Underbody Shield problems of the 2001 Ford Windstar

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that during a routine check-up, an independent mechanic diagnosed that the sub-frame was completely corroded. The vehicle was towed to the colonial Ford, inc dealer (508-746-3400, 147 samoset st, Plymouth, MA 02360) where it was confirmed that the sub frame was rotted out. The technician, however, stated that there was no recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that there was no recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 106,031.

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. While driving at any speed, an unusual noise was heard underneath the vehicle without warning. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed that the frame underneath the front end of the vehicle was badly rusted and was considered unsafe to drive. The technician informed the contact that the noise was coming from parts of the frame that were fractured. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 111,759. The VIN was unavailable.

Stopped to get my oil changed, they showed me where the entire right front subframe has rusted away making my Windstar unsafe to drive. I looked online and found this is an ongoing problem with this model with of these having the same problem with the passenger side right front. This can cause you to loose steering control or in an extreme the engine to fall out going down the highway, Ford recalled the same problem on the rear axel,,why not fix the front also. I live in arkansan but bought the windstorm from a person in missouri where I see Ford list as a state with a rust problem but doing nothing to fix it.

The rear axle, is rusted and snapped literally right in half while driving with my two young children! we were lucky enough not to have been seriously hurt or in an accident!.

Just 18-months after the Ford Windstar safety recall repairs were completed, the front sub-frame of my 2001 Ford Windstar cracked resulting in loss of stability. The vehicle was taken to the Ford dealership in midland michigan. It was deemed unsafe to drive by the Ford dealership service manager and repair technician.

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.

7/21/2011 bought van from private party. Recall completed in March of 2011 regarding back axle. On 7/13/2012 8pm, my 18yr old son, while driving home from lacrosse practice, nearly killed. Upon pulling out onto the main road, he lost all controls, no steering, no brakes and no power. He coasted and prayed it would stop. I arrived, we called aaa. Flatbed to my home driver could not believe his eyes. The engine had fallen out. 7/16/12 called Ford in mich and spoke to rep. To be towed 13 miles away to route 23 auto at our expense. Really? route23 wanted nothing to do with me (they did recall). Went back and forth then per rt23 "it will be a month until we can look at it" getting know where. 7/18-22 borrowed friend car for tournament. 8/1/12 called magarino Ford and with great concern had a flatbed that night. This tow truck driver could not believe it. Fluids raced out and double stabilized for engine sliding during transport. 8/2/12 magarino called 9am, pictures sent to Ford and awaiting reply. 8/5/12 t/c from m stating Ford refuses to buy back and sending a subframe. You mean a recalled one? magarino caught in middle I questioned whether he would put his children in this van. He softly replied, "no" what am I to do, out of work 2 years, single parent with no car to find work. 8/8/12 I questioned Ford why this van ever left rt 23 auto, according to researched paper a part was waiting on. You mean to tell me that upon this fixed axle nobody noticed the subframe was rotted from inside out causing the engine to fall out the next summer nearly killing my son! but they signed it was fine! really? now we have case # 1373091992 8/10/12 picked up van. Broke= a/c, r-window, heater engine, airbag, brake light on, runs hot steering= thumps makes noise (full fluid) skip gears, sways, barely can get up a hill. 11yr old scared to drive in it.

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. .

When driving the front end of my van would start shaking at 54mph. Took it in to my mechanic julyof 2012 told me my subframe was bad . Ford recalled my van in Jan of 2011 had it for four months recall on subframe and rear axle was completed in may of 2011 contacted Ford they will not help me.

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.

2001 Ford Windstar. Consumer writes in regards to recalls the consumer stated he received a postcard in the mail advising him to see his local dealer regarding two recalls. However, when he arrived at the dealer, they informed him the recalls had already been done. The consumer stated the problems are present in his vehicle.

2001 Ford Windstar. Consumer writes in regards to defective front end the consumer stated two recalls were issued and for the past year, he has been unsuccessful at getting his vehicle inspected. The consumer was informed by several dealers, they were not performing any recalls.

2001 Ford Windstar. Consumer writes in regards to recall for sub frame rusting the consumer stated the dealer reinforced the bracket. However, they claimed the bracket that rusted holding the sway bar was not covered by the recall, which caused the vehicle to sway in the wind.

2001 Ford Windstar. Consumer writes in regards to Ford recall #11s16 involving the subframe lower control are due to rust/corrosion the consumer was informed by his mechanic, that the steering issues he was experiencing were related to the subframe recall. Subframe brackets were installed at that time. However, while driving, the consumer heard a knocking sound coming from the right front passenger side of the vehicle, whenever there was a bump in the road. The consumer returned to his mechanic and was told the problem was still due to the subframe issue. The consumer stated the mechanic was surprised that the dealer had repaired the problem with a kit, instead of replacing the subframe. The consumer returned to the dealer and was informed the problem was with the sway bar, which had disconnected from the subframe, but it could not be repaired unless the rusted subframe was replaced at a cost of $ 2,781. 00. The dealer sent Ford pictures of the subframe, but they refused to replace it at their expense.

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact heard a banging noise coming from the front subframe on the vehicle and it began to shake between 50 and 55 mph. The dealer confirmed that the subframe was covered with rust. The manufacturer advised the contact that his vehicle was not included in recall number: 11v030000 (structure: frame and members:underbody shields) and offered no other assistance. No repairs were performed. The current mileage was 99,000. The failure mileage was 98,000. Updated 05/26/11 the dealer placed two brackets on the front frame. However, they stated the repair can fail at anytime. Updated 05/31/11.

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 mph, the front passenger side tire detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who informed the contact that she would need to replace the sub frame and cradle assembly due to rusting. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 85,958. Updated 03/02/11 updated 04/28/11.

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. While the dealer inspected the rear axle for recall 10v385000 suspension: rear: axle: non-powered axle assembly they also located a failure at the front h frame which was corroded and separated. The manufacturer stated that the failure wasn't recalled, but if a recall was issued in the future he could be reimbursed for the repair. The vehicle wasn't repaired. The failure and current mileages were 114,000 miles. The ac compressor leaked water onto the frame and caused it to rot. Updated evoq 11/12/jb updated 01/20/11 updated 04/13/11.

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. The contact was driving approximately 20 mph when she heard an abnormal pop and the vehicle began to steer improbably. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer where the dealer replaced the front sub frame due to severe rust. The contact stated that the sub frame was fractured in two. The failure mileage was 140,445 and the current mileage was 145,000. Updated 01/12/lj updated 04/19/11.

Vehicle was purchased in November 2009. I first began having problems with the abs/brake light coming on, in February 2010. The next incident was the power windows on drivers side and back window would not role down. The next incident was the heater wont work. A recall and repair was done on the rear subframe 11s16 in April of 2010. Vehicle repair was not complete now taking in for front under carriage repair on wed 21,2012.