Wheel Bolts problems of the 1998 Ford Windstar - part 1

1998 Windstar lug nuts sheared off. The left front wheel came off the vehicle as a result of the lug nut shearing off. The vehicle landed on it's wheel.

On 4/16/06 I was driving the vehicle and felt something strange in the right front wheel. I checked to see if the tire was flat and found nothing noticeable. I continued on my way drove about one more mile when all five lugs of the passenger side front tire broke causing the tire to fall off. The tire damaged the fender and door. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop. The mechanic inspected and replaced the lugs. He could not find any reason for the lugs to break. 1998 Ford Windstar.

1998 Ford Windstar. 2 driver side wheel lug bolts broke off while driving. Both studs sheared completely off. Replaced both studs from Ford parts and 3 weeks later 1 of the new replacement lug bolts broke off.

The front passenger wheel departed (I. E. Fell off) the vehicle while traveling 40 mph on a paved road. The vehicle stopped on a soft shoulder at the side of the road. All five studs holding the wheel on were sheered off. The wheel itself was not damaged, however major body damage was made to the wheel well and front door. The vehicle was repaired (except for the body damage) at the cost of $1300, replacing the rotor, brake, spindle and strut.

1998 Ford Windstar. Passenger side tire fell off while slowing to almost 1 km/h (luckily). All 5 studs sheared completely off. Replaced all studs from Ford parts and 3 weeks later 2 studs showing. Very scary, still working on problem.

We were about 30 miles from home on our return trip from ohio to iowa when, while accelerating out of a rest area, steering column began shaking vigorously. We began to slow from 60-65mph and merged into the right lane. While the vehicle was going around 50mph the right front end dropped and the right front tire bounced off into a field. We retained control of the vehicle and pulled over without injury. Upon examination, the tire studs had all broken clean off. All except two were lost. The two had a locking mechanism. The damage due to the collision with the road after the wheel fell off was covered by our insurance, though technically the initail mechanical failure did was not, though since the studs were part of the rotor which was damaged they were replaced with the rotor. The parts damaged and replaced include the rotor, front brakes, control/stabilizing arm, right fender and passenger door.

Four of five lugs:nuts detached from the wheel unexpectedly causing the wheel to vibrate and almost detach from the vehicle. Taken to dealer for checkup and repairs.

A vibration began suddenly in the steering wheel while driving. After getting rapidly worse, the right front wheel came off of my 1998 Ford Windstar at 45 mph when the lug bolts broke, causing the vehicle to crash into the ground. I retrieved the wheel and found all five lugs, with their lug nuts still attached, captured between the hubcap and the wheel. The police officer who responded repeatedly stated that he was amazed that the vehicle did not roll over and that I was lucky there were no injuries.

Lugs nuts keep breaking off. Happens about every 2 to 3 thousand miles. Usually 2 to 3 lugnuts break off each time. I'm scared to drive the car. Was told to mention mention that there is an onging investigation going on with this. The investigation # is 3983673 - action # ea03004.

While driving at highway speed lugs and nuts popped off. Dealer stated there was nothing they could do.

Since April 2001 I have had my 1998 Ford Windstar in the shop nine times to replace front wheel studs that had sheared off. My hometown mechanic after replacing studs on the right front five times finally suggested we replace the wheel because several of the holes appeared oval instead of round. This seemed to have eliminated the problem on the right but since then I have had three incidents of studs shearing off on the left front wheel. At a Ford dealership in cincinnati, OH, I had to replace (in the left front) 3 studs and at that time had a new wheel put on. After driving from cincinnati to atlanta georgia I again was at a Ford dealership in conyers georgia with three more broken studs (on the left front) and this time they also replaced the hub assembly. Now after over $1300. 00 in repairs my Windstar is again in the shop having broken studs replaced on the left front wheel. By the way none of the Ford dealerships would admit ever hearing of this problem before.

The contact owns a 1998 Ford wind star. In 8-03 his wife was making a slow left hand ascending turn at 15-20 mph and the front right wheel sheared off. All five lugs:bolts broke off. It happened again on 9-13-05 after it had been repaired by Ford. She was making a slow ascending turn when all of the five lugs:bolts broke off again.

While driving left front tire came off the vehicle and rolled into the path of another vehicle which struck the tire (ohio traffic crash report).

While traveling on ohio turnpike front left wheel came off vehicle, crossed the median, and hit a car traveling in the opposite direction.

While driving, the left front wheel lug nuts sheared completely off, which caused the wheel to come off. ,,,extensive damage which included replacing tire, wheel, lugs:nuts and body damage to door and front fender from skidding on wheel after tire fell off. Could not open driver's door.

All 5 left front lug bolts sheared and car lost wheel at 70 mph on freeway. Road was straight and I was able to pull car to right shoulder. I note 29 similar incidents over last 4 years on NHTSA website, but no recall. Why not? previously my mechanic had 3 of right front lugs break at less than spec torque. All right front lugs were replaced. At that time the left lugs took torque and (unfortunately) were not replaced. These lugs caused life threatening hazard. Dt.

Front left wheel vibrated at highway speeds. Inspected lugs: nuts and found 3 broken ones.

In July of 2002 two lugnut studs from my left front wheel broke while I was driving my vehicle. In March of 2003 three lugnut studs from my right from wheel broke while I was driving. A forth lugnut stud broke on my right front wheel when I took my car in for maintenance.

Consumer stated that all 5 studs on the right front wheel sheared off while driving. Dlr advised that all studs snapped at the same tread length. Ts.

I was driving at 65 mph and felt a vibration as though I may have a flat tire,checked and the tires were fine so I proceeded forward only to have the front left wheel collapse inward, all 5 lugs were sheared completely off, the service center had no explanation for this occurrence, one month to the day the same thing occurred again and I was again charged the repair cost and new bolts and lugs were installed along with the tire being rotated to the back,this lasted for 6 months and the lugs broke again, I am just now learning that there are other consumers with this problem. Lug nuts should not be sheared off as though a hot knife cut through butter. I purchased my vehicle when it was 2 years old and though I have had no other major problems but this is one that could cost me or my children our lives.

On two separate occasions, while driving at 60 mph, the front lug nuts that hold the tire in place fell off from the driver's side and passenger's side, almost causing loss of tires. Personal mechanic replaced lug nuts and studs.

While driving, the studs on the hub broke off, causing damage to the wheel and vehicle, claim 25-5623-634.

While in motion, passenger tire came off vehicle due to lug nuts breaking off, causing vehicle to slam to the ground, skidding into a vacant lot, hitting a 2x4 board, claim 48-5214-929.

While driving 35 mph heard a noise from passenger's side front wheel. He pulled over, and took off hubcap to check tire. As soon as hubcap was off, 3 of the 5 lugs: nuts fell off with post attached.

Reported problem in may 2001, now replaced lugs: nut sheared off wheel,help!.

Consumer states the bolts on the right front wheel sheared off. (claim#27-7046-604).

While driving, the lug nuts on the front wheel broke off, causing the wheel to separate from the vehicle. (claim#43-r774-617).

My front passenger wheel came off my car when I came to a stop to allow a car pass by, I went to make a left handed turn when my entire wheel came off my car and shot across the road. My husband came to look at the car and well as a tow truck had to take our car home, both made the comment that all five bolts scheered off. State farm our insurance company plugged this information into their system and said that it is a Ford issue and that I need to fill out this complaint form for ya'll to investigate. State farm is saying that it has to do with the rotar and vibration if the wrong parts are installed this situtation could happen. Well I told state farm and I will tell you, the rotars are from the factory and so the "wrong parts" were not used and it is not a possiblity because it did happen to me. Forturnately I was not injured and my precious girls were not in the car with me, but I don't want this to happen to anyone else or for that matter who is to say the other rotar won't do this on the other side. Please call me if you have any questions or need additional information. Thank you for your time with this matter.

While the insured was driving the tire fell off due to two lug nuts had cracked. Claim# 33-0348-233.

While driving, the right wheel separated from the vehicle causing vehicle to slide. (claim#60-c263-071).

While driving, the wheel bolts sheared off, causing wheel to separate from the vehicle and strike the roadway. (claim#02-0442-821).

My concern is why all five studs that hold the wheel on broke at once, resulting in lose of steering. The body shop and the insurance agent could offer no good reason for this failure, they said maybe the lug nuts were over tight. Now I'm concern about it happening again to another wheel if something is defective.

Front passenger side tire has fallen off three times while the consumer was driving. Bolts that hold tire in place kept breaking off the lugs: nuts. Contacted dealer, and the dealer did not know what the problem was.

While driving, the studs broke off the wheel, causing the vehicle to strike the ground. (claim#33-0269-919).

Left front wheel lug bolts sheared off causing the tire and wheel to come off and hit another vehicle, consumer requests reimbursement.