Steering Tie Rod Assembly problems of the 2000 Ford Windstar

During the replacement of the power steering unit, tie rod ends, and rack assembly, the mechanic, [xxx], from stones auto service, inc. , located at 350 north main st. ; miamisburg, ohio 45342. Their telephone number is (937) 866-3674, noticed excessive rust deterioration of the front subframe of the vehicle. The mechanic stated, on the invoice statement, the front frame is unsafe. He recommended we not drive the vehicle because it is unsafe, due to the rusted front subframe. We were told the entire front subframe could fall off at anytime. The mechanic suggested we take the vehicle to the dealer where we purchased the vehicle, which is interstate Ford, inc. The dealership is located 125 alexandersville road; miamisburg, ohio 45342. The phone number for the dealership is (937) 866-1737. We took the vehicle to interstate Ford, inc. , which their mechanic inspected the vehicle and advised us not to drive the vehicle, because the vehicle is unsafe. In fact, the owner of interstate Ford, inc. , chuck george said this vehicle is unsafe to drive. He advised us, Ford has not had any recall for rusting subframe in the front end of the Windstar vehicle. Although, mr. George did tell us that Ford has issued a recall for Ford Windstar vehicles due to rusting subframe of the vehicles back subframe. Mr. George provided us a quote of $1,533. 05, to repair the front subframe rusting matter. We have since had the repair completed and paid the bill of $1,533. 05 to interstate Ford, inc. We are identified as customer number 30231 at interstate Ford, inc. Connie a. Lipscomb is the advisor, who worked directly on this issue. This was completed and paid on October 28, 2010. Please be notified, I have 3 photos, taken by [xxx], at the Ford dealership, of the rusted subframe. Email me requesting the photos and advise me instructions to attach the photos and where to email them and to who's attention. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

Purchased a vehicle off of the white allen lot with additional coverage with wynn's plus extended warranty on may 31, 2009. In August 2009, the van is very loose and unsteady while driving. Took to grismer on September 5, 2009 to find that the front tie rods needed to be replaced. Still unsteady especially in the rear. On September 10, 2009 the rear axle beam broke in two! the warranty company will not cover, and I come to find out through researching that across the u. S. Thousands of persons have had this axle break on them nearly missing death on highways and byways. Ford is aware of the defective axle beam yet has made no attempt to my knowledge to recall. Lives are hanging in the balance and it seems they are more concerned about losing money. I can understand the concern especially with the economy the way it is. However, the consumer should not have to pay with their lives and the lives of their children because Ford decided that money was more important than human life. Not to mention had they been more concerned about quality vs. Quantity, perhaps this would not be a complaint that thousands of people have to make. The money spent repairing the defect that is not covered ($1,000) still doesn't give you peace of mind that you and your family are safe because they have made no effort to replace the part with one that is not defective. You just replace it with another defective part! when did human life become so insignificant that a car company who knows that there is a safety issue, can ignore it putting lives at risk and make money off of the rolling dead! if you are like me, you need to get to work, pick up, drop off kids, go out of town. As long as there is no recall effort for this part, americans take the risk of never coming home to their families or their families not making it home from a little league football games, soccer, ballet etc. It is tragic and someone needs to do something before lives are lost. No action has been take.

We have a 2000 Ford Windstar sel limited. Yesterday on 1/27/06 we were turning into a driveway when the tie rod broke. The tie rod gouged into the drive and then apparently forcefully flew up and bent the rack and pinion and link. It scared my family that was in the car at the time. The car became undriveable, and we had to have it towed to a repair shop. That was where we learned the extent of the damages. The cost of repairs at this time was estimated to be over $600. It did not seem that a tie rod should just break like this. We were fortunate that no one was injured, and that we were close to home when this happened. We will be without the vehicle for almost a week while it was being repaired. The police came to the scene as we ended up blocking traffic, but they did not make an official report.

Issues with repeated replacement of tie rods ends.

Within in matter of 2 months, both front tire inner tie rods broke. Luckily for the safety of me and my children, I was not driving at a high speed (highway) which would have caused a tragic fatal accident.

Problems with tie rods on both ends of the vehicle. There was a squeaking noise in the steering wheel to the left and right. The service dealer suggested the problem was possibly wear of the tie rod end. The vehicle was taken to Windstar and the mechanic identified the squeaking tie rod ends and replaced them. The consumer requested compensation for the repair because both tie rod ends squeaking were present within the 3 year 36,000 mile warranty.

Tie rods are wore out and could break apart while driving. This was not due to normal wear and tear. The rods needed to be replaced.