Ford Windstar coil spring problems

Filed Mar 17, 2017 · Brakes, Suspension · 119,000 miles · WI

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. The contact stated that while driving at a very slow speed, the front passenger side coil spring fractured also causing damage to the brake line. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was discovered that both the driver side and passenger side coil springs had been cracked. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact also indicated that while operating the vehicle, the ABS and brake sensor warning lights would illuminate. The cause of the failures were not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 119,000.

Filed Mar 14, 2017 · Suspension · 119,000 miles · WI

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. While driving in a parking lot, a clunking noise was heard. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the front coil springs fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 119,000.

Filed Oct 14, 2015 · Body · 114,500 miles · IL

The k frame rusted out where the control arms mount to the frame and the front driver's side coil spring broke while driving at 65 miles per hour on the interstate

Filed Oct 5, 2015 · Suspension · WI

Letter from congressman ryan on behalf of constituent re ford motor company issues. *smd the consumer stated in may, the spring on the driver's side broke and punctured the tire. Three months later, the passenger front spring broke. *jb updated 11/30/15.

Filed Aug 31, 2015 · Suspension · 129,000 miles · WI

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 ford windstar. While driving at approximately 35 MPH, an abnormal rattling noise was coming from the rear of the vehicle. The failure recurred on several occasions while driving at various speeds. The contact also stated that on one occasion, the rear drivers side wheel emitted smoke. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was discovered that both rear wheels were bent inward. As a result, the rear axle, rear coil springs and rear axle assembly needed to be replaced. The rear tires were also damaged and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 129,000.

Filed Oct 9, 2014 · Brakes, Suspension · 90,000 miles · MA

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.

Filed Sep 29, 2014 · Suspension · 151,693 miles · WI

Heard a loud crack noise from my driveway where the vehicle was parked, found the left front struts coil spring to be broken in three pieces. I was fortunate not to be driving the vehicle at the time due to the fact the sprint would have penetrated the left front tire. I replaced the entire left front strut with a complete new strut that meets oem specifications. I was a bit leary about driving the vehicle the next day to take my wife to work, I visually inspected the right front strut coil spring and saw nothing visibly wrong with it. I was shocked to find out the right front strut spring broke while I was pulling forward later today at 151,725 miles. The broken piece is now pressing against the tire. I will now have to replace the right front strut with a new unit that meets oem specifications. I'm worried about other drivers having this issue if one breaks while driving at any speed and having the broken coil spring puncture their tire.

Filed Aug 18, 2014 · Suspension, Wheels · 167,300 miles · PA

While driving my van I heard a very loud noise and my driver's side tire immediately went flat. I was able to pull the vehicle safely to a stop along the side of the road. I called a tow truck and had my vehicle looked at by the mechanic who informed me that a coil spring around my strut broke which caused my tire to be sliced open from the inside of the tire. I was very lucky I was not going any faster when the spring broke and sliced my tire open. I reviewed issues online that other people were having relating to my issue regarding the make and model of my vehicle. Apparently ford had a recall on the windstar coil springs from a different year of the ford windstar vans due to the very same problem with the coil springs breaking and causing the tire to be punctured or sliced open from the inside. I am also very concerned after reading that the part had to fail before it would be addressed. It seems that if there is a safety recall it should be completed before a failure occurs and not after. This could have caused a very serious accident had I been on an interstate or even if I were going 55 miles per hour on the highway. I did contact ford motor company regarding this issue and was told that ford would not assist with the repairs because my vehicle was not recalled for this issue. I own two ford vehicles and I could not believe that my issue was not of a concern to ford. I probably will not buy another ford because of this. My family's safety has to come first and I am not convinced we will be safe if the company won't address these types of safety issues.

Filed Jun 6, 2014 · Suspension, Transmission · 148,900 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 ford windstar. The contact stated that the dealer inspected the vehicle and stated that there was erosion and cracking around the axle. The contact received a recall notification for the federal safety agency campaign id number: 10v385000 (suspension), however the contacts state was not apart of the recall, as it only covered the north eastern part of the united states where concentrated use of salt on road surfaced was used to melt and/or break up road surface ice. . The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 148,900. The consumer stated while working on the rear air conditioning unit, a crack was observed on the rear axle. The crack was located on the axle a distance from the left rear, driver's side wheel. The consumer stated during the examination of the rear suspension system, it was easy to see that there was an opening in the axle structure where the coil spring interfaced the axle. The opening allowed salt concentrated road spray to enter the internal structure of the axle and settle to its lowest point. Since the axle had no drain holes to allow for trapped road spray to drain away, the salt concentrated road spray would in fact set up corrosion within the internal structure of the axle which, over time would weaken the strength of the rear axle allowing fatigue cracks to appear. Updated 07/16/14 updated 09/16/14*lj updated 1/15/15

Filed Oct 18, 2013 · Suspension, Wheels · 205,760 miles · IA

My wife was taking my youngest two children to school in our vehicle when smoke started pouring in through the vents of the vehicle and at the same time she lost control of the steering sliding off onto the shoulder of the road. Once my wife made sure everyone was out of the smoke filled vehicle she noticed the tire was completely shredded on the passenger front side of the vehicle. She notified me and we had the van towed to a mechanics shop where we found out that the front passenger spring had busted causing the tire to be shredded. The mechanic advised buying two new tires for the front of vehicle, he also advised buying two new springs and replacing both of them on the front. The van was fixed and we paid for the bill and tire cost out of our own pocket. The manufacturer of the vehicle informed me today that they will not compensate for any of these costs even when a recall letter 01s19/01m03 states "we will install protective shields around the front coil springs of your vehicle. These shields will prevent the possibility of tire puncture should the spring fracture. ---- motor company will also pay for any repairs directly relating to the front coil springs of your vehicle free of charge ( parts and labor) so to me this is a failure of the respected company from full filling what I see in my eyes as a obligation to the consumer. I also feel the recall should have been to replace the springs..not install shields which I am sure was a much cheaper route.I have all receipts that concern this matter. Thanks!