2001 Ford Windstar wheels problems

Filed Jan 13, 2020 · Body, Suspension · 165,000 miles · PA

The axle was part of recall #11s16. As part of the recall the axle was patched, but the axle is now broken because the "repair" did not correct the structural flaws in the axle.

Filed Aug 3, 2019 · Suspension, Transmission · MO

My vehicle was manufactured in 2001. There was a recall put out for the suspension:rear:axle:non-powered axle assembly. In 2011, according to sunset ford dealership (where I took it for axle repair and was denied) the recall was remedied in 2011. However, as stated along with the recall notice, the time that the brackets were mis installed caused damage to the rear axle, corrosion and fracturing. This is exactly what is happening to my vehicle right now and the dealership along with ford corporate is saying this axle repair will be fully at my cost. According to their automated recall phone information, up until 2016 they were offering to replace the axle for $300 ( a discounted rate) for customers affected. I do not at all feel I should be responsible for this repair. I contacted ford corporate a few times now and have been told no its not their fault. I was also told by sunset ford, that I would need to pay them $140 an hour for them to diagnose it and tell me specifically what is wrong. It has already been there once to check the recall where they took pictures ( included) and sent them to ford corporate where I was told no they will not fix it unless I pay for it. This repair should be fully covered and I need help getting ford to agree.

Filed Feb 24, 2019 · Body, Suspension · 132,596 miles · OH

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.

Filed Jan 31, 2019 · Wheels · NY

Axle snapped while driving on highway rear wheels bent inward.

Filed Jun 20, 2018 · Brakes, Suspension · 165,000 miles · MN

Rear axle break due to corrosion of acknowledged inadequately designed axle. Break happened in the reinforcement bracket installed do to initial axle recall for potential break due to corrosion.. Car was on city street in motion to freeway onramp fortunately the axle broke prior to entering freeway. Axle break resulted in sagging axle and a wheel tilted inward at about 20 degrees and wedged against the inner wheel well. Tire started to smoke. Car is undriveable. The repair is estimated to $1400. Ford will not accept any financial responsibility for this break in the brackets installed to prevent the break. Additional components are also needing repair and replacement due to the break of the axle.

Filed Jan 20, 2017 · Suspension, Wheels · 65,000 miles · IL

Rear axle snapped while driving on normal roads.

Filed Aug 29, 2016 · Body, Wheels · 146,000 miles · MI

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.

Filed Oct 19, 2015 · Suspension, Wheels · 179,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. While reversing at approximately 1 MPH, there was an explosion on the rear passenger side near the rear tire. In addition, there was an abnormal noise coming from the rear passenger side after the tire was repaired. The tire had fractured. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The technician stated that the rear axle had fractured and that the vehicle needed to be towed to a dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 179,000.

Filed Sep 23, 2015 · Transmission, Wheels · 135,000 miles · WI

While driving the vehicle at highway speeds, I heard a crunching sound in the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle then began to sway on the road. I had to slow my speeds and pull over at a safe spot, which was a parking lot to inspect what the issue was. After inspection, I noted the passenger rear tire was at an angle with the top of the tire inward touching the frame. I took the vehicle to the closest repair shop where I found from their inspection that the axle was broke and the vehicle was not driveable. My vehicle was part of the ford windstar axle recall, which was serviced by the local ford dealer in 2012. This vehicle had the reinforcements added to the axle in 2012. The axle broke between the reinforced plates welded to the axle during the recall check. Now after towing the vehicle back to the local ford dealer for inspection, I find out that ford will not stand behind the issue and not repair or replace the axle due to the length of time from the recall. I feel lucky that I was able to maintain control of the vehicle when the axle broke.

Filed Jun 30, 2015 · Wheels · 177,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, the right passenger side tire failed and noticed that the sub frame rotted out while installing the spare tire. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 177,000.