1998 Ford Windstar: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Apr 13, 2012 · Engine, Suspension · 126,131 miles · KY

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 ford windstar. The contact stated that after having repairs performed on the vehicle under the federal safety agency campaign id number: 10v385000 (suspension:rear:axle:non-powered axle assembly), the vehicle would start jerking violently from the rear to the front when driving at speeds above 60 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the ball joints, bushing, intake gaskets, spark plugs, and lower controls arms needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the recall repairs were already performed. The vehicle was repaired at the contact's expense. The failure mileage was 126,131 and the current mileage was 127,000.

Filed Feb 26, 2012 · Body, Steering · 54,000 miles · MI

While driving my 1998 windstar @ 45mph, I lost total steering control of my vehicle and my vehicle veered into the oncoming lane of a two lane highway. I was able to regain control after turning the steering wheel approx 360 degrees to the right and managed to stop safely. After further investigation, it was found that the drivers side lower control arm bracket that is welded to the subframe broke away from the subframe due to a rusted out subframe. I've owned this vehicle for the past 8 years and never received any information from ford regarding this safety issue as noted in the 1999-2003 ford windstar recall which has the same issue as my vehicle. Although ford is not going to honor a subframe recall for my year vehicle, ford should at least send a notification letter to inform owners of this dangerous issue. Both my wife and kids drive this vehicle, but had I at least known there was a dangerous issue with this vehicle, I would have parked it.

Filed Dec 13, 2011 · Body, Brakes · 114,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 ford windstar. The contact stated that the vehicle taken to a local mechanic for inspection of the sub frame when the contact was advised that the sub frame was severely corroded and that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The contact stated that the brake lines were also found to be corroded. The brake lines were replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the sub frame failure and denied any assistance with the repair. The sub frame was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 114,000. The tie rods, front wheel bearings and battery had to be replaced within one year of owning the vehicle. The wheel cylinders, brake adjusters, spring kit, drums, rotors, shoes, and pads all had to be replaced. Also, the turn signal level stopped working for the left side. When the brake was applied, it went to the floor and then pulsated back up, and then the ABS light illuminated. Updated 02/01/12

Filed Nov 13, 2010 · Body, Steering · 120,000 miles · MS

I own a 1998 ford windstar(manufacture date aug..1997. I have been having problems for a while. My van was making a whining grinding noise. Gear is hard to get out of park bad popping noise when backing up...replaced all 4 wheel bearings and both tie rod ends..still making a bad whining noise.3 days ago I was driving down the highway and the steering started acting weird and shaking and the back of the van started swaying back and forth .. Was told at the shop about the recall on axel I called ford and was told my van is not on the list my van has a excessive amount of corrosion throughout the whole bottom the shop told me this van has been exposed to salt. When I bought the van it had a inspection sticker from previous owner from one of the recall states.(pens) ford would not give me any information onwhat state it was sold in or dealer, what brand of axel that was being recalled (said they didn't know the brand) come on what company spends money on parts and don't even know the brand or manufacture they buy from. I'm scared to death to drive this automobile.. I think ford should honor there promise to its customers and fix this problem on all 1997-2003 windstars not just certain months of 1997 or does someone have to lose there life before they do something? Ford>>> you took our money for your product now stand behind your product.

Filed Mar 21, 2007 · Suspension · 89,764 miles · NY

Front stabilizer bar broke in half inside bushing none of the auto techs could find the problem for the part 2 years (not even during ny state inspections) so they past the van anyways untill finally one gave a tug on the passangers side of the bar and it came out of the bushing in their hands the tech said he never saw a bar break like that before and that was the cause for having to get the wheel hubs lowerball joints &tie rod ends replaced twice in one year along with the tires on the front of the van so the van sits in the drive way untill it can get fixed (finding the bar is the hard part)dealer said he could not locate one now what???? Any help would be greatly apreshiated.

Filed Mar 21, 2007 · Suspension, Transmission · 89,764 miles · NY

Front stabilizer bar broke in half inside bushing none of the auto techs could find the problem for the part 2 years (not even during ny state inspections) so they past the van anyways untill finally one gave a tug on the passangers side of the bar and it came out of the bushing in their hands the tech said he never saw a bar break like that before and that was the cause for having to get the wheel hubs lowerball joints &tie rod ends replaced twice in one year along with the tires on the front of the van so the van sits in the drive way untill it can get fixed (finding the bar is the hard part)dealer said he could not locate one now what???? Any help would be greatly apreshiated also the dealer had to replace the tranny 4 times once about every 12000-17000 miles and one of the trannys only lasted for 325 miles before the van died on the ny state thruway on our way to canada from syracuse,n.y. Then it took the 5 weeks to fix the van and get it back to me so how could I be sure that the breaking of the sawy bar was not caused from the techs removing the unit x amount of times???????????along with the tie rods,wheel hubs,ect.

Filed Sep 7, 2005 · Acceleration, Brakes · 52,700 miles · FL

In september, 2002, I had to replace the speed control pressure switch on the master brake cylinder of my 1998 ford windstar, because it started leaking brake fluid. I also had to replace the drivers side tie rod end because the leaking brake fluid damaged the ruber bushing.

Filed Mar 25, 2005 · Suspension · 30,000 miles · NY

Vehicle shook continuously when being driven. Front end was aligned, the bearings, shaft, and the ball joints were replaced.

Filed Jul 26, 2004 · Steering · 72,468 miles · OH

I had a metalic grinding noise when I steered to the right or left. I took it to my ford dealer for repair and found that the right and left tie rod ends were binding and had to be replaced. I have always had my van lubricated and have found out that these tie rods have no grease fitting for lubrication. I view this as a safety hazard and could result in a serious accident if left unattended.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Brakes · WV

I sent the following in an email to ford motor company, and also talked with their "customer service". They said that they could not do anything about this dispute between the dealer rep and myself, as it was a field decision. The original repair was a rebuild of the drum brake on the right rear wheel, the same wheel that later suffered a catastrophic failure of the shoes. Luckily, we were driving at over 35 MPH, so the wheel did not lock up until we stopped at a friends house. The entire hub assembly had to be rebuilt after the brake siezed. Note: this is the second brake rebuild. The car has also suffered from broken tie rods. ======================================================== the parsons dealership that rebuilt my right rear brake last october will not admit that the failure of the brake pads, and subsequent complete failure of the brake assembly last week which required replacing the drum, is covered under their warranty (12,000 or 12 months.) they say it was due to a rusted parking brake cable that seized. I say that is a big load of baloney....even if it was rusted (in a pretty new car!) then they should have seen that last year. The total cost of repair on 9/20/02 was $639.88. I want ford to: 1) make parsons return my money, and 2) reprimand parsons for poor customer service. I will not buy a car from them again, nor will they ever see my car again - despite their admonition at the bottom of their invoice that says "warranty 90 days or 4000 miles on adjustments, align, balance. All other repairs covered 12 months or 12000 miles. Customer must return to parsons ford for defective repairs. No refunds if customer takes to another repair facility. I won't go into the delays (a full week to repair the drum and brake assembly).

Filed Dec 19, 2003 · Steering · 47,000 miles · FL

While driving consumer heard a groaning noise. Tie rod ends were cracked. Vehicle will be taken to the dealer for further assessment.

Filed Sep 12, 2003 · Electrical, Engine · 41,000 miles · MD

Problems with transmission, torque, power steering, and front end stable rods & arms. *mr the transmission and torque had been replaced twice, the power steering once, the font end stable rods and arms twice and remained bad. The battery light had come on and the idler pulley was replaced, there was a creaking/cracking noise when turning the wheel and the outer tie rods were replaced along with the toe being reset, there was a clunk when going over the bumps, there was a vibration underneath due to the transmission, the engine light would come on and off and seemed like the shifts were erratic, the transmission leaked badly, and on some occasions the starter did not engage. *scc