I am the original owner of this 2001 ford windstar se minivan which now has a rusted, corroded and broken passenger side engine subframe which renders the vehicle unsafe to drive. I complied with the earlier ford recalls with regard to this issue (11s16) and the service was completed (6/20/2012) at the ford dealership. Now after 27 months and less than 16,000 miles later, the engine subframe breaks and the cost to repair of about $5,000.00 exceeds the kelley blue book values for the vehicle. Ford has refused any help and claims they have complied with the recall work and the matter is closed. I believe the recall support bracket that was installed was nothing more that a band-aid approach to correct a major safety issue with substandard engine subframe parts. I have asked ford to buy my vehicle back, as that was an option under the recall(11s16) but they have refused again saying the matter was closed. It seems to me that the engine subframe parts should last much longer than 13 years or 97,000 miles. After all ford suggests the 1st engine tune up for this vehicle at 100,000 miles. I guess I won't be worrying about that in the future. I have this vehicle now for a short while and I have pictures of the broken subframe. I will be getting rid of it probably to a junk yard for scrap value. I am worried about all the other windstar owners driving around with this same potential condition on our roads and highways. I want you to initiate a follow up investigation into the effectiveness of the recall fix(11s16) as seen on my vehicle and others. As a result of this experience, I will never own another ford in my life.
2001 Ford Windstar body complaints
Page 3 of 11: complaints 41 to 70 of 293, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. The contact stated that while reversing at approximately 4 MPH, the motor detached, fell from the vehicle, and pulled all the cables for the gear shift. In addition, the ABS, the airbag, and the check engine warning lights illuminated. The contact also stated that the engine stalled. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the mechanic stated that a rear axle and the front sub frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 236,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was a loud abnormal noise coming from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic for diagnostic testing, who stated that the sub frame was completely rusted. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was previously repaired under the federal safety agency campaign number: 11v030000 (structure, suspension), however the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.
While driving through an intersection I heard a loud bang underneath the car and I lost all steering control! I parked the car and called for a tow. When van was on the flatbed I observed the engine mounting had detached on both sides of the car. The engine and other components were hanging down. Had van towed home. Through my own research I found that my van was part of recall no. 11s16 for corrosion related fractures at the front lower control arm rear attaching brackets and body mount attachments at the rear of the front subframe. I was shocked that I had not been notified of this recall because I had been notified regarding recall no 11s13 for rear axle corrosion related cracking. Van was taken for inspection axle and we were told it passed and nothing else needed to be done. Had van towed again, this time to dealer. Dealer says subframe and rear axle need replaced and ford wants to do the replacement. As a result of the frame detachment, the intermediate shaft needs replaced. There are other unknown components that may need repaired/replaced and they won't know until they do the work. The other repairs may or may not be paid for by ford. Under ford's own remedies, if brackets can not repair the original subframe, then a repurchase offer for the vehicle should be made. To date, ford has refused this as a remedy. Instead, they want to replace the subframe and axle that would have to be attached to other corroded parts of the vehicle. My family's lives were already put in danger enough by these defective products. I was not notified regarding the subframe recall and the rear axle was improperly handled. The axle should have had reinforcement brackets attached even if it did pass inspection. This was not done nor were we told to bring it back in to be done. Ford should be forced to buy back my vehicle under it's own remedy instructions provided to the federal safety agency.
While backing out of my driveway the subframe fell out of my vehicle causing the throttle body to open all the way dropped out of reverse and went into drive lost steering ,lost brakes jammed vehicle into park to stop 1 foot from telephone pole. Had vehicle towed to ford took 1 week to here anything from them ,was told I could not have a rental or loaner vehicle while they had my car. Called ford customer service line was told I could only get rental car for 1 day for subframe and 1 day for rear axle recall , as of 7/14 2014 was told I would maybe have my vehicle back by next week after ford evaluated my car for repairs. I did not receive a phone call from ford dealer until 7/14/2014.
I was driving on interstate 39 towards wisconsin dells with my wife and daughters. About 15 miles out of madison wisconsin my daughters began screaming I looked back and there was smoke everywhere. I immediately pulled to side of highway and got everyone out of the vehicle. Both my rear tires had collapse. I had to get towed into a ford dealer in madison wisconsin. The rear axle on the van had split in half. Calling ford was no help. They stated that a recall had been on that vehicle a couple years back and that the warranty on that recall had expired. Luckily nothing happened to my family but if these issues on this recall which was done two years ago hasn't fixed the problem someone is going to get seriously hurt! Even if I fix this problem I will not be able to trust this vehicle. Please look into this someone. There are many windstars that were repaired around the same time because of recall that will begin to fall apart again. Problem not fixed!
Took in for a recall on subframe put on support brackets. Went to get it inspected. Subframe is rotted out. I was told another recall was done for those in cold weather climates. Ford recall computer is down. The consumer was informed the vehicle was unsafe to drive, as the frame was structurally unsound. No was willing to fix the other problems with the vehicle, due to the rusted out frame. Updated 05/12/14
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The steering wheel then independently turned in a complete circle. The sub frame detached from the vehicle and dropped to the ground. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer and repaired under the federal safety agency campaign id number: 11v030000 (structure). The dealer refused to replace the other components that were damaged as a result of the failure. The affected parts were the clock spring, exhaust flex pipe, power steering belt and transmission bracket, which had not been repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000. Updated 12/4/13
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. The contact stated that the rear sliding doors would not unlock. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was awaiting diagnosis of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 103,000.
Had the vehicle serviced for 2 corrosion recalls. Was driving on the freeway approx. 60mph, heard a pop in the area of the right front tire. Took van to the shop I use, where I was told it was part of the frame and need to take it to the dealership(blackwell ford, plymouth, mi. 48170). Dealership said the van needed a subframe assy. And right sway bar bushing bracket, and possibly more. All was due to corrosion, combination poor design and inferior material. They contacted ford motor, sent estimate, pictures and information. Fords response is that it wasn't part of any recall, even though there has been at least two for corrosion that I am aware of. This is clearly a design and/or a material issue with my windstar. It is not safe to drive, and there is no way, with my conscious that I can try to sell it. This is an ongoing issue with the windstar. I'm sure this is part of hundreds if not thousands of complaints on this issue, what can be done? How many injuries or deaths have there been because of corrosion issue with the windstar? Help!!!!
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. The contact stated that the sway bar bracket became fractured as a result of the sub-frame being corrosion. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for inspection, who informed the contact that the entire sub frame would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 178,000. Returned by usps on 9-12-2013. Second attempt on 10-31-2013 failed.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. The contact stated that while attempting to shift into drive, the frame became fractured and the engine detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician verified that the sub frame was fractured and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 95,000.
Passage side sub frame is rusted, almost broken.
Stopped to get my oil changed, they showed me where the entire right front subframe has rusted away making my windstar unsafe to drive. I looked online and found this is an ongoing problem with this model with of these having the same problem with the passenger side right front. This can cause you to loose steering control or in an extreme the engine to fall out going down the highway, ford recalled the same problem on the rear axel,,why not fix the front also. I live in arkansan but bought the windstorm from a person in missouri where I see ford list as a state with a rust problem but doing nothing to fix it.
I have a 2001 ford windstar that was serviced for the safety recall 11s16,(11v030000 the federal safety agency campaign number) 04/11/2011. My vehicle was grounded do to significant subframe rot but it was deemed repairable by ford. On february 2, 2013 I noticed a 2 inch long crack/perforation on the top part of the sub-frame where the repair bracket was attached when I was rotating the tires. I took it back to the ford dealership and they said they were unable to help because it was repaired once and they wont pay to have it repaired again. Im not sure if they missed this the first time it was fixed or what. I do know that according to ford's specs for determining if a subframe is repairable or not this crack would deem in non-repairable because its within the 2 inch mark from the tooling hole. Now im just waiting for the subframe to completely crack while im driving down the road. The repair bracket that was supposed to solve the problem to begin with will not hold the subframe together if it completely cracks at the spot at which its located in. I also believe that due to downward force on the subframe body mount and the fact where the u shaped bracket is sitting on the subframe that holds the bracket on the subframe, it is acting like a fulcrum point where the subframe is bending and cracking.
I heard loud clunking sounds in the front that were more pronounced when I went over bumps. The sway bar has broken off from the front sub-frame passenger side of the car. The dealer said the sub-frame is so rusted that the only way to reattach the sway bar is to replace the entire front sub-frame at a cost of $3,500. It is not covered under previous recalls, since the prior 2 recalls in 2010 and 2011 only specifically covered the rear axle and the separation of the front lower control arms attaching brackets and body mount attachments at the rear of the front sub-frame. This problem is so similar to the jan. 2011 recall w/a part breaking off from a rusted sub-frame. It's the corrosion of the sub-frame that is at the root of these problems. They should have just replaced the sub-frame at that time instead of doing a patch job w/ brackets. The dealer deemed my car unsafe to drive, as I won't have control of my car on quick turns or be able to make fast maneuvers in the event of an accident or to avoid potential accidents. Another risk is that my engine may fall out the bottom of my car while driving (which I see has happened to others with my same problem), endangering my family and others on the road. I plan on parking this car in my driveway and waiting for ford to be forced to recall these vehicles. In the meantime, if any of you have a similar problem, please report them to ford corporation and the federal safety agency, so what I believe to be an inevitable recall will be expedited. Even the ford customer service rep encouraged me to file a report with the federal safety agency because she has gotten calls with other similar complaints. She was very sympathetic to my situation but said there is nothing she can do until enough complaints get filed with the federal safety agency so they open an investigation. What happened to companies wanting to help their customers w/o being forced by a governmental agency?!
The rear axle, is rusted and snapped literally right in half while driving with my two young children! We were lucky enough not to have been seriously hurt or in an accident!
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. The contact stated the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for an inspection. The technician informed the front portion of the frame was completely rusted. There was a recall associated with the federal safety agency campaign id number 11v030000 (structure: frame and members:underbody shields); however the VIN was ineligible. In addition, the vehicle was not originally sold or registered in the states mentioned in the recall defect. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
Just 18-months after the ford windstar safety recall repairs were completed, the front sub-frame of my 2001 ford windstar cracked resulting in loss of stability. The vehicle was taken to the ford dealership in midland michigan. It was deemed unsafe to drive by the ford dealership service manager and repair technician.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign id number: 11v030000 (structure: frame and members:underbody shields) and took the vehicle to the dealer for recall service. The contact stated that unbeknownst to him, the recall repair was not fully completed and the vehicle was still unsafe to drive due to the sub-frame being completely rusted. The president of the company and the board of directors were informed of the failure. A letter was mailed to the contact advising that they would not assist with the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 85,000. The consumer stated the dealer repaired only part of the front sub-frame, they did not replace it. The consumer later learned ford's instruction was to perform cosmetic repair of the corrosive damage on the front sub-frame. Six months later, when the consumer took the vehicle to a local service station for an oil change, he was informed the sub-frame mount was completely rotted out. The consumer was informed by letter, after writing to ford, they would not honor any new repairs. Updated 02/11/13
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. The contact stated that while driving he heard a noise underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnose that the sub frame of the front passenger side of the vehicle needed to be replaced due to corrosion. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the vehicle had already been repaired under recall the federal safety agency campaign id number: 11v030000 (structure: frame and members: under body shields). The failure mileage was 142,023. The consumer stated the recall part was not replaced in front or rear subframe. A bracket was put in front of sub frame just in case it breaks. Rear sub frame was covered with foam. It will break later. Updated 12/28/2012
7/21/2011 bought van from private party. Recall completed in march of 2011 regarding back axle. On 7/13/2012 8pm, my 18yr old son, while driving home from lacrosse practice, nearly killed. Upon pulling out onto the main road, he lost all controls, no steering, no brakes and no power. He coasted and prayed it would stop. I arrived, we called aaa. Flatbed to my home driver could not believe his eyes. The engine had fallen out. 7/16/12 called ford in mich and spoke to rep. To be towed 13 miles away to route 23 auto at our expense. Really? Route23 wanted nothing to do with me (they did recall). Went back and forth then per rt23 "it will be a month until we can look at it" getting know where. 7/18-22 borrowed friend car for tournament. 8/1/12 called magarino ford and with great concern had a flatbed that night. This tow truck driver could not believe it. Fluids raced out and double stabilized for engine sliding during transport. 8/2/12 magarino called 9am, pictures sent to ford and awaiting reply. 8/5/12 t/c from m stating ford refuses to buy back and sending a subframe. You mean a recalled one? Magarino caught in middle I questioned whether he would put his children in this van. He softly replied, "no" what am I to do, out of work 2 years, single parent with no car to find work. 8/8/12 I questioned ford why this van ever left rt 23 auto, according to researched paper a part was waiting on. You mean to tell me that upon this fixed axle nobody noticed the subframe was rotted from inside out causing the engine to fall out the next summer nearly killing my son! But they signed it was fine! Really? Now we have case # 1373091992 8/10/12 picked up van. Broke= A/C, r-window, heater engine, airbag, brake light on, runs hot steering= thumps makes noise (full fluid) skip gears, sways, barely can get up a hill. 11yr old scared to drive in it
When driving the front end of my van would start shaking at 54mph. Took it in to my mechanic julyof 2012 told me my subframe was bad .ford recalled my van in jan of 2011 had it for four months recall on subframe and rear axle was completed in may of 2011 contacted ford they will not help me.
The exterior and underpart of the van has tons of rust on it. The exterior is the least of my worries, but all the metal pieces under the car continue to rust like no other.
Making a left turn, heard a loud bang. The sway bar link came loose attached to a chunk of rusted metal from the subframe. The sway bar and link are fine. It is a part of the subframe where it attaches to that came off. There is no way to reattach the sway bar as the whole section where it attaches to subframe is rusted. Called ford dealer in ithaca, this is not covered by their recalls.
I was driving home when I went around a corner I heard a thump in the front passenger side of my windstar, the following morning I took it into my mechanic. He looked the vehicle over and told me the sub frame has rusted out where the stabilizer bar connects. This issue was supposed to have been addressed by ford the previous year when they had it in for the rear axle recall. I find ford had made the decision to put some useless brackets in and not replace the sub-frame. I called customer care concerning the problem and was told there was only a year warranty on the work so there was nothing they could do as I had picked up the van end of april /beginning of may 2011. A recall was issued for this problem and quite evidently their fix with some little brackets did not repair the issue, I am not sure how some brackets are suppose to correct a rusting out sub frame to begin with.
On sunday july 8th, 2012 I was driving my 2001 ford windstar I stopped at a light and as the light changed I began driving and then heard a loud noise, my wheels began to squeel and pull all over and my van came to a complete stop in the road and would not move.. The front passenger side wheel was turned outward but my wheel was straight. Thank god I was not on an expressway or highway with all my kids in the vehicle.. I called a tow truck the driver inspected it and said something underneath the front frame had snapped off.. So today I had it towed into a ford dealer to find out it is a new recall how can these windstar vans have so many frame and axle issues and be safe to drive exspecially with all these brackets they are having to put on them for the recalls.. If I was on an expressway me and my son would of been hurt badly if not killed.. Not to mention if I would of hit someone else I could of injured others too..I will never trust another windstar with my family this is crazy.. It is the subframe front lower control arm rear attaching flages completely broke/snapped off while I was driving down a basic 40 MPH road..when it broke it messed up the underneath of my vehicle it ripped the drive shaft right out of the transmission.. And who knows what else is damaged now.. People need to know about this now before someone is seriously hurt..
This vehicle has been ruining every front tire put on it ever since the recall front subframe work was done on it by ford in 9/2011 and it has been through 2 sets of front tires in the last 4,500 miles since the work was done. Ford does not acknowledge any responsibility and the last dealer who looked at it told me I needed tires. No kidding. The last time I took it to firestone to get tires, they told me they wouldn't touch it and that I needed to take it to a body shop; the specs were so off. The dealer that did the original work redocumented the car's problems 3 times but the manufacturer refused to buy it back and they did the work on it the best they could and this is what I am left with: an unsafe vehicle. I had a blow out on interstate 95 on christmas eve that could have taken my life and another blow out since then at a slower speed (thank god!) I need help nailing ford to the wall on this and making them be responsible for risking my safety and I am sure that I am not the only one. I wonder if other people have been hurt or lost their lives over this?? Over a few dollars?? Ford needs to be made to admit they did not protect their customers properly. I wonder if it all comes down to avoiding liability for people that have been injured. Please help me.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. The contact stated that the frame was severely corroded underneath the vehicle near the sliding doors and rocker panels. As a result, there was not place to support the universal jack. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who inspected the vehicle and confirmed that the frame and the areas near the rocker panels were corroded. The dealer was not notified. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 230,000.
Front sub-frame badly rusted and sway bar welded mounts on the sub-frame have rusted and broken in half causing poor steering control and excessive body roll. As a note, this vehicle was rustproofed when new and inspected over the life of the vehicle each year. Also, ford has inspected the front sub-frame in january of 2011 on a recall and it appears did not find a problem with the sub-frame in this area. Given the severity of the rust it would appear the problem existed at the time of inspection.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2001 Ford Windstar?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history