Front Suspension Coil Spring problems of the 1998 Ford Windstar - part 1

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!.

Popping in front end when turning or hitting bumps. The popping sound was often. Had new tires put on,and when I took it in to have front end alianed. Ford tech. Said front springs were broke. Was an est. Of $1200. 00 oni can"t afford. This was 5/20/2011. Contacted mftr about the recall that that was issued on this part 7/12/2001. Was told there was nothing they could do,because of a time limit. How can they put a time limit on safety & peoples lives?because the springs are broken,they can puncture the tires and cause an accident. Now we are without transportation. And my son is disabled and has numerous dr. Appts. Miles away. But my hands are tied. The mftr. Did advise to have another recall checked out which is the speed control because it can catch fire. When I asked why,you just told me it was unsafe to drive. He advised it could catch fire just setting in the drive not running. I was not notified of either one of these recalls by mail or other wise until I called to complain about the front coil springs. How does these billion dollar companys keep getting by with negligance. There are lots of recalls on this vihicle. Please help!.

The vehicle was driving normal and began to make noises in the front end. I had the vehicle inspected at a service garage and told the front coil springs are fractured.

My wife was driving our 1998 Ford Windstar on the highway when she heard a loud noise and scraping sound coming from the front driver side tire area. The sound stop shortly and a six inch long curved rod of metal had fallen out onto the road way. The front coil spring had cracked and a piece of it had come loose and eventual fell out under the vehicle. I was fortunate that the collapsed spring had not damaged the tire or the brakes. The vehicle is currently being serviced to replace the broken coil spring and inspection for further damage.

Recall 01v199000 concerning front coil spring corrosion. After the vehicle was repaired for this recall a popping noise could be heard while driving at low speed or applying brakes.

My 1998 Ford Windstar had a failure of the front left leaf spring. The resulting damage was at low speeds but the left front tire was damaged beyond repair. In Dec 2001 I had the recall by Ford accomplished to install a guard on the leaf springs. This guard was installed to prevent this type of damage. This first recall was a "safety recall" and the fix for that recall was ineffective. This should be a full out safety recall to replace these springs before someone dies. It shouldn't take a death to change the policy on these springs. I believe this fault to be more related to a material defect then a rust or corrosion problem. I have over 100,000 miles on my Windstar and I inspect it periodically for possible damage. These springs have little or no rest nor did the spring at the point of break. Without detailed inspection microscopes a minuet crack couldn't be seen with the eye. This is a consistent problem with this vehicle as noted in the complaint section with over 77 complaints. Just think of the problems that aren't registered on this site. I'm only concerned for the unsuspecting family who has no idea that these springs will fail it's only a matter of time. Ford will only replace them if they break. They will break as a manufacture defect. I feel the safety council should revisit this problem. I have some video of the damage to my springs and tire for proof if there is any need for such evidence in an accident investigation. Let me restate myself this is a very serious problem that is being overlooked. Don't let this problem kill some before more action is done. One death from this problem is too much. These vans carry our children on a daily basis and a whole family could be lost in just one accident.

Vehicle was taken to dealer two years ago for coil spring recall repairs. A spring shield was put into vehicle to prevent the tires from being punctured. While traveling at 70 mph coil spring punctured a tire. Recall repairs did not work, the same thing happened again.

This vehicle was recalled a while ago to install a protective shield between the coil springs and the tire, so that if the spring failed the tire would not be damaged. This modification did not function as intended. We experienced a failure of the spring as well as the shield which shredded the tire and damaged a brake line. Ford needs to recall their recall, this is a reprehensible act on their part.

Consumer took the vehicle to the repair station. The driver heard a clanking noise from the left wheel. The mechanic noticed that struts and coils springs needed replacing due to corrosion. The consumer's vehicle identification number was not included the recall. The recall number 01-I-007-000.

On 5/22/03 I was driving down the highway and experienced a sudden feeling that the front end of my vehicle dropped and heard some of the worst noises I had ever heard. Upon driving the vehicle home (slowly) my husband came home and took off the tire. We discovered that the front coil spring over the strut had collapsed and the vehicle could not be driven. We paid out of our pockets to get the vehicle flat bedded to the local Ford dealership. The parts have been on national back order and it's been over a week. I am personally in jeopordy of loosing my job because I have only been able to work 1/2 day. (1 vehicle left, 2 working parents with 3 kids) now I am being told that the tire on that side is damaged and can not be trusted to be driven on, and the van needs a front end alignment. Ford is saying this is not covered and refuses to do anything about it. We received the recall notice 6 days after the spring collapsed. It is for spring shields, at the Ford customer service number told me the shields are to be installed so that if the spring collapses it doesn't damage the rest of the front end and cause an accident. Is this all Ford is responsible to do? there are thousands of these vans on the road that are a potential danger. They know that these springs are a hazard and they don't cover towing, replace or repair of tires etc that get damaged due to their defective parts. My tire is only 1 month old. I just replaced it. Their only responsibility is to try to make sure no one gets killed in an accident caused by a defective part on their van. Why are they able to say the get the 5 star safety rating from the government, that makes people think these vehicles are safe. My collapsed doing 50 mph going home from my morning run as a school bus driver. I had just dropped my son off to daycare 10 minutes before. This could have been a much worse incident.

While driving the vehicle and no warning front left spring coil cracked, causing the vehicle to fall to the ground. Dealer notified.

The front coil springs failed after the recall was performed.

After recall 01v199000 for front coil spring corrosion was completed problem reoccurred.

Left front coil spring broke. Dealer and manufacturer were not notified. Feel free to provide any further information.

Consumer states vehicle was experiencing a problem with the tire rubbing on the spring. The vehicle was taken in to have the recall (01v199000) work performed. Consumer began experiencing problems again with the recall related issue. The dealer refused to look at the vehicle, stating that the problem was not related to the spring, without even looking at the car.

The spring on the drivers side of vehicle had ruptured while consumers wife was driving. When the spring ruptured, it forced the guard into the tire (which happens to be one month old), and ruined the tire. Consumer was told that the spring had been recalled and Ford would replace them. (in which Ford said that the spring on this vehicle had been replaced already and they would not replace anything).

Front coil spring broke and it was rubbing against tire so badly that it was difficult to drive. Took vehicle to dealer for recall 01v1999000 repairs on coil spring. A shield was put around the spring. Driver did not see a spring shield around coil. Driver only saw a plate to prevent tire from being punctured again. Please provide any further information.

Recall 01 v 199 00/ front coil springs. Since recall repairs were done snow tires were not to be installed on vehicle. Please feel free to provide further details.

Nhtsa recall 01 v 199 000 and manufacturer's recall 01s19/front coil spring: dealer; prestige Ford; mount dora, FL; phone# 352/357-5522)is not honorin recall as outlined. Dealer only inspected vehicle, and informed consumer that nothing could be found. Also, no repairs were necessary. Feel free to provide any further information concerning this matter.

Consumer received notification that vehicle was affected by recall campaign 01v199000. Dealership only examined vehicle for corrosion, and failed to install protective shields around coil springs per corrective action for recall. Please provide any additional information / documentation.

Consumer received a recall notice 01v99000 that the front coil springs may corrode and fracture. Recall repair was done by consumer's local mechanic. However, when consumer requested reimbursement, the manufacturer denied reimbursement claim stating that the repairs were done after the date of the recall letter (September 2001), there were no indication that the springs were broken, and the recall only covers the springs if they actually fractured and that the repairs were not done by a Ford dealer. Consumer is seeking some assistance with this matter.

Recall 01 v 199 000/front coil spring corrosion: dealer ; capitol Ford; goldsboro, nc; phone# 919/735-8411 refused to do any repairs not until sign of defect/corrosion appeared on vehicle. Feel free to provide any further information concerning this matter.

Consumer contacted dealership for recall #01i007000 repairs, but dealership refused to repair vehicle. Please provide further details.

Consumer took vehicle in to dealer for a recall repairs on front spring. Same day consumer received car back, there was a banging noise when consumer hit a bump. Consumer had not contacted dealer. Please provide any further informayion.

Faulty installation of left front spring guard that was on recall caused noise.

While in motion the front coil springs fractured and were in need of emergency repair. Consumer had the vehicle taken to a local mechanic who repaired the vehicle. A recall was issued for installing protective shields to protect the coil springs from fracturing. Consumer would like to be reimbursed for monies paid, but Ford dealer will not honor the request for reimbursement, because the repairs were not made at the dealership.

While pulling out of a parking space, the front right spring broke. Had to have car towed to repair shop. I was told I needed to replace coil springs on both front sides. Repair could not be made on same day becasue Ford is the only manufacturer of the spring and no one in town had the replacement springs. I had to rent a car for the weekend.

Driver noticed a noise in front end of the vehicle when making turns. This was due to front coil springs breaking. Needed new coil springs.

Consumer was traveling 15mph on a two lane ramp and heard something popped, and steering column was difficult to steer. She was able to pull over to shoulders, and noticed that a coil spring had fallen out and puntcured right tire. Consumer states left and right front coil spring was replaced.

Front right coil spring broke while consumer's daughter was driving at approximately 10 mph. When coil spring broke, it caused front right tire to blowout. Consumer replaced original tire with a spare, resulting in spare being destroyed because of broken coil spring.

Left front coil spring broke while vehicle was just starting to accelerate forward after backing out of a driveway. Ford dealership stated that spring had rusted, and this caused component to break.

While pulling vehicle out of garage vehicle dropped on driver's side. Tire was shredded. Also, this broke the strut. Vehicle was towed to dealer. Driver's side coil spring had to be replaced. Coil spring broke ripping the sidewall of the tire and bending the strut and strut mounting plate, dealer would not cover repairs and Ford said they had no record of the problem. Nlm.

While driving at 20 mph coil springs popped in two spots . Contacted dealer, dealer only wanted to replace left side of the car, not both sides. There was a similar recall on earlier models.

While pulling out of driveway at very slow speed front coil spring broke.

Front coil springs broke while driving 5mph. Noticed rubbing against tire which was becoming frayed. Took to dealership , and mechanic indicated that problem was definitely front coil springs, but did not replace them. Owner working with dealership.