2001 Ford Windstar: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Nov 4, 2022 · Body · 70,000 miles · MI

The contact's husband owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while in reverse, she heard an abnormal noise. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the control arm was cracked. The contact was then informed by the mechanic of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 11V03000 (Structure). The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that no recall was affiliated with the VIN. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

Filed Feb 22, 2017 · Body, Suspension · 140,000 miles · IL

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.

Filed Sep 24, 2015 · Steering · GA

Between my march 2015 oil change and my july 30 2015 oil change the control arms broke and completely ruined a tire all the way around the tire. Chewed it up very badly putting me at risk for an accident from a blow out or loss of control. I don't know exactly when the problem occurred. The problem was found by the shop at the oil change. I am finding online where there is much concern about the control arms on these vehicles. Both front lower control arms were replaced by the shop. The brought one of the tires into the lobby for me to see and it was absolutely chewed up all the way around the tire. It is a wonder I did not have an accident.

Filed Dec 29, 2014 · Suspension · 130,000 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to drive or reverse. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the front lower control arm fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

Filed Aug 27, 2014 · Steering · 136,000 miles · OH

Stopped at intersection. Began moving forward making a right hand turn and steering disengaged, steering wheel was freely going in circles. Accelerated through intersection, over curb and into grass area to be clear of cross traffic. Had difficulty moving gear shift but was able to force it into park, shut off engine. Looked under vehicle and found both front subframe lower control arms had broken free.there was no indication failure was going to occur.

Filed Jul 17, 2014 · Body, Steering · 212,600 miles · IN

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.

Filed Oct 11, 2013 · Steering, Suspension · VT

My daughter was driving the windstar at approximately 20 MPH when she heard a noise and felt something break and she was unable to steer the vehicle and she was able to get the vehicle stopped. She exited the vehicle to see if she could see what the problem was. She noticed both front wheels were pointing in different directions. This vehicle was recalled in 2011 to have brackets placed to support the subframe. The vehicle was towed to a local garage. Upon inspection it was determined that the passengers side lower control arm had pulled out of the subframe.

Filed Jan 31, 2013 · Body, Suspension · 185,400 miles · WI

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?!

Filed Jan 2, 2013 · Suspension · 101,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH in snowy conditions, the vehicle began to slide and veer to the left. The contact moved the vehicle to the shoulder to inspect the vehicle and noticed that the front axle had failed and the passenger front tire was leaning inward in the wheel well. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number: 12v194000 (suspension:front:control arm). The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 101,000.

Filed Jul 11, 2012 · Body, Steering · MI

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..

Filed May 14, 2012 · Suspension · MO

Our rear axle has sheared in half three times. The third time (after they admitted a recall) we were 40 miles from home when it broke, ford told us there was nothing they could do since it was a saturday. We were forced to drive it home on the interstate, as a family of 6 in a town with no rental places we had no choice. Ford put their "patch kit" on my recalled axle last year, and it failed. Now they have given me a 1992 sable as a rental while my van is in the shop. My family can't fit in it, and my children can't even fasten their seatbelts in it, and one of my children has to sit in the front seat with the airbag. They told me there's nothing they can do. My subframe is under recall, as well as the control arms and body mounts. Fords fix for this is to patch them like they did my axle, which broke. Now I am stuck with a ticking time bomb and four children. Fords bandaids for these devestating failures only buys them a few months time, and puts lives at risk. My front end clicks when I turn, my tires rubbed all the way home on the broken axle, the transmission leaks horribly, the undercarriage is rusted and rotted beyond repair, and all these admitted faulty parts are being patched and sent out the door. I dont feel safe driving my kids around in this! And im being told my choices are buy a new van at my expense, or drive this one and take a chance!!

Filed Apr 13, 2012 · Body · 45,500 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. The contact stated that repairs were made to the vehicle under the federal safety agency campaign id number: 11v030000 (structure: frame and members: under body shields) in 2001. The contact stated that per the recall, attaching brackets were installed to both front lower control arms. Most recently, the sub frame was found to be fractured near the steering column. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who stated that they previously repaired the vehicle under the recall and would not make the repair a second time. The manufacturer was notified of the failure who advised the contact that the recall did not pertain to the sub frame and that the dealer who performed the recall did so accordingly. The manufacturer offered no further assistance. The failure mileage was 45,500.