Carrier/rack Problems of Ford Windstar - part 1

The rear axle or metal brackets on my vehicle snapped while I braked for another vehicle approaching. I had the metal on my axle welded to fix the problem temporarily that is because it is currently broke again. I believe there is a recall for this specific problem.

See all problems of the 2003 Ford Windstar 🔎.

Rear axle cracked through on the driver's side, even after a recall patch/repair was made. No collisions, no hard driving. Not a corrosion issue. Metal is cracked perpendicular to the axle. . Across the grain. Axle was heard to make noise while backing out of driveway, then vehicle felt fish-tailing while drive down paved neighborhood street. Turning to the right made noticeable grinding noises from the rear driver's side wheel well. On closer inspection, the rear wheels were severely tilted in at the top, and the axle was clearly, obviously very cracked open on the driver's side, and appears ready to break into 2 halves. The vehicle was recalled in 2010 for axle defects, but the repairs made seem inadequate. The vehicle was dealership maintained.

See all problems of the 2002 Ford Windstar 🔎.

The rear axle on my father-in-law's minivan snapped in half, even though the brackets for the first recall were installed and the brackets were then inspected and signed off on during the second recall. Both recalls were signed off as completed and safe but while driving 45 mph, with four small children in the car, the axle snapped in half. We've reached out to both Ford directly and the dealerships and no one will assist. Clearly the brackets were not an acceptable fix for this highly dangerous issue. Four children could have been hurt or even killed due to Ford's negligence to properly address this issue. Ford failed to properly correct the issue with the first recall and apparently didn't correct it with the second either.

Rear axle cracked.

See all problems of the 2000 Ford Windstar 🔎.

Rear axle cracked in two while driving 25mph.

Good day, I was driving on a road going 40 mph when my rear axle cracked and my rear wheels caved in. I had my wife and kids in the van with me on the way to work. It was around 5:45 when this happened. I was able to regain control. Luckily no one was hurt. Is there's a way I could get help??.

See all problems of the 2001 Ford Windstar 🔎.

I took my vehicle to Fords and they say my bracket guard near rear axle is defected and was under Ford recall and that it is a safety hazard , though when terry hendricks Ford sent in a claim they sad it had expired although I need it recalled for repair.

I like to bring to your attention a still ongoing life-threatening safety issue with the Ford Windstar 2000 rear axle. As you know, the Windstar's were recalled for this safety issue in 2010. My particular car was reinforced with 2 brackets under safety recall 10s13 at the most critical part of the axle and I think in the area were the brackets are installed the axle will hold up even with a lot of corrosion present. The problem is the axle is cracking just 1 inch to the right beside the reinforced bracket in my case the driver's side of the car. The only reason I found out about this, a few weeks ago I had my car serviced and I did an inspection on the axle and that's when I found that big crack half way around the axle!!! that same day I went to my Ford dealer (bill brown) to bring it to their attention, unfortunately for the service manager this was not a recall matter anymore and he had no interest of inspecting the axle without charging me $ 125. 00. Naturally I refused to pay that amount.

My rear wheel hub assembly, where it attaches to the axle beam reinforcing flange cracked while I was turning left from a stop light. I found out that there was a recall for the rear axle reinforcement brackets, so I took my van to a Ford dealership in knox, indiana (best Ford). After a few days, they said that Ford would not cover the damage done to the rear axle. They said that it was previously repaired, however, I see on this website that a recall for my vehicle is incomplete and that Ford had an additional recall for the same issue.

Rear axle is cracked after brackets were put on due to recall. We noticed this is an old crack and saw it while checking for the cause of a rattle noise. We have no idea when the crack occurred but the recall brackets were put on several years ago by keller bros. Ford lebanon, PA. They reinspected the brackets and said they were put on correctly. If that's the case; why did the axle crack? why won't Ford pay to have it fixed if it's known to have a problem cracking?.

I learned today there was a recall on the suspension:rear axle non powered axle assembly in 2010. The fix was to place reinforcement brackets (recall # 10v385000), and this was done. Since I purchased the van in April 2016 I've had to replace the rear tire 4 times! I asked the tire shop attendant how could this be and upon further inspection he pointed out there seemed to be some repair done on the axle and it appeared to have a crack in it now. He said the tire is leaning slightly inward because of this. He went on to say he's seen many Ford Windstars with this issue and I should reach out to Ford about recalls. I searched online first and found that there was a second recall on the axle assemble (recall # 15v608000). This was about the repair bracket, that it could be installed improperly. I called Ford and to my surprise the operator (ralph) said my VIN was not apart of the newer recall. I don't believe that to be true if it was apart of the initial recall and had the reinforcement bracket placed on the axle. Please help. I was driving when I noticed the problem. I hadn't hit any major pot holes or anything! normal bumps in the road but nothing major. I noticed the issue more when I turned a corner eventually my tire blew out (making a loud noise) and I had to call for a tow. The tire repair attendant said it even looked as if the tire was leaning inward. The picture attached is of the inside of the tire. The part you can't see by looking at the vehicle.

The rear axle started to snap in November 2017 when I was driving with my wife and kids in the van. We smelled burning rubber and pulled over. If we had drove any further the axle was going to snap with all of us in the vehicle. Ford is refusing to cover all the costs of the repair because the previous owner had the bracket/support put on. We did not purchase this vehicle till March 2017. We want the full cost of the repair covered and the Ford dealership's storage fees erased. Our bill is currently $1,809. 65. We should not have to pay for the repair and the time it has been sitting there while we fight Ford to pay the bill. This was not an act of wear and tear but an act of a recall on the manufacturer.

Regarding Ford motor company safety recall notice 15s27: Ford motor company is refusing to repair my rear axle which fractured due to a poorly designed axle that has been the subject of numerous recalls, including the installation of axle reinforcement brackets (which had been done and later inspected at phil's Ford in port jervis, NY - winter of 2015). I was told the bracket reinforcement repair had been properly installed, however the axle still broke on 8/17/17 while I was driving at 65 mph on the interstate - an incredibly dangerous situation! the break occurred at and within the reinforcement bracket. Eventually, someone will be hurt or killed because of Ford's neglect to fix this problem. The more I see of Ford's resistance to take care of this safety issue the greater my concern is for other drivers (of a van designed for families with children) who are unaware of the danger they are in due to the company's neglect. They are telling people that their Windstar vans are safe to drive after the bracket reinforcement repair. They are not safe to drive. My local Ford dealership (healey brothers Ford in goshen, NY) is refusing to honor the earlier recall, Ford motor company customer relations is refusing to honor the earlier recall claiming that the offer to repair my vehicle has expired.

See all problems of the 1998 Ford Windstar 🔎.

Takata infiators;I Ford denying my request f VIN #2fmda584x1bc09440 I have an obvious crack (see photos) directly under the bracket a band-aid that Ford issued in an earlier recall on my rear axle with the sole purpose of this band-aid to prevent such cracking. Apparently my bracket part was deemed installed correctly, effectively causing a denial for a replacement part on my Windstar. Clearly this bracket failed and did not stop my rear axle from experiencing cracking! Ford clearly new exactly where this cracking would occur because the crack appears directly under the bracket installed to create a stronger part. The only thing holding this rear axle together is this bracket. This particular part in question is directly below the gas tank, should this crucial part experience failure while driving on a 70mph highway what would happen? also looking at my Windstar on a lift we noticed the center of the Windstar seems to be sagging (see photos) from what appears to be the under carriage breaking down from rust and corrosion, this appears to be causing extreme structure failure. I do reside in one of the stated salt belt states as being the state of iowa. What would the full criteria for this recall and buyback program on certain Windstar's in 2011 thru 2013 be? why was my Windstar limited excluded in this recall? I still have not been advised not to drive my Windstar by any current Ford representatives. However former Ford mechanics have advised me not to drive my Windstar, these same mechanics� are adamant my Windstar is unsafe! I have been attempting to fix the concerns that moffitts Ford in boone iowa wanted me to repair at the time of the axle inspection. Only having more concern brought to my attention about the axle. I wrote mr. Fields a letter 2/15/17 asking to overturn and allow repair kathleen colpoys 515-230-1430 po box 574 clinton IA, 52733.

My 2002 fors winstar on passenger side had the axle bracket break off and in the letter that was recieved, there was a recall after axle was fixed on the assembly of the brackets. Which Ford is not honoring.

Driving home from work when my rear axle cracked. Almost lost control of the vehicle but was able to pull over.

Rear axle the rear axle on my Windstar broke yesterday on the left side outside of the support bracket installed by the dealer for the 2011 recall. I was driving down the road at approximately 45 mph when I noticed the tire rubbing on the frame. I got the car to the dealership (betten Ford in grand rapids, mi) who advised they would not repair the car unless I paid for the repair as the bracket held and the axle broke in a different location. Ford customer support advised the same thing.

Takata recall, received safety recall notice 15s27 from Ford motor company, stating that rear axle reinforcement brackets may have been installed improperly and may result in complete rear axle fracture and an increased risk of crash. I have taken my Windstar in for the inspection and they are telling me the rear axle does need replaced but it will cost me $300, my concern with this is if it is a "safety recall" why should I have to pay out of my pocket.

Our Windstar was recalled 3 times under Ford's safety recall # 15s27/NHTSA recall # 15v-608 for the rear axle. The first recall was to check for cracks and if none found, the axle was painted. The second recall was to check again for cracks and if none found, the Ford dealership attached 2 brackets that were not painted. The first two recalls were free. Then the third recall came to again to check for cracks and this time they found 2 cracks in our axle and it had to be replaced. The dealership, park Ford in mahopac, NY 10541, per Ford corporate, charged me $300 plus $25. 13 for tax. They call the charge a "discounted replacement". I have experienced many recalls in my life time and this is the first time that I have been charged for a recall for a defective part. How is this possible? are you aware that Ford is charging owners for this recall? is this legal for Ford to do? fyi I also complained to Ford's customer service and was told via email that I had to pay to replace the axle. This was a defective axle and not my fault. The vehicle only had 84,520 miles.

Took vehicle to dealership for routine service. Was told that the rear axle is cracked, repair to be $918. 63. Vehicle was recalled in 2010 for this problem. Ford motor company installed brackets and patched the axle at that time. Upon calling the company, I was told that the warranty on the patch job had expired and the expense of replacement is ours. We contend that they should have replaced the axle in 2010 in lieu of a "patch job". We purchased this vehicle new in 2002, and have never taken it anywhere but the dealership for service. Being in very good condition, with only 88,000, we feel that this is a repair that Ford motor company should cover.

This is in regards to the rear axle cracking. During my recent state vehicle inspection, the rear axle was found to be cracked. The rear axle was reinforced per recall notice in 2011, but where the reinforcement is at, is where axle is cracked. Ford will not cover the replacement of the axle due to the recall already being performed and is outside the 12 months/12,000 mile warranty. The reinforcement that they provided does not fix the issue, it only pushes the issue out. I have seen many other people having this exact issue happening.

Rear axle is cracked and has to be replaced. Ford recall in 2011 for issues with the rear axle - dealer installed additional support brackets in lieu of replacing the axle with a new axle of current design. If they would have done the replacement with the current axle design and not added a temporary fix to prolong the life of a defective axle, today I would not be responsible for the financial replacement. I am very fortunate to have noticed an issue and brought this to the attention of my dealer who discovered the crack. I do have a concern though with the Ford dealer - they know about the axle issues, failures and recall. They recently inspected the vehicle, replaced various parts, etc. At a cost of $2,800 including brakes, drums, etc. They saw the condition of the axle - they had to know if was due to fail sooner than later - very concerning. Ford is not taking responsibility for their design flaw and lack luster recall which amounted to adding some brackets to cause the axle to break in a certain area to reduce the possibility of a complete failure / fatal accident.

I bought my van used just a month before I noticed this defect, I came outside to get in the van and noticed the rear wheels leaning slightly inward at the top. My son in law inspected it further to discover that the rear axle had bent. Upon further investigation we discovered that there had been a recall on all Ford Windstar models between 1998 and 2003. We notified Ford and they told us that this vehicle had already been recalled and repaired in 2011 and the repair had a 12 month warranty. My son in law checked and sure enough there were repair sleeves wrapped around the rear axle at both ends. This repair did not fix the original problem because the rear axle had cracked right under where the repair sleeve was placed and had bent bad, bad enough that both rear tires were rubbing the inner fenders at the top and the van was sitting much lower in the rear end than it should have been. Thank god I had noticed the problem before the axle completely cracked in half the rest of the way because there is nothing else holding the rear wheels onto the vehicle and if I was driving the wheel and part of the axle could have flown off to who knows where and possibly killed me and whoever else was in the van. I've had to completely replace the rear axle with another part from another van which is also defective and will soon have to be replaced again. Ford takes no responsibility for this past the original "fix" which was warrantied for only 12 months. The recall was not a good fix and seems to have only been a band aid to keep customers quiet until the warranty on it runs out. I have done research online and found that this is not an isolated incident and in fact has happened to many hundreds of people, coincidentally around the same time as my incident happened.

The rear axle broke when our daughter was driving home from work at night. When she got home she told us that the van was not handling well at all. It turns out the rear axle had cracked which caused the driver's side rear wheel to push up into the wheel housing and start rubbing against the wheel well. Luckily this happened near our home and she didn't have much further to go as it became very difficult to handle. Also lucky the speed was only about 30 mph, because I'm not sure it would have made it safely home if it happened while driving at a higher speed. Our van was part of a recall that was done in 2011 where they installed brackets/clamps instead of replacing the rear axle. The break has occurred right under the clamping bracket. It also appears to be cracked on the rear passenger side as the tire is tilting into the wheel well on that side also. It appears Ford has left many Windstar drivers in a potential very dangerous situation.

While driving I heard a loud crack noise and seen smoke in rear view mirror. When I got out tire was tilted completely in the rear. Come to find out my rear axel completely cracked while I was driving! called Ford they said the recall was fixed in 2011 and there was another recall fixed in 2013. Since it was already " fixed" they will not cover the work. I now have to pay 600 to get this fixed out of pocket and there is no reason the axel should have broke in half like it did! very upsetting to know I could've had my children in the car with me and this could have definitely caused an accident !! I know this problem was not fixed correctly in the first place it was just a bandaid for Ford!.

Rear axle recall was inspected in 2/17/2011 by the dealer and was noted no cracks and just put some brackets. Today 3/23/2015 went for a state inspection to the same dealer and failed due to crack in the rear axle(that was once recalled). Now dealer/Ford states that the recall was once managed, and no longer responsible for further issues. . . If an item was recalled, it should be fixed without cost. Please address this with Ford. Thank you.

I was driving and without any warning the van just made a huge sound, and went left to right and back several times. Very scary! I almost lost control of it. I had just left the highway! I managed to slow down and move the van by the side of the street. After full stop, went to look and noticed that the rear axle was almost touching the ground and looked broken in half! I remember the van went thru a recall in 2012 (07-19-2012) and had been taking care by suntrup Ford. I found the papers today about that recall and the invoice from the dealership with the listing of the work done per Ford. My take is that the recall was not done properly or the recall was not demanding enough. The brackets installed did not do the job to make this vehicle safe! I took photos.

The rear axle on my 2003 Windstar cracked and split about 10 inches from where it attaches to the wheel on the drivers side of the van. While looking into how much it would cost to fix, I discovered that there was a recall for that exact problem. I called my local Ford dealer and they said it would have to be looked at and could take about a week. I had it towed in and waited for a response. A week went by and when I called, the receptionist told me they would let me know as soon as possible. I waited a few more days and called again but this time I ended up speaking to the service manager. He said the van had actually been "repaired" once before through a previous owner/recall and that the original servicing dealership did not perform the work properly. The first time it was fixed, they somehow reinforced the axle but apparently did not put the "reinforcement" in the right place. That being the case, he said that the current damage now defaulted back to the dealer where it was originally serviced. He also said that the front of the van was rusted underneath but I do not see anything excessive and I am not convinced that this is unusual for a 12 year old vehicle. This is not a high mileage vehicle and it is in really nice condition otherwise. Considering the fact that this is an documented defect, I simply want it fixed properly and quickly.

I am the original owner of this 2001 Ford Windstar se minivan which now has a rusted, corroded and broken passenger side engine subframe which renders the vehicle unsafe to drive. I complied with the earlier Ford recalls with regard to this issue (11s16) and the service was completed (6/20/2012) at the Ford dealership. Now after 27 months and less than 16,000 miles later, the engine subframe breaks and the cost to repair of about $5,000. 00 exceeds the kelley blue book values for the vehicle. Ford has refused any help and claims they have complied with the recall work and the matter is closed. I believe the recall support bracket that was installed was nothing more that a band-aid approach to correct a major safety issue with substandard engine subframe parts. I have asked Ford to buy my vehicle back, as that was an option under the recall(11s16) but they have refused again saying the matter was closed. It seems to me that the engine subframe parts should last much longer than 13 years or 97,000 miles. After all Ford suggests the 1st engine tune up for this vehicle at 100,000 miles. I guess I won't be worrying about that in the future. I have this vehicle now for a short while and I have pictures of the broken subframe. I will be getting rid of it probably to a junk yard for scrap value. I am worried about all the other Windstar owners driving around with this same potential condition on our roads and highways. I want you to initiate a follow up investigation into the effectiveness of the recall fix(11s16) as seen on my vehicle and others. As a result of this experience, I will never own another Ford in my life.

Chronic vibration / shutter noticed during moderate braking. New rack & pinion installed in 2009; new brake rotors and pads installed in 2012, offering slight improvement. Wife heard "cracking noise, experienced difficulty making left turns & drove about 45 miles, parked at house, front subframe fracture / separation passenger side, resulting in steering rack tilt up approx. 3/4" on right side and extreme toe out on right front tire (approx 20 degrees vs. Left). Noticed while attempting to back up - undriveable condition. Collateral damage to steering shaft boot, rack & pinion seal (fatigue / leakage), and O2 sensor cable (severed). Discovered missing left rear subframe mounting bolt. Car manufactured in canada. Noticeable exposure / drippage of ambient condensation on top of sub-frame, below refrigeration lines / freon dryer canister, during a/c operation (gulf coast high humidity / salt air exposure could be an influencing factor for corrosion). Reference previous NHTSA action #pe10-026 (7/20/10); Ford front subframe engineering analysis ea10-007 (salt belt states); recall 11s16. Fracture area occurred in curved portion of subframe bracket / steering rack mount (Ford part #3f2z5c145ca - $2100 material + labor $715). Streak of rust is clearly evident along what appears to have been a vertical crack leading to the fracture / separation site beneath the steering rack boot. Photos and parts diagram available upon request. Ford customer service case # cas5113626 declined. Told to write letter. Seeking manufacturer buy-back relief.

See all problems of the 1999 Ford Windstar 🔎.

We were driving around town and we heard a clunking sound in the back of the van. We took the van into the shop where they discovered a crack in the rear axle. Luckily this did not happen the week before, as we were driving many highway miles or it could have been worse. This was a recalled part and it was taken in at the time of the recall. Two different mechanics in town assured us that it was not our fault but that it was a faulty part. We take good care of our cars. We called Ford directly thinking that they would honor their vehicle and fix a part they knew would break down. They gave us the run around and then never returned our phone calls. This van would had many good years left in it, now it can not be driven!.

This vehicle was serviced approx. 2. 5 years ago for a recall on the rear axle. At that time I was advised of no concerns of a compromised axle. They reassured me that they placed brackets on the axle should there be a problem in the future. Thank goodness the axle fractured while traveling on a quiet country road. We drove over a low point in the road (not a pot hole) and that is when the axle let go along with the brackets that were placed to support the axle! this axle should have been replaced at the time of the recall!! I am very thankful that the axle didn't let go while I was with my family on the highway. The outcome certainly would have been much different and quite possibly tragic! I am very disappointed with Ford in how they handled this matter. They stated they would not be held responsible for a recall past 12 months of the service date. They would not take responsibility for the mishandling of this recall!!!.

While driving through an intersection I heard a loud bang underneath the car and I lost all steering control! I parked the car and called for a tow. When van was on the flatbed I observed the engine mounting had detached on both sides of the car. The engine and other components were hanging down. Had van towed home. Through my own research I found that my van was part of recall no. 11s16 for corrosion related fractures at the front lower control arm rear attaching brackets and body mount attachments at the rear of the front subframe. I was shocked that I had not been notified of this recall because I had been notified regarding recall no 11s13 for rear axle corrosion related cracking. Van was taken for inspection axle and we were told it passed and nothing else needed to be done. Had van towed again, this time to dealer. Dealer says subframe and rear axle need replaced and Ford wants to do the replacement. As a result of the frame detachment, the intermediate shaft needs replaced. There are other unknown components that may need repaired/replaced and they won't know until they do the work. The other repairs may or may not be paid for by Ford. Under Ford's own remedies, if brackets can not repair the original subframe, then a repurchase offer for the vehicle should be made. To date, Ford has refused this as a remedy. Instead, they want to replace the subframe and axle that would have to be attached to other corroded parts of the vehicle. My family's lives were already put in danger enough by these defective products. I was not notified regarding the subframe recall and the rear axle was improperly handled. The axle should have had reinforcement brackets attached even if it did pass inspection. This was not done nor were we told to bring it back in to be done. Ford should be forced to buy back my vehicle under it's own remedy instructions provided to the NHTSA.

We left the house and was driving and the van felt like it was sliding back and forth. I stopped and checked and the back wheel was setting crooked. I checked the lugs and the were tight. We turned around went back home. I looked under it and found the axle cracked and broke. We called Ford and they had a recall on that but said they were no longer repairing them.

Vehicle making strange noise, taken to repair shop. They said frame was rusted and rear end had a crack.