1999 Ford Windstar: clunking or noise when 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 Jun 2, 2011 · Body · 220,000 miles · OH

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?

Filed Oct 27, 2010 · Body · 147,563 miles · NJ

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.

Filed Sep 15, 2010 · Body · 130,000 miles · MN

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.

Filed Feb 22, 2010 · Suspension · 118,000 miles · IN

1999 ford windstar, 118k miles. Van has unstable steering and noise in right rear wheel area. While driving at slow speed and taking it to repair shop, the noise gets louder and my son following me reports rear tires becoming misaligned. Right tire is smoking and tire fragments are evident. Repair shop reports that rear axle is broken and needs to be replaced. Right tire also needs replaced. I have asked for old parts to be saved for my personal inspection. After some web browsing (carcomplaints.com), I have found similar failure events from other ford windstar owners mostly from northern midwest and northern eastern states, I.e. Winter states. All complaints observed were for windstars over 10 years and / or 100k miles.

Filed Dec 5, 2006 · Body, Steering · 51,775 miles · NJ

Dt*: the contact stated while the vehicle was driven 30 MPH, there was a popping noise, and the steering shifted pulling the vehicle to the right. The vehicle was driven to the residence, where the contact inspected the steering and found the steering was turned to the left. When the vehicle was taken to a local mechanic, the vehicle was put onto a lift. The subframe was found to be rusted out and had a fracture. The front left tie rod was bent due to the frame failure on the opposite side. The sub frame section supporting the engine and transmission and the left outer tie rod were replaced. The manufacturer was notified.

Filed Jul 9, 2006 · Body · PA

The subframe on the right front side is cracked and appears to have rusted through. We were noticing a clunk sound when turning and stopping so I pulled the wheel to check and noticed the crack right away. It could cause the trans and engine to shift and could possibly cause an accident as the subframe is cracked all the way through. We never hit anything while driving so this is very unusual.

Filed Mar 6, 2006 · Steering · 65,000 miles · FL

Purchased the windstar used in 2001. After about a year the steering started to make funny (whining) noises and sometimes it would get tougher to turn wheel. At 65k my family and I were driving across country and the power steering went out completely. We had to drive the last 800 or so miles to our new home with no power steering. Took it to a repair shop, suspecting the power steering pump and they said it was not bad, just needed fluid. I had checked the fluid when it originally went out and it was low, but not empty. It drove fine (still noisy) for about a month and then steering went out again. I returned to the same shop and again told me that I needed fluid. I told them I had never seen a leak, but I would check every day to figure out where the fluid was going. About three days later I was driving home from work and the noise became very loud again and when I pulled into my driveway I could see the trail of power steering fluid I left behind. I looked under the car and the fluid was pouring out from the boot on the drivers side. I took it to the same repair shop and they said "blown rack and pinion". Thanks.

Filed Feb 28, 2004 · Steering · 70,000 miles · VA

Steering makes a groaning or rubbing type of noise when turning the steering wheel. Doesn't seem to have any impact on performance of the steering but is a god-awful noise and I don't know what it is!!!*ak thanks!!

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Body, Brakes · 76,000 miles · CA

* vehicle leans since purchased sept 13, 2003. * allignment problems. * transmission does not properly change gears. * low treads on tires. * a frame problems. * suspension steering makes a clunking noise. * brakes must be pumped to stop, and make a ticking noise when applied. * vehicle has overheated. * power steering fluid leaked. * gears do not shift properly. * primer scotch guard on seats wearing after coat applied.

Filed Oct 31, 2003 · Steering · AZ

We bought our 1999 windstar in 2002 with only 27,000 miles on it; from the beginning the power steering would groan and make noises. We complained about it to several shops, but we were assured that it was "normal." yesterday the power steering noise was very loud and constant and there was difficulty steering. Today the steering went completely out while I was driving to work. The repair shop says it is the rack and pinion.

Filed May 23, 2003 · Steering · 67,000 miles · TN

While the consumer made a turn the power steering pump made a loud noise. The dealer was notified.