1998 Ford Windstar: harsh or hard shifting

Filed Feb 28, 2012 · Suspension · 100,000 miles · IN

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 ford windstar. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH, she heard a loud clunking noise. After inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the rear driver side axle was fractured in half. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who verified the failure but was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 100,000.

Filed Jan 27, 2011 · Body · 99,634 miles · PA

My family owns a 1998 ford windstar minivan which is already subject to the axle recall and which did suffer a completely cracked axle. We have been told by the ford dealer that has possession of our vehicle that the front coil spring has fractured. This is despite the fact that the vehicle was previously subject to a recall that placed a cover over the coil spring. That recall only protected ford for replacement for a period of 10 years which has expired. Also, this vehicle has been experiencing very hard steering and a front end clunking noise but no cause has been found. We feel the latest 1999 and beyond recall of brackets should also apply to our 1998 ford windstar as it's basically the same exact vehicle. We fear that the clunking and hard steering could be from corroded brackets which is not being relayed to us.

Filed Jun 12, 2010 · Suspension · 130,000 miles · OH

I have replaced the rear axle now for the third time. The first time it broke in half coming into my home driveway. The second time I heard a thumping noise from the rear of the van and looked to find a crack in the axle,I replaced it yet again. This last time the same thing happened,clunking noise to find yet another crack. The van has 130,000 miles has some body rust,but no reason for something critical like this to be happening.

Filed May 19, 2010 · Suspension · 99,634 miles · PA

The rear axle of our 1998 ford windstar gl, with only 99,630 miles, broke while going down a road going about 30 MPH. I hit small pothole, heard a clunk and then noticed that the vehicle was not handling properly. Not knowing what was wrong and since I was close to home, I drove it home and looked underneath and noted that the rear axle was split about 75% through. The rear wheels were sitting tilted toward the vehicle. We had a tow truck take the van to have it fixed.

Filed Sep 28, 2009 · Body, Suspension · 83,000 miles · IL

1. Ford sent recall notice (01s19/01m03) in september, 2001. Vehicle was taken in for service (11/7/01) and the receipt indicates that safety shields were installed 'to prevent a front spring failure from puncturing the front tires'. The notice also stated that 'what ford will do for you': "ford motor company will also pay far any repairs directly relating to the front coil springs of you vehicle free of charge (parts and labor)." it was at that time (2001), the owner received an 'extended coverage transferable warranty notice' on the front springs for 10 years from the warranty start date, regardless of mileage". 2. The springs may have fractured at a later date, or were broken at that time and not replaced. The vehicle has always had very low front ground clearance. Because of the low ground clearance and the installed shields, the spring failure was not noted even when new tires were installed. Returning the vehicle to the dealer in 2009, after a front break line failure, the owner inquired about checking for broken front springs under the recall campaign mentioned in the notice from 2001. That is when he leaned that the safety recall issue was satisfied with the "shield installation". This action apparently also removed the VIN from the safety recall data base. Thus, assuming that this is no longer a safety issue, the owner continues to drive the low mileage vehicle (less than 100,000 miles). 3. The cost of replacing the springs was estimated at $400 to $600 dollars by the dealer and no corrective action is being taken as apparently this is no longer a safety issue. The vehicle is a 1998 ford windstar that was purchased on 10/16/97, with five miles on it. 4. Is this vehicle safe to drive as there are nearly 100 similar complaints on this safety complaint web site? 5. As this vehicle did not qualify in the clunker program, is spring failure a lemon law issue?

Filed Jun 24, 2005 · Wheels · 70,000 miles · WA

My front driver side wheel was making a clunking noise. Thought it was something inside. I took it to a les swabb tire dealer to have it looked at. The reason for the noise was a cracked rim, about 6 inches long. They said this is not supposed to happen, very dangerous. It costed me $45.00 to replace the rim. They suggested to look into other reports. On your web site I found several reports of others having the same problem, some had to replace all 4 rims. They said if this cracked all around my tire would of fell off. Scary thought for my family and other drivers on the highways,etc. I called ford to report this and requested them to replace all 4 rims. They refused to take responcibility for this. Tried to blame it on my tires and my driving. Tires are all new and driving shouldn't crack the rim like it did. I think it is sad they are not concerned nor care this could cause a fatal crash. I am going to call king 5 news. I am not comfortable driving my van now. This should be a recall, dangerous. Please make ford take responcibility for this, before a fatal crash if has not happened already.

Filed May 14, 2004 · Transmission · 80,000 miles · NY

Transmission on van went without warning, stranded the complainant in a parking lot. Van had to be towed to repair shop to have transmission replaced. Thsi was the thrid major repair to this vehicle (repairs costing more than $1,000 each). Purchased the used vehicle in april 2001- had 30,000 miles on it, currently has a little over 100,000 miles. Just after the dealer warranty expired the van had parts replaced in the transmission, then parts replaced in the drive train (expensive). Entire rack and pinion replacement followed. The reapirs were done withing 18 months prior to this transmission replacement. Even after having the entire transmission and rive train replaced, there is still a growling underneath the vehicle when it idles at a stop sign. Vehicle also has erratic shifting when rounding corners at low speeds (clunking sounds and vehicle shakes when van drops into gear)- all of this even after the transmission was replaced! What a lemon!

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

Filed Jul 22, 2003 · Suspension · 74,000 miles · WI

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.

Filed May 3, 2002 · Body · FL

I brought the vehicle to walker ford on 3/14/202 for a protective spring shield, recall #01s19. We noticed a clunking noise from the passenger side front shorrtly after. We brought the vehicle back to walker ford on 5/3/02. Upon inspection, we were told the weld for the sub frame was broken. This holds up the transmission,engine, suspension,.. This is definieetly a severe safety issue and gone unchecked, I believe it could have LED to a major accident and possible injuries, not just to myself, but others who may be driving a vehicle with a similar problem. This is not something that needs to be fixed as part of routine maintenance and is very rare and uncommon for this to break, as confirmed by another mechanic. I believe the weld was defective. This vehicel is well maintained and there is no cause for this type of problem other than a defect.

Filed Jul 7, 2001 · Transmission · NY

We have been reporting transmission problems to the dealers, transmission slamming into gear,. Thel tell me nothing is wrong. We now have a complete transmission failure.

Filed Apr 2, 2001 · Transmission · MD

I have returned multiple times to the dealer with a "hard shift" problem, first to second. I even contacted ford motor company, and they said there was nothing they could do, and referred me back to the dealership. I was told they could not duplicate the problem, one that occurs on a daily basis, at low speeds. The dealer drove my car for a day, but evidently did not notice any problem. As soon as I got the car back, the problem was back. I have spent upwards of $3000, for repairs that I was told would rectify the problem, but it persists. This included extensive front end work that they claimed would fix the problem; this included a front-end alignment and sub-frame shift; power steering flush; replace front struts; replace front shocks; replace front sway bar, links; problem persists.