While driving at 20 MPH coil springs popped in two spots . Contacted dealer, dealer only wanted to replace left side of the car, not both sides. There was a similar recall on earlier models.
1998 Ford Windstar suspension complaints
Page 7 of 9: complaints 161 to 190 of 228, newest first, as owners wrote them.
While sitting in vehicle and without any indication front springs broke. Please provide further information.
While pulling out of driveway at very slow speed front coil spring broke. *ak
Passenger's side coil spring broke while backing out of driveway. Dealer notified, and informed consumer that vehicle was not covered under a manufacturer's recall. Feel free to provide any further details on this matter.
While driving 5 MPH front driver's side coil spring broke. *ak consumer states that the strut was ruined and ford paid for all repairs.
Front coil spring broke and ruptured front right tire of the vehicle. Dealership has not informed consumer for reason of defect. Please provide any additional information/attachments.
Ea-00-027 ; front coil spring which is part of suspension, broke. This, in return, split and cut tire,causing tire to go flat.
Van parked in driveway, both front coil springs broke simultaneously causing front of vehicle to drop 5 inches and nearly piercing sidewalls of both front tires.
The right front coil spring failed while driving. Nlm
Ea00027; left front coil spring broke, causing tire to ride in fender.*ak
Broken front spring. *ak front strut spring broke causing groaning noise in the front whell area, broke spring also caused the van to lean tot he left. Nlm 4/12-01
Left front coil spring broke and imbedded itself in left wall of tire when backing out of a parking space. *ak there was very loud groaning noise coming from front end when the consumer started to drive the vehicle, and the front end collapsed soon after because the front left tire had deflated as the result of the coil spring breaking and slashing the tire.
Consumer has experienced several problems with the transmission, dealer has replaced it once, however problems continue, consumer has filed for a request for arbitration, vehicle bucks, jerks, and jumps into gear before taking off. Vehicle shimmies from one side to another upon acceleration, there is a thumping sound heard also at times while driving. Vehicle experienced a speed sensor circuit problem. Speedometer jumps. Problem with power steering, dealer adjusted rack and pinion and made other repairs to steering mechanism. Right side brake light bulb failed. Battery failed. Consumer stated it felt as if vehicle was going to stall sometimes, engine has no power at acceleration, engine belt was noisy and was replaced. Tire had a slow leak due to loose tire valve.
Consume r was traveling a low speed making a turn and there was a moaning sound like a grinding noise, alignment was off peak. Dealership was aware of problem.-
While traveling 35 MPH right front coil spring had broken, causing front end to drop 6 inches. Please provide further information.
While driving van approaching a major highway the left front coil spring broke without any warning causing the left front tire to be sliced off it's rim. The driver lost control of van but was able to eventually control it. When the spring was examined there was no rust on the outer portion of it. It was coated completely with factory paint. It did however show signs that it cracked prior to it breaking as there was a very slight amount of rust 3/4 of the way through actual crosssection of the spring. Other reports of this happening in salt belt states. I believe this may be temperature related as it is cold in all the salt belt states. It is apparant that this spring may be too brittle and the cold weather makes it worse. The major problem is when it slices the tire off the rim at highway speeds. I have pictures of spring and tire.arentatent thatture related break.
Various problem with power lock locking by itself/windshield wipers working intermittently/dome light not operating, and door ajar light staying on. Vehicle been in / out of dealer shop on several occasions, and problems still reoccurring. *ak possible electrical problem with failure of power locks, windshield wipers, dome light, door ajar light, door ajar switch, lift gate door ajar switch, battery saver relay inoperable, and washer light illuminating. Brakes noisy at times, dealer stated this was due to brake dust. Power steering is noisy when turning back and forth, dealer replaced tie rod end. Sliding door rattles while driving over bumps, dealer added foam tape to back side of panel, driver door rattles, sliding door hard to open at times, dealer lubed sliding hinges and latch. Dealer replaced shocks due to rattling noise when riding over bumps. Drivebelt replaced. Maf sensor replaced due to hesitation. Window guide did not fit tight.
Consumer was traveling 45mph on highway and she was approaching a major highway on ramp, and heard a booming noise. Spring broke and pierced left right driver's side tires. She was able to pull over to shoulders.*ak the consumer believes the cause of the spring breaking was cold temperature rather than corrossion. However, the consmer also indicted that springs were breaking only in area of heavy salt roads.
FRONT LEFT COIL SPRING BROKE WHILE VAN WAS PARKED. SEE the federal safety agency EA00027 AND PE00024.
The left front coil spring failed abruptly when braking for a traffic light, sliced the sidewall off the left front tire (blowing it out), severed the mcferson strut and dropped the vehicle to the pavement. If the failure had occured 100 yards later at the entrance of the high speed connector (which is a sweeping right turn) the vehicle would have flipped into the on-coming lane of traffic. Since spring breakage problems have been recorded on windstars since the model intro. In 1996, why has this not prompted action from ford??
When turning to the right there's a loud squeaking noise.
After starting vehicle consumer heard grinding sound, front coil spring had broken.
Consumer was backing out of driveway and heard a clunking noise. Vehicle had to be towed since front coil spring had broken off. *ak the dealer replaced the front suspension.
Some grinding and steering problems when trying to steer.
While driving 35 MPH front two coil springs broke and vehicle's front dropped. *ak also a tire on the right side blew out. The spring was replaced.
I had backed out of a parking spot and was proceeding forward when the front of car, left side, dropped down abuptly. Van ground to a stop and I hopped out to investigate. The left front fender was much lower than the right, but it was dark so I couldn't see much else. Wanting to get the van back to my home, I tried to drive it farther, but it made a loud grinding noise that sounded similar to a train on a track, and began to smell like burnt rubber. At this point I decided it best to stop and had the van towed to my mechanic. The mechanic advised that the coil spring was broke and on his advise I had both front coil springs replaced as well as the struts. He said I was fortunate to be moving at such a slow speed because I would have lost control due to the spring rubbing against the tire and rim. We also replaced the tire. We contacted the dealership and showed the service manager the broken coil spring and wrote a request for assistance. The area inspector, who never saw the part, turned down the request because I didn't take the van to the ford dealer. The vehicle wasn't under warranty and I needed it fix right away, plus the dealer was 20 miles away, so I made a quick decision to have it towed to my mechanic who was close. I didn't know what was wrong, I'm not a mechanic! After alot of run-around, the dealership has offered to cover half the repair bill and I think that is as good as it will get. I'm still concerned that others may not be as lucky as I was to be in a parknig lot and moving so slow. I saw the USA today press release and knew this had to be reported. Thank-you!!!
Consumer was riding for a period of time and stopped to rest. Consumer was heading back on road and 1 minute from where he was, front of vehicle went down. Consumer thought it was a flat tire. A tow truck came and found coil spring had broken. Would have to go to a ford dealershop to be repaired. Consumer wanted manufacturer to cover repairs. A letter was sent, but response from them was they couldn't do anything for consumer. *ak vehicle had been taken to dealer several times prior to incident due to a strange noise that was occurring in the front end, dealer inspected front end extensively and never found anything wrong. There are plastic hub covers on the wheels, consumer has had 3 blowouts which have ruined the covers, they are not able to handle the repeated wear and tear.
After parking vehicle driver noticed that vehicle looked like it had a flat tire. Took to dealer, and notified owner that coil spring was broken on front left and right, needed to be replaced. Both were replaced. *ak the vehicle also needed struts and tie rod ends to be replaced.
I believe ford has a serious problem with sway bar links. I own a 1995 taurus, 1998 windstar, and 2000 taurus. They all have the same exact problem. The links on the 2000 have been repaired under warranty. I also know other ford owners that have the same problem. I am also aware of a recall on explorers for sway bar links.
Left front of vehicle dropped to ground. Had vehicle towed to dealer. Front coil spring broke. *ak coil spring sliced tire when it came down, dealer would not pay for tire, alignment, or all of towing.
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