Nine problems related to front suspension stabilizer bar have been reported for the 1996 Ford Windstar. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Front sway bar is found to be hollow and broke in half on passengers side. Ford should be liable for the repair cost since they were aware that they would not hold up in salty and snowy conditions.
Front stabilizer bar broken. Tried to get part. I was told not yet available.
I have a 1996 Ford Windstar 3. 8l engine with a broken front stabilizer bar. About 12 inches of it are hanging near the right front wheel. I checked a friends Windstar of similar vintage and he has the same problem! that's two out of two. I know Ford has recalled similar problems with other vehicles.
The contact owns a 1996 Ford Windstar. The vehicle was purchased on March 17, 2005. The contact stated that the dealership verbally told her that vehicle would pass inspection. However, she did not have this information in writing. About two weeks ago the stabilizer bar broke while pulling out of a driveway. Luckily no one was injured. However, there were children in the car. After examining the broken stabilizer bar one could tell that the bar was shredded, and they saw where the bar had been welded onto the vehicle. When the contact spoke with the dealership she asked if the vehicle had been in an accident prior to purchasing it. The dealership said that the vehicle was not in an accident, and there was no police report. However, there were previous accidents prior to the contact's ownership of this vehicle.
Consumer stated the stabilizer bar rusted and broke through. As a result, a grinding noise was heard when turning in either direction.
The stabilizer bar broke about 5 inches from the tire after the bend and into the straight part of the bar. Efforts I have made to find a replacement part new or used is proveing difficult because every single place has been out of them, this would indicate to me that there is a rash of brakeages of this part and not an isolated incident.
The stabilizer bar broke causing very unstable driving. Wife complained and I looked under the vehicle and saw the bar hanging. It looks rusted through. The center of the bar has an ovbious hole so either it was made defective. Vehicle is undrivable and dangerious. Mr.
Stabilizer bar completely snapped, causing significant body lean. Replacement is no longer hollow.
The front stabilizer bar has broken on the left side of the vehicle at the point where the bar attaches to the frame.