While backing out it sounded like consumer ran over a chunk of ice, from scraping noise. Consumer stopped, and looked, and didn't see anything. *ak while the consumer continued driving, he discovered that the left front of the vehicle had collapsed and was riding on the tire, which later on exploded. Both front springs were replaced.
1996 Ford Windstar suspension complaints
Page 4 of 5: complaints 71 to 100 of 111, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Both front coil springs broke and one ripped up the right front tire, driver was able to stop vehicle in a safe manner, it took over 2 days to get back on road, local dealer had trouble locating coil springs, told that ford motor company had 600 coil springs on back order. Cj
Coil spring broke damaging struts and tire, which had to be replaced later, also required towing charges.
Coil spring broke damaging struts and tire, which had to be replaced later, also required towing charges.
Front coil spring broke.
While driving, front coil spring on passenger side broke causing damage to 2 tires.
Parked car in driveway, next morning noticed car low on right front, had car towed to ford garage. Had broken coil spring right side and ford had no explanation way it broke. Had to have both springs and struts replaced. Saw an article in newpaper about ford having a problem with coil springs and an investigation by the federal safety agency and think ford should have to paid for part or all of replacement
Front coil springs broke, puncturing tire. Vehicle has been repaired.
While traveling consumer heard a noise.then, front end of vehicle dipped down to left side due t a broke coil spring.
While traveling at 35 MPH and without any indication, front end fell down on tires. Technician stated coil spring broke.
While driving 20 -25 MPH consumer heard a crunching sound. Then, felt like something was rubbimg on wheel. Front left tire blewout, and front of vehicle dropped to ground, front coil spring had broken.
Both front coil springs broke while the car was parked. It was like a mimni-=explosion. Several neighbors came out of their houses to check. In addition, the breaking of the springs also broke the driver's side cylinder for the ABS breaking system. The breaking of the coils springs also gouged very badly the driver's side front tire. I replaced it. The bill for the work and parts and tire amounted to over 500 dollars. I contacted ford motor company on or about april 1, 2000. Their rep said "we're very sorry but can't do anything about it." it happened in weslaco, texas, where I spend the winters. I live in virginia, mn. Telephone here in tx is [xxx]. Address is [xxx], [xxx]#[xxx], [xxx], tx [xxx]. I'm sending this to you because I read an article in this morning's paper stateing that this type of failure was under investigation. Please include my situation in your documentation. *ak parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Coild sring failed, causing front tire to be shredded and blow out.
The ABS light has come on over 3 occasions. The first two times occurred within 2 years after the purchase of the van therefore the repair was under warranty. The most recent incident was 06/2000 due to a wire short and the repair costed $219. Also, we just noticed that a piece of bar was broken off near the front alignment. Took the van to the shop and found out the sway bar was broken off. The repair shop indicated that this part usually lasts the life of the van unless we hit something hard. This was not the case and the repair will cost $430.
Pe 00 024/suspension coil spring breakages: right front coil spring broke while pulling out of parking lot. Vehicle towed to independent repair shop, and still waiting on parts.
When driving consumer noticed vehicle was noisy when making a turn. Consumer contacted the dealer for rountin repairs, and dealer noted that left front coil spring broken in half which could have caused an accident. Coil spring was replaced. Please provide any further details. Pe00-024.
Speedometer fluctuated all over dial when car went over 30 MPH; transmission just failed while car was being operated, it failed to shift and did not move while in traffic; brakes fade when coming to a stop all the time (I have requested repairs repeatedly, told no problem detected); car continues to roll 6-8 inches when parked on an incline; rear suspension creaks when getting in and out of car; several leaks in engine had to be repaired (gasket??).
I had my front brakes replaced january 7 , 2000 . I recently heard a loud " tumping " noise in the right front wheel / axle assembly. I took the van back to the dealer for repairs. They replace the " sway bar / tie rods on the right side and did a suspension adjustment and assured me the problem was fixed. I took the van out of the parking lot only to return immediatly. I then took the " expert " front end mechanic for a test drive . He heard the noise for the " first " time and told me I now needed struts. This he said would solve my problem . I am scheduled to have this repair done on july 23 , 2000. I do not believe this to be my problem . Also I am concerned that my dealer as well as ford will not cover any of these repairs because the 36 months on my warranty has expired but not my 36,000 miles ( I am at 33,900 miles ) . If you could send any information on recalls , class action suits or helpful tips on what to do I would be forever gratefull . Thanks ron turner
Consumer and family got inside of vehicle, husband noticed a flat tire on front driver's side. He changed the flat tire. Half a mile down the road noticed a smell coming from vehicle. Pulled over onto the shoulder. Then heard a pop, donut tire popped off also. Vehicle had to be towed to dealership. Mechanic told consumer that front springs had to be replaced. Dealership has a back order.
Vehicle was parked for a couple of minutes when there was a loud explosion. Front driver's side coil springs broke, causing vehicle to drop down to the ground, which almost damaged the tires. Consumer has contacted the dealer. *ak
Front coil springs broke. Vehicle towed to an independent repair shop. Mechanic informed consumer that parts were on national back order. Manufacturer was contacted, and informed consumer that they were unable to predict when they would get the orders in.
I have had nothing but problems with this ford windstar since I purchased it in 8/98. In july of 99 my vehicle would not start and then it became a stalling problem. For 3 mths the dealership could not find the problem. Then on april 21,00 the coil spring broke, and the spring was jammed into our tire while doing 70 on the west virginia turnpike. Luckily we were not killed or injured. Ford has received a letter concerning these issue's and has not responded.
Left front coil spring broke & punctured the tire. Dealer inspected vehicle & couldn't give consumer on explanation why it happened. There was no damage to the strut. *ak
Strut spring broke and body fell over drivers side. Was able to drive home at up to 10 MPH. Went to one repair shop, told that the strut spring had broken and it would take over a week to get the part because there was a national backorder for it. Finally took the car to the local ford dealer in merrillville, art hill ford (not where car was purchased). Was told the same thing regarding the availability of the part. No loaner was offered. Service rep could not give an adequate reason as to why the part was not available, in one moment she said that it was possible that because this was an unusual occurrance, the manufacturer may not make the part. In the next breath I was told that in a car at 64,000 miles, anything could break. The failure occurred while I was pulling up to a drive-through bank window, up a small unevenness in the pavement that I'd driven over many times before with no incident. A previous check for past complaints in this area showed that a similar complaint was filed in 1997. In that instance also, the part could not be found. I have owned 2 fords prior to this, including a 1990 aerostar with 193,000 miles on it. The strut spring has never cracked, nor some of the other problems I have had with this particular vehicle.
While backing car out of driveway driver's side front sank down, took vehicle to dealer , and they said the spring mounting on drivers side was busted. Consumer felt this was unsafe because if it were on highway, it could have caused a very bad accident. Only one spring has been replaced, since there was only one spring available. *ak
No summary
While driving less than 30 MPH front coil spring broke on the driver' side. The front tire was damaged because of this. Driver was able to avoid a crash. The front coil springs have been replaced at owner's expense. This is a company owned vehicle. Report given by president/ceo. Please provide any further details.
The vehicle will not travel in a straight line. Constantly pulls / wanders to the right. Dealer has had car 10 to 12 times. Parts replaced in an attempt to cure problem are : steering rack, part of steering column, tires. Car has been alligned 8 times. Car has only 22,500 miles on it. Ford regional engineer contacted and his attempt to repair made matters worse. After ford engineer failed attempt, dealer has had car twice more to attempt to remedy by alligning slightly out of spec. Problem still exists and makes car difficult to drive safely. I have filed a claim against ford at their dispute settlement board.
The front spring broke causing damage to the stabilizer bar, the upper strut bracket, and the ABS sensor.
While driving rear axle broke, cause unknown. Please give any further details.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 1996 Ford Windstar?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history