1999 Ford Windstar wheels problems

Filed May 22, 2020 · Suspension, Wheels · 100,000 miles · IN

The axle on the back driver's side is terribly rusted to the point of no repair. The mechanic stated it is a recall problem and needs to be taken to the ford dealer. He also stated that it is dangerous to drive due to the problems that it was causing the wheel to not fit or stay on correctly causing it to rub on the vans surface causing a blowout and making driving almost impossible and dangerous. Thank god my son drove it and not myself. Thank god that he is okay. This problem needs to be dealt with asap. I am a foster mom and drive children in this van and it definitely needs to be inspected for the problems and repaired. My son was on his way to put gas into the vehicle when this happened. The kids and I were going to hit the highway and go to a food pantry in the adjoining city. Thank god we didn't. This all happened while my son took the car to put gas in before the kids and I were to leave out. We had already stated that the wheel wasn't fitting on well and decided to take it to the mechanic. The mechanic told us there was nothing he could do because of the corrosion and then informed us about the recall on the vehicle and the problems this model was having with the axles and rust and corrosion and other problems. Thank god this was on a city street and at the time there was little traffic, otherwise it could have been a dangerous mess.

Filed Sep 4, 2017 · Suspension, Wheels · 137,000 miles · CA

I just purchased the 1999 ford winstar and. 2 months later I was driving to work and the rear axle beem broke causing me to looae control. I am just now finding out about the recall please advise this I s my only vehicle

Filed Apr 12, 2017 · Steering, Transmission · 134,350 miles · MD

This vehicle was serviced at 102,654 miles, in march-april of 2011 by koons ford of maryland, (invoice#w70829, dated may 5, 2011) in response to ford recall, related to "broken front subframe" and "collapsing rear axle".--front subframe was, at that time, broken on the right side, due to rusting. Replacement was not done, instead it was patched via a bolted together "clamshell" reinforcing device. It now has become apparent that after using the vehicle after this initial frame separation, the metal of the left side was unduly stressed, and has now broken at its weldment point, resulting in an unsafe vehicle, that swerves to the left, if brakes are applied while in motion on the street or other roadway. Wheels are no longer kept in alignment, with left front wheel free to move to the front or rear, in response to applied stress! This subframe failure affected many such vehicles, and it has become evident that inspection and repair was inadequate, resulting in a new, unsafe condition! (subframe should have been replaced, due to stress!)-photos are attached, showing displaced frame, and separated weld joint.

Filed Feb 14, 2016 · Electrical, Steering · 155,319 miles · FL

Too make a long story short.I had about three recall on my ford windstar and now my whole van shut down on me.my computer I guess got it on auto theft lock and I can't even turn over now.it's just sitting in my parking lot just helpless.I have another recall but I cant take it to the ford dealership because I cant turn over.oh yea.it kept cutting off while im driving,don't let me stop at a light it will cut off on me there alot.it does that alot.I bought it from a car lot but he doesn't want to do anything about it.so I lost out of my money.when I turn it also cut off.

Filed Aug 1, 2015 · Suspension, Wheels · 120,000 miles · IA

This is regarding recall # 10s13. In 2010 ford issued this recall because there was a weak part on the rear axle that rusts away and cracks. There fix is to inspect the weld and then replace the axle if there is a crack. If no crack is present, the dealership is to clean the rust off the weld. When this recall came out, ford made it difficult for dealers to replace broken axles. They made it so difficult for the dealers to get a replacement axle that they where "backordered" for several months. I live in an area that has some rust and had ford "inspect" my weld for excessive rust. They said it was fine and sent it down the road which then voids my recall. Now the rear axle has broken at the very same weld which was mentioned in the recall. It even broke under the same conditions described in the recall. I checked and found that the only thing ford did to my vehicle was to spray some rust inhibitor on top of the rust that was already there and sent me on my way. Since I took it in for inspection, they now refuse to replace the defective part under recall 10s13.I've been told that if I had never taken the car in for inspection, that they would now have to replace the part. The proof I have is this. The recall didn't come out until 11 years after the cars where sold, which proves it takes a while for this part to break. Look at your complaints. The ones that failed in 08-11 where in the far northern states. Ford had to replace most of these in 2011. Ford didn't replace many in southern illinois, southern iowa, etc until a few years later (2012-15). The problem is that these are starting to break in the mid-western states and ford is refusing to repair them since they already "inspected" the weld and found it wasn't cracked when the recall first came out. Everyone knows that covering rust wont stop it from continuing to rust. Ford needs to expand this recall.

Filed May 29, 2015 · Suspension, Wheels · 255,000 miles · WI

The factory recall notice required trailing axle reinforcement brackets to be installed on the rear axle. They were installed at the dealership, along with an upgrade to the front control arm mounts. The rear axle broke while driving on the highway, the speed I was travelling at was only 45 MPH at the time of the break. As the axle collapsed, the rear tires began rubbing against the wheel wells. I slowed down and pulled over immediately, seeing smoke from the rear. The crack occured on the driver's side of the axle, underneath the repair bracket that was installed by ford. ( obviosly placed over the weak/defective area.) the vehicle had only 80,000 miles on it in may of 2011 when we obtained it, the same year the recall repair was performed. In the last 4 yearsa I drove 175,000 highway miles, have regularly washed and maintained this vehicle well, (including undercarriage washes in the winter). I've recently replaced the entire ignition system, front suspension/brake components, and rear shocks. It's a real shame that this vehicle is disabled by a weak rear axle when there's plenty of life left in the engine and transmission. With regular full synthetic oil changes, cooling and transmission flushes, new aligned front steering, I expected to get over 300,000 miles out of this van. Now I have to find a good used rear axle, but will have no faith in its durability or safety.

Filed Jul 9, 2012 · Brakes, Wheels · 200,000 miles · TX

Skimmed to a stop,vehicles are dangerous,brakes tied up and would not respond took it to have it checked out advised system was good,now I read you guys are having this problem and it happen to me,proving its a defect I want to be given credit for a new ford windfree.

Filed Aug 28, 2010 · Suspension, Wheels · 88,562 miles · IA

Week of june 21st,2010 on west kimberly road van began to waver on dry pavement and I got it home safety. Inspection revealed right rear wheel at a extreme angle left rear wheel also is at a slanted angle. Rust has damaged rear axle bends where rear wheel are secured. Left in garage as I can't drive it safety and do not have available money to get it repaired. Right rear wheel is rubbing the underneath of van. Old part is still on the van.

Filed Jul 8, 2010 · Wheels · 112,000 miles · NJ

Tl*the contact owns a 1999 ford windstar. While driving approximately 5 to 10 MPH, the right front passenger wheel fell off of the vehicle. He observed that the studs on the wheel broke off. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer. He stated that the dealer replaced the brake drum, hub and rotor assembly. The contact was unable to provide a VIN. The approximate failure mileage was 112,000 and the current mileage was 112,100.

Filed May 18, 2010 · Suspension, Wheels · 77,000 miles · PA

Our 1999 ford windstar began to shake and then rear axel cracked in half while traveling approx. 60 MPH on the highway. Luckily we were able to get to the side of the road safely...I still do not know how my husband was able to do that as there was so much "smoke" (from the metal rubbing the road and the tires riding at an angle) and it was dark outside and we had to get over 2 lanes. Part was replaced at our own expense. This was not the first one the mechanic had seen. This incident happened spring 2008 but I just read on the internet of the pending investigation and had not previously known where to report it. When we reported it to ford, they just tried to get us to want to buy a new car from them. Also, we told friends of ours that have a 2000 windstar to watch out for the shaking and to get it checked. Well several months later they began to experience shaking and took it in and the mechanic saw that it was ready to break and replaced it before any harm was done. Thank god we were all unhurt...the next people may not be so lucky! We no longer own this vehicle.