Frame Rust problems of the 1998 Ford Windstar

Subframe rusted on left front passenger side. 1998 Ford Windstar. I had a popping noise when I made a left turn and loud crunching noise and steering wheel pulled to left. I had taken it to a auto shop and they replaced struts. Sway bars and brakes . No one told me about the rust issue with the sub frame. I drove it home from shop. Same problem. Returned the vehicle to same repair shop and the had a welder attach steel bracket to hold up sub frame. 2 days later worse. I had a second mechanic look at it and he told me the first repair should not have asked me to repair anything on the van. Sub frame is failed at 128,436 miles. I notified Ford motor CO . Of the failure, was givin a case number. Engine will fall out of bottom with corrosion of sub frame. Vehicle is not safe to drive.

The contact owns a 1998 Ford Windstar. While driving, the steering wheel shook and the vehicle pulled to the left and right. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the front driver side subframe was rusted due to corrosion and the subframe needed to be replaced. The contact called john kennedy Ford- pottstown at (800) 790-8132 (located at 3189 w ridge pike, pottstown, PA 19464) where the dealer referenced NHTSA campaign number: 10v385000 (suspension), but not for the subframe. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the vehicle was not included in a recall. No further assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 100,197.

Front sub frame completely rusted out. Ford has sub frame recall for the 1999-2003 but not the 1998.

The contact owns a 1998 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken for routine brake service when he noticed that the sub frame was rusted and hanging from the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified and informed the contact that there were no recalls for the issue. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked and was no longer being driven as a result. The failure mileage was 65,000.

I received a letter earlier this year regarding my 1998 Ford Windstar for a rear axle recall. I had it serviced at malouf Ford in north brunswick, NJ. When my son picked it up, he was told there was a new recall for the front right subframe rusting out (similar problem as the rear axle). They checked the subframe on my car and it was severely rusted. He was told they would call us when the parts came in to fix it. I had an appointment to fix the subframe this past Tuesday (24/may). The service department called and said that while the subframe was definitely rusted out, and that it was due to the same defect as decribed, that particular recall was for 1999-2003 Windstars and since mine is a 1998, they will not fix it. Please note I had no clue of the recall or the damage. The Ford dealership advised me of it. I waited for the parts and brought the car in when they asked. Now, though they confirm that this rusted-out subframe on the passenger side is exactly what the recall is for, and there is the potential for a deadly crash if that subframe fails, they are not "authorized" to repair a 1998 Windstar. I don't know if my car is a late-model 1998, but it was manufactured at the same ontario, canada plant as the cars that qualify for the recall, and a rusted right subframe is not a normal wear-and-tear condition. It is beyond negligent to acknowledge the problem in a 1999 Windstar, but pretent the same exact problem in a 1998 Windstar from the same plant is not their problem.

The contact owns a 1998 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that he was informed by an authorized dealer that the frame was severely rusted. As a result, the fuel lines, brake lines and piping were also rusted and corroded. The brake lines were replaced. The dealer advised the contact that the failure was common in his year, make and model. The failure mileage was 123,000 and the current mileage was 133,000.