2000 Ford Windstar: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Aug 7, 2017 · Brakes, Suspension · 200,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 ford windstar. While driving various speeds, the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration and the ABS sensor indicator remained illuminated. As a result, the vehicle failed to accelerate properly. While the vehicle was undergoing routine service, the independent mechanic also discovered that the front driver side control arm was damaged and needed to be replaced. The cause of the failures was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

Filed Aug 30, 2016 · Suspension · 80,000 miles · IN

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 ford windstar. The contact stated that an abnormal clicking sound emitted on the front passenger side of the lower control arm rear attaching bracket. The contact stated that upon inspection, it was noticed that the bolt was not being torqued correctly on the front lower control arm. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was previously serviced under the federal safety agency campaign number: 12v194000 (suspension). The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

Filed Nov 16, 2015 · Suspension · 90,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 ford windstar. While driving 50 MPH, the contact noticed an abnormal noise coming from the front driver side of the vehicle. In addition, while reversing, the vehicle began to shake and the contact noticed an abnormal noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. The ABS warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that both the front and rear axles fractured and the ball joints needed to be placed on both axles. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000. Updated 02/12/16*lj

Filed Nov 6, 2015 · 137,161 miles · MA

On july 14, 2015 while driving the vehicle the engine literally fell out of the car onto the roadway and unable to steer. Vehicle was towed to champion lincoln mercury in brockton ma on that day. There was a recall #11s16 on march 11, 2011 for the subframe lower control arm rear attaching flanges rear body mounts. Vehicle was inspected and passed on may 31, 2011. It has been 4 months and ford refuses to supply the necessary parts to fix my vehicle. I've attached all recall notices, repairs, inspections and pictures as requested. We could have been killed or caused serious damage to someone else as a result of this defect in my vehicle. Even the dealership is appalled at the treatment received in this matter. I would appreciate any help you may be able to provide in resolving this issue.

Filed Jan 5, 2015 · 112,000 miles · MD

Work was performed on the sub frame of the 2000 ford windstar referenced above on april 16, 2012, as a result of a ford recall notice, number: 11s16. The recall description is as follows: "corrosion-related fractures of the front lower control arm rear attaching brackets and body mount attachments may occur. A separation of a front lower control arm rear attaching bracket may result in a lower control arm separation. A separation of both front subframe rear body mounts may result in separation of the steering intermediate shaft. Either condition could result in significant loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash." the work done on april 16, 2012 was performed by sheehy ford in gaithersburg, md. Who installed new brackets on the sub frame, to prevent the sub frame from breaking and/or eroding. At the time, there was a great deal of advanced rusting on the sub frame. On august 30, 2014, the car was taken back to sheehy ford, after loud knocking noises could be heard under the hood. Sheehy ford looked at the car, consulted with their technicians and reported back on september 4, 2014 that the sub frame had rusted through. The sounds coming from the car were due to the unstable sub frame, which holds the parts of the car in place. They also advised the car was unsafe to drive. After an additional review, sheehy ford concluded that the previous work in april of 2012 was sufficient to hold the sub frame. They have since held fast to their claim that no further "programs" are available to be able to repair the current problem of a rusted sub frame in the car. A complaint was also made through ford motor company customer service center. They took the complaint and provided a case number of: 5190828l6x2x4x, but ultimately their decision is the same as sheehy: no other programs are available to cover the cost of any additional repair to the car. 1/5/15.

Filed Apr 1, 2014 · Steering, Suspension · 120,000 miles · NC

There in no accident yet but can happens at any time !!! Extensive corosion on front subframe a specially on front control arm left and right side. Vechicle when driving is imposed to vibration comming from from left side. Any bump and hole create hammering noise from from suspension. After visual inspection noticed extensive corrosion to both front control arms. They can separate at any time. Car was inspected on jan 04, 2014 and on jan 24 ,2011 and notice was given "recal completed" time of the reacll completed in 0.3 hours !!! There was no documents given to owner or any explanation what was wrong with the car. Curently both front control arm are almost are 95% coroded so the note as "recall completed" was only a joke. How the control arm can be completly coroded in 2 years ?? There was another dealer service - recall visit on jul 11,2011 with the same issue and this time the "recall completed" take only 1.8 hr. No information was given what was done and what parts was repair.. I was visitet local dealership service in new bern and was given information that there is no recall on my vechicle even the federal safety agency issue reall on the same problem on may 2012. Ford do not like to admit that is a serious problem and need to be taken care. How many people need to be killed in the accident till ford will finally admit that is a serious problem and potential of the deadly accident that can happens at any time. I do not like to hear "im sorry" from any ford ceo when someone from my family will lost life if needed pictures of the coroded arms can be sent at any time. Car was in use from 2000-2011 in michigan and now as we moved is used in north carolina.

Filed Oct 23, 2013 · Suspension · 160,000 miles · WI

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 ford windstar. The contact stated that while driving 10 MPH, the front end of the vehicle began to shake. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection where they stated that both of the front control arms needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 160,000.

Filed Jul 4, 2013 · Suspension · NY

I needed an alignment and new tires and have a clunking sound in the front end checked out on my van so I brought it to keene automotive in dansville new york. While I was there I also had a new inner tie rod end put in. After he was done the owner bob keene brought me out to the shop floor and showed me on the computer for alignment was showing that there was a degree of camber off on the drivers side which he feels was caused by the fix job that was done to the subframe by ford. He also showed me in spots where the sub frame was rotting beneath fords fix it job that was done in july of last year for the recall . I am unsure as to what to do in this scenario I am still driving the vehicle as keene stated it was safe for a short time. I am not able to afford a new vehicle right now I am the only one working and supporting a family of 5.

Filed Apr 11, 2013 · Steering, Suspension · 147,000 miles · CA · crash

11s16 example template, front lower control arm: see suspension and structure of vehicle. I do not see a recall that visibly includes california as a recall state. I have definitely experienced this or a similar issue. There appears to be a large scale recall and buyback program. My vehicle was positively identified for the cruise control/speed control recall and serviced at gosch ford in hemet, ca. I experienced more issues than only that, or even than that and the above. Contact for more information. Not limited to only this recall, vehicle experienced several issues, many of which were attended to with out of pocket funds, either to prevent, or due to, mechanical breakdown/failure. Please also consider axle recall, and additional for this vehicle. I need an assessment done on my ford 2000 windstar lx so I may be compensated for the total costs and damages and have the vehicle replaced or completely repaired to a safe, drivable condition. (right front corner of vehicle collided with an object, part(s) failure apparent as what appears to be the front lower control arm is detached. A separation of a front lower control arm rear attaching bracket may result in a lower control arm separation. A separation of both front subframe rear body mounts may result in separation of the steering intermediate shaft. Either condition could result in significant loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash. Front

Filed Mar 22, 2013 · Suspension · 127,000 miles · KS

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 ford windstar. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the front end of the vehicle began to sway continuously. The failure occurred twice. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated the failure was contributed to the rear axle and both front control arms. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 127,000.

Filed Dec 21, 2012 · Engine, Steering · 125,067 miles · AZ

I bought the 2000 ford windstar on 09/12/2012. It had 125,000 miles. After I bought it I immediately took it to the mechanic shop to have them check it over. They found that the outer and inner tie rod ends needed to be replaced. Also, the mechanics found that the transmission mounts needed to be replaced. Also, the front struts and the rear shocks needed to be replaced. Also, the front engine mount needed to be replaced. I had all that work completed for around $1,500. Then a few months later, the vehicle broke down in my front yard. I turned the vehicle off and looked under the hood and the serpantine belt was snapped in half and the vehicle was smoking a little bit. A had the vehicle towed to the mechanics for $50. The mechanics diagnosed the powertrain. The mechanics found that the A/C compressor clutch needed to be replaced and it also had to have a evac and recharge the A/C system. This costed me $705.98. A few months later, which is now, on 12/21/2012, the vehicle is starting to make a loud clicking noise from the engine, or atleast I think it is the engine. While I was driving, the vehicle slowed down like there was a power surge or something, like it was going to brake down, so I immediately put the hazard lights on and drove 15-20 miles below the speed limit, all the way until I could make it safely back home. I don't know what is wrong with it this time. I have already invested almost $2,000 into this vehicle and I have only owned it for about 3 months!

Filed May 16, 2012 · Body, Steering · 171,000 miles · NY · crash · 1 injury

My son was driving on the highway. While driving at 40 miles per hour the back axel fractured. This resulted in him crashing into the center cement devider as well as the from left control arm breaking as well. He had to go to the hospital and get checked out. It is a shame that I have to find out about this recall through my insurer.