I am writing before I encounter a serious problem on the road. While in for state vehicle inspection, my mechanic noted that the rear axle "repair" (a reinforcement bracket) on my 2002 windstar van is failing. It can look ok on the lift, but once weight is put on the axle, the seriousness of the cracking is apparent. The repair was made by a ford dealership in 2011 under recall 10s13. I already spoke with ford customer service, and they say there is nothing they can do because the recall was completed. I am now waiting to see if the dealership that made the repair can help to correct the problem they (ford) have acknowledged exists, but without an adequate fix to date.
2002 Ford Windstar suspension complaints
Page 5 of 10: complaints 101 to 130 of 279, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Rear axel cracked after period of time resulting in blow out tire in a parking lot. After researching this online, I have found ford recalled this same van for this same problem but did not in our state although the recall was due to states with weather like snow, ice, salt, etc which caused said issue. Why wouldnt nebraska be included in this since its nebraska and its snowy alot? Luckily we were in a parking lot, we were not driving at high rate of speed down highway like I saw while researching this online which a man was killed who had this happen. I have found that this seems to be a very dangerous and tragic mistake made by ford and now my van sits in a parking lot with no way for me to get it to a shop to get a repair made even if I did have the funds to do this. At least I would want my van in my driveway, not in a grocery store parking lot with no means of getting it home, besides the fact that being a woman, I would have kept driving it not knowing and could have been in a serious accident such as ones I have seen since looking into this issue. I have taken photos of cracked axel in rear and also front due to weather and climate and found the court papers saying which states were included in this recall, yet nebraska not one of them? Makes no sense. So do I go and drive it home anyways and just hope we dont die in the process..or do I let it sit in a shady part of town parking lot forever? Being a single mother of 3, I would have thought ford might see the all the news about this and have done more to prevent so many incidents, one of which someone died. The court papers indicated that they knew about it 10 years before recall. I noticed the van drove rough over bumps recently, but thought maybe it was shocks, until I found my tire not just flat, but looking as if it was slashed in the parking lot because it literally blew up.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford windstar. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH making a right turn, there was a loud abnormal noise and the vehicle veered a little off course without warning. The contact pulled over and discovered that the axle had fractured and the driver's side rear tire had bend inward. The contact mentioned that the vehicle had been repaired under the federal safety agency campaign number: 10v385000 (suspension). However, the vehicle was towed to the dealer and was diagnosed that the rear axle had fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
I was driving and hit a dip in the road. I then heard a load noise coming from the back of my vehicle. I stopped and looked. I saw the rear axle beam cracked in half. I was just glad I was not on a busy street when this happened. I called ford after I learned of a recall. I was told the recall was performed four years prior. The recall only holds a 12/12 warranty. Now this puzzled me. I retained a copy of the recall. It turns out the mechanic "inspects" the beam and decides whether there is internal rust or not. ( how they see this I don't know). If not, they spray a rust inhibitor on the axle and place brackets on it. If rusted, they replace with a known good axle.the axle broke at the brackets installed. To me, all this tells me is they are putting a "band-aid" on a known failing part. What if it was a bad friday for the mechanic, or was not paying attention ? Being able to put a 12/12 warranty on an item that can cause a fatality is just wrong. I have been stone walled from speaking to anyone who can make a decision on this issue. The dealer says I can tow it in ( I pay), and if they think it will be covered, they will see what they can do. If not, they want me to pay a check out fee as well as the tow. This is just wrong in so many ways, I don't even know where to begin. I am now forced to find alternate transportation until this is resolved one way or another. " great customer satisfaction ", not !
This complaint relates to a previous recall for ford windstar rear axle corrosion and breaking. After coming home from work, I noticed my rear tires were negatively cambered over 5 degrees. Upon further inspection, I noticed my rear axle was breaking in half underneath a supposed patch from a previous recall for the rear axle. Had the axle broken two minutes earlier on the highway, I would be in the hospital! My complaint is for the shoddy recall "fix" done by ford, this issue needs to be recalled again and fixed correctly...updated 07-08-15 *bf updated 10/25/2017
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford windstar. The contact stated that the rear tires exhibited uneven position, bended to the opposite side, and wore prematurely. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the rear axle fractured and caused the tires to move out of place. The vehicle was repaired according to the federal safety agency campaign number: 12v195000 (suspension); however, the failure was not corrected. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 118,000.
I was driving in town when I smelled rubber burning and pulled over. My drivers side tire had tilted in and my brand new tire was rubbing on the firewall. Took it to get fixed and they said the rear axle had broken and there was a recall so to take it to ford dealership, which we did. They were all set to fix it and had ordered "parts" and then called back to say ford declined to honor recall because the "fix" was already in place, which just consists of a bandaid on a gushing wound. To my understanding, the recall was due to a defect in design on the 1999 - 2003 ford windstar and they were corroding and rusting through. The spots on my vehicle which broke are beneath the safety brackets they had placed in 2012. Thank god I didn't have my grand babies with me at highway speed. I feel that their "fix" for this problem was not only inappropriate but woefully inadequate and I feel they need to stand behind their products 100%, especially as lives may be lost due to their design error.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford windstar. While driving 30 MPH, the vehicle and both rear tires shook violently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was determined that the axle needed to be replaced. The VIN was not affected by the federal safety agency campaign number: 10v385000 (suspension). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 183,082.
I was happy with ford to this day. I have a 2002 windstar that had its recall work done on the rear axle 2011. Like everyone that responded about this fix, it was a just to get you through till ford was not responsible anymore. I happen to take the van into ford for a coolant flush and they discovered the cracked axle right in the middle on the sleeve they installed. The wheel was tilted out. Thank god it did not break when the kids, new drivers (I thought ford products were safe with their recalls) my question to anyone out their can we file suit against this form of knowing negligence.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford windstar. While the vehicle was parked, the rear wheels extended outward. The contact received a notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 10v385000 (suspension) and believed the failure was related to the recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 149,000.
Total sudden loss of steering the car went off the road totally out of control. No notification of recall subframe collapse. Entire steering parts destroyed and coolant leaked from engine this is incredible that no one was injured I was about to get on the highway!!!
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford windstar. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under the federal safety agency campaign number: 12v195000 (suspension). While driving approximately 25 MPH over a bump in the road, the rear tires began to rub up against the vehicle. The contact pulled over and discovered that the rear axle fractured. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the rear axle fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the vehicle being previously repaired with reinforcement brackets due to the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 154,000.
I have a broken rear axle, ford say's it's not underany recall's.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford windstar. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under the federal safety agency campaign number: 10v385000 (suspension). While driving approximately 10 MPH making a right turn, there was a loud rubbing noise emitting from the rear driver's side of the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
I heard a loud popping noise coming from the back of my van. Took it to the repair shop and learned the rear axle had a large crack and was almost broken in half. Ford has a recall in effect for 2002 ford windstar's for axles that are cracking/breaking (the federal safety agency campaign number: 12v195000); however, ford is saying that my VIN number is not a part of their recall even though I have a 2002 ford windstar. I had the rear axle welded to repair the crack. This was on the passenger side of the axle. I started hearing popping sounds again, returned to the repair shop only to learn the axle is now broken on the driver side of the axle. This is a serious situation and I feel since ford has a recall on this issue that my vehicle should be included. I am afraid to make another repair since the axle may still crack again. Please contact ford to make them include all effected 2002 ford windstar vehicles before someone gets seriously hurt!!
2554 enid ave broke and almost sent in to a pole and oncoming traffic I will never ever buy a ford again I've got recalls on it but fixed them our selves because ford does no honor anything but I however never got a recall for the rear axle garage we took it to said its a recall and its on us nice ford you suck the old saying is true found on. Road dead (ford) f. O. R. D.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford windstar. The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the contact heard a noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact noticed that the rear axle had fractured from the vehicle as the rear driver side tire deflated and separated from the wheel. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who replaced the rear driver side tire but did not diagnose or repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 157,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford windstar. While driving at approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle drove over a bump in the road and an abnormal noise emitted from the rear of the vehicle. The driver lost control of the vehicle without warning. The contact observed that the rear axle was fractured. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford windstar. While pulling out of a residential driveway, the contact noticed that the rear passenger wheel was leaning outward. After inspecting the vehicle, the contact determined that the rear axle had rusted and fractured. The contact was made aware of the federal safety agency campaign number: 10v385000 (suspension); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 100,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford windstar. While driving approximately 20 MPH, the rear axle suddenly fractured causing damage to the rear driver side tire. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the rear axle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. After checking the VIN for recalls, the contact determined that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 12v19300 (power train). The failure mileage was 140,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford windstar. The vehicle was repaired under the federal safety agency campaign number: 12v195000 (suspension); however, the contact stated that the rear axle was fractured and the tire was resting against the frame of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed that the rear driver side axle was fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 178,000. The VIN was unavailable. Updated 4/6/15*cn updated 04/09/15
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford windstar. While driving at 30 MPH, the contact noticed a burning rubber odor. In addition, the contact stated that the rear driver side wheel was leaning inward. Upon further inspection, the contact noticed that the driver side rear axle was fractured. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures and stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under the federal safety agency campaign number: 10v385000 (suspension). The failure mileage was 92,500. Updated 04/13/15*lj the consumer stated the vehicle's axle support is susceptible to rusting as well. The dealership advised the only way they would repair the vehicle would be if the federal safety agency issued a second recall. The consumer completed the repairs himself. Updated 11/12/2015
When bringing my windstar in for an alignment it was found that the subframe had rotted and cracked near the control arm. Ford had "completed" the necessary repairs to address this issue and has stated that they are not responsible for the damage to the vehicle even though it was the original reason for the recall. According to the information from the original recall ford was supposed to replace the subframe however small brackets were added to the van instead. I do not feel that the recall was properly done by ford.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford windstar. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, there was an abnormal noise and odor coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the trailing arm needed to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 156,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford windstar. The contact stated that the rear axle failed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the axle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 177,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford windstar. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who performed the recall for the federal safety agency campaign number: 12v195000(suspension). Within two years or longer, the failure recurred. While traveling approximately 30 MPH, the rear axle and the reinforcement bracket failed. The contact stated that the rear axle cracked. The contact had to slowly coast the vehicle and park it at his residence due to the component fracturing. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer who diagnosed that the rear axle needed to be replaced and that they would attempt to reuse the brackets to support the axle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford windstar. The contact stated that while traveling approximately 35 MPH, the suspension was unstable, causing a strong vibration and noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact indicated that burning plastic fumes emitted into the vehicle. In addition, the contact mentioned went over a bump and the vehicle was not riding steady. The contact was able to pull the vehicle over and upon further inspection, it was noticed that the rear frame, rear axle and the coil spring fractured. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop who diagnosed that the rear frame, rear brake drums and coil springs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.
Since I purchased this van from steuben/yates county pro-action in nys wheels to work program, I have had numerous problems with my ford windstar. 1st problem was with emission code stating it needed a map censor; 2nd issue was the sway bar broke (was repaired under recall at ford dealership in elmira, ny jan 2012). After numerous complaints to the car dealer ship I purchased the windstar from the garage, their mechanic replaced o-rings in the engine to fix the map censor in jan 2012 as well. In february 2014 I invested a little over 1,800.00 in repairs to my mechanic for; tune up, struts and shocks, brakes all around, wheel bushings, and a wheel alignment. I keep the van well maintained with oil changes and lately my radiator is loosing fluid. I always stop in where I maintain it and the business is always topping off the radiator fluid and when scheduled oil changes are due, I am always a quart low on oil. Most recent incident: I will be driving along and the van turns off and turns back on while driving. At night when this would happen I have no headlights for a brief moment but that is still an unsafe van. Also, I get an electric shocked every time I touch the van as I get in to go somewhere. ****this is my first and last ford!!****
Suspension:rear:axle cracked where recall part was installed.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford windstar. The contact stated the brackets on the rear axle were beginning to crack causing the rear tires to lean inward. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was previously repaired under recall the federal safety agency campaign number: 12v195000 (suspension).the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 200,000.
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