1. Rear axle fractured severely & broke making the car un-drivable on 24 jan 2019 while in motion driving in city traffic. Ford put braces on this vehicle under recall# 10s13, but they failed to prevent further corrosion and metal fatigue. The axle was a bad engineering design from the drawing board combined with not e-coating the metal during manufacturing to prevent corrosion of the metal due to road salt. The axle fractured next to the brace on the driver side as shown in the 4 images below. I have one tow bill (flat-bed) to get the car off the downtown street to my home & will have another tow bill to transport it to where I can replace the axle. 2. Front cradle frame's mount rusted off that anchors the stabilizer bar so the stabilizer bar had to be removed. This happened several years ago. The cradle frame probable was not e-coated during manufacture either. I can take a pic and probable have the repair invoice detailing the date and the mechanic's work to remove the stabilizer bar. To fix the car will need a new front cradle frame, stabilizer bar, and possibly mount brackets.
2001 Ford Windstar body complaints
Page 2 of 11: complaints 11 to 40 of 293, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. The contact stated that the dealer (gurley leep ford lincoln, 320 e ireland rd, south bend, in 46614, (574) 291-6910) indicated that they serviced an unknown recall from the manufacturer for the reinforcement brackets and that they had not been required to provide any additional repairs. The dealer replaced the rear axles due to the reinforcement brackets fracturing while the vehicle was being driven below 25 MPH. The dealer stated that they were not required by the manufacturer to reinstall reinforcement brackets. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and suggested replacing the same oem rear axles. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was not available. *tt consumer stated I feel the rear axles fail even with the recall brackets on, so I feel ford should pay for the bill. The tires went bad and out when this happened. The recall did not work and put new recall parts on new axles. Updated 10/16/18
Removed subframe to replace faulty torque converter. Found substantial rusting at firewall end of subframe on both "arms", requiring replacement of subframe. Called local dealers, no "open" recall (over 15 year-old van) and $4,900 new subframe quote provided, with no dealer or manufacturer coverage, after calling national and canadian mfctr recall numbers. Mfctr/dealers of no assistance, whatsoever. Part not actually available.
This van was recalled for known issues with the rear axle corroding. This recall involved installing support brackets on the axle. The axle has now cracked almost all the way through next to the bracket. This happened while going over a speed bump slowly. From my research online, this seems to be a common issue with the repair that was issued in this recall.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. The dealer (russ milne ford, 24777 hall rd, macomb, mi 48042, (877) 821-8648) indicated that a recall remedy was provided for the replacement brackets before the contact owned the vehicle. Within a year of owning the vehicle, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that a recall had already been provided. Although the contact informed the manufacturer that the recall remedy failed to correct the failure, they stated that the contact would need to repair the vehicle. In addition, the engine cradle was completely rusted to the point of fracturing, causing shaking and a strong vibration. The failure mileage was not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. While stationary, the contact noticed that the front engine cradle of the vehicle was severely rusted and corroded. The contact stated that there were holes in the engine cradle. Matthews ford oregon in oregon, ohio was made aware of the failure and stated that there was no recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency. The failure mileage was 190,000.
Sub frame
I was driving at around 30 MPH, 2 cars in front slammed on brakes, I was approximately 1 1/2 car links back and hit the brakes. Abs failed, airbags failed, and slid into car in front of me. I was on a city street going straight.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. While driving 5 MPH, the subframe completely fractured and fell apart without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic (spielmann service center mn; 952‑546‑0508) where it was confirmed that ford would not pay for the damage. The vehicle was towed to the dealer (luther north country ford, located at 10401 woodcrest dr nw, coon rapids, mn 55433; (612) 424-7648) where it was diagnosed that the engine, transmission, and drive train needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted at 800‑392‑3673 and stated that only the subframe could be repaired for free, but the damage for the engine, transmission, and drive train would have to be paid for by the contact. A case number was not provided. The approximate failure mileage was 184,500.
Takata inflators;I ford denying my request f VIN #[xxx] I have an obvious crack (see photos) directly under the bracket a band-aid that ford issued in an earlier recall on my rear axle with the sole purpose of this band-aid to prevent such cracking. Apparently my bracket part was deemed installed correctly, effectively causing a denial for a replacement part on my windstar. Clearly this bracket failed and did not stop my rear axle from experiencing cracking! Ford clearly new exactly where this cracking would occur because the crack appears directly under the bracket installed to create a stronger part. The only thing holding this rear axle together is this bracket. This particular part in question is directly below the gas tank, should this crucial part experience failure while driving on a 70mph highway what would happen? Also looking at my windstar on a lift we noticed the center of the windstar seems to be sagging (see photos) from what appears to be the under carriage breaking down from rust and corrosion, this appears to be causing extreme structure failure. I do reside in one of the stated salt belt states as being the state of iowa. What would the full criteria for this recall and buyback program on certain windstar?s in 2011 thru 2013 be? Why was my windstar limited excluded in this recall? I still have not been advised not to drive my windstar by any current ford representatives. However former ford mechanics have advised me not to drive my windstar, these same mechanics? Are adamant my windstar is unsafe! I have been attempting to fix the concerns that moffitts ford in boone iowa wanted me to repair at the time of the axle inspection. Only having more concern brought to my attention about the axle. I wrote [xxx] a letter 2/15/17 asking to overturn and allow repair [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer for a recall related to the lower control arm. The contact stated that the repair for the lower control arm was completed; however, the subframe was rusted. The rust was within the connection between the control arm and the subframe. The dealer determined that the rust was part of the recall repair that was completed. The recall information was not provided. The failure mileage was 140,000.
I received a safety recall in 2012 about the subframe supporting the motor and transmission. Ford put two brackets on my vehicle over the rust spots. Now the frame has almost rusted away. My mechanic said I should not drive the vehicle in that condition, it is not safe. Instead of replacing the rusty component ford patched it. I still drive the van, it has 138,000 miles on it. I live in minnesota where rust is a problem. The fix was inappropriate for the area. Updated 07/20/2017
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v608000 (structure). The vehicle was taken to the dealer who indicated that the brackets were installed properly, but failed to provide a correct diagnosis. The contact stated that the tire rubbed against the frame in the rear and fractured the rear driver's side bracket. The vehicle was parked at the contact's residence due to the failure. The dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was unknown. Parts distribution disconnect.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. The contact stated that the subframe was fractured. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was confirmed that the frame failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was serviced per the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v608000 (suspension), but the remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 141,302.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. While a rack and pinion was being installed on the vehicle, the contact was informed by the service technician that the subframe was corroded. The vehicle was previously repaired per the federal safety agency campaign number: 11v030000 (structure), but the remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The contact mentioned that the previous repair was not adequate. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. While driving at any speed, an unusual noise was heard underneath the vehicle without warning. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed that the frame underneath the front end of the vehicle was badly rusted and was considered unsafe to drive. The technician informed the contact that the noise was coming from parts of the frame that were fractured. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 111,759. The VIN was unavailable.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. While operating the vehicle, a clunking noise was heard coming from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the cradle mount fractured due to corrosion and rusting. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. While driving 35 MPH, the contact heard a noise on the floorboard and the check engine and brake indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed that the subframe was rusted beyond repair. The technician stated that the option was a complete replacement of the frame. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the recall expired after three years. The failure was not remedied. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the front end frame fractured and disengaged from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the shock absorber, front end spring, and frame were fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. The contact stated that the front subframe was severely corroded and an abnormal noise was heard from the front passenger wheel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was confirmed that the vehicle was severely corroded and was previously inspected per the federal safety agency campaign number: 11v030000 (structure). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 146,000.
Hoping they have a repair for the subframe passenger rear mine is badly rotted and afraid to drive it as it can cause a major accident or be possibly hazardous ford please cure this.
In march 2015, I reported to ford that the rear axle broke in half while driving. We had been driving down the interstate 10 minutes before going 70 MPH. If it had broken then, my husband and two daughters (13, 15) would have most certainly been killed. However, god spared us because we were only going 30 MPH on a side street when the axle failed. When I reported it, ford told me that the rear axle recall ( I had performed in 2012) warranty had expired. Also, any private mechanics I approached said it was a ford recall and would not perform the repair. So, at 137,000 miles we junked the vehicle at a junk yard because we couldn't get it repaired.
After noticing wobbling of my back tire driving my daughter home from school my father looked at me vehicle to not only see that my rear axel had cracked (in process of insepction for recall repair on that) but also notuce the the front sub frame is rusting so much that everything attached to it is starting to detach.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, a knocking noise emitted from the front passenger side of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the frame engine cross member was corroded. The contact was informed by the dealer that the remedy for the federal safety agency campaign number: 11v030000 (structure) was performed approximately 4 years ago. The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced additional failures related to the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 61,400.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. The contact stated that the rear passenger side tire was bent and noticed that the sub frame was rusted. The contact was made aware of the federal safety agency campaign id number: 11v030000 (structure). However, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.
Our van has a rusting subframe. We brought it in to a mechanic because of a scraping sound we heard when making sharp right-hand turns, especially when driving down an incline. The mechanic told us of a potential recall on a rusting subframe so we brought it into a ford dealership. They refused to take responsibility of the subframe at their cost.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. While the vehicle was being serviced, an independent mechanic discovered that the rear and front subframes were severely corroded. In addition, the front subframe exhibited a hole on the driver side and the rear axle was fractured. The vehicle was repaired under the federal safety agency campaign number: 11v030000 (structure), but the subframes were not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 91,120. Updated 02/18/15*lj updated 10/2/2015
In 2011 ford recalled over 400000 vans (1997-2003) due to serious corrosion of axles and other components. Special repairs were done at ford expense. Recently my mechanic informed me that the rear motor mount and the van sub frame had continued to rust badly to the extent that the unit was a safety risk. A search of the internet indicates that many, many repaired ford vehicles have experienced very serious corrosion of the sub frames and the repaired axles with serious results including failure of sub frames and or axles when driving!!
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. While driving various speeds, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who diagnosed that the subframe needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 173,000.
The rear axle broke in the place that was "fixed" by the recall work in 2010. Noticed squeaking noises (tire was rubbing) and a large clunk and wiggle when turning into a parking lot. Took a photo when I got to the parking lot. My rear driver's side tire was at an angle to the vehicle and the rear axle was broken under the collar that had been attached by a dealer for the recall. The weld held up, but the axle snapped underneath the fix-up job. Apparently the recall fix wasn't really a fix. Towed it into a dealer, who took photos and talked to ford. Ford said they wouldn't do anything. Cost me $$ to tow it to the dealer and back home again. Don't have $1,000 to pay the dealer for a new rear axle. Very disappointed that they didn't stand by their work. Very thankful that I was not on the freeway, and that all my children were not with me at the time. It could have been so much worse!
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