Rear axle cracked through on the driver's side, even after a recall patch/repair was made. No collisions, no hard driving. Not a corrosion issue. Metal is cracked perpendicular to the axle..across the grain. Axle was heard to make noise while backing out of driveway, then vehicle felt fish-tailing while drive down paved neighborhood street. Turning to the right made noticeable grinding noises from the rear driver's side wheel well. On closer inspection, the rear wheels were severely tilted in at the top, and the axle was clearly, obviously very cracked open on the driver's side, and appears ready to break into 2 halves. The vehicle was recalled in 2010 for axle defects, but the repairs made seem inadequate. The vehicle was dealership maintained.
2002 Ford Windstar suspension complaints
Page 2 of 10: complaints 11 to 40 of 279, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I took my van for inspection and was told I cannot get it inspected because the rear axel corroded and has huge hole on it. I was told it was a danger to continue to drive the van like. I've called ford and was told there is no longer a recall for my van but yet there was a recall back in early 2010 to 2015 and it's exactly was is wrong with my van. I am scared to get in the highway or drive it for that matter.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford windstar. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the rear axle seized without warning, causing the contact to almost lose control of the steering wheel. The contact managed to regain control of the steering veering the vehicle to the shoulder of the roadway. The contact placed the vehicle in park got out and looked under the vehicle and noticed the vehicle rear axle was fractured. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact to take the vehicle to the dealer for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was towed to thoroughbred ford of platte city (1901 e. Prairie view rd, platte city, mo 64079) where the technician inspected the vehicle and noticed the rear axle was fractured. The rear axle was temporarily fixed. The contact attempted to drive the vehicle home however, the rear axle fractured completely while leaving the dealer. No further assistance was provided. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign number: 10v385000 (suspension), 12v195000 (suspension) and 12v194000 (suspension) as possible solutions to the failure however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 161,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford windstar. The contact stated that after replacing the driver's and passenger's side rear tires, the tires started to wear to the inner cord. The vehicle was previously taken to an independent mechanic to be aligned however, the contact was informed that the rear suspension was fractured. The contact called thoroughbred ford of platte city, inc. (1901 prairie view rd, platte city, mo 64079) and was informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The contact had the vehicle repaired by the independent mechanic. The contact called the manufacturer and was informed that the vehicle was included in and repaired under the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v608000 (suspension) in 2015 prior to vehicle ownership. The dealer was called back and confirmed the information provided by the manufacturer. The vehicle had been repaired. The failure mileage was 161,000.
On saturday august 29, 2020 I was driving in my 2002 ford windstar down a road that was under construction. The speed limit of the road is 35 MPH and there is a current bump in the road at an asphalt elevation change. As soon as I went over the bump it was obvious that something was severely wrong with the vehicle. There was a loud "bang" and the vehicle began vibrating wildly and making severe noises. It was obvious that something significant had occurred in the rear of the vehicle. Fortunately I was able to maintain control of the vehicle and pull onto a side street shortly thereafter. I exited the vehicle and immediately noticed the rear driver-side wheel was angled into the body of the van. Upon further investigation, peering under the vehicle it was obvious that the actual cause was that the vehicle's rear axle had fractured nearly completely through (see pictures). In this condition both rear tires collapsed into the vehicle frame. Upon further investigation I discovered that there had already been recalls related to the rear axle on this vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a local ford dealership for inspection. After the inspection, I was informed that the previous recall for the vehicle to install brackets on the axle had been performed in dec 2010 and that they had been installed correctly. Due to this, ford's position was that the recall was done according to specifications related to the recalls and refused to accept responsibility for this safety failure on their vehicle. I tried to contend that the intent of the recall was to prevent the axle from fracturing, which obviously their previous recall "fix" didn't appropriately accomplish. It was a frightening experience to have an axle fracture while driving my vehicle, and ford's previous recall "fix" failed to correct the problem making the vehicle a hazard to drive.
Rear axle broke into two pieces. Car was being driven on two lane road and had just gone over rr tracks.
The rear axle broke while driving on the interstate. This vehicle has already been seen at a dealership for a previous recall about broken rear axles.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford windstar. The contact stated that while stopped, the contact heard an unknown part detach from the vehicle. The contact stated that the steering wheel then became difficult to turn. The vehicle was towed to the residence. An independent mechanic was contacted by phone and the contact was informed that the vehicle was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 10v385000 (suspension) and 11v030000 structure). The vehicle was taken to metro ford chicago (6455 s. Western ave, chicago, il 60636, (773)776-7600, to have the recall repairs performed. The contact was informed that an unknown bushing needed to be replaced prior to the recall repair being performed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 144,000.
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.
Engine cradle rusted through and snapped while backing out of a parking spot leaving me stuck with tires in two different directions
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford windstar. The contact stated that while driving at a low rate of speed, the rear axle failed. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed with a fractured rear axle. Upon investigation, the contact associated the federal safety agency campaign number: 10v385000 (suspension) with the failure. A dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000. *bf
Tl* the consumer owns a 2002 ford windstar. The consumer stated that the vehicle had a reinforcement brackets which were not installed properly and caused the rear axle to fracture and in turn, caused the inner center wall of the rear tires to wear. The dealer was not called. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that a recall was done in the past under (the federal safety agency campaign number: 12v194000 (suspension). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 161,300.*dt
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford windstar. While driving over a bridge at 70 MPH, the rear axle fractured without warning. The contact lost control of the vehicle. The contact was able to regain control of the vehicle as smoke bellowed from under the rear of the vehicle. Upon pulling over and inspecting the vehicle, the contact discovered that the axle was fractured in half and both rear tires were turned inward. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it currently remained. The vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 10v385000 (suspension). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. No further assistance was offered and the contact was transferred to the federal safety agency. The failure mileage was 98,600.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford windstar. While the contact's husband was driving 20 MPH, the contact heard an abnormal noise. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The driver was able to park the vehicle on the side of the road and noticed smoke rising from the rear driver's side tire. The contact exited the vehicle and noticed that the rear driver's side axle detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The contact called fred beans ford of newtown (located at 10 n sycamore st, newtown, pa 18940, (215) 968-3806) and informed them of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency campaign number: 10v385000 (suspension). The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 130,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford windstar. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v608000 (suspension). While driving 45 MPH over a bump in the road, the rear passenger side wheel folded and the axle fractured. The vehicle was towed to raceway ford of hartsville (1504 s 5th st, hartsville, sc 29550, (843) 332-0185) where it was diagnosed that the axle was fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and provided case number: cas-24147438. The contact was informed that the failure was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v608000 (suspension). The failure mileage was 145,000.
I was driving and all of a sudden I heard a loud bang and lost control. I found out that the rear axle gave and there is a recall #15s27. I called ford and they said the recall has been taken care of already and there is nothing they can do. The real problem is the part was defective from the start, the metal axle was not treated correctly for rust-proof. They put 2 small brackets on the axle 1 1/2 in. From the outside end of the axle,1 on each side and thought that was going to solve the problem. My cracked axle happened in that 1 1/2 in. Spot. It just amazes me that nothing has been done about this and how ford is not responsible anymore once the brackets were put on. This didn't solve the problem. I guess the only way something might happen is if there is a serious incident. How many more complaints do there need to be, until someone realizes how bad this is.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford windstar. While driving 65 MPH, the rear axle cracked without warning. The contact temporarily lost control of the vehicle, but managed to regain control. The vehicle was pulled over to the shoulder and then taken to an independent mechanic. The mechanic confirmed the failure and stated that the failure was similar to what was listed in the federal safety agency campaign number: 10v385000 (suspension). The contact called rye ford subaru back and was informed that her vehicle was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 93,000.
Rotted rear axle beam , 2002 ford windstar , this vehicle was taken to a near by town ford dealership : ace motors in woodbury nj , for the rear axle recall in 2015 not sure if anything has been repaired or not I was just told by the dealership that the vehicle was inspected and passed and ok to drive but when the axle broke on the driver side I took pitchers and it looks like someone has put on some kind of slave clamps on both sides of the axle that I don't see on other ford windstar mini vans ( see pitchers ) called up the dealership ace motors and they said to bring it up to them and they will have a look at it and maybe it can be put in a claim ticket but again maybe not , it's hard enough to put on a flatbed tow truck with the damage that it has and if some reason they don't put a claim ticket in I can't afford to keep towing this vehicle all over the place so dealership gave me the ford I.n.c company phone number : 800‑392‑3673 , so I called them and more less they told me there is nothing they can do , one thing I'm happy about is we was going slow in my home town pulling off the main road onto a side road heading to the house when it happened and nobody got heart when it happened even though it was so loud and nosy think it broke a shook and brake lines . 8 / 8 / 2019
This 2002 ford windstar had a defective rear sub-frame (drive-axle) that was part of the recall by ford dealerships throughout the u.s. The recall was by a ford dealership in ohio, but was repaired insufficiently (ineffectively) and did not maintain the defect/repair. The car was returned to another local ford dealership to which the service director for the ford dealership 'agreed' that this particular windstar was in "very good shape" and the recall should be performed not only based on the "ineffective repair", but also based on the overall good condition of the vehicle. The service director further reached-out to ford corporation identifying his 'credentials' as an ase technician and his title as director while requesting the 'green light' from ford to reopen the recall and fix the vehicle. Ford motor corporation actually declined!!! The bigger issue is, many local auto service centers declined to perform the repair for liability issues that should be 'redirected' to ford motor corporation while also expressing concerns with other vehicles on the streets and highways that could cause major accidents attributing to major injuries or even death should the result of an accident occur on public highways! The tires and rear axle are bending inwardly to the vehicle and has a massive rub on the real suspension and is not safe to be driven on the road. The real axle is just a few inches from the ground.
2002 ford windstar. Consumer writes in regards to rear axle safety recall. *ld the consumer stated the vehicle was included in the recall but, the recall expired. The requested to be reimbursed for the repairs.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford windstar. The contact stated that the suspension warning light illuminated. The vehicle was repaired under the federal safety agency campaign number: 12v194000 (suspension). The vehicle was repaired at smith cairns ford (900 central park ave, yonkers, ny 10704 (914) 377-8100) but the remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The contact mentioned that the suspension warning light illuminated after the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 125,875.
Driving vehicle on cross bronx expressway in new york at about 5o MPH rear axle carrier suffered catatrosphic failure at the location where supposedly ford repaired the axle carrier with brackets that were welded on at the ford dealer contacted ford about the problem and was told there was no recalls for this problem there was but because they known about the problem when they came up the repair brackets that were installed earlier very dangerous problem that ford has chosen to ignore
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford windstar. While driving 40 MPH, the rear of the vehicle began veering to the right and left. The contact temporarily lost control of the vehicle, but managed to pull over to the side of the road. The contact drove to an independent mechanic who quickly diagnosed that the rear axle was rusted and fractured in half. The contact took the vehicle to dorian ford (35900 gratiot ave, clinton twp, mi 48035, (586) 792-4100) in 2016 for an unknown recall repair regarding the brackets for the rear axle. The dealer confirmed that they inspected the vehicle and passed it on february 9, 2016. The dealer referred the contact to the manufacturer, but they were only concerned that the vehicle was no longer covered by a warranty and did not assist. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 113,643. *bf consumer stated dorian ford did a recall inspection on feb 9 2016 and certified that the vehicle was safe concerning the axel. The mileage at time of replacement is 113,643. 'parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).'
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford windstar. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the contact heard a clunking sound emerging from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence where it was discovered that the rear axle fractured. The contact also stated that the vehicle was repaired per the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v608000 (suspension) back in 2015 for the second time. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the recurrence. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 124,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford windstar. The contact stated that the rear axle fractured. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign number: 10v385000 (suspension). The contact called roanoke ford (217 w husseman st, roanoke, il 61561, (309) 923-2141) and they required the contact to pay for the vehicle to be towed in for the recall repair. The manufacturer would not waive the towing fee. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 171,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford windstar. While driving 15-20 MPH, the contact heard an abnormal rubbing noise coming from the vehicle. The contact stopped the vehicle, looked underneath, and stated that the axle was fractured. The contact stated that the anti-lock braking system and brake lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer (fette ford, 1137 u s 46, clifton, nj 07013, (973) 779-7000) where it was diagnosed that the axle fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the local dealer that the axle would not be covered. The failure mileage was 123,500. The VIN was not available.
Rear axle broke while driving in city traffic. Causing damage to rear tires and vehicle structure.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford windstar. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the rear axle fractured and destroyed the rear driver side tire. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who determined that the axle had fractured and needed replacement. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 111,000.
Rear axle broke while in motion on rural road
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