1995 Ford Windstar: broken coil spring

Filed Jul 6, 2009 · Suspension · 150,000 miles · AZ

Tl*the contact owns a 1995 ford windstar. While driving 55 MPH over a bumpy road, the contact heard a loud explosion coming from the vehicle. She pulled the vehicle over and noticed that the tire was shredded. She placed a spare on the vehicle and drove to a service station. The mechanic stated that the front passenger side coil spring failed and punctured the tire. The vehicle has not been repaired. Her insurance company emailed her a list of recalls that may have applied to her vehicle. Ford stated that there were no recalls for her vehicle. The email stated that ford would offer a warranty for 10 years for the repair of the coil springs for her vehicle. Ford stated that they could not assist. The failure mileage was 150,000 and current mileage was 157,000.

Filed Dec 11, 2007 · Suspension · NY

'95 windstar was denied alignment due to fractured front left coil spring. The fracture is within the 1st coil from bottom, so not noticeable until technician casually noticed it. The crack is quite rusty which would indicate that it's been broken for a long time. Was told ford would replace, but upon calling, told that for only 10 years (the federal safety agency id: 01i007000) - even though it's probably been cracked for years. Ford dealer now wants $385+. If cracks again, could puncture tire & cause sudden accident. Amazed that this is not mandatory recall!!!

Filed Jul 26, 2007 · Suspension · 235,000 miles · MA

Tl*the contact owns a 1995 ford windstar. On july 24, 2007, the vehicle was taken to have the transmission serviced. At that time, the contact learned that the coil springs were cracked and failing. He searched the internet and found the federal safety agency website. He discovered safety recall number 01i007000 (suspension: front:springs:coil springs). The service representative stated that his vehicle was included in the recall, but the ten-year free period expired. The contact informed the representative that he had never received a safety recall notice. The representative stated that it was the federal safety agency's responsibility to mail out the recall notices. The purchase date was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 235,000.

Filed Jun 30, 2006 · Suspension · 97,657 miles · RI

On 6/28/06 I took my 1995 ford windstar [xxx] into a firestone auto service center in wexford pa for replacement of a broken right front sway bar. After conducting an inspection, I was informed that the left front coil spring was rusted and broken. That it had to be replaced, along with the right coil spring. I was on vacation in the pittsburgh, pa area at the time. My residence is in rhode island. Having no time to conduct an investigation of recalls, safety notices, or find a ford dealership that could take the vehicle in, I had firestone replace both coil springs & struts, along with the sway bar. I returned to my residence in rhode island today an learned from your website that there was a the federal safety agency campaign id #01i007000 issued on july 12, 2001 for the front coil springs. Specifically that: "1995 -- 1998 ford windstar minivans. The front coil springs could potentially fracture due to corrosion." the remedy listed on your site indicated that ford was extending the warranty for replacement of the coil springs for 10 years from the warranty start date. I purchased my ford windstar from rizzo ford as a used vehicle on/about 3/7/1996. I called ford at 1-866-46-7332 as listed in the notes of your site and spoke to a "walter." he informed me that there were "no open programs" listed for my specific vehicle using the VIN. The problem I encountered was a fractured front coil spring resulting from corrosion. It is exactly the issued described. I saved the coil spring and front strut. *nm updated 07/16/2012 *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)

Filed Jun 27, 2006 · Suspension, Transmission · MO

Dt*: the contact stated that there are on going problems with the transmission. The vehicle was taken to independent mechanic for repairs on 4 occasions. The vehicle continued to slip out of gear while driving even after repairs were done. On the fourth visit the mechanics extended the warranty on the transmission and determined that the coil springs were out dated. The manufacturer was contacted regarding coil springs they determined that the vehicle was not protected under warranty any longer.

Filed Feb 15, 2006 · Suspension · 145,000 miles · MI

Dt*: the contact stated while having the tires rotated at an independent repair shop, the mechanic discovered the right front coil spring was cracked. There is a the federal safety agency recall, # 01i007000, regarding the front coil springs. The vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall; however it is not included in the recall due to the VIN. Although the problem persisted, no repairs were made. Updated 03/03/06.

Filed Aug 12, 2005 · Brakes, Suspension · 130,000 miles · IA

Dt: the consumer states on her 1995 ford windstar, there was the federal safety agency recall 01i007000 on the front coil springs. The spring on the passenger front broke when turning and caused the tire to blow out. The vehicle was towed at that time to a mechanic, and they informed the consumer about the recall. When she called ford, they told her it was too late, that because the vehicle was originally bought in 1994 the warranty ran out. When she purchased the vehicle, in 2003, she received no notice there was a recall. Ford did not even have her as the current owner of the vehicle. The mechanic did find that the driver's side coil was broke. The tire was damaged, and there were no injuries.*ak the consumer stated she has been having problems with the ABS since 2003.

Filed Apr 4, 2005 · Suspension · 175,000 miles · CT

1995 ford windstar - without warning the front end of van dropped slightly. Heard scraping and grinding sounds from front right. Removed tire and found broken coil spring with sharp point about 1 inch above tire tread. Mounted spare tire, drove to dealership. They replaced both front springs under ford "safety improvement campaign". There was no recall in efect for these dangerous defective parts. Dealer kept old part. Ford is aware of defective springs and notified owners in 2001 about "safety improvement campaign". They should recall and replace all of these dangerous springs regardless of mileage and length of service on the vehicles.

Filed Aug 23, 2004 · Suspension · 105,000 miles · OH

While parked front driver's side coil spring broke. As a result, the tire exploded.

Filed Jul 19, 2004 · Suspension · 128,601 miles · WI

We were driving our 1995 ford windstar when the right front coil spring broke and slashed the inside of the tire which caused it to deflate immediately to the rim. We were lucky to be able to stop and avoid an accident and no one was hurt. We pulled the tire off and put on the "donut". The coil spring was broke and jutting out like a knife. We took the vehicle to our auto mechanic who replaced the broken coil spring as well as the other one (since it was rusted and compressed). He also had to replace the struts and bearings since when the coil spring broke something flew up and hit the boot where the bearings are located. That was on 7/13. Someone told us to look on the internet to see if there was a recall on the broken coil springs. We saw that there is a the federal safety agency campaign id number 01i007000 referencing coil springs breaking and tires deflating on 1995 ford windstars. It also states that ford is extending the warranty for front coil spring replacement to a total of 10 years of service from the warranty start date, with unlimited mileage. It says that this coverage is automatically transferred to subsequent owners at no charge and if either front coil spring fractures during the coverage period noted, the dealer will replace both springs at no charge to the owner. I called the phone number listed for ford...866‑436‑7332...and they said they didn't have a recall. I'm wondering if my particular 1995 ford windstar was made at a different manufacturing facility and that is why they didn't see anything covering the vehicle. Either way...the same type of failure and damage happened to my vehicle and I am a very careful driver...I baby my vehicles. This failure and damage is not acceptable to me and ford should cover my vehicle. We went to our auto mechanic, not a ford dealership since we are second owners, we didn't know what ford dealership to go to. Thank you.

Filed Mar 21, 2003 · Suspension · MI

Front coil spring broke, punctured passenger front tire, this was after inspection at dealership for recall notice. Dealership replaced springs and one tire. I replaced struts and other three tires. No way can a quick visual inspection allow a tech to know if coil spring is likely to have metal fatigue/failure.

Filed Dec 30, 2002 · Suspension · FL · crash

Re:1995 ford windstar VIN [xxx] this complaint relates to damage incurred just prior to an official recall notice for collapse of this vehicle's suspension system and ford's refusal to reimburse me for the damage incurred and repairs performed. I have contacted the dealership, called ford's customer care recall line, and written to ford's ceo with no response. It is my understanding that ford is obligated to pay for all repairs which resulted from a situation under which a recall is declared, even if they were incurred prior to the recall announcement. On june 12, 2001 the driver front end collapsed and the vehicle crashed to the ground and listed to the left. The cause was the failure of the front suspension coils, which acted like a hook and completely tore through and shredded the new tire I had just put on the vehicle. I have photographs of the incident. The ford dealership was booked several days out so I took the vehicle to another facility, boca tire who identified the problem and suggested that we have both the front and rear systems fixed for safety. On august 24, 2001, the starter failed and we were advised it is likely this was related to the suspension crash. We subsequently had suspected transmission problems. Shortly after the initial incident we received a notice of an extended coverage announcement for the front coil springs of the 1995 windstar. I contacted the customer relationship center and explained all of these issues and problems and that it seems highly unlikely that all of these problems are not related to the initial failure of the coil springs and the collapse of the front end. We incurred $1,380 in repairs. We turned in my repair receipts for "ford reimbursement review" and received a very small amount which no one at ford could explain (did not just relate to front end only repairs, etc). Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).