1999 Ford Windstar: whining or grinding noise

Filed May 26, 2009 · Body, Suspension · 99,000 miles · WV

On may 22 my 1999 ford windstar van started to make a squealing/whining noise at approximately 10:30 in the morning during what should have been a 40 minute drive to my mothers house. Due to the weird noise I stopped and checked the air pressure in my tire (right rear) where the sound seemed to be originating from. The pressure was a little low so I topped it off and continued on my trip. The sound continued and I decided to stop at a service station about 20 more miles into the trip. The service station was little help, they checked my power steering fluid, drove the van around the parking lot a couple of times and it made no noises. The attendant told me he didn't have any idea as to what the sound might be and asked if I could return in an hour when his superior would be there. I agreed to return after dropping off my kids at my mothers. After going on down the road about another ten miles I felt the steering wheel start to float and drift and my brakes became useless and the van came to an abrupt halt and there was a huge bang as the entire rear end of the vehicle became disabled. As we all piled out to see what was wrong we found the rear wheels pointing inward under the van at a backwards angle. Some men came to help me who were nearby they informed me my axle was snapped. Looking under the vehicle I could clearly see they were right. My van will be repaired this weekend. I called ford they basically told me to eat the repairs myself. In wv a yearly inspection is required, I passed inspection at the beginning of april which tells me there was nothing visually wrong with my axle less than two months ago. I find it hard to believe that without any outside damage or force (accidents, force ect) an axle can just snap in two. If I had been traveling any faster my 4 children and myself would have been killed or harmed as at the moment it broke I had little control over the vehicle and the brakes were failing. Only people with children buy mini-vans, this is scary.

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 Jan 28, 2004 · Steering · 65,000 miles · VA

My windstar starting making a whining noise and it began to get worse and worse.he noise was one thing, but the driving of the vehicle became extremely dangerous... It started to pull when brakes were applied.*ak steering became very dangerous.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Steering, Wheels · 54,000 miles · WA

Left rear and left front hub and bearing assemblies began making loud humming/grinding sounds suddenly at 51,000 miles. Ford dealership diagnosed and replaced defective hub and bearing assemblies for the standard price as it is no longer under warranty. This item should last much longer without failing. Steering pump began intermittently making whining/hissing sounds when the slightest turning input was applied. By the time the failed power steering pump was diagnosed, and the whining was constant, it had caused the rack and pinion seals to fail and steering fluid to leak from the rack and pinion sleeves. When steering fluid got low and steering was no longer power assisted, my wife almost had a collision with a vehicle full of children. Not trusting ford anymore, I ordered the parts myself and hired a local mechanic to replace the power steering pump and rack and pinion. In most vehicles these components should last beyond 100,000 miles. Upon further investigation I found that failing power steering pumps, leading to failed rack and pinion seals, is a consistent problem on 1999 windstars, and that ford is aware of the problem and trying avoid addressing it.

Filed Jan 22, 2003 · Steering · 58,000 miles · FL

I own a 1999 ford windstar van with approximately 50,000 miles that is used for pleasure purposes only. Two days ago the power steering unit commenced howling whenever the steering wheel was turned. Yesterday I took the vehicle to the ford dealer in arcadia. During the drive to the dealer the vehicle appeared to steer correctly. However, when the service man at the dealer tried to drive the vehicle into the stall he said that the steering had frozen and was almost impossible to steer. Subsequently the dealer, after checking the power steering unit, decided that the pump in the power steering system had failed causing component pieces to pass through the system causing the steering failure.the dealer said the repair would require replacing the pump and all components of the system at a cost of more than a thousand dollars. My concern is the steering could have failed on the highway causing a serious accident. In addition, failure of the power sterring unit at such low mileage leaves the impression that this might be a defect in other cars....thus the report to you. The ford dealer's telephone number in arcadia is 863 494 4848

Filed Jun 11, 2002 · Transmission · CT

While driving 30-40 MPH heard a whining noise. Dealer determined first and second gears have gone out. Transmission needs to be replaced.

Filed May 13, 2002 · Steering · KY

Power steering went out briefly in dec. Of 2001. I thought it was due to moisture on the belts. Steering went out again, briefly on may 10, 2002. Again, I thought it was due to wet belts. Steering began to make a loud grinding,whining sound on may 12, 2002. We had our van towed to the dealership. We were told the entire power steering column would have to be replaced due to leaking seals under the van. Estimated cost; $700.00. I found a technical service bulletin on your website that fits the description of this problem. Do we have any recourse against ford? Our van is barely out of warranty. Can you help us? Our family of six could have been killed. The mechanic at the dealership said that the steering could have gone out completely. Thank you for your consideration. Jean marie smith.

Filed Feb 21, 2001 · Steering · IN

Upon visual inspection consumer noticed fluid on ground and vehicle would make a whining noise. Vehicle was taken to dealer, and consumer was notified that rack and pinion steering was broken.