general problems of the 1996 Ford Windstar

Had changed brake pads a week earlier. Driving 55mph and the car crashed down on it's axle as the tire and wheel passed by us going down highway, in 37 north. Studs had all broken off. The disc brake is ruined from skidding on it. Traffic was moderately heavy. We skidded to a stop on a bridge and feel lucky not to have crashed into anyone.

My aluminum wheels have corroded at the tire bead seat severely. This produces tire pressure loss constantly. The wheels are not corroded at the face but at the area where the tire seals. My local tire store in michigan says they see this same issue regularly. I am a Ford engineer and have complained about this defect to the wheel engineers and they say there is no such problem. The tire store also added that aluminum wheels combined with michelin tires are the worst. Two of my wheels have this problem now with the original tires. This is a safety problem as they keep loosing air. I have to add air once a week. Pls call me- I can show them to you. I dismounted the rears and the corrosion is severe. I take care of my cars-there is no excuse for this level of corrosion. Thanks. (tiresize: 215x70x15).

While driving, consumer heard a noise coming from the front passenger side wheel, the front passenger side wheel then came off, claim 46-0491-262.

While making a right hand turn, front left wheel came off, vehicle dropped to the left side causing body damage and possible left front suspension damage, claim 45-8019-328.

I saw that it happened with other owners so it must be a manufacturer's fault. No safety defect mentioned in summary.

The problem is the weld on the wheel. The first one broke apart at the weld. The second one developed a pinhole at the weld. The third one also developed a pinhole at the weld. All were original Ford wheels. In all my years of driving I have never had one wheel break at the weld until I bought this van. Now I have had three in approximately 2 years. These vans are designed for carrying children so to me this is a safety issue. Ford however refuses to look into it because they have not had enough complaints theyalso refuse to reimburse me for the replacement wheels. Thank you for your time ,I hope you will look in to this.

Right front wheel came loose upon failure of pin connecting control arm to ball joint. Loss of steering and control of vehicle resulted.