1999 ford windstar : engine cradle cracking and has fractured away from motor mount.
1999 Ford Windstar body complaints
Page 4 of 10: complaints 71 to 100 of 275, newest first, as owners wrote them.
The vehicle experienced difficulty turning left . The steering wheel would not turn left until more than usual force was applied to turn the wheel ,which at the time the wheel did turn a dull thud was audible. This action occurred twice while driving vehicle in city traffic. The visual investigation revealed a large area of the inside of the front subframe on the drivers side had completely rusted through. Approximately an area 4' x 8' was gone with some evidence of metal tearing/fatigue.
At the end of november I notice a looseness in the steering of my 99 ford windstar. I was able to get it home and in the driveway. I looked at the front -end and noticed a rusted and cracked front frame on the passenger side. I had replaced the cracked axle my self it cost me $874.27 I have not received anything from ford on this yet. I can not drive the car because it is a not in good shape at all. It only has just under 90,000 miles. And has had a new intake put on which is plastic and now the engine runs very rough. Also it has trouble with the signal lights. This car has turned out to be a lousy car.
Front sub-frame corrosion on passenger side near mount resulting in complete break. There is no evidence of rust anywhere else on the sub-frame, the frame or underbody. Symptom was loud clanking from front-right and "jerking" sensation on some turns, acceleration. Did not feel safe driving, so brought to ntb for examination (thinking it was a balljoint, etc.) technicians invited me to investigate under the lift as they were incredulous of such a severe break amidst an otherwise rust-free sub-frame.
Hi I just saw that you were investigating windstar rust issues. Two years ago, in 2008, our 1999 windstar starting making weird noises when I went over curbs or turned the wheel. I took it into the dealer and they said the front frame and axle had rusted. It was a couple thousand dollars to fix. They said it was no longer under warranty. I did not wish to fix it (since it would cost as much to fix as the van was worth) and they said it was unsafe to drive and did not recommend I leave without fixing it. So we traded it in (explaining fully what was wrong with it) when we purchased a van from the honda dealership down the road. I just saw that you were investigating rust issues associated with windstars and thought I would pass this info along. Thanks
1999 ford windstar lx front sub-frame rusted out on passenger side. This section of the sub-frame is always wet when the air-conditioner is turned on in the summer and the condensation from the air-conditioner leaks onto the subframe at this specific area, and in the winter salt is causing sub-frame to rust out and break at this specific area. This is a design flaw.
I own a 1999 ford windstar. Approximately one month ago 15 nov,2010, I noticed that the alignment of the front tires was off. And the steering seemed loose and a little unresponsive. I immediately drove home and removed the passenger front tire and could not believe what I saw. The front sub-frame / engine cradle was completely corroded where the sub-frame attaches to the uni-body. The area where the mounting bushing that attaches the sub-frame to the uni-body on the passenger side was totally corroded / rusted / rotted away. The bushing was completely pushed through the sub-frame and had nothing to support it any more. I brought it to my local ford dealer with the print out of the current investigation of this issue. They told me it is not a recall yet and I would have to pay for the repair out of my own pocket.
Front sub frame corrosion.
While driving my 1999 ford windstar I started to hear a grinding scrapping noise when making right turns the noise progressively started to get even worse I started to hear a loud clunking noise brought car to mechanic inspected and found that the sub frame was completed rusted out and the engine could drop at any time was advised not to drive vehicle ,luckily nothing happened when I was on the highway with my daughter driving at highway speeds. I contacted ford and they have told me there are no recalls on this particular situation, after checking online I have seen so many complaints I am now out a car and no money to buy new one, thank god my daughter was not hurt or anyone else I wish ford would realize this very dangerous situation and not wait for someone to get killed!!!
While pulling onto a busy road there was loud noise and the vehicle lost all control and skidded across the road and into a driveway. Fortunately no property damage or personal injury occured. The van was towed to my mechanic and he informed me that subframe on the right side had just broken off. Clearly this must be some sort of a defection the manufacturer.
The sub-frame of my 1999 ford windstar has rusted away at critical spots around and near the mounting bolts and as a result failed to pass pa state annual inspection on dec. 12, 2010. I was told by the mechanic (a non-ford mechanic) that the condition was very unsafe and that there was no way it would pass pa state inspection unless this dangerous condition was fixed. To pass it would had to have the entire sub-frame replaced which was going to be expensive or else the vehicle would have to be scraped (the vehicle currently has about 189,000 miles). The mechanic's finding was very surprising to me because on oct. 30, 2010, the same windstar was inspected by a local ford dealer based on a rear axle corrosion recall notice from ford. Following the recall inspection (by a different mechanic) I was informed that everything was okay and no work was necessary per to the recall notice. In hindsight it would appear that nothing else but the rear axle was inspected and I was thus sent back on the road operating a very unsafe vehicle due to corrosion issues. Thank goodness the pa state inspection mechanic noticed the sub-frame danger some 6 weeks later before a potentially deadly accident occurred. I'm writing to highlight this serious safety problem with windstar models made between 1999-2003 for the federal safety agency. I understand that many others have complained of similar sub-frame corrosion problems on their windstars but, to date, ford has not issued a recall even though they did for similar rear axle corrosion problems. Since the problems both stem from corrosion issues it seems logical that ford should also be responsible for correcting this safety issue. Except for the sub-frame corrosion problem, my windstar is running well and I'd like to keep driving it for several more years. I am hopeful that ford will quickly take responsibility for fixing these serious safety problems.
1999 ford windstar lx broken sub-frame I began to hear a scraping noise while driving, especially on right turns. I had recently purchased 4 new tires from firestone, so took it back there thinking that something was wrong with the right front tire. Instead I was told that the sub frame is busted (also called engine cradle), and that repair would be extensive in labor to the tune of at least $1500! ...and that would be for a replacement part from a junk yard (with same potential problem) rather than a new part. Right now I cannot afford either one. I asked a welder about it, hoping to have it welded rather than replaced for much less money, but he says that would not be wise given the heavy load placed on the subframe. Please consider a recall on this dangerous defect to prevent tragedy. Thanks. Firestone staff warned me not to drive vehicle, very unsafe. An online search reveals many similar complaints of busted subframes on ford windstars, yet no recalls for this dangerous problem as yet. Are we waiting for someone to be killed? I just drove on the highway yesterday not knowing how serious this problem is.
Took car in for inspection and was told that the subframe was rotting away at the point where the sway bar connects to the cradle. And that it will cost over 800.00 to fix. This shortly after having the rear axle repaired due to a recall form ford. By the way ford did not say anything to me about the damage to the front where the rust was rotting away the cradle.
I have a 99 ford windstar with sub-frame rust. The vehicle was taken to a local ford dealer and put up on a lift and inspected after I noticed a noise and pulling to the right. The sub-frame has completely rusted away on the passengers side where it mounts to the vehicle. The vehicle itself has little to no rust underneath except to the subframe in two spots. The vehicle cannot be driven now and I was told the subframe would have to be replaced. Due to the vehicle not being rusted underneath and not being driven in salted road conditions, I would have to conclude this is a manufacturer defect? The windstar is clean enough underneath to almost eat off. Again there is little to no rust underneath except to the subframe. Thank you for looking into this matter.
Took my 1999 ford windstar to have front tires replaced and mechanic noticed the front passenger side subframe mounting bolt is severely rusted. When I took the vehicle in to the dealership to have the recall work done for the rear axle, I told them about the rusting of the subframe mounting bolt and they said I would have to make another appointment and pay for this myself because there is no recall for this problem. My vehicle is not safe, I am scared to drive it, and I don't have the money to fix it!!!
1999 windstar van when changing the right front tire our mechanic saw the right front drive axle completely rusted out. This car is not safe to drive. The federal safety agency defect investigation #pe 10016 is consistent with this problem.I want to be added to this investigation. There are no warning signs for this problem. We were lucky we have a good mechanic who spotted the problem. This car is at a ford dealership in missouri. . I wish someone would go and see this problem first hand. All other cars with this problem were not detected and were in a crash. This would be a great opportunity to actually see the problem before the car is wrecked. This is a very dangerous situation for anyone who has a ford windstar van 1999 thru 2003. There is no warning and when that front axle breaks there is no control of the vehicle. Anyone who drives one of these vehicles should immediately take to a mechanic for inspection. This is not like the rear axle problem, because you can at least steer the vehicle if it breaks. When the front goes you have no control. I am told the repair will cost $1200.00 dollars. Ford motor company will not help with the cost of repair.
Front cross member on passenger side was discovered to be cracked which could have failed and caused serious injury. Mechanic told me that vehicle was not to be driven unless it could be repaired or replaced. I was able to have a welding specialist repair the crack.
Front a subframe was almost complete rusted out and detached from front end. This was noticed by my regular mechanic during an oil change. The complete front a frame ("subframe") had to be replaced, including control arms, alignment; front brake pads. Cost was $1687.
Tl*the contact owns a 1999 ford windstar. While driving about 10 MPH the contact was turning a corner when she first experienced a cracking noise coming from the engine. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic and he stated the sub-frame or the engine cradle was covered with rust. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was 117,000.
1999 ford windstar subframe rusting and having to be replaced. Van failed safety inspection because of a hole in subframe due to rust. Total cost paid out of pocket in 2008 $1240.56.
1999 ford windstar - subframe rusted out. Had repairs done. Had vehicle inspected by ford for current rear axle recall, was told there was no rust in the rear axle. I am having the car inspected by my mechanic because it would seem that if the front end rusted out, so would the back.
1999 ford windstar fwd passenger side sub frame motor mount broken in half due to corrosion.
Our 1999 ford windstar was found to have serious rust on sub frame on passenger side during a massachusetts state vehicle inspection today. I understand this make and model is subject to a recall investigation and I want my complaint added to that investigation and request a recall notice be issued for this vehicle.
I had to replace my front subframe aka engine cradle and two motor mounts due to premature rust on my 1999 ford windstar this is the section of frame that hold up the engine and transmission along with most of the front suspension. I lost all ability to steer and was nearly in an accident braking to the side of the road and getting the minivan towed to a mechanic. I know this failure has generated a lot of complaints also within the federal safety agency website and I feel it should be included in the current rusted rear axle recall warranty.
1999 ford windstar lx. Engine cradle failure at mount point passenger rear. Reference the federal safety agency # pe10026. I am in the same situation. The passenger rear engine cradle mount has failed causing steering problems and loss of control. The passenger tie rod and control arm are now bent. At this point the vehicle is not safe, but I am forced to drive it. The vehicle is pulling severely to the left. This condition is worse on acceleration due to the bent steering components. The failure occurred while driving @ 50 MPH causing difficulty steering.
Sub frame on my 1999 ford windstar is rotted, the engine is rocking, the steering is loose, when making right hand turns there is grinding from the frame rubbing, when driving there is a very loud banging from the engine rocking back and forth on the rotted frame. It has not been fixed, and the car is not drivable as it occurs all the time.
Fractured subframe passenger side. Hard to turn right. Steering wheel off set.
Nothing appeared wrong with my vehicle and then I heard a loud clunk and grinding in the middle of driving through rush hour traffic in the city, I felt very unsafe driving the vehicle as I could tell something was seriously wrong but slowly drove it home. I found out that the subframe is broken due to rusting.
The subframe on my 1999 ford windstar is severely corroded at most of the connection points. Whenever we make a turn we could hear the rattling/grinding sound coming from beneath the vehicle. This problem has not been corrected at this point, but I am considering doing some reinforcements and hoping there will a recall very soon.
Abs brake light continuously goes off and on sporadically. But more importantly during my annual car inspection it was discovered that my subframe is dangerously rusted through and will cost 1,200 to replace it with a used one. I question how long a used one will last since it has been said that the A/C drainage hose is directly over it and most certainly the cause.. This definitely has recall written all over it. It is extremely dangerous if the engine falls or anything else and control of the vehicle is lost. The car being built with the A/C drainage over the subframe allowing such an important part of the car to rust is so neglecting and irresponsible. What is taking ford so long to recall this problem. I read a million similar incidents with the same year make and model I have.... 1999 ford windstar lx currently 90,500 miles.
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