Sway Bar problems of the 2001 Ford Windstar

Takata recall, due to rust the sway bar bracket has broke from subframe. Didn't know it until I got it looked at for an alignment issue.

Had the vehicle serviced for 2 corrosion recalls. Was driving on the freeway approx. 60mph, heard a pop in the area of the right front tire. Took van to the shop I use, where I was told it was part of the frame and need to take it to the dealership(blackwell Ford, Plymouth, mi. 48170). Dealership said the van needed a subframe assy. And right sway bar bushing bracket, and possibly more. All was due to corrosion, combination poor design and inferior material. They contacted Ford motor, sent estimate, pictures and information. Fords response is that it wasn't part of any recall, even though there has been at least two for corrosion that I am aware of. This is clearly a design and/or a material issue with my Windstar. It is not safe to drive, and there is no way, with my conscious that I can try to sell it. This is an ongoing issue with the Windstar. I'm sure this is part of hundreds if not thousands of complaints on this issue, what can be done? how many injuries or deaths have there been because of corrosion issue with the Windstar? help!!!!.

I heard loud clunking sounds in the front that were more pronounced when I went over bumps. The sway bar has broken off from the front sub-frame passenger side of the car. The dealer said the sub-frame is so rusted that the only way to reattach the sway bar is to replace the entire front sub-frame at a cost of $3,500. It is not covered under previous recalls, since the prior 2 recalls in 2010 and 2011 only specifically covered the rear axle and the separation of the front lower control arms attaching brackets and body mount attachments at the rear of the front sub-frame. This problem is so similar to the Jan. 2011 recall w/a part breaking off from a rusted sub-frame. It's the corrosion of the sub-frame that is at the root of these problems. They should have just replaced the sub-frame at that time instead of doing a patch job w/ brackets. The dealer deemed my car unsafe to drive, as I won't have control of my car on quick turns or be able to make fast maneuvers in the event of an accident or to avoid potential accidents. Another risk is that my engine may fall out the bottom of my car while driving (which I see has happened to others with my same problem), endangering my family and others on the road. I plan on parking this car in my driveway and waiting for Ford to be forced to recall these vehicles. In the meantime, if any of you have a similar problem, please report them to Ford corporation and the NHTSA, so what I believe to be an inevitable recall will be expedited. Even the Ford customer service rep encouraged me to file a report with the NHTSA because she has gotten calls with other similar complaints. She was very sympathetic to my situation but said there is nothing she can do until enough complaints get filed with the NHTSA so they open an investigation. What happened to companies wanting to help their customers w/o being forced by a governmental agency?!.

I took the van in for service and I was told the right front sway bar could not be re-attached because of excessive rust . My mechanic mentioned he thought there was a recall for this but I never received one. Is there anything I can do about it now?.

Making a left turn, heard a loud bang. The sway bar link came loose attached to a chunk of rusted metal from the subframe. The sway bar and link are fine. It is a part of the subframe where it attaches to that came off. There is no way to reattach the sway bar as the whole section where it attaches to subframe is rusted. Called Ford dealer in ithaca, this is not covered by their recalls.

Front sub-frame badly rusted and sway bar welded mounts on the sub-frame have rusted and broken in half causing poor steering control and excessive body roll. As a note, this vehicle was rustproofed when new and inspected over the life of the vehicle each year. Also, Ford has inspected the front sub-frame in January of 2011 on a recall and it appears did not find a problem with the sub-frame in this area. Given the severity of the rust it would appear the problem existed at the time of inspection.

I currently keep getting grunting/popping/moaning noise from the front suspension when turning -braking-starting to move car forward . Already replaced the sway bar links and bushings but the noise still comes and goes. Also my brake-&-abs lights comes on and off for no reason. And the locks on the doors work when they want too. Just had inspection done again 3 weeks ago but they can not find the problems. Talk with Ford about the noise to try to find out if there is any danger of a crash because of this and I keep getting the run around.

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while the vehicle was inspected by a local mechanic, the contact was advised that the front sway bar was fractured due to corrosion. The manufacturer was contact but denied assistance with the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 121,000.

I was turning a corner and heard a loud bag, as if metal has snapped. I took the car to my Ford dealer who said that the font subframe where the sway bar was attached had rusted through and that the sway bar was now not attached to the subframe and was banging. Ford has fixed the frame on two different rust recalls under "recall 11s16", but said this was not covered and would cost $2085. 75 for the subframe plus labor and hardware. I asked if the car was safe to drive and received a non specific answer! if Ford Windstar has this much problem with there frame rusting why is this not covered??.

Tl- the contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The vehicle was repaired in the recall under NHTSA campaign number: 12v194000 (suspension). The contact noticed corrosion in the engine cradle and sway bar mounting after the recall repair was performed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000. Da.