The front passenger wheel departed (I.e. Fell off) the vehicle while traveling 40 MPH on a paved road. The vehicle stopped on a soft shoulder at the side of the road. All five studs holding the wheel on were sheered off. The wheel itself was not damaged, however major body damage was made to the wheel well and front door. The vehicle was repaired (except for the body damage) at the cost of $1300, replacing the rotor, brake, spindle and strut.
1998 Ford Windstar wheels complaints
Page 2 of 4: complaints 11 to 40 of 83, newest first, as owners wrote them.
1998 ford windstar. Passenger side tire fell off while slowing to almost 1 km/h (luckily). All 5 studs sheared completely off. Replaced all studs from ford parts and 3 weeks later 2 studs showing. Very scary, still working on problem.
Dt: the contact owns a 1998 ford wind star. In 8-03 his wife was making a slow left hand ascending turn at 15-20 MPH and the front right wheel sheared off. All five lugs:bolts broke off. It happened again on 9-13-05 after it had been repaired by ford. She was making a slow ascending turn when all of the five lugs:bolts broke off again.*ak
We were about 30 miles from home on our return trip from ohio to iowa when, while accelerating out of a rest area, steering column began shaking vigorously. We began to slow from 60-65mph and merged into the right lane. While the vehicle was going around 50mph the right front end dropped and the right front tire bounced off into a field. We retained control of the vehicle and pulled over without injury. Upon examination, the tire studs had all broken clean off. All except two were lost. The two had a locking mechanism. The damage due to the collision with the road after the wheel fell off was covered by our insurance, though technically the initail mechanical failure did was not, though since the studs were part of the rotor which was damaged they were replaced with the rotor. The parts damaged and replaced include the rotor, front brakes, control/stabilizing arm, right fender and passenger door.
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.
Four of five lugs:nuts detached from the wheel unexpectedly causing the wheel to vibrate and almost detach from the vehicle. Taken to dealer for checkup and repairs.
While driving down the freeway the front passenger side wheel seperated from the vehicle due to all five studs snapping off.
A vibration began suddenly in the steering wheel while driving. After getting rapidly worse, the right front wheel came off of my 1998 ford windstar at 45 MPH when the lug bolts broke, causing the vehicle to crash into the ground. I retrieved the wheel and found all five lugs, with their lug nuts still attached, captured between the hubcap and the wheel. The police officer who responded repeatedly stated that he was amazed that the vehicle did not roll over and that I was lucky there were no injuries.
While driving at highway speed lugs and nuts popped off. Dealer stated there was nothing they could do.
Lugs nuts keep breaking off. Happens about every 2 to 3 thousand miles. Usually 2 to 3 lugnuts break off each time. I'm scared to drive the car. Was told to mention mention that there is an onging investigation going on with this. The investigation # is 3983673 - action # ea03004.
While traveling on ohio turnpike front left wheel came off vehicle, crossed the median, and hit a car traveling in the opposite direction.
In the past four years we have had the wheel bolts on the right front wheel break off six times. The last time, the fix was to replace the wheel. That was done in may 2003 and no problem since with that wheel but its only been two months. Now in july 2003 we have had the bolts break on the left front wheel twice! On july 22 2003, we had a new wheel and all five bolts replaced on the left front. One week later the van is again at the ford dealership because three bolts have broken on the newly replaced left front again.
This van has all the defects and complaints listed on thegovt. Recalls the federal safety agency site and others ihave too much info to put on this site if there is anyone I can send my complaint to please let me know iam putting it back into the shop again ive been thru a nightmare along with trying to assure my 4 kids that they were safe in this van thankyou angela wallace and by the wat the dealer that sold me this van will not cooperate at all
Consumer owned a 1998 windstar that lost lugs in three instances since vehicle was bought. This always happened to the right front tire. Consumer maintained that replacing the lugs was not a solution since the lugs on that tire were replaced twice. The lugs won't remain tight. Over tighten them and they would break. Under tighten them ,and the lugs nuts would loosen, and then lugs would break. There was no middle ground except to constantly check them for tightness.
While driving left front tire came off the vehicle and rolled into the path of another vehicle which struck the tire (ohio traffic crash report). *mr
Since april 2001 I have had my 1998 ford windstar in the shop nine times to replace front wheel studs that had sheared off. My hometown mechanic after replacing studs on the right front five times finally suggested we replace the wheel because several of the holes appeared oval instead of round. This seemed to have eliminated the problem on the right but since then I have had three incidents of studs shearing off on the left front wheel. At a ford dealership in cincinnati, oh, I had to replace (in the left front) 3 studs and at that time had a new wheel put on. After driving from cincinnati to atlanta georgia I again was at a ford dealership in conyers georgia with three more broken studs (on the left front) and this time they also replaced the hub assembly. Now after over $1300.00 in repairs my windstar is again in the shop having broken studs replaced on the left front wheel. By the way none of the ford dealerships would admit ever hearing of this problem before.
We have had to replace the rim on our 1998 windstar's right front wheel three times due to rim breakage and subsequent tire deflation. Two different tire repair shops reported seeing this problem frequently in ford windstars. The ford dealer where the car was purchased denied any problem or responsibility.
I was driving at 65 MPH and felt a vibration as though I may have a flat tire,checked and the tires were fine so I proceeded forward only to have the front left wheel collapse inward, all 5 lugs were sheared completely off, the service center had no explanation for this occurrence, one month to the day the same thing occurred again and I was again charged the repair cost and new bolts and lugs were installed along with the tire being rotated to the back,this lasted for 6 months and the lugs broke again, I am just now learning that there are other consumers with this problem. Lug nuts should not be sheared off as though a hot knife cut through butter. I purchased my vehicle when it was 2 years old and though I have had no other major problems but this is one that could cost me or my children our lives.
In july of 2002 two lugnut studs from my left front wheel broke while I was driving my vehicle. In march of 2003 three lugnut studs from my right from wheel broke while I was driving. A forth lugnut stud broke on my right front wheel when I took my car in for maintenance.
1998 windstar's front right wheels lug bolts sheered off causing wheel to fly off while driving on highway.
While driving at 35 MPH passenger's side wheel came off. This caused loss of control.
While driving, the left front wheel lug nuts sheared completely off, which caused the wheel to come off. *jb,,,extensive damage which included replacing tire, wheel, lugs:nuts and body damage to door and front fender from skidding on wheel after tire fell off. Could not open driver's door.
Consumer stated that all 5 studs on the right front wheel sheared off while driving. Dlr advised that all studs snapped at the same tread length. Ts
Front passenger wheel fell off at 40-45 MPH. Vehicle is at dealership at this time. *ts
All 5 left front lug bolts sheared and car lost wheel at 70 MPH on freeway. Road was straight and I was able to pull car to right shoulder. I note 29 similar incidents over last 4 years on the federal safety agency website, but no recall. Why not? Previously my mechanic had 3 of right front lugs break at less than spec torque. All right front lugs were replaced. At that time the left lugs took torque and (unfortunately) were not replaced. These lugs caused life threatening hazard. Dt
While vehicle was parked, consumer noticed a flat tire. Wheel had a crack in it that caused the tire to go flat. Contacted dealer. This is a common problem, which is caused by a defect*ak
Front left wheel vibrated at highway speeds. Inspected lugs: nuts and found 3 broken ones.
While the insured was traveling the right front wheel broke off and the vehicle wheel rolled backwards into wheel well causing fender damage. Claim# 43-r781-260
While the insured was driving the tire fell off due to two lug nuts had cracked. Claim# 33-0348-233
Consumer states the bolts on the right front wheel sheared off.(claim#27-7046-604)
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