general problems of the 1999 Ford Windstar

I had the rear axle replaced by the recall, and which I paid $300 for the work. The axle now does not align properly and I have been told that shims are required. Without them the rear axle eats my tires. Ford has a policy to my understanding that new parts installed by Ford have a lifetime warranty. I believe that Ford should fix or pay for this work so as to make my van safe, why should I have to repair an axle that was just replaced less then 10000 miles ago.

This vehicle was serviced at 102,654 miles, in March-April of 2011 by koons Ford of maryland, (invoice#w70829, dated may 5, 2011) in response to Ford recall, related to "broken front subframe" and "collapsing rear axle". --front subframe was, at that time, broken on the right side, due to rusting. Replacement was not done, instead it was patched via a bolted together "clamshell" reinforcing device. It now has become apparent that after using the vehicle after this initial frame separation, the metal of the left side was unduly stressed, and has now broken at its weldment point, resulting in an unsafe vehicle, that swerves to the left, if brakes are applied while in motion on the street or other roadway. Wheels are no longer kept in alignment, with left front wheel free to move to the front or rear, in response to applied stress! this subframe failure affected many such vehicles, and it has become evident that inspection and repair was inadequate, resulting in a new, unsafe condition! (subframe should have been replaced, due to stress!)-photos are attached, showing displaced frame, and separated weld joint.

Too make a long story short. I had about three recall on my Ford Windstar and now my whole van shut down on me. My computer I guess got it on auto theft lock and I can't even turn over now. It's just sitting in my parking lot just helpless. I have another recall but I cant take it to the Ford dealership because I cant turn over. Oh yea. It kept cutting off while im driving,don't let me stop at a light it will cut off on me there alot. It does that alot. I bought it from a car lot but he doesn't want to do anything about it. So I lost out of my money. When I turn it also cut off.

The contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 11v030000 (structure). While driving approximately 55 mph, the steering wheel seized without warning. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the subframe fractured and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 225,000.

I have 3 problems with my 1999 Ford Windstar which currently has 60,000 miles. One of them is the glass in front when I'm driving in the rain I have to turn on the wipers the driver's side in the middle part of the wiper stays wet while the passenger side cleans very well. The other problem I've always had is the powersteering when I'm driving, I'm going to turn to the side and the car turns off the guide gets hard and I can't straighten it to turn it on again. The last problem is the transmission, one day the family went all together in the car and shortly after we realized that it was overheating we parked in the grass we turned off the car and the part of the engine caught fire after the accident we realized that the transmission liquefied oil. I had the transmission repaired and began to give some tiresome every time I changed gears. The car is currently parked with the damaged transmission. I understand there is a recall for this transmission.

I have 3 problems with my 1999 Ford Windstar which currently has 60,000 miles. One of them is the glass in front when I'm driving in the rain I have to turn on the wipers the driver's side in the middle part of the wiper stays wet while the passenger side cleans very well. The other problem I've always had is the powersteering when I'm driving, I'm going to turn to the side and the car turns off the guide gets hard and I can't straighten it to turn it on again. The last problem is the transmission, one day the family went all together in the car and shortly after we realized that it was overheating we parked in the grass we turned off the car and the part of the engine caught fire after the accident we realized that the transmission liquefied oil. I had the transmission repaired and began to give some tiresome every time I changed gears. The car is currently parked with the damaged transmission. I understand there is a recall for the transmission.

The 1999 Ford Windstar¿s front lower control arm and sub frame (chassis) major ¿corrosion-related fractures�. Failure resulted in the loss of steering. In its report to the n. H. T. S. A. Ford said it did not conclude that the ¿low rate of reported incidents� involving the control arm indicated a greater safety problem, but the recall would be undertaken anyway ¿to confirm our commitment to safety and to address any potential vehicle owner concerns. ¿�.

Driving along when right front started to veer right and wobble. These models are not safe. Ford is aware of this yet, will not honor a recall which affects these models. Although there is a corrosion sub frame break on 1999 Ford Windstar's and that is exactly what happened( mechanic will testify) to mine, they keep making excuses and will not honor the expenses for their faulty design. My vehicle is a 99 Ford Windstar in very good shape, new tires battery,etc. It is now sitting in my driveway because of a frame broken thru by corrosion. The front right almost put me into the ditch on the way home. This is a design flaw which was is or should be covered by recall. Ford previously recalled the same models 99-2003 for this exact problem. I have contacted my Ford dealer (rapids Ford, wis rapids), they said the recall no longer applies. How can this be? this is a very unsafe situation.

The engine carriage is rusted out, and the rear axle is cracked due to rust. The main arm of the ball joint is completely pulled away from the frame because of the rust. I contacted baab Ford in reed city michigan, because I was told by the mechanic I took it to originally that this was a recalled product. Baab Ford told me yes it is a recall issue, but no they wont fix my vehicle because the VIN doesn't come up as one of the vehicles effected by the recall. I contacted Ford motor company as they had advised me, Ford motor company told me, my vehicle isnt on the recall list, regardless of the fact that it has both of the problems that 1998 - 2003 Ford Windstar was recalled for. The vehicle speeds up whenever it hits a bump and also pulls towards the center line especially on slippery roads or where loss of traction occurs. It also wears out tires every 2 weeks.

Lived in the salt belt state of IL. When I was driving, front subframe falling off and some components were touching the ground due to severe front subframe rusted out. I lost steering control and gear control on a multiple lane road. Ford has never sent any notice to me regarding any recall. This is a known issue via NHTSA action number: pe10026 and I would like Ford to repair the rusted subframe and all other broken components directly caused by subfram falling off. Ford refused to provide any car rental by saying ?this is an old recall and we do not give car rental now?.

Lived in the salt belt state of PA. Frame rusted out and I lost steering control and almost had an accident. This is a known issue via NHTSA action number: pe10026 and I would like Ford to recall and fix this at thier cost.

The contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the vehicle lunged forward violently. The failure would occur sporadically and at any given speed. The vehicle would sway abnormally when being driven and the steering wheel would often seize without warning. Additionally, the contact experienced the vehicle lunging forward and violently jerking when in drive or reverse on multiple occasions. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign id number: 11v030000 (structure) however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer advised the contact that the timeframe had expired for the contact to have additional repairs performed that had not been scheduled within the required timeframe for the recall repairs. The vehicle was to be inspected, diagnosed and repaired. The approximate failure mileage was not available.

The contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. While driving approximately 5 mph, the vehicle and steering wheel began to wobble excessively. The vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed and was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 119,101.

The contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. The contact was driving approximately 10 mph when the vehicle began pulling to the right abnormally. The contact then received notification of a manufacturers steering recall and the vehicle was taken to the dealer who advised that the vehicle was not repairable. The dealer offered to buy back the vehicle but later advised that the vehicle was able to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was unavailable. The current mileage was 105,000 and the failure mileage was 100,000. Updated 03/31/lj.

Noticed vehicle unstable while driving. Diving left or right during acceleration and braking. Upon investigation found complete rust-through separation of sub-frame at rear body mount on passengers side. Right control arm mount on sub-frame is also badly rusted. Entire subframe is able to move front and back on the passengers side resulting in erratic vehicle movement while driving. Fortunately we caught it before something really bad happened, but this is definitely a safety defect, and could have had disastrous results.

The contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the entire front suspension and steering mechanism malfunctioned and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was awaiting repairs. The failure mileage was 216,000.

Took my van into midas for an oil change, the mechanic called me out and showed me the k frame is rotted and hanging off the vehicle on passenger side of vehicle. This is also caused additional front end damage. Mechanic told us do not drive this vehicle. It has been sitting in the front of our house since.

Ford Windstar cracked axle in California. Had Ford replace the axle----this was not under a recall notice 6 months ago. As it was announced today, we are amazed that California would not be considered a cold weather state (poor designation, given that cars move). We frequented lake tahoe (calif), sierra nevadas (calif), and nevada (have to cross thru snow to get there) in our family's minivan. Our repair is already paid for & van sold (this scared us) so my memo is not for my family, but for everyone in the state of California. Please reconsider & add CA to your recall.

My abs light started to flash and is now on constant,my brakes work but not the greatest. My air bag light will start to flash and then come on constant once the vehicle is shut off and restarted the light usually stays off but will do this at random. I have had on several occasions where I hear a popping noise in the front end while making turns. We have replaced most of the front end and still have the issue. I also have a problem with it idling real fast then down to nothing it bucks and sputters when plugged into a computer it says the vehicle runs lean so we replaced the O2 sensors and things and it did not help. I do not feel safe driving my vehicle at all most of the time however I need to get to and from work and the scary part is I have to haul my children and the elderly person I care for around it . Very disappointed Ford[xx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

The front sub frame dropped down due to rust at the rear attaching points. This caused a loss of steering. The vehicle is a 1999 Ford Windstar van. I called Ford motor company & they said there was nothing they could do, that there is no warranty or recalls for this problem. It seems that this is a serious safety issue. Although there was no accident or injuries, it could very well have caused a serious accident.

Subframe gave out, engine dropped and car was towed to my home. I had just exited a highway going 55mph. I was driving the to car to attend a work related event early evening. I drove past the entrance and proceeded to turn around on the road. As I approached the intersection the van lost power. I stopped being able to steer and brake. I turned hard on the steering wheel to move off the road. I was able to pull into a turn lane and fortunately there was very limited traffic on the road. The car came to a full stop on its own and there was a loud scrapping noise coming from under the front of the car. I was towed to my home. The tow driver stated the " subframe had given away and was dragging on the ground. It required a flat bed truck to tow. My mechanic confirmed the subframe had collapsed . The cost to fix was prohibited and I was concerned about the safety of the vehicle I contacted Ford about the problem and they responded that there was no recall at that time. The car remained in the driveway in the event there was a recall on the vehicle for over one year. I finally decided to donate the car having not been contacted by the manufacturer. I was contacted that there was a recall identifying the problem in 2011 I am filing this complaint due to the fact that I was financially disadvantaged by the delays of the manufacturer to identify and notify me of the recall in a timely fashion.

When the consumer made a turn, the vehicle made a noise. Please provide further information.

Grinding noise when turning.

On two separate occasions steering momentarily locked up while driving. Feel free to provide any further information.

When making a turn steering would make a real loud noise. Soon after that steering was very difficult to turn and noise continued. Contacted dealer, and dealer was not willing to do anything.