Wheel Rim problems of the 1998 Ford Windstar

My front driver side wheel was making a clunking noise. Thought it was something inside. I took it to a les swabb tire dealer to have it looked at. The reason for the noise was a cracked rim, about 6 inches long. They said this is not supposed to happen, very dangerous. It costed me $45. 00 to replace the rim. They suggested to look into other reports. On your web site I found several reports of others having the same problem, some had to replace all 4 rims. They said if this cracked all around my tire would of fell off. Scary thought for my family and other drivers on the highways,etc. I called Ford to report this and requested them to replace all 4 rims. They refused to take responcibility for this. Tried to blame it on my tires and my driving. Tires are all new and driving shouldn't crack the rim like it did. I think it is sad they are not concerned nor care this could cause a fatal crash. I am going to call king 5 news. I am not comfortable driving my van now. This should be a recall, dangerous. Please make Ford take responcibility for this, before a fatal crash if has not happened already.

We have had to replace the rim on our 1998 Windstar's right front wheel three times due to rim breakage and subsequent tire deflation. Two different tire repair shops reported seeing this problem frequently in Ford Windstars. The Ford dealer where the car was purchased denied any problem or responsibility.

During oil change mechanic discovered cracks in left front and rear rim. Please add further comments. Right rear rim cracked and was replaced, now the left rear and left front are cracking.

Wheel rim is causing a leakage in tire dealer is aware and waiting on parts. Left front tire exploded while driving and was replaced with new tire. That new tire became flat. A bad wheel rim was determined as the cause.

All four of wheel rims are cracked. Please provide more information.

Rims will develop cracks. Consumer had to already replace right front wheel for this problem, and currently has to replace left front wheel.

While driving 25 mph consumer heard a noise and noticed right rear rim had cracked.

Numerous problems with hatch, mechanic says wheel mounting bent,accident or frame defect.

Three of rim wheel bases have cracked. This caused a clonking sound when driving. Dealr has been contacted. Wheels usually crack 6-7 months after brakes were serviced. Tire tread separation and out of round are caused by the faulty wheels.

2 of 4 wheels on our Windstar developed wheel leaks on the weld line joining the tire bead flange to the center hub section of the wheel (original suspicion was tire or valve stem leak, but soaping rim shows air bubbling through weld). First failed wheel replaced by dealer. Second wheel replaced by local garage (dealer wanted $50 deductable) and is available for examination. I've never heard of such a defect, but Ford dealer mechanic volunteered that they've "seen Windstar wheels leak". Garage replacing second wheel made similar comment. A friend with 1996 Windstar had two wheels fail with same problem. Dealer rejected claim of accelerated tire wear caused by first failure ($80 replacement cost). Second tire has wear on outer edges and will need premature replacement ($80!). As a safety-related defect (loss of tire pressure due to wheel leakage could lead to tire failure and potential loss of vehicle control) Ford logically should be responsible for all costs related to correcting this defect. Based on the limited sample I've seen (4 of 8 wheels on two vans failed; factory and independent mechanics specifically aware of problem with Windstar wheels), logically qualifies it as an epidemic failure (albeit with a low sampling certainty, pending expansion of the sample base). It's likely that Ford motor CO. Has service records to confirm these observations.