Front Suspension Coil Spring problems of the 1998 Ford Windstar - part 2

Left front coil spring broke while the vehicle was parked. Dealer was notified, and informed consumer vehicle was out of its warranty, and any repairs would be at consumer's expense. There was evidence of a flaw in the metal. 2-3 inches on each broken end of the coil spring was rusted.

While driving 5 mph front driver's side coil spring broke. Consumer states that the strut was ruined and Ford paid for all repairs.

Front coil spring broke and ruptured front right tire of the vehicle. Dealership has not informed consumer for reason of defect. Please provide any additional information/attachments.

Ea-00-027 ; front coil spring which is part of suspension, broke. This, in return, split and cut tire,causing tire to go flat.

Van parked in driveway, both front coil springs broke simultaneously causing front of vehicle to drop 5 inches and nearly piercing sidewalls of both front tires.

Front coil spring broke. Local mechanick has noy seen a broken spring since the 1960"s. I know of other Ford products that have had spring problems.

Broken front spring. Front strut spring broke causing groaning noise in the front whell area, broke spring also caused the van to lean tot he left. Nlm 4/12-01.

Left front coil spring broke and imbedded itself in left wall of tire when backing out of a parking space. There was very loud groaning noise coming from front end when the consumer started to drive the vehicle, and the front end collapsed soon after because the front left tire had deflated as the result of the coil spring breaking and slashing the tire.

Ea00027; left front coil spring broke, causing tire to ride in fender.

Passenger's side coil spring broke while backing out of driveway. Dealer notified, and informed consumer that vehicle was not covered under a manufacturer's recall. Feel free to provide any further details on this matter.

While driving van approaching a major highway the left front coil spring broke without any warning causing the left front tire to be sliced off it's rim. The driver lost control of van but was able to eventually control it. When the spring was examined there was no rust on the outer portion of it. It was coated completely with factory paint. It did however show signs that it cracked prior to it breaking as there was a very slight amount of rust 3/4 of the way through actual crosssection of the spring. Other reports of this happening in salt belt states. I believe this may be temperature related as it is cold in all the salt belt states. It is apparant that this spring may be too brittle and the cold weather makes it worse. The major problem is when it slices the tire off the rim at highway speeds. I have pictures of spring and tire. Arentatent thatture related break.

Consumer was traveling 45mph on highway and she was approaching a major highway on ramp, and heard a booming noise. Spring broke and pierced left right driver's side tires. She was able to pull over to shoulders. The consumer believes the cause of the spring breaking was cold temperature rather than corrossion. However, the consmer also indicted that springs were breaking only in area of heavy salt roads.

Front left coil spring broke while van was parked. See NHTSA ea00027 and pe00024.

The left front coil spring failed abruptly when braking for a traffic light, sliced the sidewall off the left front tire (blowing it out), severed the mcferson strut and dropped the vehicle to the pavement. If the failure had occured 100 yards later at the entrance of the high speed connector (which is a sweeping right turn) the vehicle would have flipped into the on-coming lane of traffic. Since spring breakage problems have been recorded on Windstars since the model intro. In 1996, why has this not prompted action from Ford??.

Front left coil spring broke and punctured tire while pulling into a parking lot. Dealer contacted. Feel free to provide any further information.

Nhtsa recall 01 v 199 000/manufacturer's recall 01s19 concerning front coil spring corrosion, consumer states dealer, wally edward Ford, port henry, NY; phone# 518/546-9911 is refusing to honor recall notice. The Ford motor company says the dealership is responsible for the safety recall repairs. Consuemr has complained of the transmission and no dealership within a 100 mile radius will attempt to access the problem.

After starting vehicle consumer heard grinding sound, front coil spring had broken.

I had backed out of a parking spot and was proceeding forward when the front of car, left side, dropped down abuptly. Van ground to a stop and I hopped out to investigate. The left front fender was much lower than the right, but it was dark so I couldn't see much else. Wanting to get the van back to my home, I tried to drive it farther, but it made a loud grinding noise that sounded similar to a train on a track, and began to smell like burnt rubber. At this point I decided it best to stop and had the van towed to my mechanic. The mechanic advised that the coil spring was broke and on his advise I had both front coil springs replaced as well as the struts. He said I was fortunate to be moving at such a slow speed because I would have lost control due to the spring rubbing against the tire and rim. We also replaced the tire. We contacted the dealership and showed the service manager the broken coil spring and wrote a request for assistance. The area inspector, who never saw the part, turned down the request because I didn't take the van to the Ford dealer. The vehicle wasn't under warranty and I needed it fix right away, plus the dealer was 20 miles away, so I made a quick decision to have it towed to my mechanic who was close. I didn't know what was wrong, I'm not a mechanic! after alot of run-around, the dealership has offered to cover half the repair bill and I think that is as good as it will get. I'm still concerned that others may not be as lucky as I was to be in a parknig lot and moving so slow. I saw the USA today press release and knew this had to be reported. Thank-you!!!.

Left front of vehicle dropped to ground. Had vehicle towed to dealer. Front coil spring broke. Coil spring sliced tire when it came down, dealer would not pay for tire, alignment, or all of towing.

The right front coil spring failed while driving. Nlm.

Both front coil springs broke. The first one broke at 60,000 miles and cut the side wall out of the tire. The second one broke at 63,000 miles and cut the side wall out of the tire instantly. Both incidents occurred at slow speeds. If it would have occurred at highway speed, a roll over may have taken place.

After parking vehicle driver noticed that vehicle looked like it had a flat tire. Took to dealer, and notified owner that coil spring was broken on front left and right, needed to be replaced. Both were replaced. The vehicle also needed struts and tie rod ends to be replaced.

Left front coil spring broke, while parked. Car undrivable, frame collapsed on tire. Replaced by dealer at owners cost.

Pe 00 024/suspension coil spring: while traveling at 40 mph front coil spring broke and punctured driver's side tire. No injuries reported. Vehicle towed to dealer, and repairs were done at consumer's expense.

Consumer was riding for a period of time and stopped to rest. Consumer was heading back on road and 1 minute from where he was, front of vehicle went down. Consumer thought it was a flat tire. A tow truck came and found coil spring had broken. Would have to go to a Ford dealershop to be repaired. Consumer wanted manufacturer to cover repairs. A letter was sent, but response from them was they couldn't do anything for consumer. Vehicle had been taken to dealer several times prior to incident due to a strange noise that was occurring in the front end, dealer inspected front end extensively and never found anything wrong. There are plastic hub covers on the wheels, consumer has had 3 blowouts which have ruined the covers, they are not able to handle the repeated wear and tear.

While pulling out of driveway front left coil spring broke, puncturing the tire. No parts available for repair.

Consumer was traveling about 45-50mph & front coil spring broke. Broken spring went into the left tire , caused a blowout, but no one was injured. Dealer said that coil spring had to have been defective. Vehicle currently at the dealer.

Consumer was backing out of driveway and heard a clunking noise. Vehicle had to be towed since front coil spring had broken off. The dealer replaced the front suspension.

While driving 35 mph front two coil springs broke and vehicle's front dropped. Also a tire on the right side blew out. The spring was replaced.

Consumer was driving approx. 5mph when the coil spring broke, once mechanic checked there was rustover half of the spring, on 1/4 of an in. Was left.

The consumer had to replace front coil springs-may 2000. (reason unknown) in September, the consumer received a recall notice on this repair, but the dealer would not issue reibursement, in the amount of $228. 17. The consumer was given the run around and feels that Ford would rather stay behind their dealer, than to stand behind their customer. (though satisfied w/the vehicle, but unsatisfied w/the treatment.

Dealership did not perform recall 01v199000 repairs correctly for front coil spring, and is refusing to correct the problem.

While driving, left front tire experienced a blowout, no specific tire information given, a year later, consumer receives recall 01s19 regarding the front coil springs corroding, possibly causing tire damage, consumer does not want this vehicle anymore.

Consumer called complaining about having problems with the left front spring breaking. The vehicle was towed to the shop and the springs were replaced but the shields for the spring were not replaced. The consumer does not feel safe driving the vehicle because the same problem may occur.

Consumer states that the dealership wicker Ford; ticonderoga NY; 518-585-2888 is refusing to honor the recall for the protection shield front coil 01 f 121 000. Ts.