1999 Ford Windstar: pulls to one side

Filed Jun 14, 2024 · Engine · 130,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel started pulling to one side, almost causing the contact to lose control of the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the motor mounts were damaged and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the contact was referred to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance because the vehicle was not under Warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

Filed Oct 13, 2011 · Body, Suspension · 152,393 miles · PA

The van has had both the front subframe and rear axel recall repairs completed. On picking up the van, it still had a hard pull to the right after paying for an alignment. The dealer attributed it to the tires. On putting the van in for pa inspection, it did not pass due to "subframe rotted at rear transmission mount". The ford dealer that performed the recall work subsequently looked at it, agreed the frame was rotted but that no recalls covered it. The repair cost is in excess of the vehicle value. I suspect the alignment could be related as well.

Filed Mar 2, 2011 · Steering, Suspension · 100,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford windstar. The contact was driving approximately 10 MPH when the vehicle began pulling to the right abnormally. The contact then received notification of a manufacturers steering recall and the vehicle was taken to the dealer who advised that the vehicle was not repairable. The dealer offered to buy back the vehicle but later advised that the vehicle was able to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The current mileage was 105,000 and the failure mileage was 100,000. Updated 03/31/11*lj the consumer also stated the rear axle cracked. For offered to buy the vehicle back. Updated 07/01/11

Filed Jan 7, 2011 · Body · 75,000 miles · MI

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.

Filed Dec 29, 2010 · Engine, Suspension · OH

Tl*the contact owns a 1999 ford windstar. While the contact was driving approximately 40 MPH, there was a loud noise coming from the front end of the vehicle. Suddenly, the vehicle pulled into the right direction and wandered out of the lane causing difficulty in maintaining the steering. When the brakes were engaged, the vehicle pulled toward the left direction with a metal screeching noise. The failure occurred three times. A certified technician inspected the vehicle and stated that the engine cradle and lower control arm were completely rusted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Dec 28, 2010 · Acceleration, Electrical · 127,445 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford windstar. The contact stated that the vehicle was abnormally pulling to the right in would sporadically become stuck in park. On a separate occasion the contact was driving 30 MPH when the check engine and overdrive warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where unknown repairs were performed yet the failure persisted after the repairs. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer several times where several unknown repairs were made but to no avail. In addition, the contact stated that the battery was replaced five times and the she was recently made aware of two open recalls on the vehicle; the federal safety agency campaign id numbers: 10v385000 (suspension:rear:axle:non-powered axle assembly) and 09v399000 (vehicle speed control). Neither recall repair had yet been performed on the vehicle. The failure mileage was 127,445 and the approximate current mileage was 150,000.

Filed Nov 22, 2010 · Body · 150,000 miles · OK

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.

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 Aug 16, 2010 · Body · 157,450 miles · NJ

Was driving my 99 windstar south bound at about 70 MPH on the garden state parkway and had thought that a tire went flat almost lost control tried to pull left but the van was still going right and almost spun me around and almost collided with three other cars,upon pulling over heard noises coming from rear. Looked underneath and the axle was broken in half. Had to wait over an hour for a tow just to get off the road and then wait for another tow from there. I drive 200 hundred miles daily 5 days a week. It was many only vehicle too.

Filed Aug 5, 2010 · Body · 140,000 miles · CT

I would like to formally submit a complaint along with the other ford windstar owners for rear axle breaking. My 1999 windstar broke last night while traveling on i90 in boston. The car began to wander excessively, then noises, tire smoke, and dangerous controllability. My daughter was in the car, and it was a dangerous situation for me, my daughter and the other motorists.

Filed Dec 21, 2009 · Suspension, Tires · 128,000 miles · ME

1999 ford windstar, control arm broke off sub frame causing vehicle to come to a dead stop and front end to drop. There was no warning except the vehicle started to pull to the right a little. To fix the problem, had to replace sub frame. The bracket where the control arm should be was completely gone on the passenger side....it was still together and intact on the drivers side. You lose total control and cannot steer the vehicle.

Filed Oct 16, 2008 · Body, Engine · 125,000 miles · PA

Tl*the contact owns a 1999 ford windstar. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle began pulling to the right. The contact heard a noise and the steering wheel was not centered. There were no warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who stated that the failure was related to the main engine cradle assembly. The vehicle was repaired. The contact was concerned of the safety risk involved. The failure mileage was 125,000 and current mileage was 129,000. Updated 11/17/08 *cn updated 11/21/08.