Rear Suspension problems of the 2001 Ford Windstar - part 2

1. Driving to the supermarket with my family. 2. The rear axel broke in half, almost crashed. 3. Having it towed and to be fixed.

Rear axle broke while I was taking my grand daughter home. . I am on a fixed income. . . Now I have no transportation until I can get enough money to pay to have it fixed. . . My grand daughter could have been killed. . Luckily I was just pulling away from a stop sign when it happened. . .

Ford Windstar rear axle u failure - split/crack joints.

1. Rear axle completely cracked at 50 mph driving on the highway. Able to control vehicle and got off the highway since exit was very closed. 2. Once 3. N/a.

2001 Ford Windstar was bouncing over bumps and felt like shocks needed replacing. I did web search and also found complaints of rear axle failures. I replaced the shocks and decided to check the axle while I was under the car. Sure enough, just in from the right rear wheel, the rear portion of the rear axle has a 3-4 inch crack.

While operating the vehicle I heard the rear tires screeching followed by a loud crack, along with difficult steering and frightening fish-tailing. There was smoke and an odor of burning rubber. I stopped the vehicle, with my three young children inside the car, and immediately noticed that both of the rear tires were coming-in at the top. I inspected under the vehicle and observed that the rear axle had a large crack located on the drivers side. This vehicle has never been in an accident and currently is not at all drivable. I have spoken with my local Ford dealership and have been quoted a repair estimate of $1100-$1500. The mileage at the time of occurrence is 155,000.

1. 2001 Ford Windstar 158,000 miles has a broken real axel. The vehicle has only had normal use. No accidents. 2. The broken axel makes the vehicle undrivable. No injuries or accidents involved. 3. Looking into repair but yet unsure of costs. Won't buy a used replacement due to the frequency of this problem.

I have a 2001 Windstar. My rear axle snapped in half after exiting the freeway. The mileage is about 152,000. My wife was driving at the time it occurred with our 3 children in the vehicle. She heard a nap while driving, but the vehicle made no noticeable change in the manner in which it drove. When I drove the car I heard the tire rubbing the fender while taking a sharp left and pulled over immediately. I inspected the rear and found the axle split in two but was held together by friction. I had it taken the repair shop immediately and left my family on the curb. Ford is lucky this didn't kill anyone. With all the complaints I have recently seen while investigating this issue on the internet they obviously know about the problem. It is only a matter of time before someone is seriously hurt. Given the nature of the vehicle, a minivan, the odds of having children in the car at the time of failure are high. Regardless if there is a recall, notices should be sent to at least warn the current owners to have the vehicles rear axle inspected. In my opinion, because of the numerous complaints filed, Ford is now responsible for any and all injuries that come as a result of a failed rear axle until they notify the owners.

I own a 2001 Ford Windstar se. In July 2010 I noticed two cracks in the rear axle. Manufacturer warranty has expired on this vehicle. I had the cracks repaired (welded).

For 2-3 weeks, at times, we noticed a popping noise from the back end when turning into driveways/parking lots. Then one Tuesday we noticed the back end of the van would sway after hitting a bump in the road. On Thursday of that week while driving to work I noticed the van would "vibrate" after hitting a bump. I liken it to riding on an old fashioned washboard. I slowed to a stop and then decided it would be best to get off the road. The van would not move. Upon examination the rear axle was broken through on the drivers side and the tops of the rear wheels where turned in toward the van. The vehicle was towed to a shop where repairs were done - a new rear axle, 2 rear shocks (both were bent as a result of the broken axle), a new tire (damaged from rubbing on the wheel well) with its associated items and alignment.

Noise coming from rear of car. Further investigation reveals large crack in rear axle. The axle is cracked three quarters of the way thru just to the drivers side of centerline. This could be a serious safety issue if it broke at highway speed. The car has never been in an accident and has had normal maintenance and good care. Rust does not appear to be a cause for this failure.

I own two 2001 Windstars and on both vehicles the rear axle cracked causing severe swerving, it happened last year about 3 weeks apart, because I used to be a mechanic I replaced both axles myself. My sister also owns a 2001 Fordstar and because of what happened to me I inspected her car earlier this year and did not see any cracks but today while she and her kids were driving down the highway her rear axle snapped in half and she stated she almost lost control. They could have been killed!! the car has not been fixed and I still have the old axles for my cars.

I own a 2001 Ford Windstar with 80,000 miles on it, never had an accident and the rear axle broke in half today. Car is not drivable, I had it towed to my mechanic. I maintain my vehicle all the time but I have had such problems with the 2001 Windstar. I have a file on all that I have had done on the car. This vehicle was not abused by us. It is a defective car. In may, I had the fuel injection fixed cause the car just died. The Windstar is not a very safe car.

2001 Ford Windstar . . . Driving on July 3rd ,hit pothole and didn't realize till later that the rear axle beam cracked. . . . The vehicle is at the mechanic shop and we are having trouble locating a used part that is not cracked. . . The new one is too expensive . . Please help.

I was driving about 55 mph on a highway when the back end started to sway side to side. I slowed down, heard a loud noise, smoke and burning rubber was noticed and I pulled over. As I got out I noticed the drivers rear tire tilted in. I walked behind the van and noticed the axel was snapped in two. I called my mechanic and he stated this seams to be a common occurrence with this vehicle. Miles are 118,000.

While driving the van (2001 Ford Windstar) it began to handle erratically. This was an intermittent experience, but at times quite sever. After arriving home, I inspected under the vehicle for any odd drips, hanging parts, etc. When pushing on each wheel I noticed the right rear was canted inward. Upon further look under the van, I could see a large crack under the right side axle. I have stopped driving as it is unsafe at this point. There is no rust, and was no warning of trouble, it simply appears to have failed. The crack is nearly complete with only about 1 inch near the front of the axle holding it together.

After reading of numerous occurrences of rear axle cracking, I examined my 2001 Ford Windstar on 6/27/2010 and found a 2 inch crack in the rear axle on the drivers side. Contacted Ford dealer for repair cost and was quoted approximately $1300. I am having axle replaced with new axle by reliable independent shop for $1000. Car was taken to Ford dealer early March 2010 for oil change and to be checked over for expected extensive travel this summer. Repairs performed at Ford dealer came to over $2000 and included replacing driver side rear axle seal. No mention was made of the crack at that time, however the amount of rust on the crack appears to indicate the crack started quite some time ago. Vehicle has never been in an accident and has always been registered in the new york area. Mileage is 113,854 at time of repair.

I was driving my 2001 Ford Windstar when I noticed that the rear of my car seemed to be swerving. I was having difficulty being able to control the car. The tire pressure indicator came on so I assumed that I needed to inflate the tires. Fortunately I made it home and after inspecting the tires came to find that my rear axle was almost completely broken apart. You can almost completely see through the axle and there is rust around the break. The tires were leaning inward toward the wheel well. I had to have a flat bed tow truck tow it to our mechanic. Ford told us that this is not a known issue however I have found hundreds of complaints for the exact same issue for this vehicle. Ford has told us that it will cost $497 for a new axle. Our mechanic called around looking for a used part at junkyards and was told that they have been selling a lot of these for this same issue and an old part would run $400. So obviously this is a known issue that Ford is not acknowledging. I can't believe that a recall has not occurred. I really hope that it doesn't have to take serious accidents possibly causing death for them to acknowledge it.

On June 18th my wife and son returned from a trip to youngstown, we live in cleveland. My wife ask me to take a look at the car she said it was driving funny. While driving at 70 to 80 mph, she said she was all over the road and at one point almost lost control of the car, when she pulled in I noticed the rear tire was low so I put air in it and took it for a test drive around the block. I kept hearing the wheels making a chirping noise as if I was in a skid. When I got back I had her drive it and I followed in our other car to see what I might notice, it was obvious there was a problem with the rear end. I made her return home and looked under the car to find a huge crack in the axle. I dont understand how Ford could let this happen to a major part of the van. I was going on a vacation the next day and was planning on using this van! I cant imagine traveling down to myrtle beach with my family with a loaded van doing 70 mph. Someone is going to die from this defect and I am very lucky my wife didn't when she was driving it. Please make Ford do a recall or I am sure we will be reading the in the news of someones death when it does happen and you did nothing!.

Been driving my 2001 Ford Windstar. And the back started making noises and shifting. Everytime I apply the brake or back up it makes the loudest sound. Well after putting it up on the jack to look underneath the car. We noticed a crack about 8 inches long and continues around the bottom of the axel. Estimate to repair is going to be over a $1000. 00. There needs to be something done about this.

This is on a 2001 Ford Windstar with less than 100,000 miles. It started when my wife was complaining about a rubbing noise in the rear that seemed to be worse on corners. I was driving the car during a light rain shower on a right curve at about 35 mph. The back of the car felt like it was about spin out on me. I backed off the gas and it felt better. The next day while driving it again I notice that there was tire squeal mostly on right turns. When I got home I could see that the top of the left rear tire was leaning in. I could also see where the tire was rubbing on the inner wheel well. After removing both rear wheels and looking around I found the axle beam cracked almost all the way around. I have since found out that this is not uncommon in 2001 Ford Windstars, and probably other years of this model. We were planning on taking this vehicle on vacation duringthe July 4th weekend. I can't imagine what would have happen if this broke all the way through at highway speeds with a load of luggage and my family at highway speeds. I will not even drive this vehicle to turn it around in my driveway let alone take it on the road. I have not started to see what can be done to fix this because nothing is open today, but atleast I can fix it myself if I can find the parts.

We had our 2001 Ford Windstar being checked by a garage before a long trip and were told our rear axle is cracked almost in half.

My 2001 Ford Windstar minivan was in for air conditioning service and a tune-up on June 1, 2010 and the vehicle was diagnosed with multiple cracks in the rear axle. The mechanic issued a stern warning about driving the vehicle, especially at highway speeds because the axle was in danger of splitting and could cause loss of control. He indicated that it looked like the u-shaped axle design collected water and road salt and caused rust, which led to the cracks.

Rear axle on 2001 Ford Windstar ltd. Broke in 2 pieces. Vehicle is at mechanic who stated never saw anything like that before.

On may 29, 2010, my wife was driving her 2001 Ford Windstar van at 55 mph on the highway when the rear axle suddenly cracked in two pieces. The broken end of the axle then began digging into the highway and caused a loss of control. Luckily she was able to avoid concrete barriers and other vehicles of the construction area that she was in and ended up in the ditch. The rear tires went out of alignment and the tops of the tires were angled in causing them to rub against the wheel wells. We are still in the process of assessing the total damage caused by the rear axle failure.

2001 Ford Windstar rear axle broke about 18" in from drivers side tire. My wife was pulling out of a parking lot when it happened.

As I was driving home from work, the vehicle began to wobble from the rear, resembling a flat. I immediately pulled over to the side of the road. After having the vehicle towed to my home a few days later, I looked underneath and saw a deep fracture in the rear axle. I called a Ford dealer and was told that there is no recall regarding this defect and if I had the vehicle brought in for repair that I will be charged.

Rear axle cracked.

2001 Ford Windstar rear axle broke in half.

My 2001 Ford Windstar was making an abnormal sound and 'swaying'. When I looked underneath, I saw a large crack in the rear axel. Further inspection by my mechanic revealed approximately a 70-75% crack through the axel. I was told it could be replaced with either a new axel (on backorder from Ford) or with one from the junkyard. I chose neither as I was concerned over the safety of my children.

2001 Ford Windstar se sport rear axle broke in half with no warning. Fortunately, the car was coming to a stop at a traffic light, not at highway speeds, when a loud clunk was heard. Managed to pull into a parking lot nearby, and the rear tires were tilted inward. The axle was snapped in half towards the driver's side. Tow truck driver said he has seen several of these the past two years and doesn't know why a recall hasn't occurred. My Ford dealer said this was the third one they saw.

2001 Ford Windstar rear axle broke in half about 16 inches from left rear wheel. Isn't it funny how there have been so many complaints about this issue for all model years of the Windstar and no complaints with the freestar's rear axle. This is due to Ford knowing that the axle on the Windstar was faulty and re-designed the axle for the freestar. I don't know why people post a complaint on this site; because if there isn't a fire or a crash they could care less. I cannot believe that this isn't a safety issue that isn't worth looking into. I am so tired of these government agency that are in bed with the auto manufacturers. Do your jobs and save some lives.

On may 7, 2010 my 2001 Ford Windstar the axle broke on me coming from picking up the kids from school causing an accident with the van flipping over two times.

2001 Ford Windstar Mini van with about 80,000 miles. Rear axel snapped in half while driving my kids to soccer. We were lucky that we were in a residential area close to home. It cost us close to $900 to fix. We have the old part which showed rust. Mechanic said he had never seen anything like it and recommended we report it. We would like a recall and reimbursement for the repair.

I have a 2001 Ford Windstar that has the rear axle cracked almost completely through. I cannot drive the van because it's making a lot of creaking sounds as if the axle will break. I've contacted Ford and have not gotten any response.