Rear Suspension problems of the 2001 Ford Windstar - part 1

Tl the contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. While driving 40 mph, the rear of the vehicle shook. The following day, the contact noticed that the rear driver's side wheel was tilted inward. He checked under the vehicle and noticed that the rear axle was fractured. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called the manufacturer and was informed that, due to the age of the vehicle, they could not assist and repair the vehicle. The approximate failure mileage was 182,000.

Tl the contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. While driving approximately 12 mph, the rear of the vehicle lowered and the rear driver side tire became stuck under the wheel well. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road. The contact looked underneath the vehicle and noticed that the rear driver side axle fractured. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 103,500.

Tl the contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the rear axle was fractured and an abnormal bumping noise was heard. The contact parked the vehicle and noticed smoke coming from the rear tires. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who found an unknown recall associated with the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not assist. The dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 142,000.

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact received notification of an unknown recall regarding the rear axle. The contact took the vehicle to blackwell Ford inc (41001 Plymouth rd, Plymouth, mi 48170; 734-453-1100) where it was determined that a repair was not needed. The recall was deemed completed. Approximately two years after the recall, the vehicle underwent routine inspection and it was diagnosed that the rear axle fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who informed the contact that, due to the vehicle passing inspection for the recall, they were unable to provide the repair. The approximate failure mileage was 113,628.

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. While driving 30 mph, the vehicle vibrated. Once the contact parked the vehicle at his residence, the rear driver side wheel collapsed due to the rear axle malfunctioning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 102,000.

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the rear axle fractured. The vehicle was previously serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 12v195000 (suspension) in 2013. The contact felt that the recall remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 110,919.

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. While driving at 25 mph, the contact noticed smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle. Upon further inspection, the contact noticed that the rear driver side was leaning inwards and rubbing against the wheel well. The contact also noticed that there was a crack on the rear axle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the rear axle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to another mechanic, but the contact was unsure about the part that needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 12v195000 (suspension). The failure mileage was 110,000.

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. While driving at 40 mph, the contact heard a noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. Upon further inspection, the contact noticed that the rear driver side axle cracked. In addition, the contact noticed that the rear driver side tire was tilted inwards. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 134,037.

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. While installing new tires on the vehicle, it was discovered that the rear axle was fractured. The dealer stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 12v193000 (power train). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 181,618.

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. While driving 45 mph, the rear axle fractured. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who confirmed that the rear axle failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired according to NHTSA campaign number: 10v385000 (suspension). The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the rear axle broke while in reverse. The vehicle became inoperative and was towed to the dealer. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 10v385000 (suspension:rear:axle:non-powered axle assembly). The manufacturer was notified, and also informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in the above recall. The manufacturer did not offer any assistance towards the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage 130,000.

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact was driving 20 mph when the rear of the vehicle began to sway abnormally. The contact was able to move the vehicle onto the shoulder where it was towed to the dealer. The dealer performed a diagnostic that located the failure at the rear axle lower bracket arm, which was corroded. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 200,000.

The rear axle of a 2001 Ford Windstar rusted through. The vehicile VIN is outside the scope of the recall.

2001 Ford winstar rear axle broke in half tire caved in.

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that she received a recall notice in reference to recall 10v385000 (suspension: rear: axle: non-powered axle assembly). She has contacted three different dealers in her area who informed her that they have a waiting list in which she would not be able to get in for a repair until February of 2011. The manufacturer was contacted and advised her to drive 200 miles away from her area with a unsafe vehicle.

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that he received a recall letter 10v385000, suspension:rear:axle:non-powered axle assembly and took his vehicle in for the recall on 10/29/2010. The dealer inspected the vehicle and offered him no assistance. While driving approximately 35 mph the rear left trailing arm broke on November 16, 2010. He drove the vehicle into a parking area and later had it towed to an authorized dealer. The dealer advised him that he needed to make some phone calls and would call him back. The dealer later advised him that the part that failed was not under the recall. The vehicle had not been repaired and remained in the dealers possession. He called the manufacturer on 11/18/2010 and was advised of the same information provided by the dealer. The approximate failure mileage was 115,800.

Ford CO. Is causing undue hardship in our attempt to get safety recall completed. We have one car, so made appt. W/ local dealer (1/2 hr away) & got confirmation # for recall 10s13 on a day both of us had off work. Had to get someone to follow (1 hr drive) to bring us back. Dealer would not honor appt. And told us to make another one in 3 - 4 wks. I e-mailed Ford CO. Detailing poor service we had and the difficulty this created for us. Recv'd response 2 days later that they are working on it. One week later, still not heard from Ford CO and was concerned about our safety, so I called and explained dilemma to cust serv rep. She tried to get us an appt w/ a dealer 40 mins away, but she was not able. After waiting 20 mins. I had to go back to work, so I called Ford CO. That night and this cust. Serv rep tried to get us appt. W/ different dealer who was 1 hr. Away, but they could not look at it. I was then disconnected, so called right back. Another rep said we could go to a dealer in s. C. I don't think it is reasonable to require us to travel long distances for their bad product. Again, we have one car, so have to ask someone to follow us to dealer. We work retail (christmas season) so cannot request special time off. We have made five attempts and gone far beyond the call of duty to have this recall done. Ford needs to do their part and provide customer service for the safety of their customers.

My 2001 Ford Windstars rear axle cracked in half yesterday 10-26-10 while I was driving. I received the recall from Ford on 10-23-10. These vans need to taken off the road not just told to bring them in to get checked. This was extremely dangerous for me and I thank god my children were not in the van when this happened. I wonder how many people will have to dir before realizes how serious this problem is. The dealership has my van which they will keep until parts come which I;m being told is maybe sometime in January. Ford has given me a rental that is a four passenger car which is must smaller than my 7 passenger, but I will have to deal with that. I hope the NHTSA can do more to get these vehicles off the road because this problem is only going to get worse before it gets better. Maybe the top executives should put their families in a Windstar when the axle cracks in half so they can understand the danger of this problem.

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The vehicle was included in recall 10v385000 (suspension: rear: axle: non-powered axle assembly). When he spoke with the dealer, he was informed that parts would not be available for the repair for five months. The vehicle had not been repaired. The current and failure mileages were approximately 111,000.

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for repairs for recall 10v385000 (suspension: rear: axle: non-powered axle assembly). The dealer stated that the parts for repairs were not available and they did not know when to expect them. The failure mileage was 92,000.

Sept 4, 2010, approx 5 pm on interstate 80 in heavy traffic in altoona, iowa my 2001 Ford Windstars rear axle snapped in 2 and we miraculously cut across several lanes of traffic onto the shoulder. I truly thought this was going to be the end of our lives. We were not injured. The highway patrol got us off the interstate and my van is now sitting in a junk yard. The axle is completely severed and my tires are lying flat. We could have gotten killed because Ford neglected to inform me of this life threatening defect. Waiting until sept 27 to start sending recall notices may be too late to some victims. God took the wheel this time. I will not ever drive that van again. My children are traumatized as so am I.

I own a 2001 Ford Windstar lx I was driving down the expressway at 55mph when the rear of the van start to sway and pull eratically I pulled off the side of the expressway and found that the rear axle on my van had cracked in half.

I drive a 2001 Ford Windstar and was relieved to find out there has been a recall on the rear axle for this vehicle. I have been driving a ticking time bomb since may 2010 the tire pressure light came on the same day I drove the car off the lot and I have replaced four rear tires since. Not until I had my mechanic come and lift the vehicle up to see why I could not control the vehicle coming to work one morning did I realize the severity of the matter only after my 17 year old daughter was driving it the day before to run errands. Scary how the life of my child could have been lost because of such negligence. The van now sits at my job and is undriveable, and I found out the state I live in is not under this recall. What exactly will it take to realize the Windstar is a hazard. I will fight to get this state added to the recall list, do what I need to do, talk to whom ever will listen.

Own a 2001 Ford Windstar minivan . On Tuesday, 8/24, I was driving from rhinebeck NY to yonkers, NY, mostly along the taconic parkway. This parkway has many potholes due to the grates sinking over the course of a year and it is very hard to avoid many of these grates because of their location along the right edge of the right lane. After driving along this route for a while (not sure how long) the van started to squeak on some turns and there was a smell of burning rubber that came and went. There were no problems managing the car or continuing to drive and there was no problem breaking. Because of the late hour (we arrived home at 9 pm) I opted to keep moving to get home and not stop along the road. The squeaking was mostly when I made right turns - I could not tell when/or why the smell would return. Upon returning home I pulled into the driveway and there was a sort of 'clunk' as I parked. Next morning I went out to see the van and noticed the rear wheels were no longer parallel. I have multiple sclerosis so I did not get down to look at anything and there was no immediate need for car so waited for my husband to come home. He looked at the rear undercarriage and told me the axle was cracked. He was able to get it to a nearby mechanic who was surprised I was able to get home with it and asked about what I 'hit'. I did not hit anything except potholes and was not driving above legal limit of 55 mph (too dark and area known to have deer crossing so would not risk going over limit). It is currently in for repair now. Also we have not had any accidents with this vehicle prior to this date and it has reasonably low mileage on it for its age.

Ford wind star rear axle daughter driving to work at 70 mph weather clear,dry & daylight. On straight away vehicle ended up rolling over 2&1/2 times.

I went to run an errand & the van seemed to be handling strangely. It felt like the rear was jumping/shifting on "normal" pavement. I turned around (only . 5 miles from home) & found the rear tires on my 2001 Windstar "caved inwards". I was able to safely make it the short distance back to my home & look underneath to see that the rear axle is split through (not completely, but badly). We have not yet had it towed to get an estimate for repair.

I was driving my 2001 Ford Windstar lx minivan at approximately 60 mph on interstate 270 in madison county, illinois at approximately 7:30 pm on wed. 8/18/2010 when the vehicle's back end started to shake uncontrollably. Thinking it might be a blown tire, I immediately pulled over to see if I could find the problem. Seeing how all tires were fine, I continued. When reaching speed of 35 mph, the vehicle began to violently shake again. I was able to exit the interstate and continue on my journey at a rate of speed that did not exceed 25 mph. Was able to make it home (under 5 miles through minimal city traffic) as the vehicle did not shake due to slower speed. When I reached home, I checked underneath the vehicle and noticed a large crack in the rear axle near the center of the axle. When researching the internet on Windstar axles, I discovered that other Windstar owners have experienced the same problem due to the Windstar's axle design. Also while doing research, I have discovered that Ford is knowledgeable about the axle's defective design but has not evoked any action to correct the situation or has presented a recall. The 2001 Ford Windstar lx I own has 160,000 miles on it, but has not had any overwhelming mechanic failures on it except for air conditioning and minor electrical problems. The vehicle was recently taken to a local Ford service center in alton, IL on sat. 7/24/2010 for recall work, and even though the vehicle went through an inspection at the time, nothing was brought up about the axle showing signs of deterioration. The vehicle will go to a local mechanic tomorrow for an estimate. Luckily, I will take it there myself because my life was at risk this evening due to the axle failure.

2001 Ford Windstar. Rear axle catastrophically failed while driving down a freeway. Metallic clicking occurred while the car was driven in reverse the day before the catastrophic failure.

Rear axle broke completely in half causing the wheels to turn inward while approaching highway speeds. I was able to control the vehicle as it swayed form side to side and pull to the berm. I had the van towed home and haven't repaired it yet.

2001 Ford Windstar rear axle failure. While driving at city speeds a loud clunking was noticed in the rear. No loss of control occurred. The dealership confirmed a rear axle failure and recommends replacement. The vehicle is owned in a "salt-belt" state, has 91,000 miles and has been lightly driven and well-maintained.

2001 Ford Windstar rear axle cracked in half - driving vehicle and heard a loud popping sound,(thought I broke a shock), back end of vehicle became unstable. Looked underneath and found rear axle broken in half about one and a half foot from drives rear tire. Have vehicle towed to garage to have fixed, they are aware of the problem since they said they have replaced several.

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact waited for the manufacturer to perform the recall repair for three months. The vehicle crashed into another vehicle due to the faulty rear axle. The driver suffered injuries due to the crash. The dealer found a crack in the axle and advised her to call the manufacturer. The manufacturer stated that they would call give her a call when they determined the repair process or they would buy the vehicle back. The failure mileage was 120,000.

2001 Ford Windstar van, rear axle snapped in half while driving.

I read the article in the morning call in allentown, PA about the rear axles of the Ford Windstar and decided to go check our van. Low and behold, there is a crack about 18 inches in from the driver side and is about 3 inches vertically.

The rear axel in my Ford Windstar LS van has broken apart in two pieces. The rear axel looks as though it is cut into two parts. I am very lucky that it happened in a place where I could pull over and assess the problem. I had recently taken a trip with my four children and if this had snapped during highway driving it could have flipped the van and hurt or killed us all not to mention any cars that could have been involved. The tires are leaning up against the wheel wells (turned out) and the axel is split. I hope that this is looked into further. Ii have had no accidents, or incident that would have caused this. I feel as though it may have started on the inside of the axel due to the clean break. I have not yet fixed the vehicle. This is a situation where it could have been a serious safety issue for my family's life. I am concerned about the quality Ford is providing its consumers, and the safety risk factor that is not considered. Ford axels are defective, and salt belt states deserve the same safety standards and quality as other states. I am blessed to live through this experience and frustrated at the quality Ford has provided. I am seriously considering not purchasing Ford products in the future.