2001 FORD WINDSTAR Structure Problems

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

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

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

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

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

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS 2001 FORD WINDSTAR SE MINIVAN WHICH NOW HAS A RUSTED, CORRODED AND BROKEN PASSENGER SIDE ENGINE SUBFRAME WHICH RENDERS THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I COMPLIED WITH THE EARLIER FORD RECALLS WITH REGARD TO THIS ISSUE (11S16) AND THE SERVICE WAS COMPLETED (6/20/2012) AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP. NOW AFTER 27 MONTHS AND LESS THAN 16,000 MILES LATER, THE ENGINE SUBFRAME BREAKS AND THE COST TO REPAIR OF ABOUT $5,000.00 EXCEEDS THE KELLEY BLUE BOOK VALUES FOR THE VEHICLE. FORD HAS REFUSED ANY HELP AND CLAIMS THEY HAVE COMPLIED WITH THE RECALL WORK AND THE MATTER IS CLOSED. I BELIEVE THE RECALL SUPPORT BRACKET THAT WAS INSTALLED WAS NOTHING MORE THAT A BAND-AID APPROACH TO CORRECT A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE WITH SUBSTANDARD ENGINE SUBFRAME PARTS. I HAVE ASKED FORD TO BUY MY VEHICLE BACK, AS THAT WAS AN OPTION UNDER THE RECALL(11S16) BUT THEY...

WHILE DRIVING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION I HEARD A LOUD BANG UNDERNEATH THE CAR AND I LOST ALL STEERING CONTROL! I PARKED THE CAR AND CALLED FOR A TOW. WHEN VAN WAS ON THE FLATBED I OBSERVED THE ENGINE MOUNTING HAD DETACHED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CAR. THE ENGINE AND OTHER COMPONENTS WERE HANGING DOWN. HAD VAN TOWED HOME. THROUGH MY OWN RESEARCH I FOUND THAT MY VAN WAS PART OF RECALL NO. 11S16 FOR CORROSION RELATED FRACTURES AT THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM REAR ATTACHING BRACKETS AND BODY MOUNT ATTACHMENTS AT THE REAR OF THE FRONT SUBFRAME. I WAS SHOCKED THAT I HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THIS RECALL BECAUSE I HAD BEEN NOTIFIED REGARDING RECALL NO 11S13 FOR REAR AXLE CORROSION RELATED CRACKING. VAN WAS TAKEN FOR INSPECTION AXLE AND WE WERE TOLD IT PASSED AND NOTHING ELSE NEEDED TO BE DONE. HAD VAN TOWED AGAIN, THIS TIME...

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

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

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

I HAVE A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR THAT WAS SERVICED FOR THE SAFETY RECALL 11S16,(11V030000 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER) 04/11/2011. MY VEHICLE WAS GROUNDED DO TO SIGNIFICANT SUBFRAME ROT BUT IT WAS DEEMED REPAIRABLE BY FORD. ON FEBRUARY 2, 2013 I NOTICED A 2 INCH LONG CRACK/PERFORATION ON THE TOP PART OF THE SUB-FRAME WHERE THE REPAIR BRACKET WAS ATTACHED WHEN I WAS ROTATING THE TIRES. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY WERE UNABLE TO HELP BECAUSE IT WAS REPAIRED ONCE AND THEY WONT PAY TO HAVE IT REPAIRED AGAIN. IM NOT SURE IF THEY MISSED THIS THE FIRST TIME IT WAS FIXED OR WHAT. I DO KNOW THAT ACCORDING TO FORD'S SPECS FOR DETERMINING IF A SUBFRAME IS REPAIRABLE OR NOT THIS CRACK WOULD DEEM IN NON-REPAIRABLE BECAUSE ITS WITHIN THE 2 INCH MARK FROM THE TOOLING HOLE. NOW IM JUST WAITING FOR THE SUBFRAME...

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

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

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

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

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

2001 FORD WINDSTAR WITH A CRACKED REAR AXLE. NO LETTER HAS BEEN RECEIVED TO ADDRESS THIS MATTER. OUR VAN MADE CREAKING NOISES AND WE HAD HEARD THROUGH THE MEDIA THAT A RECALL WAS BEGINNING. THE DEALERSHIP AND THE FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS DEPT. WILL NOT GIVE US A DEFINITE ANSWER AS TO WHEN WE CAN EXPECT A RESOLUTION. WE WERE GIVEN A 30 DAY RENTAL AND 14 DAYS HAVE PASSED AND NO ANSWERS. WE ARE GIVEN $30 A DAY FOR A RENTAL CAR BY FORD BUT MUST PAY TAXES TOTALING $3.30 A DAY. THE VOUCHER IS $38 DAILY WITH $8 USED FOR INSURANCE IF NEEDED. WE PAY THROUGH OUR PRIVATE INSURANCE COMPANY FOR SUCH COVERAGE. WHY CANNOT FORD USE THE ADDITIONAL $8 A DAY TO COVER OUR TAXES? THE EXPLANATION FOR THE RECALL WAS TO BE NO EXPENSE TO THE OWNER FOR CORRECTING THE PROBLEM. WE DID NOT CREATE THIS PROBLEM...

I WAS DRIVING A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR MINIVAN WITH 154K MILES ON A RAINY NIGHT AT HIGHWAY SPEED ON A 3 LANE INTERSTATE WITH 5 CHILDREN ABOARD. I HEARD A LOUD NOISE FROM THE VEHICLE AND LOST ALL CONTROL AS THE STEERING AND BRAKING WASN'T WORKING RIGHT. AS I TRIED TO GET ONTO THE SHOULDER, IT KEPT SWERVING TOWARD THE LEFT, BACK INTO THE LANES. WHEN IT FINALLY STOPPED MOVING, WE WERE STICKING OUT INTO TRAFFIC AND I FEARED WE WOULD BE HIT. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER SHOWED ME THAT THE RIGHT TIRE WASN'T EVEN POINTING STRAIGHT AHEAD ANYMORE AND SAID THAT THE AXEL PROBABLY BROKE. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE FRAME CRACKED AND IN HIS OPINION, HE WOULDN'T RECOMMEND FIXING THE VEHICLE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY SAID THE RIGHT FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM MOUNT ROTTED OFF WHICH PULLED OUT AXEL AND BROKE TIE ROD END AND SO ON, DUE...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I HAVE A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR AND FOR THE 3RD TIME THE REAR END TIRE SUPPORT HAS BROKEN IN HALF DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. MY FAMILY AND I FEEL LUCKY TO BE HERE TO WRITE THIS AT THIS TIME AND IT IS MY 17 YEAR OLD SONS PRIMARY CAR TO DRIVE SO I CAN HAVE GENERAL INSURANCE BUT NOT FULL COVERAGE. I FEEL IF HE WAS DRIVING WHEN THIS HAPPENED HE WOULD HAVE BEEN IN A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT, GOD WAS WATCHING OUT FOR US. IT HAS COST ME OVER A THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR EACH REPAIR AND AT THIS TIME I AM WITHOUT THE FAMILY VEHICLE AND DON'T SEE THAT IT WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA TO FIX THIS AGAIN KNOWING THAT ITS GOING TO BREAK AGAIN. I CANT AFFORD A NEW VEHICLE AND THIS CAR HAS BEEN DEPENDABLE OTHER THAN THIS PROBLEM. THE REAR END IS SCARCE AT SALVAGE YARDS,...

ON NOVEMBER 3RD, 2009, THE REAR AXLE FAILED IN MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR WHILE I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CAR HAD BEGUN PERFORMING ERRATICALLY SO I WAS NOT TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEED, BUT EVEN AT LOW SPEED IT WAS ESSENTIALLY UNCONTROLLABLE WHEN THE FAILURE HAPPENED. IN THE WEEKS LEADING UP TO THE ACTUAL FAILURE, I HAD EXPERIENCED HANDLING PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. AFTER MY MECHANIC REPLACED THE FRONT STRUTS AND REAR SHOCKS THE CAR STILL DIDN'T HANDLE RIGHT. THEY THOUGHT THIS MIGHT BE BECAUSE THE REAR ALIGNMENT WAS NOT A LITTLE OUT OF SPEC - THEY WERE WAITING FOR SHIMS TO COME IN TO CORRECT THAT WHEN THE AXLE FAILED. IN ADDITION TO MY UNHAPPINESS ABOUT THE COMPLAINTS - THE VEHICLE KIND OF SWERVED WHEN GOING AROUND CORNERS, ESPECIALLY HIGHWAY ON/OFF RAMPS - THE ONLY WARNING THE CAR GAVE IN THE WEEKS UP TO THE FAILURE WAS SEEMINGLY-RANDOM INDICATIONS...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BRAKES FAILED ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS (REPAIR DATES: 3/22/02, 4/1/02 AND 4/15/02). FIRST, MY WIFE NOTED THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS GOING ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR BEFORE THERE WAS ANY RESPONSE. THE DEALERSHIP ADVISED THAT THIS WAS NORMAL. WE INSISTED THAT IT WASN'T, UNTIL THERE LEAD TECHNICIAN FOUND AND REPLACED A FAULTY HCU. THE SECOND FAILURE CAME WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY WIFE AND 6 MONTH OLD BABY FROM MO TO VA. WHILE ON THE WEST VIRGINIA TURN PIKE, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES FAILED AGAIN AND EVENTUALLY THE BRAKEING SYSTEM FAILED ALL TOGOETHER BY THE TIME WE REACHED OUR DESTINATION OF SUFFOLK VIRGINIA. BARTON FORD, IN SUFFOLK VA, REPLACED THE HCU AND THE ECU AND REPAIRED A BRAKE FLUID LEAK. THE THIRD INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING BACK TO MO. ONCE AGAIN THE BRAKES DID NOT RESPOND NORMALLY. ONCE BACK IN O'FALLON, MO. THE DEALERSHIP FOUND A AIR BUBBLE IN THE...