Front Suspension Control Arm problems of the 2001 Ford Windstar

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer for a recall related to the lower control arm. The contact stated that the repair for the lower control arm was completed; however, the subframe was rusted. The rust was within the connection between the control arm and the subframe. The dealer determined that the rust was part of the recall repair that was completed. The recall information was not provided. The failure mileage was 140,000.

Tl-the contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to drive or reverse. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the front lower control arm fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000. Djr.

While driving through an intersection I heard a loud bang underneath the car and I lost all steering control! I parked the car and called for a tow. When van was on the flatbed I observed the engine mounting had detached on both sides of the car. The engine and other components were hanging down. Had van towed home. Through my own research I found that my van was part of recall no. 11s16 for corrosion related fractures at the front lower control arm rear attaching brackets and body mount attachments at the rear of the front subframe. I was shocked that I had not been notified of this recall because I had been notified regarding recall no 11s13 for rear axle corrosion related cracking. Van was taken for inspection axle and we were told it passed and nothing else needed to be done. Had van towed again, this time to dealer. Dealer says subframe and rear axle need replaced and Ford wants to do the replacement. As a result of the frame detachment, the intermediate shaft needs replaced. There are other unknown components that may need repaired/replaced and they won't know until they do the work. The other repairs may or may not be paid for by Ford. Under Ford's own remedies, if brackets can not repair the original subframe, then a repurchase offer for the vehicle should be made. To date, Ford has refused this as a remedy. Instead, they want to replace the subframe and axle that would have to be attached to other corroded parts of the vehicle. My family's lives were already put in danger enough by these defective products. I was not notified regarding the subframe recall and the rear axle was improperly handled. The axle should have had reinforcement brackets attached even if it did pass inspection. This was not done nor were we told to bring it back in to be done. Ford should be forced to buy back my vehicle under it's own remedy instructions provided to the NHTSA.

My daughter was driving the Windstar at approximately 20 mph when she heard a noise and felt something break and she was unable to steer the vehicle and she was able to get the vehicle stopped. She exited the vehicle to see if she could see what the problem was. She noticed both front wheels were pointing in different directions. This vehicle was recalled in 2011 to have brackets placed to support the subframe. The vehicle was towed to a local garage. Upon inspection it was determined that the passengers side lower control arm had pulled out of the subframe.

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 mph in snowy conditions, the vehicle began to slide and veer to the left. The contact moved the vehicle to the shoulder to inspect the vehicle and noticed that the front axle had failed and the passenger front tire was leaning inward in the wheel well. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 12v194000 (suspension:front:control arm). The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 101,000.

On Sunday July 8th, 2012 I was driving my 2001 Ford Windstar I stopped at a light and as the light changed I began driving and then heard a loud noise, my wheels began to squeel and pull all over and my van came to a complete stop in the road and would not move. . The front passenger side wheel was turned outward but my wheel was straight. Thank god I was not on an expressway or highway with all my kids in the vehicle. . I called a tow truck the driver inspected it and said something underneath the front frame had snapped off. . So today I had it towed into a Ford dealer to find out it is a new recall how can these Windstar vans have so many frame and axle issues and be safe to drive exspecially with all these brackets they are having to put on them for the recalls. . If I was on an expressway me and my son would of been hurt badly if not killed. . Not to mention if I would of hit someone else I could of injured others too. . I will never trust another Windstar with my family this is crazy. . It is the subframe front lower control arm rear attaching flages completely broke/snapped off while I was driving down a basic 40 mph road. . When it broke it messed up the underneath of my vehicle it ripped the drive shaft right out of the transmission. . And who knows what else is damaged now. . People need to know about this now before someone is seriously hurt. .

Our rear axle has sheared in half three times. The third time (after they admitted a recall) we were 40 miles from home when it broke, Ford told us there was nothing they could do since it was a Saturday. We were forced to drive it home on the interstate, as a family of 6 in a town with no rental places we had no choice. Ford put their "patch kit" on my recalled axle last year, and it failed. Now they have given me a 1992 sable as a rental while my van is in the shop. My family can't fit in it, and my children can't even fasten their seatbelts in it, and one of my children has to sit in the front seat with the airbag. They told me there's nothing they can do. My subframe is under recall, as well as the control arms and body mounts. Fords fix for this is to patch them like they did my axle, which broke. Now I am stuck with a ticking time bomb and four children. Fords bandaids for these devestating failures only buys them a few months time, and puts lives at risk. My front end clicks when I turn, my tires rubbed all the way home on the broken axle, the transmission leaks horribly, the undercarriage is rusted and rotted beyond repair, and all these admitted faulty parts are being patched and sent out the door. I dont feel safe driving my kids around in this! and im being told my choices are buy a new van at my expense, or drive this one and take a chance!!.

Complete separation of the front lower control arm attaching bracket from the front sub frame on the passenger side of the vehicle. This is the same problem that is described in the NHTSA recall no. 11v030. And Ford recall no. 11s16. The dealer that inspected the vehicle said it was not covered by the recall because the vehicle was not purchased or registered in a (salt-belt) state.

The subframe is rusting and corroding where the control arm attaches to it. My vehicle will not pass inspection. I have researched this online and have learned that NHTSA is investigating this on the Ford Windstar.

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. While driving approximately 1 mph, the contact heard a loud bang and the vehicle would no longer accelerate. Upon examining the vehicle, the contact noticed that the front passenger side wheel was pointed in the opposite direction of the front driver side wheel. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence; it had not been inspected or repaired. The current and failure mileages were approximately 132,000. The consumer stated even before the vehicle was towed the garage, he could see that the bracket that held the lower control arm to the frame had completely broken off the frame. When the control arm lost that attaching point, the wheel was allowed to pull away and also pulled the axle shaft away from the transmission. The subframe and transmission seal had to be replaced. Updated evoq 02/15/11.

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 mph and exiting onto an interstate, the subframe from the engine separated from the vehicle. She then lost control of the vehicle and was unable to stop until the vehicle coasted to a stop. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who informed the contact that the lower control arm mount had rusted out causing separation of the arm of the axle. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000. Updated 03/24/lj.

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving at approximate speeds of 55 mph, the sub frame and control arm fractured and fell off of the vehicle. The contact was unable to maintain control of the vehicle and proceeded off of the road. The failure mileage was 82,000.

While driving on interstate the passenger side front lower control arm broke loose from the frame causing total loss of vehicle control. Van has 60k miles and was well maintained.

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. While accelerating from a stop, the contact felt as if the vehicle had a flat tire. When he pulled the vehicle over, the front end dropped and he heard the fan striking the metal. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they stated that the front passenger side control arm mount rusted from the subframe and the engine cradle. The dealer replaced the engine cradle. The vehicle is still under repair. The current and failure mileages were 44,139. Updated 04/21/08.

: the contact stated while driving 50 mph a loud bang was heard. The vehicle then went out of control; going into a ditch, across the highway, and finally stopping in another ditch. The vehicle was towed to a dealership where it was determined the front control arm rusted away from the vehicle. Updated 04/17/06.