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!!
2001 Ford Windstar suspension complaints
Page 7 of 15: complaints 161 to 190 of 416, newest first, as owners wrote them.
The rear suspension had been making noise for a few days. Visual inspection didn't show anything obvious. Backing out of the driveway the rear axel snapped in half approximately 18 inches from the drivers side tire.
I currently keep getting grunting/popping/moaning noise from the front suspension when turning -braking-starting to move car forward . Already replaced the sway bar links and bushings but the noise still comes and goes. Also my brake-&-ABS lights comes on and off for no reason. And the locks on the doors work when they want too. Just had inspection done again 3 weeks ago but they can not find the problems. Talk with ford about the noise to try to find out if there is any danger of a crash because of this and I keep getting the run around.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. The contact stated that while the vehicle was inspected by a local mechanic, the contact was advised that the front sway bar was fractured due to corrosion. The manufacturer was contact but denied assistance with the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 121,000.
Complete separation of the front lower control arm attaching bracket from the front sub frame on the passenger side of the vehicle. This is the same problem that is described in the federal safety agency recall no. 11v030. And ford recall no. 11s16. The dealer that inspected the vehicle said it was not covered by the recall because the vehicle was not purchased or registered in a (salt-belt) state.
I am reporting my 2001 ford windstar limited for the same problems that have been recalled in the "salt belt states". I live in fauquier county, virginia. This windstar was originally bought at rick hunt ford in warrenton, va and resided in the 20186 zip code until we bought it in 2005. It was traded into jerry's lincoln/mercury in manassas from whom we purchased it. We have lived in fauquier county the entire time we have owned this vehicle, in remington, va and now warrenton, va. I noticed in my regular maintenance that it appeared that the "front sub frame" was doing the same thing that others had complained of and ultimately was recalled in the "salt belt states". On 01/19/2012 what used to be rick hunt ford and now is sheey ford of warrenton, va looked at the "front sub frame". The service manager said that my concerns were correct about the "front sub frame", that it is doing what these vehicles were recalled for in the "salt belt states". He also said that the "rear axle" had a crack in it, also what they were recalled for in the "salt belt states". The results were that ford would not take care of it even though it had the same problems that they recalled in other states. I contacted ford customer service on 01/20/2012 and was told by the original person's supervisor that and I quote "ford has agreed to add your vehicle to the recall list". I was to take the van back to sheehy so they could document everything and take care of it. I did so, dropped it off 01/23/2012. I called on 01/25/2012 to find out if it was ready that ford would not take care of it since it had not been registered in a "salt belt state". I am requesting that the federal safety agency look into these vehicles again and require ford to recall the windstars in all states. If you look around on the internet one can find people in almost every state who have the same problems. Thank you
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. While driving approximately 60 MPH the contact noticed a slight shaking in the steering wheel. The contact stopped the vehicle at a gasoline station and noticed the rear drivers side tire was slanted inward. The contact inspected the vehicle and also noticed the rear axle had fractured. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technicians stated the rear axle fractured due to corrosion and had to be replaced. There was a recall under the federal safety agency campaign id number: 10v385000 (suspension:rear:axle:non-powered axle assembly) that may be related to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.
Noticed that my front tires are worn out a lot in the inner edges. Took it for wheel alignment on dec 22, 2011. Pep boys auto shop in arizona avenue, chandler, az refused to do it saying that rear axel is bent. So it is not safe. I also took it to ford dealership at 7300 w. Orchid lane, az, 85226 (ph 480 940 4442) for "speed control system modification" recall. Service advisor [xxx] visually confirmed that wheels are bent outwardly. I am concerned for the safety of my family and me, and want this issue addressed. Thanks. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
My 2001 ford windstar was repaired at valley ford in valley view ohio on 4/14/2011 under recall #20287. I had the van in for an unrelated matter on 12/07/2011 at that time I was informed by my mechanic that the sub-frame was rusted through. After contacting ford's national service center I took the van to valley ford. They inspected it and confirmed that the sub-frame was rusted through. They forwarded their finding to ford motor co. And ford motor co. Was not willing to address the issue with the sub-frame. I believe this issue should have been addressed under the initial recall. Since at least april of 2011 any time my children, myself, or anyone else rode in the vehicle it was subject to a catastrophic failure of the sub-frame which could have caused serious or fatal injury to the occupants or others.
From one year back I was hearing a noise from rear axle of my windstar. Finally, at december, the axle broke at 25mph. This is very dangerous because it can cause the death of someone. Please help people of puerto rico , we are american citizen too.
I was driving at 35mph when I heard a loud boom and my windstar careened wildly back and forth and felt like I had slammed on the brakes. The windstar could not even be driven to the shoulder. The tow truck driver said the subframe was broken and possibly the tie rods had broken as well. The front wheels were pointed outward in opposite directions.
I bought this car used 1 yr and 8 months ago .. Haven't had any major problems with it. We received the recall for the rear axle, they checked it out was fine, we never received this last recall in 2011 but it may have helped if we did. On dec 2 I was pulling out of a school, was at a complete stop then started pulling out to take a right only going about 5 MPH we heard a bang (something fell in the front end) then the car just took over, there was no steering, the throttle stuck took us from 5 MPH to about 30 MPH in like 3 seconds crossing 4 lanes of traffic and just missing 2 vehicles, I crashed into a sign, 2 fences and a tree which made us stop, there was this awful sound that was getting faster and faster, we jumped out of the car because we thought it was going to blow up!!! Everything that is in the front end is laying on the ground!! This is very dangerous and I am outraged that something like this could happen. If my husband and I hadn't gone anywhere that night, I would have had my 3 small children in it the next morning!! I am so thankful that we were not hurt (except for emotionally) and that we also didn't hurt anyone else .. If those cars were 1 second earlier we would have smashed into those cars that were going about 50 MPH .. Wouldn't have a been a very good outcome!!! Now waiting to see what will happen with the van, if it is fixed I will not get in it ever again!!
I was turning a corner and heard a loud bag, as if metal has snapped. I took the car to my ford dealer who said that the font subframe where the sway bar was attached had rusted through and that the sway bar was now not attached to the subframe and was banging. Ford has fixed the frame on two different rust recalls under "recall 11s16", but said this was not covered and would cost $2085.75 for the subframe plus labor and hardware. I asked if the car was safe to drive and received a non specific answer! If ford windstar has this much problem with there frame rusting why is this not covered??
2001 ford windstar. Consumer writes in regards to recalls *tgw the consumer stated he received a postcard in the mail advising him to see his local dealer regarding two recalls. However, when he arrived at the dealer, they informed him the recalls had already been done. The consumer stated the problems are present in his vehicle.
Before ford recalled for this problem, my rear axle broke in half at 65 MPH on the highway resulting in loss of control and fumes filling the car from tires rubbing against wheel wells. In march of 2011 ford recalled and reinforced the subframe. Inspection is now due on my vehicle and my mechanic will not pass it due to the installment of the recalled reinforcement. Reportedly the installation was performed and attached to an equally as corroded part and failure is once again imminent. I returned the vehicle to the ford dealer that made the recall repair and was told that it is indeed safe. I am now stuck with a potential repair bill of $700.00 that will not fix the problem due to the model year parts having the same issues, or just driving the vehicle until failure occurs (again) and going back to ford with a lawsuit as I cannot in good conscience sell this vehicle to anyone else.
Right side of vehicle underneath subframe broke . Heard nosie and vehicle quit could not control had someone look at it and underneath is rusted out and broke I was told it was the subframe.
2001 ford windstar. Consumer writes in regards to defective front end *tgw the consumer stated two recalls were issued and for the past year, he has been unsuccessful at getting his vehicle inspected. The consumer was informed by several dealers, they were not performing any recalls.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. The vehicle was included in the recall under the federal safety agency campaign id number: 11v030000 (structure: frame and members:underbody shields) and the recall under the federal safety agency campaign id number: 10v385000 (suspension:rear:axle:non-powered axle assembly) and was taken to the dealer for repair. After the vehicle was repaired, the contact heard a grinding and a cracking sound in the front end of the vehicle while driving approximately 65 MPH. The vehicle would also shake vigorously and the steering wheel began to turn on its own forcefully. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 126,000.
Right front (passenger side) sway bar mounting bracket separated from vehicle, at front lower control arm rear attaching bracket, less than 30 days after recall ( the federal safety agency campaign id number: 11v030000) was performed. This has rendered the vehicle unsafe to drive and it will not pass new york state vehicle safety inspection. Ford dealership denies any responsibility and ford, the manufacturer, will not repair as part of recall.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the contact heard a loud noise outside of the vehicle and maneuvered to the side of the road. The contact examined the vehicle and noticed that the rear axle fractured. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnosis and they stated that the rear axle required replacement. There was a recall related to the failure under the federal safety agency campaign id number 10v385000 (suspension: rear: axle: non-powered axle assembly); however the vehicle was ineligible because it was not currently registered or sold in the united states, as mentioned in the recall. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.
I took my 2001 windstar sel into a dealership upon receiving a recall notice for suspension:rear:axle:non-powered axle assembly in march of 2011. Our vehicle passed this inspection. At the time our vehicle was at the dealership for this recall notice there was another recall relating to structure: frame and members:underbody shields although we were unaware of this recall. We have not received a recall notice about the second problem to date. The recall was brought to our attention by a friend who watched a news program regarding the recall which prompted a phone call to the dealership that serviced our vehicle in march. His statement was if our vehicle was one of the recalled vehicles and it was just in the service department for another recall the service technician would have addressed the most recent recall also. He asked for our VIN which at the time was not available but reassured me both recalls would have been addressed since they were both open recalls. On august 1, 2011 I was driving at 65-70 MPH on a freeway when my steering wheel started to jerk and turn counter-clockwise (the last time I looked at the steering wheel the area that encloses the horn was vertical). I thought my right passenger wheel was punctured at first but knew it was more than that within the next few seconds. Something from the van kept hitting the freeway and jerking me around and the back end of the van on three occasions seemed like it was coming off the ground. Once I slowed down enough the safely brake that is exactly what I did wherein the rear end of the vehicle jerked to the left. I exited the vehicle and called 911. Not only did the subframe break due to rust but the axle came apart from the vehicle as did the right arm holding the wheel in place. At this point the dealership where the car was towed to said ford is offering to replace the subframe and have offered to pay for two days for a rental vehicle.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. The contact stated that the rear axle broke while in reverse. The vehicle became inoperative and was towed to the dealer. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with the federal safety agency campaign id number 10v385000 (suspension:rear:axle:non-powered axle assembly). The manufacturer was notified, and also informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in the above recall. The manufacturer did not offer any assistance towards the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage 130,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. The contact was driving 20 MPH when the rear of the vehicle began to sway abnormally. The contact was able to move the vehicle onto the shoulder where it was towed to the dealer. The dealer performed a diagnostic that located the failure at the rear axle lower bracket arm, which was corroded. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 200,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. The contact received recall notice 10v385000 (suspension:rear:axle:non-powered axle assembly) in october 2010. As of march 2011, the vehicle had been in the dealers possession waiting to be repaired. The contact stated that six months was too long to wait for a recall repair. The manufacturer could not tell him when the parts would be available. There are no failures at this time.
2001 ford windstar. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle recall *tgw the consumer stated she took the vehicle to the dealer because she received a recall letter in the mail. The dealer inspected the vehicle and informed her she would receive another letter in the mail stating when to return with the vehicle. The consumer stated she has not received a letter. *jb the consumer stated the vehicle is emitting gas fumes.. Updated 04/26/11
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. The contact was driving approximately 70 MPH when the rear axle fractured followed by a loud noise which caused difficulty in steering. The contact had received notification of the federal safety agency campaign id number: 10v385000 (suspension: rear: axle: non-powered axle assembly) and the vehicle was towed to the dealer for repairs. The dealer advised that the part needed for repairs was not yet available and the contact would be notified when the part had become available. The contact was still waiting for the parts to become available. Most recently, the contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign id number: 11v030000 (structure: frame and members: underbody shields) but the vehicle was not yet repaired. The contact believed that a reasonable time to adhere to the recall had passed and the vehicle had not yet been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 127,000. Updated 03/29/11*lj the consumer stated the vehicle has been in the dealer's possession for six months to remedy two recalls. Updated 09/19/11
Ford wind star rear axle daughter driving to work at 70 MPH weather clear,dry & daylight. On straight away vehicle ended up rolling over 2&1/2 times.
Upon replacing shocks and struts on my 2001 ford windstar my mechanic noticed a crack on axel took it in to local dealership to verify sure enough crack had me set up with enterprise to receive small loaner of a family of 6 sad need bigger vehicle ford not budging will wait for rep to further pursue.. Ford saying approx. 2mths before repair... Sad situation all around I wish I would never bought this vehicle expect more problems after sitting for two months.
The rear axle of a 2001 ford windstar rusted through. The vehicle VIN is outside the scope of the recall.
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. The contact stated that while driving in reverse out of the drive way the front coil spring broke in half. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The manufacturer will be contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 68,000.
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