general problems of the 2000 Ford Windstar

I watched last night as my wife and kids were coming home on the parkway, the rear axel snapped in. Two and both tires just dangeling basically,we had a blow out also managed to get the2000 Ford Windstar lx off of the main road where I had to call several to companies and no one with a wrecker was able to help, so I called a toe company with a roll back, to get our van home then I found out abt the complaint hotline and the recalls after my wife and kids could have been killed, the vehicle was going straight,and the speedlimet wich was 45 mph, when the axel just snapped in two pieces, and out of control she managed to slow down, my kids are 1 and 2, we want reinbursement for the van and the tow bill as this is a manufacturer defect.

Took my van to Ford because a radiator hose came off, $350 for part of a hose clamp. While there had the 3rd rear axle safety recall inspection, I don't think they did it, told me my van was a 16 year old junker not worth fixing. Replacement of non-structural steel rear axle was again offered for $300. I want the axle I paid for when I bought the van new, structural steel that meets safety and legal requirements, installed at no additional cost. How is it legal to allow these unsafe axles? your site info is incorrect on this, the "safety brackets" do not keep the defective axles from breaking, they are to keep the wheels, when the axle does crack, from cantering out and jamming in the wheel wells, causing absolute total loss of vehicle control. Not acceptable. Replace axle. A number of recalls listed here were not sent or performed. In addition, after the first axle recall 6-8 years ago, I tried to trade the Ford credit purchased vehicle in on a new 40k Ford SUV, they offered me half of bluebook value, indicating Ford's knowledge of the vehicles defects, and poor value. This recall, dealer told me my 16 year old van was junk and not worth fixing, charged $350 for part of a radiator hose clamp, got wrong part and stuck me with 4 extra days car rental at $250. After arguing with bredemann Ford for 3 hours in 3 offices, they handed me a stack of invoices and pointed me to my van with the keys in and engine running. Manager called the next day and accused me of theft, threatening police action. I paid him by phone an called my attorney. I will sue these creeps.

My wife was driving her van when she heard a clunk. She was traveling at 25mph on a state road. Upon inspection we found the front subframe broke where the front sway bar connects. Research found a recall, but my VIN was not part of it. Ford corporate told me I was on my own to have it fixed. This is an outrage. They should be taking care of this problem. What do I do next?.

Car swaying almost lost control took to belle tire found cracklin in axle.

Whining, grunting and shutter from under hood when turning left. Within 4 days noise occurred when turning right also. By day 6 a leak occurred from the boot on left end of steering rack.

My 2000 Ford Windstar was repaired last year on a recall for the possible rear axle failure. Ford installed brackets on the rear axle as a remedy. On Saturday 8-30-14, the rear axle failed. The axle is actually broken and the break can be seen inside of the bracket they installed. I called Ford and they told me they don't warranty the recall remedy repair. What are my options to have this remedied in good faith?.

There in no accident yet but can happens at any time !!! extensive corosion on front subframe a specially on front control arm left and right side. Vechicle when driving is imposed to vibration comming from from left side. Any bump and hole create hammering noise from from suspension. After visual inspection noticed extensive corrosion to both front control arms. They can separate at any time. Car was inspected on Jan 04, 2014 and on Jan 24 ,2011 and notice was given "recal completed" time of the reacll completed in 0. 3 hours !!! there was no documents given to owner or any explanation what was wrong with the car. Curently both front control arm are almost are 95% coroded so the note as "recall completed" was only a joke. How the control arm can be completly coroded in 2 years ?? there was another dealer service - recall visit on Jul 11,2011 with the same issue and this time the "recall completed" take only 1. 8 hr. No information was given what was done and what parts was repair. . I was visitet local dealership service in new bern and was given information that there is no recall on my vechicle even the NHTSA issue reall on the same problem on may 2012. Ford do not like to admit that is a serious problem and need to be taken care. How many people need to be killed in the accident till Ford will finally admit that is a serious problem and potential of the deadly accident that can happens at any time. I do not like to hear "im sorry" from any Ford ceo when someone from my family will lost life if needed pictures of the coroded arms can be sent at any time. Car was in use from 2000-2011 in michigan and now as we moved is used in north carolina.

The contact owns a 2000 Ford Windstar. The contact was driving 60 mph when the vehicle began to ride roughly. The contact lost control of the vehicle momentarily. The vehicle was taken to the contact¿s residence and inspected, where it was determined that the rear axle was fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the incident but informed the contact that the vehicle was not included NHTSA campaign number: 10v385000 (suspension). The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.

When shifting the car into p, r, n, or d, it makes a loud thumping sound and makes the whole car jerk. When I turn the steering wheel you can hear a loud grinding, creeky cracking like noise coming from the front of the car.

All of the dashboard needles began flipping back and forth sporadically. They would bottom out below the 0 mark for a while registering no speed or gas tank amount and then start jumping around again. When I attempted to park the vehicle, the speedometer needle was lying across the bottom and kept the car from being able to go into park. At this point, the car was unable to be turned off completely, unable to be re-started, unable to steer and I had to hold my foot on the break in order to keep it from rolling. We were eventually able to start and then drive the vehicle home once the needle jumped back up. Once again in the driveway, it did the same thing and we had to drill a hole in the dash in order to manually move the needle out of the way so the van could be placed in park. We will be having it towed to a repair shop.

11s16 example template, front lower control arm: see suspension and structure of vehicle. I do not see a recall that visibly includes California as a recall state. I have definitely experienced this or a similar issue. There appears to be a large scale recall and buyback program. My vehicle was positively identified for the cruise control/speed control recall and serviced at gosch Ford in hemet, CA. I experienced more issues than only that, or even than that and the above. Contact for more information. Not limited to only this recall, vehicle experienced several issues, many of which were attended to with out of pocket funds, either to prevent, or due to, mechanical breakdown/failure. Please also consider axle recall, and additional for this vehicle. I need an assessment done on my Ford 2000 Windstar lx so I may be compensated for the total costs and damages and have the vehicle replaced or completely repaired to a safe, drivable condition. (right front corner of vehicle collided with an object, part(s) failure apparent as what appears to be the front lower control arm is detached. A separation of a front lower control arm rear attaching bracket may result in a lower control arm separation. A separation of both front subframe rear body mounts may result in separation of the steering intermediate shaft. Either condition could result in significant loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash. Front.

On 8/12/12 as I was driving to new york I notice that every time there is a weight transfer I heard a clunking sound on the right front, after returning to new jersey I took the vehicle to sears auto to have it check out and was told and shown the defect was with the frame work which a recall was done for in 2011. The repair that the did in 2011 to the frame was in my opinion a death trap and I would suggest that you send a inspector to inspect the repair that Ford said they did to these frame work, the strap that they put on the frame in my opinion is like putting a band aid on a third degree burn. I took the vehicle back to Ford dealer in hackensack NJ and they are giving me a hard time, my vehicle has been there from Friday and today is Saturday @ 1430 they still haven't look at it, maybe because of the color of my skin the really don't care, but I don't think safety should come down to the color of a person skin. Thanks for your help.

Gauges go crazy and don't work half the time. Abs light is always on. Steering creeks. There is a recall for my make, model, and year but Ford somehow says it is not part of the recall but may become a recall in the future. This is not acceptable. Does someone have to die before they will listen and act?.

While having new tires installed, I was made aware that the sub frame was rusted and had holes in it. I had got a recall notice the day after Ford put a new rear axle in the Windstar. (did they not know about the new recall?) after having the sub frame kit parts installed, the passenger side sub frame was perforated, the noise from the right side under passenger feet started. I went back to dealer that did the repairs (bill brown in livonia, mi>) they said everything was tight and vehicle is safe to drive. The noise has got worse and louder. I called Ford in dearborn and they said if bill brown says its safe then it is safe? I have to drive this car and the fact that is makes noise has me concerned. Ran it by bill brown after 6 months and took the service guy for a ride and he said he should look at it. The car started to pull to left and I went to the tire shop. Went by for a tire rotation and alignment, was informed the sub frame is cracked and only has 10 percent of metal left holding it together. Going to dealer this week. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lets see if it is safe to drive still!.

The subframe on the passenger side where the bracket for the front stabilizer is attached rusted completely through, causing the stabilizer bar to break loose.

My son was driving on the highway. While driving at 40 miles per hour the back axel fractured. This resulted in him crashing into the center cement devider as well as the from left control arm breaking as well. He had to go to the hospital and get checked out. It is a shame that I have to find out about this recall through my insurer.

Massively erratic behavior of the instrument cluster. All of the gauges; the speedometer and rpm gauges, heat and all just jump rapidly up and down. Sometimes they give false indicators. The heat meter arm goes up when it is not hot. It's really scary. It's been going on for weeks. It doesn't happen often and I am not sure why it happens. This is a minivan I. E. A family car. I cannot wait to get rid of this car. I'll never buy a Ford again.

On 4 or 5 occasions over several days in early December, we lost control of the van's steering while making a turn. The van would just continue to careen in whatever direction it was heading. I scheduled service with my Ford dealer, but when it was taken in, they said my rear axle was cracked and they couldn't test the steering until such time as the axle could be replaced. I noticed there was an investigation into front end problems on Windstars as well, and thought I should report my problem.

We purchased our 2000 Ford Windstar van in late September, 2010. Within the past month, beginning in mid November, we noticed a moaning and/or grinding sound when turning the steering wheel. I have read many similar complaints online and people mentioning that they lost control of their steering eventually and this worries me, as we just purchased this used Windstar when our previous vehicle was totaled in a nearly fatal accident. I am concerned for my family's safety, which includes 2 young children. I hope Ford takes notice of these many complaints and stop putting the lives of many in potential danger. I drive over a waterway bridge, each and every day and if this is a safety hazard, I would like to have it addressed. I would like my vehicle recalled for the sake of my family's safety.

I was driving 55mph on dixie highway in groveland twp. , mi. My mounting bracket that is a factory weld to the engine cradle broke away from the engine cradle and pulled my drive shaft out of the transmission. This is on a 2000 Ford Windstar. The weld broke due to corrosion from salt eating away the weld itself. My vehicle is undrivable, luckily no one was hurt. I had myself and my 3 children under the age of 7 in the vehicle at the time of the incident. Ford motor company is telling me that there is not a recall on my vehicle and that they will not pay to tow it to the dealership or to fix it. I am appalled by this. This is clearly a design defect and not my responsibility to fix. The detroit free press had an article on this very problem on December 23, 2010. It stated there have already been over 300 claims of my nature. The article stated this organization was investigating this matter. I ask for any help you can give me in getting Ford to fix my vehicle.

The subframe, located at the front underside of the 2000 Windstar, is supposed to help keep the engine and other integral parts of the Windstar in place and stable. It has been compromised on this vehicle with 185,000 miles, and broke during a turn into a park after church on the aforementioned date (10-10-10). Fortunately the results were not deadly but could have been if we were driving on the interstate which we frequently do. What happened was a detachment of the drive axle (half shaft) from the transmission, which occurred when the lower control arm mount separated and caused the wheel to pull free from the drive axle. Furthermore there were no warnings prior to any of the aforementioned failures. The area of the subframe affected by this corrosion is located on the passenger side where it attaches to the lower control arm. This is the first time it has occurred. This vehicle was towed to tps transmission in toledo OH and is being repaired. The sub frame is being replaced and I will ask that the old part be returned. In the meantime what is going to be done with this obvious growing problem?.

The steering on the van starting feeling loose. We occasionally noticed a sound in rear right when pulling out of our driveway. Took it to the shop to check tires and shocks. They found the rear axle had snapped and was broken 75% of the way through. They replaced the rear axle.

My wife and I were driving on I-94 in jackson, mi, on our way from ann arbor, mi, to chicago, IL on Friday 9/19/08 at approximately 10:30 am. Going 70 mph, in the right lane (of two), the vehicle suddenly began veering off the pavement onto the grassy shoulder. The steering wheel was completely inoperable. We sheared off a road sign, which in the process, penetrated our radiator, and with me depressing the brake fully, we finally came to a stop off the highway after approximately 75 yards. We later learned that the right control arm had snapped off of the frame, thereby rendering the van unsteerable. Fortunately, we walked away from this frightening incident, but thoughts of what might have been remain with us. Our insurance adjuster deemed the vehicle a total loss. I hope that you will investigate this situation, as I have discovered in a simple google search that we are not alone in having experienced the terror of a defective control arm on a 2000 Ford Windstar.

2000 Ford Windstar lx van with approx 97,000 miles. My wife was driving at a slow speed in a parking lot and all of a sudden there was a loud bang and she could not steer the vehicle. Fortunately, she was able to stop the van. One wheel in the front was straight and the other front wheel was turned at a 45 degree angle. We had the car towed to the Ford dealer. The problem was the sub frame rusted out, causing the transaxle to pull away from the transmission and dropping the engine. The repairs included replacing the sub frame assembly,transaxle, seals etc. The dealer told me that this was highly unusual for this to happen. . . . I contacted Ford and they told me they would do nothing to cover any portion of the cost. I believe this is a safety related issue because if my wife was driving on the open road and this happened, she would not be able to steer the vehicle and the end result would be a collision. I have saved all the parts for future investigation.

Steering wheel there is a moaning noise. Dealership cannot find cause of the noise ,and doesn't think it is a safety issue. But informed consumer that he should have it checked frequently. Please provide more details.