general problems of the 2001 Ford Windstar

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and depressing the brake pedal, the front end of the vehicle made abnormal sounds. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that there was a fracture due to corrosion on the front sub frame. The mechanic related the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 11v030000 (structure). The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.

The contact's husband owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while in reverse, she heard an abnormal noise. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the control arm was cracked. The contact was then informed by the mechanic of the NHTSA campaign number: 11v03000 (structure). The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that no recall was affiliated with the VIN. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacture was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. While stationary, the contact noticed that the front engine cradle of the vehicle was severely rusted and corroded. The contact stated that there were holes in the engine cradle. Matthews Ford oregon in oregon, ohio was made aware of the failure and stated that there was no recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA. The failure mileage was 190,000.

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the front subframe was severely corroded and an abnormal noise was heard from the front passenger wheel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was confirmed that the vehicle was severely corroded and was previously inspected per NHTSA campaign number: 11v030000 (structure). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 146,000.

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The steering wheel then independently turned in a complete circle. The sub frame detached from the vehicle and dropped to the ground. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer and repaired under NHTSA campaign id number: 11v030000 (structure). The dealer refused to replace the other components that were damaged as a result of the failure. The affected parts were the clock spring, exhaust flex pipe, power steering belt and transmission bracket, which had not been repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000. Updated 12/4/cn.

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign id number: 11v030000 (structure: frame and members:underbody shields) and took the vehicle to the dealer for recall service. The contact stated that unbeknownst to him, the recall repair was not fully completed and the vehicle was still unsafe to drive due to the sub-frame being completely rusted. The president of the company and the board of directors were informed of the failure. A letter was mailed to the contact advising that they would not assist with the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 85,000. The consumer stated the dealer repaired only part of the front sub-frame, they did not replace it. The consumer later learned Ford's instruction was to perform cosmetic repair of the corrosive damage on the front sub-frame. Six months later, when the consumer took the vehicle to a local service station for an oil change, he was informed the sub-frame mount was completely rotted out. The consumer was informed by letter, after writing to Ford, they would not honor any new repairs. Updated 02/11/13.

I have a 2001 Ford Windstar that was serviced for the safety recall 11s16,(11v030000 NHTSA campaign number) 04/11/2011. My vehicle was grounded do to significant subframe rot but it was deemed repairable by Ford. On February 2, 2013 I noticed a 2 inch long crack/perforation on the top part of the sub-frame where the repair bracket was attached when I was rotating the tires. I took it back to the Ford dealership and they said they were unable to help because it was repaired once and they wont pay to have it repaired again. Im not sure if they missed this the first time it was fixed or what. I do know that according to Ford's specs for determining if a subframe is repairable or not this crack would deem in non-repairable because its within the 2 inch mark from the tooling hole. Now im just waiting for the subframe to completely crack while im driving down the road. The repair bracket that was supposed to solve the problem to begin with will not hold the subframe together if it completely cracks at the spot at which its located in. I also believe that due to downward force on the subframe body mount and the fact where the u shaped bracket is sitting on the subframe that holds the bracket on the subframe, it is acting like a fulcrum point where the subframe is bending and cracking.

The front sub-frame on the right side has severe rusting and corrosion where the sub-frame meets the control arm. I took it in for inspection and was notified by the mechanic that it would not pass without replacement and was not even safe to drive out of his shop. He also said that he was surprised the car passed inspection at the Ford dealership last year. Thankfully, it was discovered before the sub-frame detached.

2001 Ford Windstar may 4, 2010, backing out of driveway, loud noise, could not drive car. Driver's side rear axle fractured, car towed to mechanic who repaired and reinforced said fracture by welding. August 2010, Ford announces recall of Windstars, issues letters to affected owners late September, 2010. Received Ford recall notice during the week of October 18, 2010. Sunday, October 31, 2010, while driving on side road (5 passengers, plus driver) same loud noise, car immobilized. Passenger side rear axle fractured. Passengers left stranded. Car towed first to residence then to dealership on Monday am. Told by dealer that car would not be repaired until January or February, 2011 (at the earliest) as no parts available.

2001 Ford Windstar with a cracked rear axle. No letter has been received to address this matter. Our van made creaking noises and we had heard through the media that a recall was beginning. The dealership and the Ford customer relations dept. Will not give us a definite answer as to when we can expect a resolution. We were given a 30 day rental and 14 days have passed and no answers. We are given $30 a day for a rental car by Ford but must pay taxes totaling $3. 30 a day. The voucher is $38 daily with $8 used for insurance if needed. We pay through our private insurance company for such coverage. Why cannot Ford use the additional $8 a day to cover our taxes? the explanation for the recall was to be no expense to the owner for correcting the problem. We did not create this problem and bought our van in good faith of the Ford motor CO. Reputation. This certainly doesn't make for good customer relations. No definite deadline for repairs and giving up the van to use a 4 door car has been very inconvenient. I am requesting a deadline be established and for Ford to use the additional $8 we are not using but was allocated for coverage of this problem to be covered for those customers who already have insurance for rental cars under their private insurance carrier.

Rear axle fractured while driving my Ford Windstar 2001. As a result I lost control of the vehicle.

Driving along at minimal speed, +/- 30 mph, I heard and felt a "snap" in the rear of my Ford Windstar. Then an immediate dragging feeling and scraping of metal from the rear end followed. The car swerved and slowed to a stop. No additional vehicles were involved, but an easy collision could have resulted, if not for the fact I was approaching a left turn lane and was able to steer clear of traffic. I checked the back of the vehicle and the axle was cleanly broken in two, as if a seam had split. This could have been an extremely dangerous situation, life threatening in my opinion if I was driving at highway speeds.

I have a 2001 Ford Windstar that the front subframe failed on. I was sitting at a stop light waiting for it to turn green. When the light changed I took my foot off the brake and pushed on the gas. I heard a big clunk sound and the steering wheel began to spin freely. I slowly drove the vehicle into the center median and found that the front subframe had failed right under the floorboards. Had this occurred at a high speed the outcome could have been grave. I had no way to steer the vehicle. This failure needs to be addressed ASAP. The vehicle has been driven in the salt belt as they say all its life.

Rear axel cracked in two driving around 40 mph as of today do not have the money to fix it 07/01/2010. Also pass side door opens every once and awhile when driving.

I own a 2001 Ford Windstar limited and while driving the car the rear axel snapped in half. I was stuck but thankfully was able to have a tow truck bring it to my house. Both back tires and totally bent in as the axel is literally broken in half. I now have no means of transportation which kills me as we always kept this car up to date on all maintenance. We just had the front aligned, tie rods replaced as well as many other repairs recently. As I said we always have the oil changed and all other scheduled maintenance on time. This is a real blow as right now we don't have the money to fix it or replace it. I cannot believe Ford does not have to have a recall on this and their error is our loss and the loss of many others. I am disgusted and although a Ford costumer for many, many years will no longer consider Ford in the future. Shame on you Ford, lives are at stake her; have a conscience.

On Feb. 21, 2010 it was necessary to have my vehicle towed by aaa. After the driver got it on the ramp truck, he told me he wanted to show me something at the rear of the vehicle. There is a crack in the middle of the rear axle. He informed me that mine was the third vehicle of the same kind in about 2 weeks, that he had to tow because of a broken axle. I haven't driven it since, until I can make some arrangements to get it fixed. Apparently from information I have found, there are numerous people who have had the same problem. It happens unexpectedly and usually around 100,000 to 122,000 miles. There is as yet no recall but I think there should be. It's a definite safety issue.

I have a 2001 Ford Windstar and for the 3rd time the rear end tire support has broken in half driving down the road. My family and I feel lucky to be here to write this at this time and it is my 17 year old sons primary car to drive so I can have general insurance but not full coverage. I feel if he was driving when this happened he would have been in a terrible accident, god was watching out for us. It has cost me over a thousand dollars for each repair and at this time I am without the family vehicle and don't see that it would be a good idea to fix this again knowing that its going to break again. I cant afford a new vehicle and this car has been dependable other than this problem. The rear end is scarce at salvage yards, we haven't been able to locate one yet that tells me I'm not the only one having the problem. The van is made for seven and there are 5 in my family so overloading is not the problem, nor rust they are free from that and the last repair we replaced the shocks to reduce vibration problems if it existed. I fear soon I will read about a family tragedy because of this problem and I want it on record about this complaint. Before making each repair we checked to see if there was a recall and to date there is none. I am in the service work business and I understand thing fail, brakes, water pumps, computers, engines but I should have never had to put a nickel into this problem. Any help or guidance you can give me would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for listening.

Rear axle broke, car was towed (flatbed) to repair facility. Broken axle assembly removed and replaced with a new axle.

On November 3rd, 2009, the rear axle failed in my 2001 Ford Windstar while I was on the highway. The car had begun performing erratically so I was not traveling at high speed, but even at low speed it was essentially uncontrollable when the failure happened. In the weeks leading up to the actual failure, I had experienced handling problems with the vehicle. After my mechanic replaced the front struts and rear shocks the car still didn't handle right. They thought this might be because the rear alignment was not a little out of spec - they were waiting for shims to come in to correct that when the axle failed. In addition to my unhappiness about the complaints - the vehicle kind of swerved when going around corners, especially highway on/off ramps - the only warning the car gave in the weeks up to the failure was seemingly-random indications from the tire-pressure warning light. In end end, the garage I took the car to ended up replacing the rear axle assembly and the two rear tires - when the axle failed the tires had rubbed against the tire wells. When searching online for other reports of this problem I came across several here, and posted my own. . Read more...

I was driving a 2001 Ford Windstar minivan with 154k miles on a rainy night at highway speed on a 3 lane interstate with 5 children aboard. I heard a loud noise from the vehicle and lost all control as the steering and braking wasn't working right. As I tried to get onto the shoulder, it kept swerving toward the left, back into the lanes. When it finally stopped moving, we were sticking out into traffic and I feared we would be hit. The tow truck driver showed me that the right tire wasn't even pointing straight ahead anymore and said that the axel probably broke. The mechanic told me that the frame cracked and in his opinion, he wouldn't recommend fixing the vehicle. The insurance company said the right front lower control arm mount rotted off which pulled out axel and broke tie rod end and so on, due to normal wear and tear. I received zero dollars for my auto claim and my family of seven had to use our 3 seater pickup truck as the family vehicle for months after the incident. I live in a snow belt state and I do not believe that normal wear and tear occurred in a mere 8 years. I have pictures of the vehicle after the incident as well. Thank you for the opportunity to provide information for open investigation #pe10-026. My hope is that my story is useful enough to help prevent this same thing from happening to other 2001 Ford Windstar owners.

I was backing out of a driveway when the car began rocking and then I heard a grinding noise. When I looked at the rear end I realized the rear axle had snapped in half.

2001 Windstar was fishtailing when I hit bumps. Looked under there and the rear axle was cracked. Only hanging together by less than 1" got another from a junkyard and it is cracking now too. Safety issue!! Ford should pay!!!.

The lower control a-arm on the passenger side broke loose from the frame causing the van to dropto the ground. This luckly happened when I just pulled into a parking spot in front of a wendy's.

I own a 2001 Ford Windstar. I noticed strange sound when cornering and brought car to dealer. The rear axle is severely cracked. Being a front wheel drive car, the rear axle is more of a stabilizer, an inverted, u shaped length of steel. Crack is half way up one side of u and over the top. $500 part plus labor would be $1000+ repair. Still deciding to repair or scrap car. It is too unsafe to drive. Dealer states they've never seen anything like it. On web boards, I have seen several cracked / broken axle complaints. This is a real safety issue. Axles should be inspected for cracks. The vehicle was not involved in any collision or incident and dealer can vouch for maintenance record. Dealer thinks crack started small and grew with each turn - especially when turning over a hill or into a low point in the road when flex pressure is largest. Theyve worked on car several times over past year replacing brakes . . . The crack is glaring now and hard to miss. I agree that it probably started small. Axles on Windstars should be examined carefully for hairline cracks which will grow.

Without any warning the rear axel on my 2001 Ford Windstar minivan snapped completely in two. We had just gotten off a busy highway and luckily were going very slowly on a side street. We all would surely have been killed if this had happened 5 minutes earlier.

The consumers child stuck her finger inside of the a small hole in the console and a saw had to be used to get the child's finger out of the hole.