general problems of the 1998 Ford Windstar

The contact owns a 1998 Ford Windstar. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was shuddering significantly. The vehicle was taken to an independent tire mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the rear axle was corroded and was fractured from the upper side to the lower side. The mechanic related the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 10v385000 (suspension). The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.

My front cradle at steering area has completely rusted into from ac leak and road salt van was sold in vermont now is located in virginia unsafe almost undrivable to Ford dealer for a rear axle recall for axle braces please investigate this.

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.

Broken axle while driving. Thankfully was not driving at highway speeds or this could have been devastating. Ford will no longer honor 3rd recall after installing safety plates and saying axle looked ok.

The contact owns a 1998 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in for routine service, it was informed that the bracket support for the suspension was corroded and needed to be repaired. The vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 15v608000 (suspension). The contact was informed that the vehicle was unsafe to repair and was unsafe to be driven. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure was 158,000.

Tl-the contact owns a 1998 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 mph, there was an abnormal noise and vibrations coming from the rear driver's side of the vehicle. The contact observed that the rear driver's side wheel turned inwards and the check engine warning indicator illuminated continuously. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000. Sg.

November 2010 my vehicle was serviced for a recall which 2 reinforcement brackets were placed on the rear axle. The recall was for rear axles that were cracked or broken. Mine was not replaced just reinforced. On 4-9-13 my rear axle cracked, and I can no longer drive the van. Upon calling Ford and speaking with customer service, I was informed they did their part by placing brackets in 2010 and even though the axle cracked anyway it is now at my cost. Thankfully this did not happen while I was driving with my children, but I am very upset Ford knows this is a problem with the rear axle, and chose to place brackets that did not "fix" the problem.

After it was put into reverse and I went to park there was a loud noise and I couldn't move the van. Got out and look at it and saw it was the rear axel completely broken.

The contact owns a 1998 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while performing a routine maintenance check up on the vehicle, the dealer found the middle of the rear axle was cracked due to corrosion nd rust. The vehicle was repaired by having the rear axle replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number: 10v385000 (suspension: rear: axle: non-powered axle assembly) however the VIN was not included under the recall. The current and failure mileage was 130,139.

Rear axle beam crack.

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

The vehicle was taken to the dealership for a leaking hose. While being inspected the Ford mechanic found that the driver side front subframe was almost completely rusted through. The dealership stated the vehicle was unsafe and would not repair it. There is a recall on 1999-2003 Windstars for this reason. The 1998 and earlier are not included as the subframe on the 1999-2003 is "tubular" and the 1998 and older is "stamped". While the construction is different, the problem seems to be the same as I was advised by the Ford mechanic that the stamped subframe rusts out frequently too. My father-in-law was the original owner of this vehicle and he willed it to me upon his death. The vehicle has been well maintained and always been an "indiana" vehicle. The subframe on the other side is fine and still has paint on it.

Windstar subframe is completely corroded and unsafe. This is caused by roadsalt, nothing I did. Ford refuses to cover this as a recall. Vehicle is completely unsafe to drive, and Ford won't stand behind it.

Was informed that sub-frame (also called engine cradle) is rusting away on my van. After looking online, it seems this is a common issue among these vans, which is caused by the use of inferior steel and an ac line running over the sub-frame. My engine can now literally fall out unless I pay out-of-pocket to replace this. I know nhsta has an investigation into this, but I can't wait months for a recall while my family uses this vehicle daily! please recall this promptly, many people are paying thousand for out-of-pocket repairs on an issue Ford should have to cover.

The contact owns a 1998 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the rear axle fractured in half while driving 5 mph. The vehicle exhibited an abnormally loud noise as the contact merged the vehicle to the shoulder. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic where they inspected the failure and informed her that the axle was fractured and the vehicle was not drivable. The manufacturer was contacted and informed her they would contact her at a later date. The failure mileage was 150,000.

1998 Ford Windstar. Consumer writes in regards to several recent recalls and states she has had problems with jerking and tire ware the consumer stated the rear axle wa inspected and no problems were found. However, she continued to experience problems.

Upon inspection of vehicle for inspection, it was determind vehicle was unsafe to drive because of badly corroded subframe on passenger side of vehicle. Also, coil spring on passenger side was broken posing a driving hazard. Vehicle has approximately 80,000 miles.

I noticed my van was 'feeling weird' when I drove it-almost like I was driving on a slippery road and the back end was sliding. This went on for about 4 days. I had to drive my son to visit his father on an extremely snowy day. The roads were drivable but did have some snow on them. When I proceeded down the hill I live on, the sliding sensation was extremely exaggerated. The further I drove, the worse it got. I had to drive in 1st gear going less than 20 m. P. H. With the back end of my van fishtailing. I thought for sure we were going to roll over. Thank god I was passing the mechanic's garage I use, and I was able to pull in. I have just been informed that the rear axle has snapped and the vehicle is not drivable. Upon searching for how much a rear axle is going to cost, I was surprised to find a site where people list the problems they've had with the same vehicle. This is not an unusual thing to have occur!!!! people could very easily be killed when this breaks. It was only by the grace of god that we didn't wreck. Ford needs to further investigate this and put a recall on the rear axle.

I was backing out of a parking spot and heard a loud crash type of sound. Checked the car and found out that the rear axle had broken in half.

Persistent loud groan or rubbing sound occurs when steering wheel is turned to left and when turning to right when straightening out from left turn. Front end shop advised struts and strut support brackets require replacement at cost of $588. Vehicle is 6,000 miles out of warranty. Shop supervisor expressed suprise that such components require replacement. Because of service back-ups dealer has not yet advised on proper solution.

Front struts broke while driving on the hwy at 30-35 mph on a snowy road condition. Dealer notified and repairs wer emade at consumer's cost.

While consumer was traveling on the highway vehicle started shaking, and lost contol. Hit a guardrail, and flipped over three times. The consumer was traumatized, and didn't remember anything.

Had taken vehicle to dealer to check steering. Vehicle would wander over the road. Would make popping noises when making right turns.

Vehicle pulls to either the right or left if the steering wheel is released for one second. It pulls so badly that while driving it wanders into other lanes. Dealer has not been contacted.

While driving at 60 mph severe vibrations occurs, causing safe handling of vehicle to become extremely difficult, cause unknown. Consumer states local dealer has tried various things such as tire balancing, alignment and changing all four tires but nothing has resolved the problem, local dealer stated that this particular vehicle has this problem and they dont know what to do to correct it.

Vehicle unstable when going down the road.

Suspension system poor stability, feels as if it will turn over on occasions.