1999 Ford Windstar: loss of power steering

Filed Oct 16, 2017 · Steering · 160,000 miles · MO

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford windstar. While driving 60 MPH, there was an abnormal popping noise and the power steering failed without warning. The vehicle was towed to sunset ford (11700 gravois rd, saint louis, mo 63127) where it was diagnosed that the power steering needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was advised by the dealer that they would not repair the vehicle due to threats made by the contact and to have the vehicle towed from the premises. The manufacturer was notified of the issue and advised the contact to take the vehicle to another dealer. The failure mileage was 160,000.

Filed Feb 26, 2014 · Steering · 106,000 miles · WI

The 1999 ford windstars front lower control arm and sub frame (chassis) major corrosion-related fractures. Failure resulted in the loss of steering. In its report to the n.h.t.s.a. Ford said it did not conclude that the low rate of reported incidents involving the control arm indicated a greater safety problem, but the recall would be undertaken anyway to confirm our commitment to safety and to address any potential vehicle owner concerns.

Filed Aug 21, 2012 · Body, Engine · 106,000 miles · IL

Lived in the salt belt state of il. When I was driving, front subframe falling off and some components were touching the ground due to severe front subframe rusted out. I lost steering control and gear control on a multiple lane road. Ford has never sent any notice to me regarding any recall. This is a known issue via the federal safety agency action number: pe10026 and I would like ford to repair the rusted subframe and all other broken components directly caused by subfram falling off. Ford refused to provide any car rental by saying ?this is an old recall and we do not give car rental now?.

Filed Mar 18, 2012 · Body, Steering · 156,219 miles · TX

Lived in the salt belt state of pa. Frame rusted out and I lost steering control and almost had an accident.this is a known issue via the federal safety agency action number: pe10026 and I would like ford to recall and fix this at thier cost.

Filed Jan 22, 2011 · Body · PA

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.

Filed Jan 7, 2011 · Body · 157,000 miles · MI

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

Filed Sep 11, 2010 · Body, Brakes · 109,409 miles · MI

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.

Filed Apr 10, 2010 · Body · 200,000 miles · WI

1999 ford windstar. Without warning the front subframe broke loose from the main chassis when the car was moving forward at a stop light. The engine and transmission dropped, disconnecting the steering wheel from the steering rack and resulted in a complete loss of steering and control. Subframe completely rusted out at the point of failure. I know of another person whose 1999 windstar did the exact same thing one week earlier. Car ended up being scrapped as repair costs far out weighed the car's value. This could result in injuries or fatalities if the car were moving at higher speeds. Ford is aware this is happening but is not advising owners to have their cars inspected. Lots of potential for accidents, there are plenty of older windstars on the road.

Filed Mar 3, 2010 · Steering · 177,000 miles · PA

Tl*the contact owns a 1999 ford windstar. While driving 50 MPH the vehicle lost power steering. The contact has not had the power steering diagnosed. The failure mileage was 177,000.

Filed Mar 29, 2009 · Body · 77,817 miles · NJ

We have a 99 windstar with a broken engine cradle. My wife was driving the van along with my son to a local retailer. She was in the middle lane when she heard a loud bang under the van. My son who was sitting ton the passenger side said he felt it under his feet. She was able to get the van to the side of the road even though the steering was very difficult. She was about 5 miles from home so decided to take it back home. Surprisingly she was able to get it home. I crawled under the unit and immediately saw that the engine cradle had snapped on the passenger side rear. It was then that we stopped driving the van due to safety concerns. I did some research on the web and they were several complaints identical to ours. It seems that the AC drain hose is situated over the exact location of the break. Apparently over a period of time this causes the frame to rust out. I called ford to complain and they said that there was nothing they could do. I called my local ford dealer and passed on buying a new part due to the cost. I had to take a day off from work and go junkyard shopping to find a replacement part. I located one and we had the unit towed to lucas ford in burlington, n.j. Where my wife works part time. The part was delivered and the dealer did the replacement along with a bad rack and pinion unit that was discovered at the same time. The unit had 77,817 on the odometer at the time the work was done. I can understand mechanical items going bad but this was a structural item. This situation could have been so much worse say had she been on the interstate doing 65 MPH instead of on a local road doing 40 MPH. I could see if this was an isolated incident but it isn't. I contacted ford one more time and complained again to no avail. I have always owned fords and probably always will but this experience along with one I had concerning my 1985 thunderbird control module has left a bad taste in my mouth as to how they take care of their customers.

Filed Jul 2, 2008 · Body, Steering · 116,387 miles · OH

The front sub frame dropped down due to rust at the rear attaching points. This caused a loss of steering. The vehicle is a 1999 ford windstar van. I called ford motor company & they said there was nothing they could do, that there is no warranty or recalls for this problem. It seems that this is a serious safety issue. Although there was no accident or injuries, it could very well have caused a serious accident.

Filed Dec 13, 2007 · Engine · 108,000 miles · GA

Subject vehicle is a 1999 ford windstar van with 3.8 engine; this vehicle has not been operational since july 15, 2007 due to stalling problem. After reaching operating temperature, it may stall at any time. At speeds above 40 MPH you can maintain control of vehicle, but under 35 MPH vehicle becomes difficult to control due to engine shutdown and loss of power steering and brake assist.