Tl*the contact owns a 1998 ford windstar. The contact stated that the coil springs failed and punctured the tires. She felt that this was a safety issue because a serious crash could have occurred. The vehicle has not yet been repaired. The current and failure mileages were 168,000.
1998 Ford Windstar suspension complaints
Page 4 of 9: complaints 71 to 100 of 228, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I was backing out of a parking spot and heard a loud crash type of sound. Checked the car and found out that the rear axle had broken in half.
I bought a 1998 ford windstar 3.0 l in 1999. In 2002 I received a recall to install front shields over the coil spring so I did. Yesterday the front coil spring punctured the front tire and broke the struts as well. When calling ford, they inform me that they can not tell me when my vehicle was manufactured, just that they will do nothing about it. They issued the warranty for 10 years from manufacturer date even though the recall did not take place until 3-4 years after manufacture date and I took my vehicle in for the recommended cure to the problem.
My wife was driving our 1998 ford windstar on the highway when she heard a loud noise and scraping sound coming from the front driver side tire area. The sound stop shortly and a six inch long curved rod of metal had fallen out onto the road way. The front coil spring had cracked and a piece of it had come loose and eventual fell out under the vehicle. I was fortunate that the collapsed spring had not damaged the tire or the brakes. The vehicle is currently being serviced to replace the broken coil spring and inspection for further damage.
My 1998 ford windstar has broken both right and left coil springs. I've had to replace the transmission, my ABS and regular brake light won't go away even after servicing. My overdrive light keeps coming on and staying lit for days.
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.
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.
I purchased a 1998 windstar van from the ford dealer located in corning ca. I have had nothing but trouble with it passing smog for the oxy sensor. And the transmission has never worked right. The turbo thing is bad. When I went to trade it in I found that the vehicle was out of canada. And these things were part of the recalls reported to you. But, ford of corning said they did nothing to this van before selling it to me. I found 14 things wrong with this vehicle. I acted up a month after purchase. But I was on aware of my rights as a consumer. Also, I was not sure what oms meant. The van is stuck in folsom,ca at aamco transmission repair shop. Financed through fireside bank. Ford of corning said they did nothing to the van before I purchased it but cleaning it.
We have always had trouble with this van - we bought it used(1 yr old) so we had no recourse as far as warranties go. We finally were able to take it in to the ford dealership and have the light problem looked at - they replaced a sensor for $140 and as soon as we drove 45 miles it started up again! We were on our way on a road trip and I called to tell them it failed, but when we got back two weeks later they claimed that it must be something different... Interior lights do not shut off, removed door ajar chime so we didn't have to listen to that while driving all the time, door ajar light has been on continuously for more than 3 years, we've had to remove the dome lights and turn the other lights to "off" so our battery doesn't go dead over night - the passenger floor lights remain on however and get very hot... The doors do not lock because the car thinks it's doors are open! The car has become dangerous to drive and the problem has stumped too many mechanics to list - when driving above 40 MPH the right wheel starts making a 'thumping' noise and when turning left or accelerating it becomes almost deafening, now it's making a very loud screech if, but don't want to sell this death-trap to anyone else either you turn too sharply - there is a continuous squeaking noise coming from the same area. Please help!! Thank you, [xxx] ps... Cruise control doesn't work and the back wiper only works if you're backing up... Have had the van realigned continually and I just bought another set of tires in june and the left front tire is already worn out... The right passenger's window sometimes doesn't roll back up and the service engine light stays on sometimes for months for no reason as well as the brake light... Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
While driving at 75 MPH front coil spring snapped and broke, puncturing the front drivers side tire. Consumer had the coil spring replaced once. This was the second time this has happened. The front end of the vehicle completely dropped. Also, there was a brake failure. Two the federal safety agency recalls regarding front coil springs, recalls 01i007000 and 01v199000 were issued.
Vehicle shook continuously when being driven. Front end was aligned, the bearings, shaft, and the ball joints were replaced.
I have a 98 windstar mini van . After the minivan has been running for awhile and you go to stop it will go dead or what you call stalls. So after I crank it back up and try to take off again it will stall again. So therefore I have to make sure there is no traffic coming,because there has been some close calls of me and my children getting into a wreck due to this piece of $#*$.the interior lights will not go off, so my husband had to take the light bulbs out: also the passenger side window will not go down or up. This thing is so bad I wish jimm skinner ford would have just kept the piece of $#*$.
Vehicle has front axle hub and speed sensor replaced due to antilock warning signal continuing to stay on. *bf recall# 01i007000. There was a noise in the front right wheel and on another occasion a loud bang had come from the vehicle due to the left front spring exploding. The service department stated on another occasion that the sub from had rusted badly.
Recall 01v199000 concerning front coil spring corrosion. After the vehicle was repaired for this recall a popping noise could be heard while driving at low speed or applying brakes.
A loud noise came from the front of the vehicle while driving 55 MPH. Vehicle pulled to the left. Consumer noticed that sway bar broke on driver's side. Dealer and the manufacturer were contacted, and both informed the consumer that the part was not covered under a recall.
My 1998 ford windstar had a failure of the front left leaf spring. The resulting damage was at low speeds but the left front tire was damaged beyond repair. In dec 2001 I had the recall by ford accomplished to install a guard on the leaf springs. This guard was installed to prevent this type of damage. This first recall was a "safety recall" and the fix for that recall was ineffective. This should be a full out safety recall to replace these springs before someone dies. It shouldn't take a death to change the policy on these springs. I believe this fault to be more related to a material defect then a rust or corrosion problem. I have over 100,000 miles on my windstar and I inspect it periodically for possible damage. These springs have little or no rest nor did the spring at the point of break. Without detailed inspection microscopes a minuet crack couldn't be seen with the eye. This is a consistent problem with this vehicle as noted in the complaint section with over 77 complaints. Just think of the problems that aren't registered on this site. I'm only concerned for the unsuspecting family who has no idea that these springs will fail it's only a matter of time. Ford will only replace them if they break. They will break as a manufacture defect. I feel the safety council should revisit this problem. I have some video of the damage to my springs and tire for proof if there is any need for such evidence in an accident investigation. Let me restate myself this is a very serious problem that is being overlooked. Don't let this problem kill some before more action is done. One death from this problem is too much. These vans carry our children on a daily basis and a whole family could be lost in just one accident.
Vehicle was taken to dealer two years ago for coil spring recall repairs. A spring shield was put into vehicle to prevent the tires from being punctured. While traveling at 70 MPH coil spring punctured a tire. Recall repairs did not work, the same thing happened again.
This vehicle was recalled a while ago to install a protective shield between the coil springs and the tire, so that if the spring failed the tire would not be damaged. This modification did not function as intended. We experienced a failure of the spring as well as the shield which shredded the tire and damaged a brake line. Ford needs to recall their recall, this is a reprehensible act on their part.
Consumer took the vehicle to the repair station. The driver heard a clanking noise from the left wheel. The mechanic noticed that struts and coils springs needed replacing due to corrosion. The consumer's vehicle identification number was not included the recall. The recall number 01-I-007-000
When we purchased the van, we also bought a diamondkote warranty ,for 499.99$ and told at the time of purchase that is was a good warranty.we then found out that we should not have been sold the warranty and plaza ford lincoln will not honor it, we can't even get a refund, so we spoke to someone at diamondkote and this person told us that we should not have been sold the warranty and have been trying to get a refund ever since,either from plaza ford lincoln or diamondkote. I had intentions of suing ford motor company two years ago when my husband took my two daughters to halifax, because my 8 year old had cancer at the time, she had a appointment at the I.w.k hospital and it was by the grace of god that thay were not killed when the front suspention spring broke in which case my husband lost steering. I spoke to a lawyer who sadly told, because there was no death or injury there was nothing he could do,well my 8 year old who is now cancer free was so scared, she still gets very scared to get in a vehicle. I could go on but for now this is just the begining. I am going to pursue the matter of the diamondkote warranty further,and possibly more.we have had alot of vehicals before but never a ford with as much trouble as this has been.
A/c oct. 99 $168.98, dec. 99 $134.40 suspension july 01 $664.61, dec. 99 $515.85, jun 01 $61.78, body jun 01 $443.61 other cd player jun 01 $19.50 and $366.86 turn signal jan 02 $161.04 dome light jan 02 $84.02 jan 02 $89.72 door oct 99 $134.52, mar 03 $285.07 steering sept.02 $258.82, mar. 03 569.32 computer controls sept. 00 $106.02 engine jan 02 $784.75 coolant smell (found front cover gasket leaking) sept. 02 85.95 (told throttle body worn out, sold me update computer software, seams to run better) currently in shop for check engine light and A/C system intermittent. Mechanic found engine problem, says main bearings or crankshaft bad, possibly due to coolant in oil system from january 02 problem
Rear sway bar broke in half on low speed turn if this would have happened on a freeway exchange or off ramp this would have resulted in a rollover and possible death!
I bought this van because of the clean condition of it . I have the 3.0 ltr engine which has been excellent. The transmission so far is ok. Steering is a dangerous mess with almost everything new and 3 alignments. If you take your eyes off the road even for a second you can end up in a ditch. My wife & I both went off the road in a 1 month span. We both have excellent driving records. The front end seems ok to ford. Something serious is wrong with the steering. Won?t let my wife drive it anymore. Has a little vibration that you cannot get rid of. Sending this to you because I called ford and they said there was no safety recall or any steering issues with that van. Had a service bulletin in front of me at that time stating there was. But that is not the problem. Ford denied the all of the above. Am afraid to sell to someone because I think someone will get hurt. Don?t know why ford keeps putting in the same bad parts year after year. I have had all the dome light problems and door locks etc. They will still say no problems. Bought it used at a good price thinking it was a bad tire causing the problems. If accident occurs will seek damages
The frame that holds the front strut rod cracked and caused the right wheel to wobble.
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
Consumer called complaining about front brake problems. The brakes squeaked for a long time until they were replaced. Also, front coil spring problems. Consumer started vehicle and a terrible noise came from the front of the vehicle. She stopped, and had vehicle towed to the dealer. Dealer did an alignment, and told consumer that front coils needed to be replaced.
I am seeking action to alleviate the cost of maintenance problems I have experienced with my 1998 3.8l v6 ford windstar gl. Over the past few years, my windstar has displayed reoccurring and extensive mechanical problems in the front end, brakes, and engine that have resulted increasing amounts of time and money spent on repairs. From research, I have found that our difficulties are not an isolated event, and are in fact a common problem in the 1998 windstar, and are the same problems found in the 1995 windstar. The most recent event was the requirement to have the head gasket replaced. The local ford dealer provided this service which cost $1500.00 in parts and labor. Upon completion of the repairs the van was not roadworthy, a new short block was needed due to damage caused by the faulty head gasket. I have been quoted over $6000.00 for this job. In addition to the mounting repair costs, I am forced to rent a car so that we have transportation while we consider options with our windstar. My windstar has less than 100,000 miles. It is not uncommon these days to have vehicles operate this long before requiring the first tune-up. In order to maintain this van, I have spent the time I have ownwd this vehicle and a lot of money taking my windstar into service centers to have inferior parts, such as the plastic tie-rod ends and brakes, replaced many times. I have also spent a fortune on rental cars while our windstar sat unserviceable. We have born this cost with the expectation that investing money in repair would result in safe, reliable transportation for our family. With this major repair, the months of exhaustive diagnosis and trial repair jobs to fix the problems that arrise, the multiple tie rod end replacements, and brake system repairs, I feel that I am entitled to compensation from the ford motor company.
Dealership did not perform recall 01v199000 repairs correctly for front coil spring, and is refusing to correct the problem.
Clunking noise in front suspension at 32,000 mile due to wornout bushing. Then at 74,000 miles noise was due to radius arm sockets that needed to be welded. The problem started at 74,000 miles but was not found and fixed unitl 82,000 miles. The car has not been in any accidents. I feel this vehicles front suspension is defective base on repairs needed in 80,000 miles of highway and city driving. Ford has brushed me off working through their customer service channels! I am the origional owner.
While traveling about 40mph on the highway and without prior warning left passenger side coil spring broke.
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