2002 Ford Windstar: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Jul 3, 2020 · Suspension · 272,000 miles · MI

On july 02, 2020, I was driving along the southfield freeway in detroit. The travel speed was 20 MPH due to a police situation (road rage shooting) which caused all motorists to exit at seven mile road. After exiting on seven mile road, I drove to greenfield road (5 minutes). I proceeded down greenfield to macdonald's, but I did not stop due to the long lines (in drive through). I drove for about one minute (or less) when I heard a loud pop. I heard something dragging on the street and smoke began to enter my van. I saw smoke coming from the back of my vehicle. In addition, I smelled a foul odor. I immediately exited to a vacant shopping mall (northland). I parked the vehicle in the parking lot at pillar g. I called my mother for a ride. Next, I called aaa to have my vehicle towed. I exited the vehicle and looked at the damage and concluded my rear axle had split. Both tires were misaligned. I purchased my vehicle in july 2009 from a detroit auction. Years ago, I recalled receiving a notice (from ford) of a recall for the rear axle. I took the vehicle to fairlane ford for an inspection which addressed the recall. The technician informed me that the rear axle was not cracked. My vehicle has over 272,000 miles.

Filed Mar 31, 2020 · Suspension · 150,000 miles · NJ · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford windstar. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH she stated smelling burnt rubber and then notice smoke coming from the rear driver's side tire. The contact pulled over and called her mechanic who stated to her "not to drive the vehicle." the vehicle was towed to the independent mechanic who diagnosed the failure as a fractured rear axle. The contact stated that the independent mechanic advised her of an unknow recall in which the a kit was placed on the rear axle. The contact stated that the prior owner had the vehicle serviced under an unknown recall for the rear axle. The contact stated that the vehicle was then towed to wilson ford in new jersey to be serviced under the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 11v030000 (structure) and 15v608000 (suspension). However, the dealer informed her that there was nothing they could do about the fractured axle as the first recall was done correct. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. However, no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

Filed May 3, 2018 · Suspension · 112,000 miles · OH · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford windstar. While driving 35 MPH, the contact heard a crunching sound and noticed smoke coming from under the vehicle. An odor of burning rubber was also present. The contact pulled off the highway and called aaa roadside assistance. The vehicle was towed to the dealer (bob gillingham ford, 8383 brookpark rd, parma, oh 44129) where the technician informed the contact that the VIN was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v608000 (suspension). The dealer stated that the brackets were installed correctly. The contact was unaware of the cause of the crunching noise and smoke. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 112,000.

Filed Feb 23, 2018 · Suspension · 140,000 miles · NY · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford windstar. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired per an unknown recall pertaining to the axle in 2011. Seven years later, while driving 25 MPH, the contact heard a loud abnormal bumping noise. Shortly after, the contact smelled burning rubber. The contact pulled over, exited the vehicle, and noticed that the rear driver's tire was turned inward. The vehicle was initially towed to an independent mechanic and then towed to premier ford lincoln (1072 e 49th st, brooklyn, 11234). The dealer stated that the axle had fractured; however, the vehicle was no longer covered under the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000. *tt

Filed Jan 17, 2018 · Suspension, Wheels · 175,000 miles · PA

The rear axle started to snap in november 2017 when I was driving with my wife and kids in the van. We smelled burning rubber and pulled over. If we had drove any further the axle was going to snap with all of us in the vehicle. Ford is refusing to cover all the costs of the repair because the previous owner had the bracket/support put on. We did not purchase this vehicle till march 2017. We want the full cost of the repair covered and the ford dealership's storage fees erased. Our bill is currently $1,809.65. We should not have to pay for the repair and the time it has been sitting there while we fight ford to pay the bill. This was not an act of wear and tear but an act of a recall on the manufacturer.

Filed Oct 31, 2017 · Suspension · 190,000 miles · MI

Recall 10s13 was performed on the vehicle in 2012 fox of marquette, recall 15s27 inspection was done in jan 2016 copper country ford. The rear axle beam broke 10/28/17. It was late at night when I was driving. I started to smell burning plastic or rubber. I parked the van and the next morning someone looked at it and said my wheel was tilted inward. The axle was broken. I was given ford's customer service number by my local ford dealer, but there are no programs available to help me get it fixed. I owe $1000 on the van and it will cost hundreds of dollars to fix it. I am a single mother living paycheck to paycheck.

Filed Sep 30, 2014 · Acceleration, Electrical · 81,000 miles · MI · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford windstar. The contact stated that the vehicle accelerated independently. The contact also stated that the instrument panel gauges spiraled back and forth. In addition, there was smoke coming from the front end of the hood. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under the federal safety agency campaign number: 09v399000 (vehicle speed control). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 81,000.

Filed Jul 20, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 166,000 miles · FL · fire

I was driving the van this afternoon on a public road when for no apparent reason the van started smoking from under the engine. I pulled into a automotive garage and got out of the van and it was still smoking badly. I individual who actually worked at the garage was on his way home from a restaurant and pulled into the parking area. He had me go into the vehicle to pull the latch to the hood and when he opened the hood the engine and other parts were engulfed with flames. They spread into the inside of the van and destroyed the dash board, windshield and other area. The roof on the inside was melting. They were able to put out the fire but the van is destroyed. The individual who stopped and helped me out is a mechanic at that particular garage and said it looked to him like a electrical problem started the fire. I am now without a vehicle. Personal items I had inside the van are ruined or destroyed.

Filed Jul 8, 2014 · Suspension · 118,000 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford windstar. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, a loud squeaking noise was emitted outside the vehicle and immediately after there was a strong smell of burning rubber released. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who stated that the rear axle fractured. The manufacturer was notified of this defect. The approximate failure mileage was 118,000.

Filed Aug 14, 2013 · Brakes, Electrical · 109,525 miles · GA

Abs and brake light illuminated and experienced a burning electrical smell. Fuse#10 was popped and lost dash functionality. Went to ford today 8-14-13 and had recall 09s09 work performed and that did not fix the problem. My wife and I believe their is a serious electrical problem with the ABS electrical control module, due to issues related to the recall 09s09. We hope that the van does not erupt into a fire. We still can smell an electrical burning smell.

Filed Feb 19, 2013 · Suspension · 180,000 miles · NJ · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford windstar. The contact stated that vehicle was included in and repaired under the federal safety agency campaign id number: 12v195000 (suspension). After the recall repair was performed while the contact was driving approximately 35 MPH, the driver heard a loud scrapping from the vehicle. Additionally, there was smoke coming from under the vehicle as the steering wheel began to jerk and shift abnormally. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000.

Filed Mar 6, 2012 · Brakes, Electrical · 75,750 miles · IN

Brake lights come on randomly and stay on for some time until the brake pedal has been cycled through 5 or 6 times then lights go off for a while then comes back on again. Smell of burning plastic or wires permeates the vehicle when the lights have been on for any length of time.