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER WITHOUT INJURY. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN SUBJECT TO NUMEROUS RECALLS, SEVERAL OF WHICH HAVE INCLUDED CORROSION OF THE SUBFRAME AND AXLE. OUR LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP IS TELLING ME THAT I MAY BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYMENT FOR REPAIR OF THE RECALLED PRODUCT. HOWEVER, I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE ANYMORE. THEY HAVE STATED THAT THEY WILL REPAIR THE DAMAGED PART WITH THE SAME REAR AXLE THAT HAS BEEN RECALLED NUMEROUS TIMES. THIS IS NOT A REMEDY. I AM TRYING TO GET THEM TO CONSIDER A TRADE-IN OR PRODUCT BUY-BACK. IF THEY WILL NOT, I WILL BE LEAVING A SIGNED STATEMENT WITH NEW SOUTH FORD (MERIDIAN, MS) STATING THAT I DO NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE DRIVING THE VEHICLE OFF THE LOT DUE...

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, I HEARD A CRUNCHING SOUND IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE THEN BEGAN TO SWAY ON THE ROAD. I HAD TO SLOW MY SPEEDS AND PULL OVER AT A SAFE SPOT, WHICH WAS A PARKING LOT TO INSPECT WHAT THE ISSUE WAS. AFTER INSPECTION, I NOTED THE PASSENGER REAR TIRE WAS AT AN ANGLE WITH THE TOP OF THE TIRE INWARD TOUCHING THE FRAME. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE CLOSEST REPAIR SHOP WHERE I FOUND FROM THEIR INSPECTION THAT THE AXLE WAS BROKE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVEABLE. MY VEHICLE WAS PART OF THE FORD WINDSTAR AXLE RECALL, WHICH WAS SERVICED BY THE LOCAL FORD DEALER IN 2012. THIS VEHICLE HAD THE REINFORCEMENTS ADDED TO THE AXLE IN 2012. THE AXLE BROKE BETWEEN THE REINFORCED PLATES WELDED TO THE AXLE DURING THE RECALL CHECK. NOW AFTER TOWING THE VEHICLE...

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STAY IN POSITION. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE TILTED INWARDS. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REVERSE AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE AXLE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V193000 (POWER TRAIN ) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,361.

REAR AXLE BROKE IN HALF WHILE DRIVING CAUSING A ROLL OVER ACCIDENT. *TR

THE FRONT RIGHT AXEL BROKE, I DIDN'T HAVE AN ACCIDENT NOR DID I RUN IT INTO A DITCH. THE FRAME HAS CRACKED, ITS WHERE THE AXLE AND THE FRAME MEET. IT'S A 2001 AND YES, IT'S AN OLD VEHICLE, BUT ITS THE ONLY TRANSPORTATION I CAN AFFORD RIGHT NOW. IF I CAN TAKE IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP TO BE REPAIRED I WOULD. SOME HOW, I BELIEVE THEIR IS A GOD.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND FAILED TO PICK UP SPEED. THE CONTACT MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED IT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, BUT THE SPEED WOULD NOT INCREASE PAST 5 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.

HAD THE 2011 REAR AXLE RECALL PERFORMED BY FORD IN 2011. THEY INSPECTED THE REAR AXLE AND INSTALLED THE SUPPORT BRACKETS. NOW MY REAR AXLE IS CRACKED. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I HAD THE RECALL PERFORMED WHO CONFIRMED THEY HAD PERFORMED THE RECALL BUT DENIED ANY FURTHER RESPONSIBILITY AND TOLD ME TO CONTACT FORD. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD AND SPOKE WITH BOTH A CUSTOMER SERVICE REP AND HER SUPERVISOR WHO BOTH ADVISED FORD IS ONLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FIRST 12 MONTHS OR 12,000 MILES SINCE THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED. I FEEL THE REPAIR WAS NOT SUFFICIENT TO PREVENT ADDITIONAL CRACKING OF THE AXLE AND THEY SHOULD FIX/REPLACE THE AXLE. *TT

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE WINDSTAR AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH WHEN SHE HEARD A NOISE AND FELT SOMETHING BREAK AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE AND SHE WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE STOPPED. SHE EXITED THE VEHICLE TO SEE IF SHE COULD SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. SHE NOTICED BOTH FRONT WHEELS WERE POINTING IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS. THIS VEHICLE WAS RECALLED IN 2011 TO HAVE BRACKETS PLACED TO SUPPORT THE SUBFRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL GARAGE. UPON INSPECTION IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE PASSENGERS SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM HAD PULLED OUT OF THE SUBFRAME. *TR

CPSC#I1360214A. 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. CONSUMER STATED SHE TOOK HER CAR IN FOR A RECALL ON THE AXLE AND WAS TOLD EVERYTHING WAS FINE. THREE WEEKS LATER SHE WAS DRIVING AND THE CAR STARTED SOUNDING ODD. CONSUMER PULLED OVER AN HER TIRE WAS LEANING IN, BECAUSE THE AXLE HAD SNAPPED. *LN THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNDER THE RECALL, BECAUSE THEY PLACED ON BRACKETS ON THE AXLE, TWO YEARS PRIOR. THE DEALER STATED THEY HAD COMPLIED WITH THE RECALL.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V193000 (POWER TRAIN). THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WAS ADDITIONAL RUST ON THE TRANSMISSION MOUNT AND THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE CORNER OF THE UNDER CARRIAGE. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000. *TR

HAD RECALL WORK DONE10/30/11 PREVENTATIVE REPAIRS FAILED. REAR AXLE SPLIT WHILE DRIVING. *TR

THIS 2001 FORD WINDSTAR MINIVAN WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE FOR UNRELATED MALFUNCTION (OVERHEATING). MECHANIC TOLD US THAT THE REAR AXLE HAD A HOLE IN IT AND WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THIS MINIVAN HAD BEEN SERVICED AT A FORD DEALERSHIP FOR A RECALL FOR A POSSIBLE CRACK IN THE REAR AXLE AND RECHECKED SHORTLY BEFORE THIS INCIDENT. OBVIOUSLY THE RECALL DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM THIS WAS THE SECOND MINIVAN TO WHICH WE HAD THIS HAPPEN. THE OTHER WAS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. WE WERE TOLD IN JANUARY 2013 THAT THIS REAR AXLE WAS CRACKED AND UNDRIVEABLE. THIS VEHICLE TOO HAD BEEN RECALLED AND TAKEN IN. WE HAD THE 2001 MINIVAN CHECKED IN JANUARY BECAUSE OF THE PROBLEM WITH THE 1998 AND IT WAS STILL FOUND TO BE CRACKED IN MARCH. *TR

STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN, PRESSED THE GAS AND NOTHING HAPPENED AS IF THE VAN HAD BEEN PUT IN NEUTRAL. THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED. NONE OF THE GEARS WILL ENGAGE. THROUGH MY OWN RESEARCH I'VE FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS WITH THE FORD WINDSTAR TRANSMISSION AND STILL NO RECALL. THE COMPANY SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. THEY WILL FIX A SMALL INEXPENSIVE CENSOR BUT NOT THE TRANSMISSION. *TR

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

ME AND MY FAMILY WERE ON OUR WAY TO NEW YORK FOR VACATION. MAYBE ABOUT AN HOUR INTO DRIVING ME AND MY HUSBAND STARTED TO SMELL SOMETHING BURNING SO I PULLED OFF THE HIGH WAY AND LITTLE DO WE KNOW MG VAN WAS UP IN SMOKE WE CHECKED OUR OIL THAT WAS GOOD BUT I TOLD MY HUSBAND TO CHECK THE TRANSMISSION. FLUID AND IT WAS EMPTY BUT BEFORE WE LEFT WE HAD THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF TRANSMISSION FLUID IN THE VAN. WE HAD TO ADD ABOUT 5 OR 6 QUARTS OF FLUID IN ORDER FOR THE VAN TO SWITCH FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE WE WERE ABLE TO MAKE TO SN AUTO PART STORE THEY TESTED THE VAN ON THERE COMPUTER EVERYTHING PASSED EXCEPT THE TORQUE CONVERTER. *TR

ON SUNDAY JULY 8TH, 2012 I WAS DRIVING MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR I STOPPED AT A LIGHT AND AS THE LIGHT CHANGED I BEGAN DRIVING AND THEN HEARD A LOUD NOISE, MY WHEELS BEGAN TO SQUEEL AND PULL ALL OVER AND MY VAN CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP IN THE ROAD AND WOULD NOT MOVE.. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WAS TURNED OUTWARD BUT MY WHEEL WAS STRAIGHT. THANK GOD I WAS NOT ON AN EXPRESSWAY OR HIGHWAY WITH ALL MY KIDS IN THE VEHICLE.. I CALLED A TOW TRUCK THE DRIVER INSPECTED IT AND SAID SOMETHING UNDERNEATH THE FRONT FRAME HAD SNAPPED OFF.. SO TODAY I HAD IT TOWED INTO A FORD DEALER TO FIND OUT IT IS A NEW RECALL HOW CAN THESE WINDSTAR VANS HAVE SO MANY FRAME AND AXLE ISSUES AND BE SAFE TO DRIVE EXSPECIALLY WITH ALL THESE BRACKETS THEY ARE HAVING TO PUT ON...

WHEN DRIVING VAN IN HOT WEATHER OR GOING UP STEEP HILLS OR GRADES THE TRANSMISSION WILL START LEAKING OUT TRANSMISSION FLUID. ENOUGH WILL BE COMING OUT TO CREATE A VISIBLE CLOUD OF SMOKE BEHIND THE VEHICLE AS IT IS HITTING THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. HAD NEW TRANS AXLE SEAL INSTALLED BUT THE PROBLEM STILL IS THERE. IF YOU PARK THE VAN FOR ABOUT 45 MINUTES IT QUITS LEAKING AND YOU CAN PROCEED. FOR SOME REASON THE FLUID GETS SO HOT IT IS BASICALLY BOILING OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION. *TR

THE MINIVAN IS EQUIPPED WITH A BUTTON ON THE GEAR SHIFT. THIS BUTTON ENABLES YOU TO SHIFT OUT OF OVERDRIVE WHEN YOU DO NOT WANT THE VEHICLE TO BE IN OVERDRIVE MODE. ABOUT THIS TIME THE FUSE IN THE FUSE BOX WOULD BLOW. REPLACED THE FUSE A NUMBER OF TIMES BUT THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE. THE FUSE MAY LAST FOR 5 TO 10 MILES AND THEN IT WOULD BLOW. TRIED A LARGER AMP FUSE BUT IT WOULD ALSO BLOW. TRANSMISSION WILL LEAVE THE OVERDRIVE ONLY IF YOU ACCELERATE GOING UP A HILL. *TR

FORD WINDSTAR SEEMS TO BE A GOOD VEHICLE AT FIRST. WITH AGE NUMEROUS PROBLEMS CONTINUE TO HAPPEN. SERVICE SHOPS REGARD PROBLEMS AS COMMON FOR A FORD WINDSTAR.I THINK FORD IGNORES THE PROBLEMS. MY HUSBAND AND I ARE LOYAL FORD OWNERS, I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH LONGER WE WILL CONTINUE. CURRENTLY THE ABS& BRAKE LIGHTS ARE ON. TRANSMISSION LEAKED OUT ALL OF THE FLUID WHILE DRIVING, HAD TO REBUILD TRANS. SPEEDOMETER DOESN'T WORK PROPERLY WHEN BRAKE LIGHTS ARE ON. ENGINE LIGHT IS ON, NUMEROUS CODES FOR THIS PROBLEM. *JS

TRANSMISSION. *TR

WAS RIDING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN MY CAR JUST STOPPED AND SEEN TRANSMISSION OIL EVERYWHERE ON THE FLOOR AN NOW VAN WONT MOVE BUT TURN ON. *TR

THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION WHICH REQUIRED THE VEHICLE TO BE PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TOWED TO A DEALER FOR SERVICE. THE VAN ONLY HAS 105,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS HAD REGULARLY SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. AFTER HAVING A COUPLE TRANSMISSION PLACES LOOK AT IT, THE PROBLEM WAS DETERMINED TO BE INTERNAL AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AT THE SAME TIME THAT I HAD MY VAN INTO THE TRANSMISSION SHOP THERE WERE 3 OR 4 OTHER FORD WINDSTARS IN FOR SIMILAR PROBLEMS. *TR

I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED 1 YR AND 8 MONTHS AGO .. HAVEN'T HAD ANY MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH IT. WE RECEIVED THE RECALL FOR THE REAR AXLE, THEY CHECKED IT OUT WAS FINE, WE NEVER RECEIVED THIS LAST RECALL IN 2011 BUT IT MAY HAVE HELPED IF WE DID. ON DEC 2 I WAS PULLING OUT OF A SCHOOL, WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP THEN STARTED PULLING OUT TO TAKE A RIGHT ONLY GOING ABOUT 5 MPH WE HEARD A BANG (SOMETHING FELL IN THE FRONT END) THEN THE CAR JUST TOOK OVER, THERE WAS NO STEERING, THE THROTTLE STUCK TOOK US FROM 5 MPH TO ABOUT 30 MPH IN LIKE 3 SECONDS CROSSING 4 LANES OF TRAFFIC AND JUST MISSING 2 VEHICLES, I CRASHED INTO A SIGN, 2 FENCES AND A TREE WHICH MADE US STOP, THERE WAS THIS AWFUL SOUND THAT WAS GETTING FASTER AND FASTER, WE JUMPED...

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING ODOR. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND AFTER EXITING AND INSPECTING UNDER THE HOOD, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SMELL WAS COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000.

WE TOOK A 300 MILE TRIP TO CHICAGO IN OUR WINDSTAR THAT WE JUST PURCHASED LESS THAN 2 MONTHS PREVIOUSLY. WHILE WE WERE OUT OF TOWN, THE VAN STARTED ACTING UP. WHEN WE WOULD TAKE OFF FROM A STOP, THE VAN WOULD JERK AND BOUNCE LIKE MAYBE THE BRAKES WERE LOCKED. WE STOPPED DRIVING IT WHILE WE WERE UP THERE UNTIL WE HAD TO LEAVE. ON OUR DRIVE HOME, WE WERE ABOUT 100 MILES FROM HOME THE O/D LIGHT CAME ON. THEN A LITTLE LATER, I NOTICED SOME TYPE OF LIQUID COMING OUT THE BACK. WE TRIED TO GET HOME BUT AT 90 MILES FROM HOME THE VAN TOTALLY QUIT MOVING. WE WERE ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. UNDER THE VAN WAS A LARGE PUDDLE OF TRANSMISSION FLUID. AFTER HAVING IT TOWED HOME ($240) WE TOOK IT TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP. THEY HAD TO REPLACE A...

I WAS DRIVING MY VAN DOWN THE ROAD AT ABOUT THIRTY FIVE. HEARD A LOUD THUNK AND REALIZED I WAS NOT ACCELERATING ANYMORE. THE VAN STOPPED ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AFTER. CALLED A TOW TRUCK BECAUSE I THOUGHT IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION. AFTER EVALUATING THE DAMAGE WE REALIZED THAT THE FRAME HAD BROKEN WHERE THE WHEEL STABILIZER ARM MOUNTS TO THE FRAME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. ALSO MY PASSENGER DRIVE SHAFT PULLED OUT FROM THE TRANSMISSION. SO IN THIS REPAIR IT IS GOING TO TAKE A SUB FRAME. AND THE HALF SHAFTS FROM TRANSMISSION TO WHEEL.

WHILE BACKING OUT FROM A PARKING SPACE, THE PASSENGER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM MOUNT SEPARATED FROM THE SUBFRAME DUE TO EXTENSIVE CORROSION. THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL WAS TURNED OUTWARDLY AND THE RIGHT HALF SHAFT WAS DISENGAGED FROM THE DIFFERENTIAL. WHILE RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE ON THE INTERNET, I REALIZED THE SUBFRAME SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. FORTUNATELY FOR SOME IT HAS BEEN DETECTED WHILE IN A REPAIR SHOP FOR SOME OTHER REASON SUCH AS BRAKES, ALIGNMENT OR OTHER FRONT END WORK. UNFORTUNATELY FOR OTHERS IT HAS BEEN DISCOVERED BY MALFUNCTIONING TO THE POINT OF BREAKING AND CAUSING OTHER STRUCTURAL/MECHANICAL DAMAGE, AS WELL AS PERSONAL INJURY. I WOULD LIKE TO BELIEVE THAT FORD STANDS BEHIND ITS PRODUCT AND IS WILLING TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR REPAIR.

ABS LIGHT IS O IN MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR EVEN AFTER THE RECALL IN 2009 FOR ABS ECM FAILURE - ABS BRAKE LIGHT. THE LIGHT CONTINUES TO STAY ON FOR THE PAST YEAR ALMOST AND IT IS CAUSING OTHER DEFECTS IN MY VEHICLE. MY VEHICLE WILL SHUT DOWN ON ME COMPLETELY AND NOTHING IN MY VEHICLE WILL WORK UNTIL I GET A JUMP AD IT IS CAUSING ISSUES WITH MY BRAKE SYSTEM AND TRANSMISSION! *TR

OCCURRENCE: 12 OCTOBER 2010. TRAVELING I-95 WASHINGTON,DC/SUITLAND, MD. VEHICLE: FORD WINDSTAR, 2001. SPEED : 60-65 MPH. TRAFFIC : DENSE. FAILURE OF DEFECTIVE PART : REAR AXLE SNAPPED IN TWO PARTS WHILE TRAVELING ON SMOOTH HIGHWAY, NORTHBOUND. EXPLOSIVE SOUND , LOTS OF SMOKE, EXTREME CONSTERNATION/FEAR OF HEART ATTACK EXPERIENCED BY MY WIFE AND I ( MY WIFE HAS A DANGEROUS HEART CONDITION "IHSS") AT OCCURRENCE. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED ON HAZARD FLASHERS. MANAGED TO MANEUVER ACROSS SEVERAL LANES OF TRAFFIC TO GET TO HIGHWAY SHOULDER SAFELY!! THANK GOD FOR THE ALERT FELLOW TRAVELERS BEHIND US!!! IF WE WERE HIT BY ANY 18-WHEELERS ON THE HIGHWAY, I WOULDN'T BE WRITING THIS COMPLAINT NOW!!! CONCERN FOR OUR SAFETY WAS SHOWN TO US BY FELLOW TRAVELERS; PARTICULARLY, MD TRAFFIC SAFETY PERSON, WHO SHOULD BE COMMENDED BY HIS SUPERIORS FOR HIS PROFESSIONAL AND UNDERSTANDING ACTIONS!! HE LOOKED AT THE DAMAGE AND SAID THAT HE HAD NEVER...

1. VIBRATION IN STEERING WHEEL. 2. REAR AXEL BROKE IN 2 PLACES ON THE NEW JERSEY TURNPIKE. THE CAR VEERED UNCONTROLLABLY ALMOST CAUSING A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. 3. THE CAR WAS TOWED 90 MILES TO OUR LOCAL SERVICE STATION WHERE AXEL WAS REPLACED WITH A USED PART. *TR

2001 FORD WINDSTAR 150,000 MILES, DRIVING ON HIGHWAY APPROX. 55 MILES PER HOUR, VEHICLE STARTING SWAYING THEN HEARD A LOAD CRASH AND A LOT OF SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER VEHICLE, THOUGHT IT WAS A BLOW OUT. PULLED ON TO A SIDE ROAD BOTH REAR TIRES WERE BOWED IN AND REAR AXLE HAD SPLIT. *TR

REAR AXLE OF 2001 WINDSTAR BROKE IN HALF. *TR

I HEARD A SQUEAKING NOISE IN MY VEHICLE,I TOOK IT TO LOCAL GARAGE FOR INSPECTION OF PROBLEM THEY FOUND MY REAR AXEL IS ABOUT ONE INCH FROM SNAPPING IN HALF. I THEN CALLED A FEW OTHER LOCAL PLACES THAT FIX THESE TYPE OF PROBLEMS AND FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND THAT IT HAS BEEN REPORTED MANY TIMES. I THEN CHECKED TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE REAR AXEL AND FOUND THAT FORD HAS DONE NOTHING ABOUT THIS. I DID A SEARCH ON THE WEB ON THIS VEHICLE AND FOUND SEVERAL STORIES JUST LIKE MINE ONLY SOME MORE SEVERE WHERE ACCIDENTS HAVE BEEN CAUSED FROM THIS SAME BREAK IN THE REAR AXEL. I AM STILL IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING THIS FIXED.I WILL NEED TO REPLACE MY REAR AXEL IT CAN'T BE WELDED FOR SAFETY PURPOSES. THIS PROBLEM IS VERY SERIOUS...

WHILE DRIVING 2001 FORD WINDSTAR ON A 1-HOUR TRIP TOWARD HOME, I NOTICED THE BACK WHEELS FISH TAILING THAT OCCURRED IN EVERY ROUGH SPOT IN THE ROAD. I IMMEDIATELY THOUGHT THE TIRE WAS GOING FLAT AND PULLED OVER TO CHECK IT. SINCE THE TIRES VISUALLY LOOKED FINE, I DROVE TO THE NEXT EXIT TO A GAS STATION AND CHECKED THE TIRE AIR PRESSURE AND FOUND IT WAS AT PROPER LEVELS. I WAS STILL UNSURE WHAT COULD CAUSE THE "FISH TAILING" OR "HYDROPLANING" FEELING, YET I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT THE REST OF THE WAY HOME WITHOUT A MAJOR ACCIDENT; ALTHOUGH MY CAR KEPT "FISHTAILING".. THE NEXT MORNING, MY HUSBAND TOOK THE WINDSTAR TO A SERVICE MECHANIC TO INSPECT THE TIRES. WHAT HE FOUND WAS A REAR AXLE THAT WAS "RUSTED FROM THE INSIDE OUT" ABOUT 3/4 OF THE WAY. THE MECHANIC'S INITIAL ESTIMATE IS $1000 (FOR REPLACEMENT OF NEW...