2000 Ford Windstar: harsh or hard shifting

Filed Oct 31, 2015 · Body, Steering · VT

My wife was driving her van when she heard a clunk. She was traveling at 25mph on a state road. Upon inspection we found the front subframe broke where the front sway bar connects. Research found a recall, but my VIN was not part of it. Ford corporate told me I was on my own to have it fixed. This is an outrage. They should be taking care of this problem. What do I do next?

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 Jun 22, 2013 · Brakes, Suspension · 173,599 miles · IL

Driving home from work. Going 20 MPH. Heard a clunk, then a big bam. Front tire was blown. Pulled into an empty parking lot. Had vehicle towed back to where I work (toyota dealer). Service looked at it the next day. The left front axle broke. It also needs a new tire, spring, strut and ABS sensor. I've had all the recalls performed. I've always done the service needed. Our service department checks it out every year to make sure it's safe. I'm lucky that I didn't hit anyone and was able to keep it under control.

Filed Mar 21, 2013 · Suspension, Transmission · KS

2000 ford windstar. Consumer writes in regards to defective rear axle assembly in vehicle. *smd the consumer stated she noticed a clunking sound when she backed out of her driveway, but didn't think much of until the second week in february, when it happened again, but it was much louder. The rear end of the vehicle felt as though it was swaying, when she drove over a bump in the road, the consumer took the vehicle to a mechanic, where a huge crack was fond in the rear axle's man bar. The mechanic informed the consumer a recall had been issued for the same problem. When the consumer and the mechanic contacted the local ford dealer, they were told there we no recalls associated for the vehicle identification number.

Filed Aug 25, 2012 · Brakes, Steering · 107,000 miles · NJ

On 8/12/12 as I was driving to new york I notice that every time there is a weight transfer I heard a clunking sound on the right front, after returning to new jersey I took the vehicle to sears auto to have it check out and was told and shown the defect was with the frame work which a recall was done for in 2011. The repair that the did in 2011 to the frame was in my opinion a death trap and I would suggest that you send a inspector to inspect the repair that ford said they did to these frame work, the strap that they put on the frame in my opinion is like putting a band aid on a third degree burn. I took the vehicle back to ford dealer in hackensack nj and they are giving me a hard time, my vehicle has been there from friday and today is saturday @ 1430 they still haven't look at it, maybe because of the color of my skin the really don't care, but I don't think safety should come down to the color of a person skin. Thanks for your help.

Filed Jul 30, 2010 · Suspension · 123,892 miles · MI

2-3 days ago heard a clunk or two from right rear right rear. From that point on rear end felt a bit squirrelly (like shot or broken shock(s)/swaybar or linkage). A couple times going over mildly uneven road the rear end seamed to track laterally 4-6". Last night returning home I pulled through an uneven roadwork area leading into our neighborhood and started heard a loud rubber rubbing sound. Pulled to the curb pronto and found left rear wheel tilted in at top/back and rubbing fender well. Walked home and returned with jack to find lugnuts tight and wheel spins well, but off axis. Left it there and returned to web with symptoms and search routed me right to windstar rear axle cracking pe10016. Will try and brace axle and limp it home the last 2 blocks soon. Glad it occurred at slow speed!

Filed Jun 9, 2010 · Suspension · 155,000 miles · CT

My son and I were driving to bj's warehouse after buying mulch at lowe's. We just got off the highway and was about 1/4 mile from bj's when we heard a loud clunk. I thought the tire blew at first and continued into the closest parking lot. I looked under the car and found that my rear axle I-beam had snapped in two. Both the flatbed driver who towed it and my mechanic said they never saw such a thing happen before. A steel beam braking in two isn't supposed to happen. We were lucky we didn't have an accident. Ford will only have a recall after someone dies and a multi-million dollar lawsuit follows. That would bring the kind of publicity that ford would have to react to. It seems that's the only time any of these carmakers back their vehicles is after a tragedy and a major investigation. Lives just aren't important to them. Just profits.

Filed Apr 28, 2010 · Body · 128,000 miles · NY

While driving my 2000 ford windstar minivan with 3 children in car, the rear end of vehicle was swaying sideways. There was a loud clunking noise when going over bumps then car would jump sideways. Drove car home slowly with flashers on. My husband inspected underneath car to find rear axle rusted and cracked in half and rear tires tilting inward. My husband said I was very lucky to have not been a serious accident. Car deemed too dangerous to drive.

Filed Jul 12, 2009 · Suspension · 145,000 miles · CT

We own a 2000 ford windstar and when it began clunking on my wife and 4 children I got under it to check the tires and discovered my axel was snapped in half for no reason at all this vehicle has done nothing but ride family around when I typed it in I found many other complaints about this issue on their windstars as well ford should have a recall on this issue.

Filed Apr 23, 2009 · Suspension · 84,000 miles · NJ

Rear axle beam cracked in half about 1.5 ft from driver side wheel . Heard clunking sound mechanic found crack.

Filed Aug 26, 2008 · Suspension · 79,000 miles · MA

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 ford windstar. While driving at an unknown speed, the contact noticed a clunking noise especially when driving over a bump in the road. Her sister had the same vehicle with the identical failure several months prior. The contact described the issue to her and was advised to visit her mechanic. The mechanic stated that he had never seen a crack in the rear axle beam, which should never occur. He further stated that it was due to either a defect in the design of the vehicle or the steel. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was out of warranty and would not be covered. The current and failure mileages were approximately 79,000.

Filed Apr 24, 2008 · Transmission · 101,203 miles · CA

While at a complete stop in my 2000 windstar I accelerated to cross a busy highway and heard a loud clunk. The transmission failed and left me to drift into cross traffic where I was almost hit by a mack truck. I swerved in an almost u-turn like fashion and was able to pull to the side of the highway next to the road I had originated from. This is the third transmission to fail in this vehicle. The first failed at about 37,000 miles. Luckily I had purchased an extended warranty so the dealership fixed it but they made me produce my original contract to prove I had the extended warranty. The second time was about 15 months ago, after ford's refusal to help I took it to aamco and I paid $2800 to repair. After being referred to this website I was astounded at how many people have had the same experience. I was almost killed this morning, when is enough enough?