Ford Windstar water leak problems

Filed Oct 7, 2019 · Body, Visibility · 125,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford windstar. The contact noticed that there was water entering into the vehicle from the front windshield. In addition, the trim by the front windshield and front frame on the passenger side were rusting. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 125,000. The VIN was not provided.

Filed Aug 25, 2014 · Body, Steering · 131,000 miles · NY

Van started making a loud metal banging noise while on vacation. Took to a local shop where I was shown that the subframe ( where the AC water leaks down) was completely rotted thru and broken, making the van unsafe to drive/ the van already had brackets on the subframe and rear axle installed by ford just weeks earlier, but this was not repaired or addressed.

Filed Jan 4, 2012 · Visibility · 142,000 miles · MN

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 ford windstar. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked and smoke began to emit from under the hood. The contact did not see flames, but poured water under the hood to put out the smoke. The windshield wiper motor stopped functioning after the failure occurred. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for a diagnostic test and the technician stated that water entered the wiper motor and started a fire. There was a recall under the federal safety agency campaign id number 01v261000 (visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor), that may be related to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 142,000. Updated 02/22/12

Filed Aug 17, 2011 · Brakes, Electrical · 120,259 miles · AL

Abs light is on continuously. Overdrive jumping in and out of gear after driving it 30 minutes or more. I read the recall and safety report that brake fluid leaks on the ABS switch connected to the master cylinder which can cause a catastrophic fire. I didn't receive anything in the mail from ford on my vehicle on this problem as of yet. Also the coolant line that ran under port injection was welded leaking water where it connects to the thermostat housing.

Filed Oct 1, 2010 · Body, Suspension · 114,000 miles · NY

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. While the dealer inspected the rear axle for recall 10v385000 suspension: rear: axle: non-powered axle assembly they also located a failure at the front h frame which was corroded and separated. The manufacturer stated that the failure wasn't recalled, but if a recall was issued in the future he could be reimbursed for the repair. The vehicle wasn't repaired. The failure and current mileages were 114,000 miles. The AC compressor leaked water onto the frame and caused it to rot. Updated evoq 11/12/10*jb updated 01/20/11 *bf updated 04/13/11

Filed Aug 4, 2010 · Suspension · 151,000 miles · OH

My 98 ford windstar rear axle split in two pulling into my work . I had noticed a noise from the back a few days before. I just put new tires on the van and noticed while a fellow employee was welding my axle so I could get home that the insides of my new tires were wore down already .I can not afford a new axle now and I have kids .I'm also aware that this is not the first windstar to have this problem I'm glad I was not going down the highway with my family and that happen. This is a ford problem and I should not have to fix a steel axle because water gets in it and it rusts it should of been put together so water cant get in it. Thank u please take care of this.

Filed Apr 18, 2010 · Suspension · 141,024 miles · MI

The rear axle beam on my 2000 ford windstar van broke in half suddenly shortly after exiting the freeway. Just prior to exiting the freeway the van shuttered and vibrated bad enough to cause me to slow down to about 50 MPH before exiting the freeway. Fortunately I was only traveling about 30 MPH when the incident occurred. Although both rear wheels collapsed against the inside rear wheel wells and the vehicle swayed from side to side I was able to safely get it stopped with causing an accident. During the past couple of weeks the van had an on and off vibration and seemed to wander in its lane on occasion. I took it in for front end service work last week and had the inner tie rod ends replaced as well as some front end bushings. Although the steering was tightened up, the periodic vibration was still there. It took about 5 minutes on the internet to discover this is not an isolated incident. I found about 130 similar issues/complaints by googling "ford windstar axle problems." this is clearly a very serious safety issue. At this point I don't know if anyone has been killed or injured but I intend to find out. The problem appears to involve 2000 & 2001 windstars with mileage ranging from 70k to 160k. Based on the inspection of my vehicle and review of other posted complaints it appears ford uses a double walled u shaped steel beam to support and connect the rear wheels and springs. The axle beam is not totally enclosed around the spring mounts. Water enters the axle tube and has no where to drain. Over time the water promotes rusts and weakens the axle tube from the inside out until metal fatigue sets in and the axle eventually fails. I suspect this problem will bleed into the 2002/2003 models as they age and eventually rust out. This situation is a virtual time bomb for unsuspecting ford windstar van owners.

Filed Oct 30, 2008 · Brakes · 115,000 miles · MA

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. While driving various speeds, the traction control, ABS, and service warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The traction and ABS became inoperative. The dealer inspected the vehicle and stated that water entered the computer module and they reset the codes. Immediately after the repair, the failure recurred. He took the vehicle to the dealer again and had the front wheel speed sensor replaced. After the repair, the failure codes appeared again and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer. The technician replaced the ABS power relay. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer again in reference to the failure and they stated that he needed to repair the ABS module at the cost of $800. The vehicle has not been repaired again. The failure mileage was 115,000 and current mileage was 119,000.

Filed May 30, 2008 · Body · NJ

My complaint is for a potential problem. I have a 2003 ford windstar that has a water leak in the roof body seams. I took it to a dealer on 5/19 who had a specialist come in to look at it. They said they couldn't do it and suggested taking it to a body shop. I don't think body seams leaking is normal wear and tear and I'm afraid that if I'm in an accident, there could be deadly consequences due to the structural defect. Ford is not being helpful at all. I'm a single mom with no money, but I guess I have to take it to another dealer that has a body shop and have them tear it up. Help. The car has never been in an accident and I bought it new. It took a while for me to figure it out because the water that comes in goes right into the hatchback/trunk carpet. I kept thinking that my kids spilled something or I left the window cracked, trying to give ford the benefit of the doubt. I don't have time to be bringing my car in. Any other complaints?

Filed Apr 3, 2008 · Body, Visibility · 55,000 miles · IL

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. The contact noticed that the paint on the roof and rear of the vehicle had abnormal discoloration and was becoming progressively worse. Two months later, he noticed water leaking through the windshield. A professional technician stated that the hooks holding the windshield together were defective. The vehicle has not been repaired. The dealer stated that there were no recalls regarding this failure. The failure mileage was 55,000 and current mileage was 63,000.