1. Sub-frame was badly rusted out. It broke while backing out of a parking space and the front tires disengaged. 2. The rocker panel on the left side needs to be replaced. It is badly rusted out and it will not pass inspection anymore. There is some rust on the right rocker panel also. All of the rust in under the vehicle and it is not safe to drive. 3. The check engine light came on last year.
1999 Ford Windstar body complaints
Page 3 of 10: complaints 41 to 70 of 275, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I bought a 1999 ford windstar in delaware ohio at byers ford and on the first day I got it when I would put on the breaks the van would shake so bad. After a few months the ABS light would come on then go off. I was told by a mechanic that is was just a sensor. I received the first recall of the rear axles back in october of 2010 and had them checked and they put some spray on them. I then got the second recall for the front subframe in feb of 2011 and when I set up my apt it was not till may 25th 2011 that I got in. For 3 months I dealt with the emergency break light being on, the ABS light being on a clicking noise under my steering wheel and on top of that I have been driving my family around in it. The van shakes so bad that you can actually make a milkshake when you stop. Sometimes I would have to press hard on the breaks to get it to stop. I told this to the man at byers ford in delaware, oh and he told me it was my rotors when I brought it in for the recalls. I was told that they have the parts to fix the recall orders and it would be ready by the next morning. 4 hours later I get a call that my van did not even come close to passing inspection. My subframe is actually broke and that it looked like it has been that way for sometime. Why was this not noticed before selling the van. Aren't they supposed to thoroughly inspect the vehicle before putting it out on the lot?
My 1999 ford windstar se has been recalled for the following recalls 09s09 speed control system modification, 10s13 rear axle inspection and repair, and 11s16 subframe front lower control arm rear attaching flanges & rear body mount attachments inspection and repair. I didn't receive notice of any of these recalls, and found out from a friend about them. Several months ago the front passenger side of my van started making a sound while driving. I was told by the mechanic that looked at it that it was due to rusting of the rear body mount attachment of the subframe. I took my van in to a ford dealer today 5/21/2011 for the recall inspections. I was told it passed all inspections, but was only in the service dept. For about 10 minutes. There is also severe rust on other areas of my front subframe that are not included in ford's recalls. I do not feel my vehicle was properly inspected.
1999 ford windstar. Consumer writes to express discontent regarding ford motor company *tgw the consumer stated the vehicle had transmission and engine problems. Also, the vehicle failed inspection, due to a rusted subframe. Ford offered to buy the vehicle back from the consumer.
Rusted subframe.
Letter from congressman dent on behalf of constituent regarding an issue involving recalls on his vehicles; please contact him or his assistant melanie whiteleater at 610‑861‑9734, if there are any questions or problems with this request *tgw 1999 ford windstar. Upon inspection of the vehicle, it was determined the vehicle was not safe to drive. The consumer was offered a buy out, but declined and requested to have the vehicle repaired under the recall. Two hours later, the consumer received a call from the dealer stating ford concluded the vehicle was not repairable and the consumer needed to come and retrieve the vehicle.
1999 ford windstar. Front sub frame corrosion. Ford service refused to repair it.
My son-in-law and daughter we driving on hwy 421 at 50 MPH. The van started shaking and they smelled rubber and heard grinding. He pulled over and the back tires were pushed in and the right back tire lost its lug nuts and tire was falling off. They removed the children from the car. It scared them to death! My son-in-law started walking to a gas station. My daughter looked under the van and saw the axle was snapped in half. A nice tow truck man stopped to help. He said, this van is on recall do you know what an axel is..she said yes....he looked under there and told her it was for sure snapped in half! I can't believe the ford windstar is doing this! It is very upsetting. It was towed to hersh ford in michigan city, indiana and were given a rental and told it could take over 4 months. How am I going to fit a family of 6 into a ford focus??
1999 ford windstar- front sub frame rust. Local ford dealer said they would not fix it. Vin [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Tl*the contact owns a 1999 ford windstar. While the vehicle was at the dealer for repairs for recall 10v385000 (suspension: rear: axle: non-powered axle assembly) the contact informed the dealer there was severe corrosion on the front subframe of the vehicle. The contact stated there was a clunking noise coming from the front of the vehicle while driving over a bump. The contact was aware of a recall on the subframe 11v030000 (structure: frame and members: underbody shields) but the dealer stated they would not repair the subframe. The contact was not informed if the VIN was included or not. The manufacturer was contacted by email but had not responded. The approximate failure mileage was 93,000.
I took my van in for recalls. They supposedly fixed the axle however I think they just put stuff on it and didn't even check it. Then they found some other stuff they wanted to fix like the tie rod links. I didn't let them fix it but I took it to someone else and they found a serious crack and corrosion on my front frame. It is about to break!! They didn't tell me about this. Almost everything under my van has corrosion and if the axle is faulty because of that why isn't the other stuff under recall. Is ford waiting for me or someone else get killed and then take care of it or is my life not important to them?
Front sub frame broke.
Driving through residential area and went to make a turn onto another street and steering went out and I went up the curb through on coming traffic lane. When inspected under vehicle the front passenger side subframe was corroded, rusted and broken off. I had to purchase a used intact front subframe from a junkyard as the dealership told me a new one was $2000.00. I had the used subframe put on and it is okay now. But the entire purchase of a new subframe would have been more than my vehicles value.
1999 ford windstar front subframe rotted out, cracked, and had to be replaced.
Cracked & corroded "k" frame which supports engine& trans. In front end of 1999 ford windstar van. Replaced k frame to remedy problem.
I took the windstar to have the two recalls repaired and when the basil ford service department was done with that they informed me that my van was undriveable because the right front sub frame was cracked. They said it would cost $1600. To repair it. With all the rust on the doors and door sill I find it ridiculous to spend that amount when the rust would bring down the value of the van to almost nothing. This is the fifth ford I have had and you would think I would have learned about the rust factor. Getting back to the sub frame I phoned the number listed on the ford web page but after about five phone calls I decided to call the corporate office. I was directed to a voice mail...gave my information and was told we would hear from them in so many business days. It didn't happen. Then we received a form to fill out about how well we thought our phone inquiry went. We had a letter about the axel recall and this web site is listed so I thought it was time.
Tl*the contact owns a 1999 ford windstar. The contact stated while having the inspected by the state, the inspector noticed the subframe was broken in two places. The contact took the vehicle to a mechanic to have the sub frame replaced. The contact called the manufacturer regarding the sub frame and at the time the manufacturer stated there is nothing they can do since there was no recall. The contact was unaware of the recent structure: frame and members: underbody shields (11v030000) recall and stated the manufacturer should have released this recall long ago. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 38,000.
The right lower control arm pulled loose from the subframe crossmember due to excessive rust. The leadup to the incident was completely unexpected. The control arm pulled loose at 70 MPH and caused the windstar to veer back and forth using 4 lanes of traffic to come to a stop. Lucky for me was that there was no traffic in my immediate area and no other cars were involved.
Fleet owned 1999 ford windstar. Vehicle has been located in the chicago area since new. Complaint was that the exhaust was loud and looked to be hanging low. The exhaust flange on the flex-pipe section rusted thin and broke off from the y-pipe. I then noticed that the passenger side rear of the subframe was completely rusted out and the subframe was hanging down about 1.5" from where it is supposed to be. The exhaust y-pipe flange is much lower than it should normally be, which tells me that the engine/trans assembly is leaning towards the rear of the vehicle. The drivers side rear mount of the subframe is cracked where it meets the body. Also noted that on the passenger side subframe where the engine mount attaches and the subframe rear crossmember meet, the subframe is almost completely rusted through. I can foresee this problem eventually causing the axles to remove themselves from the trans, wire harnesses getting damaged, lower control arms becoming detached from the subframe, exhaust damage, steering rack damage, wheel alignment issues, etc. The only repair that I can see making this vehicle safe to drive again would be subframe replacement.
My suspension broke on my 1999 ford windstar leaving me with no steering. I ran off the road and thankfully went into a field. Very scary. This is a 1400. Repair. I found out that this has caused accidents for others as well. I am just wondering why this part was never a recall? Apparently rear axles have been recalled due to similar circumstances. The ford company did tell me this may be a future recall but is not as of yet. I do not know if they are waiting for someone to die or what but this is a serious matter.
I have 1999 ford windstar 3.8 liter with 123,297 miles, I own this car since 2000. The passenger side rear subfame end at the mount is roded out,split and came off the bushing. I had taken it to sears on 01/21/11 and had advised that it is unsafe to drive the vehicle. I had contacted ford dealer and explained that there was a recall on the rear axle for rusting. This is similar situation and should do reparis at no cost to the owner. The dealer gave me ford toll free number. When contacted ford they advised that they are not responsible for the repairs as the warranty is over. I explained it is a bad product and failure due to rusting is similar situation as an axle rusting. If an axle rusting is honored by ford why not frame rusting. They said I will be responsible for the expences as there is no warranty. I went to well known body shop macco they advised that the frame will cost 1000 plus 950 labor to put the accessories back. I can not efford to spend this kind of expense. I had already put 2500 in transmission after I purchase the vehicle. The rear electronic module has failed which will cost 800 dollars. I have to keep pouring money in this car. Any help is appreciated.
Tl*the contact owns a 1999 ford windstar. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 MPH and making a right turn, she suddenly heard a loud cracking noise. The vehicle was towed to a dealer who informed the contact that the front subframe had corroded and fractured. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 136,000. Updated 02/23/11 *bf updated 07/01/11
In august of 2010 I was driving my windstar when I heard a loud bang during a turn. I knew I had not hit anything and as I straightened out my wheel I noticed that it would not return to the normal position. I made an appointment with my local ford dealership to get it looked at. As soon as the man put the van up in the air he knew what was wrong. The subframe on the front passenger side was almost rusted through. The man took it down and told me never to drive the car again in this shape. He said that he had never seen so much rust under a car that was still running. My windstar only has 86000 miles on it. I don't understand how something like that can happen to a car that has such low miles, I thought it should hold up better.
Tl*the contact owns a 1999 ford windstar. While the contact was driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly wandered out of the lane towards oncoming traffic. The contact was able to gain control and avoid crashing into a vehicle. Suddenly, the front end driver side collapsed to the ground. The vehicle was coasted to the side of the road and towed to the residence. A mechanic inspected the vehicle and stated that the subframe had completely fractured as a result to excessive rust and was beyond repair. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.
Tl. Steering problem 1999 ford windstar comments: I have a vechicle safty concern probable loss of steering control on ford windstars 1999-200? Below is a responce I recieved from ford, concerning the probelm at the bottom is the detailed concern with a motor mount support plate that is rusting out on theses vechicle. The motor and front end suspension and steering is involved. This is a time bomb, the engine will drop down and you will loose steering control, most likly causing afatal accident. The repair cost in most cases will be an amount more than the value of the vechicle rust is an acceptable probability, but it should not occur in areas concerning steering. Contact wanted to use the complaint he sent in as a email. Jo
Tl*the contact owns a 1999 ford windstar. The vehicle was being state inspected when the mechanic informed the contact that the subframe was severely rusted and should not be driven. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for recall 10v385000 (suspension: rear: axle: non-powered axle assembly). The contact had not received a recall notice regarding the problem. The failure mileage was 125,109.
The front subframe of my 1999 ford windstar cracked in two while driving on the highway.
Tl*the contact owns a 1999 ford windstar. While driving approximately 30 MPH the contact stated that the vehicle began to feel unstable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was told that the subframe was severely corroded. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 160,000 and the current mileage was 170,000.
Around october 20th, 2010, my 1999 ford windstar was making a weird noise when I a make a right turn and also when I step on the gas pedal. The noise came from the front right of the vehicle, at first I thought it was a brake problem. I took it right a way to my mechanic to be diagnosed. When the technician lifted the van, he noticed right a way the sub frame all rusted and broken. My mechanic did not let me drive it because it's a high risk, he said the engine can fall any moment. Due to the high cost of replacing a new sub frame, the technician suggested a used one but in good condition. It cost me $723.00 to replace it. I went to the nearest ford dealer to complaint but I was told that specific part of the vehicle was not recalled and it's due to the age of the vehicle. I am still afraid to drive my ford windstar even after I replaced it. Currently my van is sitting at ford dealer parking lot, it's under recall for the rear axle.
Tl*the contact owns a 1999 ford windstar. The contact stated that after having his vehicle in for regular maintenance, the mechanic informed him that he needed to replace the engine cradle due to rust and being fractured. The vehicle was then taken to a certified dealer who informed the contact that there was nothing wrong with the engine cradle. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 64,000. Updated 12/14/2011 *cn the engine cradle was completely rusted on the right side. Updated 08/05/11
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