My boyfriend and I was on our way home with our 6 kids driving down route 280 nj on the night of sept. 23, 2010. After exiting the highway, about a block away from our house when we heard a loud popping noise and the steering became very poor and pulling to the right, I pulled the car over and my boyfriend then got out and inspected the car. He jacked the car up just to find that the subframe on the passenger side was rusted and broken. The car had to be towed. The price to have it repaired was $1000 in parts and labor. I recently went online to find out that this has been happening to other 1999 - 2003 ford windstar owners as well.
1999 Ford Windstar body complaints
Page 5 of 10: complaints 101 to 130 of 275, newest first, as owners wrote them.
The sub frame on our 1999 ford windstar broke at the right lower control arm. The break occurred just as my wife had left the highway and was fortunately traveling only about 20mph in a straight line. The vehicle would not steer and it could not be removed from the road, as the half shaft had pulled out of the transaxle. My wife left the vehicle with my two children to get assistance, and by the time the towing service that we called had arrived, the local police had the vehicle removed from the road due to its location. We then had it towed from the police impound to our garage. An estimate of $1200 was given by our shop but I felt that it was too much to spend on this repair. We towed the vehicle home and I replaced the k-frame myself, and had it aligned by our ford dealer. It was interesting to see that many of the frames in the salvage yard had a similar rusted condition in the same location. The frame I located had been replaced within the last year, still had fresh paint and part numbers on it. It was very fortunate that this failure occurred in a straight-line, decelerating scenario at slow speed and no one was hurt. It would not have been the case at higher speeds or with turns. It is also relevant to note that the vehicle had recently passed its annual safety inspection, at a ford dealership, and this frame weakness was not detected.
This complaint is regarding front subframe corrosion. Both passenger and driver side corrosion is so severe that you can stick your finger through the frame. This was discovered when a wheel alignment was being performed following the purchase of new front tires. It was confirmed by the local bill mccoy ford dealership. They were unaware of the pending nhsta inquire but did confirm pre-mature rear axle corrosion per present recall. Please contact me if further information is required.
1999 ford windstar right passenger front sub frame rusted thru and broke apart causing steering wheel to be thrown off center and directional not to work. It was found when al of a sudden we herd an exhaust noise and looked under the front of vehicle. It has separated at least 1" 1/2 and we were told by a ford master mech who looked at the van said it can not be driven as it could cause an accident with possible injuries or death.
I had my car in to a ford dealer in massachusetts for the recall of the rear axle. When they were done checking the rear the mechanic told us not to drive vehicle due to failure of the sub frame on the right front. The frame had rusted and broke around the bolt. Luckily it didn't break while traveling on highway.
The subframe on my 1999 ford windstar rusted out and had to be replaced in 20 09. Whenever we made lefthand turns we would hear a grinding noise. I first brought the car in to be serviced in 2004. The service tech couldn't find anything wrong. I brought the car in to the dealer 3 more times between 2004 and 2009, each time a different diagnosis was made with resulting expense. The subframe was finally determined to be the problem. As I indicated it was replaced on1/2/2009 at a cost of $1014.75.
After receiving information about a recall for the rear axle on my 1999 ford windstar I decided to take a look at it. After looking under the entire vehicle I found that the front subframe is rusted through also, and is unsafe to drive as it will break off at any point in time. I think that ford obviously has corrosion issues with these vehicles, and something should be done about it. I will be towing my van to the dealer to have the rear axle inspected today. I hope something is done about the front subframe, because this could really hurt someone.
Engine sub-frame rotting away.
Tl*the contact owns a 1999 ford windstar. While having the vehicle inspected at the local dealer, the contact was informed that the lower frame had rusted. The vehicle had not been repaired. The current and failure mileages were 113,345.
Went to ford for 1999 rear axle recall and found my entire subframe rotted at every connection to vehicle more dangerous than rear axle do not know what held it to vehicle had replaced at about $ 900.00 kept old parts found many windstars have same problem the salvage yards can not keep the good ones in stock but most are bad they should issue a recall I am told you are investigating already became hard to steer and brakes were kinda funny.
I have a 1999 ford windstar, which has badly rusted k cradle, which can cause the engine to fall down while being driven as told by the mechanic. I tried to find an used one but couldn't get as they were all rusted out. Looks like it has bad material or bad design. Its a real safety hazard.
About 1 week ago my car started making popping noises around the front passenger's side wheel. A couple of days ago, I went to turn right after being stopped at a stop sign and the car made a loud popping noise. I was fortunate that the car was at a very low speed, so I was able to maintain control, but am positive that had I been going faster, I would have lost control and probably crashed. I had to turn the wheel and hold it at 90 degrees to keep the car on the road. Upon inspection, I was told that the subframe had corroded completely through and that my engine could have fallen out at any time. I was also told how fortunate I was that I was alive and safe. After further investigation, I have experienced almost identical issues to many individuals who have written complaints in relation to investigation pe10026. The individual who inspected the vehicle also noticed that the air conditioner tubing to release excess condensation, was leaking directly over this area in question. They felt that the corrosion from road salt in addition to the air conditioner condensation caused the problem. I am unable and unwilling to drive my vehicle at this point due to safety concerns. I am hopeful that the federal safety agency will deem this a necessary recall and prevent future injuries from occurring. For the record, I live in indiana, a salt-belt state.
Front sub-frame or engine cradle 1999 ford windstar. Noticed loud scraping noise when turning to the right. Vehicle inspected and found one of the front sub-frame mounts rusted through and almost separated from round rubber. (right side, back) all other 3 mounts are fine. I was told "do not drive" told me I was lucky I didn't lose my whole engine. They also said it could be due to the A/C drain tube located above this mount. Strange all other mounts were fine.
Vehicle became un safe to drive and swerved from lane to lane when accelerating. Found front subframe rusted thru and broken on passengers side rear corner. Needs new subframe in front.
'99 ford windstar. On 10/4/10 the van made an odd noise when turning right. As I drove throughout the week the sound got worse. The steering wheel also became un-centered on 10/4. I drove it very few miles that week., as I was home on vacation working on home repairs. On 10/8, I took it to a mechanic. He identified the sound as a pulley rubbing that became worse when the steering wheel was turned to the right. The steering gear pushed the engine to the right causing the water pump pulley to contact the right fender wall. Turning the steering wheel to the left pulled the engine back to the left, away from the right fender wall, stopping the noise. Took it home, jacked it up to find the passenger side of the sub-frame supporting the engine rusted and dropped about an inch. The van is unsafe to drive until a repair is done. I will install a piece of 1/4" steel under the sub-frame to support it until I can find a better solution. I may need to weld it to the sub-frame.
I was at a sear's auto repair center,for a flat tire repair. A mechanic had shown me the sub frame,(engine cradle) was all rusted out on the drivers side,also the spring was broken. I then proceeded to a collision repair shop to have them look at it .they tried to find a used sub frame,but no luck(they all had rust also)so repair shop is ordering a new engine cradle and spring.
Rear axle beam failure..heard recall on news a month before ford owners were notified. Took vehicle to dealership for inspection and repair, confirmed axle problem. 3 weeks later dealership called and informed me the vehicle was "unrepairable".
The engine cradle on a 1999 ford windstar has cracked completely through due to corrosion. The vehicle is unsafe to drive.
1999 ford windstar front passenger-side subframe rusted through and separated rendering the vehicle undrivable. The vehicle can not controllably steer or brake with this condition. Luckily it didn't separate while at highway speed or it would have had a catastrophic ending. An immediate recall should be put out on this before anyone is killed.
Tl*the contact owns a 1999 ford windstar. While traveling 30 MPH the contact heard a loud banging noise in the front end of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where the front sub frame assembly was replaced due to rust damage. There were no prior warnings. The failure mileage was 126000 and the current mileage was 140000. Updated 12/30/10. *lj updated 04/06/11
I started noticing a "clunk" noise by the passenger side front tire. Then each time you would turn the steering wheel to the right, the noise was much more noticeable. Then the steering wheel started to vibrate while driving. Then each time you took a right turn and or drive over a bump, the "clunk" was not only louder you could actually feel it in the steering wheel and actually in the entire van. We took it in to see what the problem was and we were told the subframe had corroded through.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford windstar. While examining the vehicle the contact noticed a rust hole in the front sub frame. The vehicle had not been diagnosed and there were no prior warnings. The failure mileage was 155000 and the current mileage was 173000.
Noticed loud scraping noise when steering had vehicle inspected and found right front sub-frame rusted and separated from round rubber bushing looking into repairs now and found online that it is a common problem that can cause steering loss.
Subframe severely rusted @ rear engine cushions. Must be replaced immediately.
Passenger side tire seemed to have a mind of it's own. We went to two different mechanics - the second said the subframe was rusted and we should not drive the van because the engine will fall out.
Corrosion related failure front right sub-frame. Loss of steering control, right front wheel shaking, right front brake locked up. Also ABS brake lights on in dash, ABS no longer works, traction control light on, works no more.
Ford windstar 1999: my mechanic said the front sub-frame is rusted to the point that it is unsafe to drive. I am taking it to my local ford dealer for evaluation. Ford will also perform the rear axle recall.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford windstar. While driving at approximately 65 MPH pressure was applied to the brake pedal and he could hear a loud snapping noise from under the vehicle. He was able to drive the vehicle home where it was parked. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where he was informed the sub frame was broken. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 87,000. Updated 02/17/11 *bf the subframe was replaced at the consumers expense. Updated 06/06/11
Took my van into midas for an oil change, the mechanic called me out and showed me the k frame is rotted and hanging off the vehicle on passenger side of vehicle. This is also caused additional front end damage. Mechanic told us do not drive this vehicle. It has been sitting in the front of our house since.
Irregular braking, experienced as an odd, slipping lurch at the completion of a stop occasioned investigation of a supposed braking problem by our mechanic. Previously noted was the misalignment of the steering wheel about a quarter turn from vertical during straight-ahead driving. After checking the brakes the mechanic was puzzled by a rubbing noise he had heard on his test drive. While repositioning the car to investigate, the engine cradle suddenly separated from the sub-frame and dropped to the ground, wrenching the steering wheel forward and disconnecting the steering mechanism from the wheels. Ancillary damage is as yet unassesed. The cause of separation was massive,evident corrosion where the engine cradle attaches to the sub-frame. This vehicle is located in a "salt-belt" state.
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