Front Suspension Problems of Ford Windstar - part 1

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated the front right wheel fractured when attempting to make a left turn. The dealer nor manufacturer were notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The current and failure mileage was 74,000.

See all problems of the 2003 Ford Windstar 🔎.

The contact owns a 2000 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving 50 mph, the front axle fractured. The contact merged onto the shoulder of the highway and the vehicle was towed to a local mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. Both the dealer and the manufacturer denied assistance with repairs. The failure and current mileages were 136,000.

See all problems of the 2000 Ford Windstar 🔎.

I took my 2001 Windstar sel into a dealership upon receiving a recall notice for suspension:rear:axle:non-powered axle assembly in March of 2011. Our vehicle passed this inspection. At the time our vehicle was at the dealership for this recall notice there was another recall relating to structure: frame and members:underbody shields although we were unaware of this recall. We have not received a recall notice about the second problem to date. The recall was brought to our attention by a friend who watched a news program regarding the recall which prompted a phone call to the dealership that serviced our vehicle in March. His statement was if our vehicle was one of the recalled vehicles and it was just in the service department for another recall the service technician would have addressed the most recent recall also. He asked for our VIN which at the time was not available but reassured me both recalls would have been addressed since they were both open recalls. On August 1, 2011 I was driving at 65-70 mph on a freeway when my steering wheel started to jerk and turn counter-clockwise (the last time I looked at the steering wheel the area that encloses the horn was vertical). I thought my right passenger wheel was punctured at first but knew it was more than that within the next few seconds. Something from the van kept hitting the freeway and jerking me around and the back end of the van on three occassions seemed like it was coming off the ground. Once I slowed down enough the safely brake that is exactly what I did wherein the rear end of the vehicle jerked to the left. I exited the vehicle and called 911. Not only did the subframe break due to rust but the axle came apart from the vehicle as did the right arm holding the wheel in place. At this point the dealership where the car was towed to said Ford is offering to replace the subframe and have offered to pay for two days for a rental vehicle.

See all problems of the 2001 Ford Windstar 🔎.

The contact owns a 1998 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that controlling the vehicle would often become difficult. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection where the contact was advised that the front passenger side axle shaft needed to be replaced. The contact believed the failure was a manufacturing defect. The failure and current mileage was 155,500.

See all problems of the 1998 Ford Windstar 🔎.

Tl - the contact owns a 1998 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving 5 mph in a parking lot, she heard a loud noise. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed that the front axle broke as a result of corrosion. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offered any assistance since the vehicle was not included on any recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 100,000. Pm.

Recall on front subframes on Windstars. Mine is bad, Ford does not have parts, will not buy it back and wants me to pay for everything over 100 miles/day on the rental. They also gave me a rental that is 50. 00/day and they will only pay 38. 00. Rear mounts are missing chunks, was told there was a crack on drivers side now told there is not, ask them to relook to be sure and was told no. They claim it is repairable but has lots of rust in addition to the missing chunks. I have copies of the pictures the dealer took.

See all problems of the 2002 Ford Windstar 🔎.

The contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving in reverse and then forward, the front passenger side tire fell off of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who informed him that the tire separated from the vehicle due to the front axle corroding. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

See all problems of the 1999 Ford Windstar 🔎.

The contact owns a 2000 Ford Windstar. While driving approximately 2 mph making a turn the vehicles front sub frame cracked in half. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic who stated that the sub frame, front struts and the front axle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. She was unable to provide a VIN. The failure mileage was 72,500.

The contact owns a 2000 Ford Windstar. While having the tires rotated, the contact noticed that the sub frame on the front passenger side of the vehicle was covered with rust and nearly cracked. The vehicle was not inspected. The failure and current mileages were 95000.

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. While having the vehicle repaired for recall 10v385000 (suspension: rear: axle: non-powered axle assembly), he was informed that both front struts were rusted and cracked. The vehicle had not been repaired. The current and failure mileages were approximately 89,600.

The contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 mph and making a right turn, she suddenly heard a loud cracking noise. The vehicle was towed to a dealer who informed the contact that the front axle had corroded and fractured. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 136,000. Updated 02/23/11.

I own a 2001 Ford Windstar that I recently had the subframe replaced as it had corroded through on the right side of the subframe. I noticed the failure of it while driving. I heard a loud clunk and then my steering wheel abruptly turned to the right and the front end started vibrating similar to when the front end is out of alignment. I was traveling at a low rate of speed when this occurred and id not result in a crash, but made the vehicle undriveable.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the struts on the front right end of the vehicle were covered with rust and caused the right front end of the vehicle to collapse. The contact lost control of the steering wheel while driving on the highway; the front passenger side tire turned to the right when the contact made a left turn. The cv joint and strut were damaged by rust, they fell off of the frame and detached from the axle. The contact is a service mechanic and observed layers of rust underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage and current mileages were 156000.

The contact owns a 1996 Ford Windstar. While reversing out of a driveway at low speeds, the contact heard an unusually loud noise. When further inspecting the vehicle, the contact found that the brake lines was being pinched by the springs. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer advised there were no recalls on the vehicle and that repairs would be at his expense. The contact stated the vehicle was not drivable. The failure and current mileages were 164,954.

See all problems of the 1996 Ford Windstar 🔎.

My husband was backing out of the driveway at work, when the tires were turned inward because of the break in the rear axle. After having it towed my husband bought a rear axle from another vehicle and replaced the broken one.

My wife was driving in a parking lot with the kids and the front right strut spring on our 2003 Windstar cracked in two. It broke the stabilizer end link and the strut bearing plate. The broken spring rubbed the tire, but didn't puncture it. The recall for this problem doesn't apply to this model year and it states the cause is corrosion. I am a licensed autobody technician and upon removal of the wheel and inspection of the spring I would say the alloy used in the spring is too brittle because it sheared clean at an angle. There isn't any signs of corrosion on the spring because it is coated. We live in southern ontario, canada where we see a lot of salt in winter and I've worked on a lot of rusty cars and I would say this definitely not climate related, but rather a manufacturing defect that if it occurred at highway speeds could lead to loss of life. It will cost me approximately $300-350 to fix this myself because you have to replace the springs in pairs.

Front drivers side springs fractured just like those specified on Ford Windstar 1997 and 1998 assembled at oakville plant between Aug 1996 through July 1998. The defective springs forced Ford to issue recall 01s19. My 1999 Windstar was shipped Nov 1998 and I suspect with bad springs because other 1999 Ford Windstar owners have complained of the same spring breakage causing punctured front tires. My springs were found defective and now fail nh safety inspection. Please act swiftly my funds are very low!.

The contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. While performing an oil change, the mechanic noticed a crack in the axle of the vehicle. The axle was cracked in half and the vehicle is currently not being driven. The dealer and manufacturer have not been notified. The failure mileage was 120,000.

Coil spring on passenger side strut broke, has driver's side break the year before, had to replace whole strut / spring assembly, could've caused accident if the pieces would have hit the tires instead of wrapping around rest of spring.

Mileage ~122,000. After shocks and struts were replaced 2 months ago, a grinding and popping was heard from the front end when turning and driving over 20 mph. Car was brought in to local repair shop and technician stated that the driver's side shock plate was going bad. You could place your hand on top of the shock plate while the wheel was turning and feel it grinding. Replaced shock plate on 11/5/08; noises got worse. Vehicle was brought in on 11/11/08 and at first the repair shop said the new plate was bad and the other plate was going out. You put your hand on both plates and felt the grinding as the steering wheel was turned. Repairman decided to see if a service bulletin was issued by Ford on the problem; it was. Ford stated that a spacer needed to be placed between the shocks and the shock plate if this noise begins to happen. I am now waiting for the dealership to get the parts in and anticipating paying at least $400. 00 for this repair. If Ford knows about their design flaw, they should at least pay for the replacement part. This is not the first time I have had to pay for parts and replacement on some Ford design flaw; a flaw in which Ford had described in a service bulletin but took no responsibility for when it came to having to fix it.

My 2001 Ford Windstar has a crack in the rear axle. I've read on the internet about several instances of this happening and the axle cracks in two pieces causing at least that the vehicle is not drivable. If this would happen even at moderate highway speeds there could be devastating consequences. So far I don;t see a recall for this defect from Ford. The mileage of my Ford Windstar is 71,000 miles. It seems that the axle is rusted from the inside but my vehicle has been garage kept since it was first purchased. I believe this incident should be recalled for safeties sake. I think all Windstars with this axle design should be recalled and have the axle replaced.

The contact owns a 1998 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the coil springs failed and punctured the tires. She felt that this was a safety issue because a serious crash could have occurred. The vehicle has not yet been repaired. The current and failure mileages were 168,000.

2003 Ford Windstar, 59396 mi. Driving down lockport rd on 6/20/08, heard loud snap, clunk, then tire blow out. Called for aaa assistance, tow truck operator told me it was broken right spring, saying it was a common problem and had towed several minivans of this model, what could have happened if I made it 2 miles to interstate 190 where the speed limit is 65 mph? this happened at approx. 20 mph. Is this a common thing like the tow operator says? in all, resulted in 555. 25 in damage because of the spring failure.

I own a 2000 Ford winstar, the rear axle beam twice now for cracking/splitting ,both happend in the same spot,what are the chances of that? bad metal ! I replace it with a 96 rear axle which has supports and a support beam under the axle, wish when I changed it the first time I changed it with this year axle!! next I just noticed the other day that the sub-frame (engine cradle ) is rotted out on the passanger side! when going to the junk yards I have noticed his is a common problem, why wouldn't Ford do something about this? after all these are family vans that haul chrildren 99% of the time! these things could cause death very easy! if they fail on a hwy god help them !!!.

: the contact stated while driving 10 mph the stabilizer and rocker arm brackets broke. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop. Upon inspection the mechanic determined the brackets broke due to rust. A few days before the failure the consumer's father heard a noise in the front passenger side of the van. The mechanic informed the contact the brackets needed to be replaced. Updated 4/4/2006 -.

Vehicle vibrates at hihgway speed and can't be resolved by wheel balancing etc.

Dt:the consumer has had the car aligned twice and tires continue to wear on the inside of the front tires. The 1st alignment was at 18,000 miles, the dealer reported he needed new tires again. The consumer now has 78,000 miles on the vehicle and is on 4th set of tires. The consumer changed brand of tires but problem is still occurring. This is the consumer's 2nd Windstar and with the previous car went through the same thing with the tires.

Vibration in steering wheel when first bought. Took back and dealer replaced tires, didn't fix problem. Had TSB #002110 fixed in vehicle. Since there has been a vibration in the left front side. Dealer has claimed it is a normal driving condition. Will not fix vehicle because they don't know what is wrong with it.

Consumer states that when braking the vehicle will shimmy heavily and it will be hard for the consumer to control. Dealer notified. Ts.

While driving at 40-50 mph vehicle will start to pull to right. This happens all the time that consumer is driving. Contacted dealer, and the dealer was not willing to do anything.

When driving at any speed there is vibration in front end of vehicle. Vehicle is at dealership at this time.

While driving approximately 20 mph front left side axle broke. Dealer and manufacturer were contacted. Feel free to provide any further details concerning this matter.

My wife, melissa has been following this problem for over a year and a half, she has been told by the mechanic at campus Ford that there has been problems with the front end suspension on for Windstar's, he stopped short of saying anymore. Our car has been in the service dept at this dealership on and off for the last year and a half. We keep having different stories told to us, and told that the problem doesnot exist. . Well we just paid 350. 00 dollars for new welding on the front suspension, we have had the struts replaced and a spring replaced, we also had unusual tire ware on the rt passenger side and the tire replaced. We are worried about this problem, we have two children and my wife is a visiting nurse and drives alot, the dealership is poo-pooing her off like she is a nobody. . . Please help us.

See all problems of the 1997 Ford Windstar 🔎.

No summary listed for above vehicle.

Defect happened while normal backing out of driveway. Know of at least one other exact incident with another winstar in this area. No safety defec tmentioned.