Steering Wheel Problems of Ford Windstar

After employing the standard issued Ford Windstar scissors jack and raising the lr subframe at the designated jack point to change a flat tire, the subframe started to snap and buckle. The van then started to lower in height without operating the jack. The van lowered in height approximately 1-2 in. After removing the jack, the assigned jack point was bent. Had I been traveling, I would not have been able to effectively and safely employ(and still can not safely employ) the issued jack and repair the flat without possible harm or injury.

See all problems of the 2000 Ford Windstar 🔎.

Tl- the contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. While driving 30 mph, the contact stated that the drivers side sub frame separated from the vehicle, due to rust. The vehicle was not inspected or repaired. The dealer and manufacturer denied any assistance with repairs to the failure. The failure and current mileage was 136,553. Rvk.

See all problems of the 1999 Ford Windstar 🔎.

Our 2003 Ford minivan passed front subframe inspection and "cleaning" on 3/14/2011 when vehicle was in for rear axle recall repairs. It was taken back to the dealership for front subframe recall on 7/11/2011 and recall repairs were made. In addition, other repairs were sold to us after a thorough inspection by mechanic. Nine days later, while driving on the highway, a clunk noise was heard from the front of the vehicle. On 8/1/11, the dealership mechanic found a broken right sway bar due to excessive rust at the subframe attachment. Service manager was told by Ford that this failure is unrelated to the recall issue and that subframe replacement would not be provided by Ford. We then had the Mini van put up on a lift at an independent garage where repair of subframe was observed and pictures were taken of the subframe which was literally separated into sheets of rust under the repair brackets. Any force to put bolts into the repair brackets could easily have hastened the corroded sway bar failure. We were told the Mini van is safe to drive even without repair, however, we have no confidence in that and live in an area where there are lots of small children, joggers and pedestrians. We greatly fear that any further failure in the front end could result in serious injury or death to someone. Vehicle has 84,000 miles. Ford denies any assistance or responsibility for our issue.

See all problems of the 2003 Ford Windstar 🔎.

Right front (passenger side) sway bar mounting bracket separated from vehicle, at front lower control arm rear attaching bracket, less than 30 days after recall ( NHTSA campaign id number: 11v030000) was performed. This has rendered the vehicle unsafe to drive and it will not pass new york state vehicle safety inspection. Ford dealership denies any responsibility and Ford, the manufacturer, will not repair as part of recall.

See all problems of the 2001 Ford Windstar 🔎.

Tl - the contact owns a 2000 Ford Windstar. The contact stated after having the vehicle repaired for recall NHTSA campaign id number: 10v385000 (suspension:rear:axle:non-powered axle assembly) and recall NHTSA campaign id number: 11v030000 (structure: frame and members:under body shields), she was unable to drive the vehicle since the brackets and bolts hang so low which caused it to get stuck when driving over a pot hole or on train tracks. The contact stated that the repairs only serve as a band aid and failed to remedy the problem. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who stated the vehicle was unsafe to drive since the sub frame was extremely compromised and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 158,013. Rvk.

Tl- the contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The vehicle was included in the recall under NHTSA campaign id number: 11v030000 (structure: frame and members:underbody shields) and the recall under NHTSA campaign id number: 10v385000 (suspension:rear:axle:non-powered axle assembly) and was taken to the dealer for repair. After the repair the contact noticed a grinding and a cracking sound coming from the front end of the vehicle while driving at approximately 65 mph. Also, the vehicle would shake vigorously and the steering would turn on it own forcefully. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer for diagnostics. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 126,000. Ds.

We own a Ford Windstar that was sold and purchased in mass. And recently became aware of a safety recall for axle failure. Went to dealer and Ford website and was told recall did not include my vehicle because I now reside in florida . I feel my car should be included in recall because it was driven in mass for a number of years in the snow and ice treated with road salt. Any help or some one to contact would be appreciated. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

Ford Windstar. Dealer stated the left rear axle cracked and the front sub frame brackets were defective. Dealer kept van on their premises. No date given for possible repair. The van had extensive repairs on 12/08/10 but no mention of recall and possible dangerous condition advised by dealer to owner.

I was pulling away after getting gas in my Windstar and heard a loud banging noise, similar to when the transmission went out. I immediately experienced loss of control in steering, with the steering wheel turned to one side. I was fortunate that I was driving only 5 miles per hour. The van was examined by an independent mechanic (not Ford affiliated) and I was told the subframe has completely rusted through. The subframe snapped on the passenger side and is ready to snap on the driver's side. I was told that all it would take is for me to hit a pothole and the subframe would snap on the driver's side and the engine and transmission would fall out. The mechanic told me he has never seen a 12 year old vehicle with a subframe in that condition. He took pictures of the subframe and emailed them to several mechanic friends. I have since learned, by doing research on the internet, that Ford recalled the Windstars due to a subframe issue, but I was not included in that recall because Ford does not deem virginia a state where they use salt on the roads in the wintertime. I live 10-15 miles from both maryland and DC, and they are both included in the recall. I live in northern virginia and we receive heavy snowfall during the winter. Because I live close to the beltway, the dot and local public works departments heavily salt the roads even before snow starts to fall. We have a permanent white coating on the roads from the salt during the wintertime. It is ridiculous that Ford did not recall the Windstar's in all states because they know there is a problem with the subframes on the Windstars. They don't take into account people who may travel from state to state, or people who border a state where they have recalled the subframes, and frequently drive in those states.

Took vehicle in to a mechanic for repair work. When mechanic placed the vehicle on the lift, he noted that the subframe that cradles the engine and transmission and serves as the attachment point for the front suspension was extremely rusted. The corrosion has caused large and numerous holes in the subframe. He stated that the vehicle is unsafe to drive in its current condition and would not work on the vehicle because it was unsafe. He stated that the engine could actually fall though the subframe, or the subframe could brake at the suspension connection points causing loss of control of the vehicle.

See all problems of the 1998 Ford Windstar 🔎.

My Ford Windstar has a rear axle that is rusted from the inside out, due to a design flaw. I was also told by the Ford service advisor that the sub-frame was coming apart. Fortunately, I had it in for service and it was discovered before an accident took place. Many other Windstars have had the rear axle snap in two while at highway speed.

Dealer performed rear axle safety recall. "vehicle passed sub frame inspection". The vehicle's front sub frame where it attaches to the chassis on the left side is rusted through. I have pictures.

I'm one of the lucky folks that has a 2002 Windstar sitting in my local Ford lot waiting on the rear axle to come in so it can be repaired. What I wanted you to know is that my subframe is very rusty too. I haven't had a failure yet, but my mechanic suggested I get it undercoated to try to stop it from deteriorating even more. I'm very concerned as it's my wife's car usually, and I think Ford should be required to inspect each one of these cars while they're sitting in their lots to determine if failure is imminent (like what they did with the axles). That would be very little to ask and easily done since they're still telling us the axles won't be available till possibly late March. Thank you. /cgs.

See all problems of the 2002 Ford Windstar 🔎.

During last routine maintenance, I was advised that subframe rusting was getting close to level of making driving hazardous. Estimated cost of repair (part and labor) is $1700 - $1800. 00.

I am not a mechanic but will attempt to relay my best interpretation of what I believe happened. While my wife was driving a total loss of steering occurred. Very luckily she was not on a major highway travelling at high speed or in the process of navigating a turn. After inspection by our mechanic it was determined that the cradle that supports the front suspension fractured. This occurred on the front passenger side of the vehicle and the front axle connected to passenger side wheel was then disconnected from the transmission this was either caused by lower control arm disconnected or the vice/versa. The vehicle lost the ability to turn and luckily there was nobody tailgating as she was forced to park the vehicle stranded in the middle of the road. It is my opinion that an existing open defect investigation, pe10026 , is an exact match to the problem encountered. I tried to resolve with Ford but at this time they do not consider the 100+ instances of this occurring as sufficient cause to warrant a recall and I guess that over the next year or two as this component of the vehicle continues to age we will see more incidents like this. I just had the vehicle serviced and my mechanic knew to check for the rear axle failure but had there been proper notification already in place they may have been able to check for this defect before the vehicle was put back on the road at risk of human life.

The bracket that holds the passenger side front suspension lower arm to the subframe failed while driving the car. This bracket that holds this arm to the subframe was completed corroded away, causing the failure. All that is left on the subframe is corrosion and weld marks. The arm is completely disconnected from the subframe. Without this lower arm, the wheel on the passenger side, toed out and had negative camber which popped out the drive shaft from the transmission. Fortunately, this happened at a low speed, 10 mph and there were no injuries. At a higher speed, I speculate that this was a very dangerous condition since the vehicle pulled very hard to the right and you didn't have adequate control over the steering. I have talked to a Ford representative and he indicated that they had no information on this type of failure, and that there isn't any recall. I understand that your department is looking into it.

Advised by Ford dealership service manager that the front subframe assemblies on both sides are cracked and severely rusted.

Took my 2001 Ford Windstar to the local Ford dealership for rear axle recall. I was advised by the service manager at my Ford dealership that rear axle was cracked, and that the metal was rusted and pitted. It was determined by the service manager that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. Apparently there are several Windstars with this problem. While performing the rear axle inspection, the dealership found that the front subframe assemblies on both sides of the vehicle are severely rusted and cracked. This also appears to be a common problem. However, Ford has yet to issue a recall on this problem. Have your dealership check your subframe assemblies, and if problems are found, file a complaint with NHTSA so we can also get this unsafe condition remedied. There is an ongoing investigation, and it appears there are more and more cases arising. There needs to be sufficient number of claims in order for Ford to recall these vehicles.

I was told by my mechanic in October 2010 that I have a crack in the front subframe on the passenger side of the vehicle.

Our van has been in the garage since sept. 2010 waiting on the replacement part for the axle recall, and now the front sub frames might also need to be replaced. I think both parts should be replaced while the dealers have everybody's vehicle. . I don't really want to get our van out of the garage just to turn around and put it back in. But I will if I have to because I think that Ford should replace the ones that need it, before there is more accident and injuries. ///it would also be cheaper to them to fix the problem than to buy everyone's vehicle from them. We've had enough recalls on these. Let's just get them fixed right and get it over with.

The rear axle broke into two separate pieces while coming to a stop in my driveway. The rear wheels were canted in at the top as a result, completely disabling the car. The vehicle had to be towed for repairs and a new rear axle from Ford motor CO was installed. Fomoco has denied my claim for repair because denver, CO is not in the recall area issued 8-26-2010 and expanded on 11-30-2010. "VIN not identified for this field service action. " I am the original owner and the vehicle continues to be driven daily. (GS for dennis dolan).

The front suspension on the driver's side collapsed while we were driving. The wheel well ended up right on top of the tire and we ground to a halt.

Consumer states while driving and turn either way the vehicle makes a loud noise. Ts.

When turning left, the steering wheel locks in position. Consumer was able to forcibly bring wheel back in the correct position. This happens intermittently. Contacted dealer and Ford manufacturer and they stated there was nothing they could do because problem could not be duplicated. Consumer states that the gear type goes inside the steering wheel post rattles and may be broken.

When turning steering wheel it will make a loud noise,and motor feels like it is struggling. Please provide more information.

Steering column sticks, has to jerk steering wheels. Also vehicle pulls to the left. Consumer can hear a whistling sound on left side. Contacted dealer. Dealer kept vehicle for about one hour, and told consumer it wasn't anything wrong with vehicle.

Steering locked up on right turns at low speeds. By forcing the wheel to turn, there was an audible popping sound and then the steering unlocked and functioned properly.

See all problems of the 1997 Ford Windstar 🔎.

While driving about 30 mph the steering wheel separated from the steering column, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle. The dealer has been notified.

See all problems of the 1996 Ford Windstar 🔎.

Thump felt in steering wheel when starting to move or while stopping the vehicle. It feels as if something is loose inside.

A fire started in the vehicle's steering column while the car was in motion.

While driving up hill at 40mph the steering wheel locked. Vehicle crashed into guardrail.