Suspension Problems of Ford Windstar - part 2

Ford Windstar rear axle failure highway speeds 3/21/21. Left rear tire collapsed against frame of vehicle. Took vehicle to Ford dealership 4/1/21. They confirmed axle failure and would not cover under recall 15s27. (see attached estimate to replace) they confirmed parts are available. Called Ford motor company 4/1/21 800-392-3673 regarding recall 15s27. They will no longer cover recall. Mailed Ford motor company request to honor recall 15s27 4/5/21. No reply yet as of 4/13/21. The Windstar engine, transmission, body are sound and was used daily. If not for they rear axle failure it would sill be used. I feel if the recall was a known problem by Ford and the "fix" failed. Ford should be reasonable to make it road ready again being it was a recalled part.

See all problems of the 1999 Ford Windstar 🔎.

Tl the contact owns a 2000 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25-35 mph, the vehicle was making a squealing noise and then started to smell like burning rubber. The contact took the vehicle to cover-jones motor (403 w. 3rd st, alliance, ne 69301, (800) 344-9288) who stated that the rear axle had fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The axle had previously been replaced under recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 176,481.

See all problems of the 2000 Ford Windstar 🔎.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to the dealer for routine maintenance, the contact noticed that the rear axle was severely corroded. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the mechanic failed to fix the failure. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 15v608000 (suspension) as a possible solution to the failure however, the VIN was not included. The contact was concerned for his safety while driving the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000. The VIN was not available.

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 🔎.

I own a 2003 Ford Windstar lx. It was at the mechanic for some repairs and he pointed out the issue with my rear axle being cracked and corroded. Which its very dangerous to keep driving like this.

When driving my muffler broke loose and was dragging on the ground. My axel creaks when I stop or sit idle at a light. When several miles from home my ignition cylinder came out. I couldn't start or turn the ignition on nor operate the steering. I'm now afraid to drive my vehicle. Since acquiring it. I've put a lot of money into repairs. In addition to purchasing this vehicle, I've spent well over $2,000 in repairs. Once I learned of the recall and viewed the risks (video) of the dangers I became grossly disturbed by what I am facing at the thought of driving. I have contacted 4 Ford service centers and none of them contacted back regarding fixing my 'recall'. I need help!! I have a disability and now I don't have transportation besides this car. How come no one is returning my calls? I am stranded at my home knowing that my safety is at risk. I would like to get my issue remedied with a $4,999. 00 reimbursement for this vehicle ASAP so I may invest in getting a safer one. Please give me a dealership address here in los angeles so I can have the vehicle towed there and be done with it. I no longer want a vehicle that I can not drive nor can get my 'recalls' remedied. Your attention to this matter is greatly appreciated.

On my 2001 Ford Windstar Ford installed these brackets on rear suspension subframe and almost 2 years later my axle has split from one side all the way around to the other and any tiny bump you hit the van jumps all over the roadway. They won't repair the axle because the "brackets " were installed "properly".

See all problems of the 2001 Ford Windstar 🔎.

My back axle its rusted and its cracked. The mechanic mention this is very dangerous if it breaks while driving. While the mechanic replaced my fuel pump he noticed this issue.

While traveling at 60 m. P. H. , the rear axle broke on the right side of the vehicle where the axle is welded, recall number 10s13 was completed on the vehicle, where they installed the support brackets so the axle wouldn't break, the axle broke an inch away from where the support bracket was installed, there wasn't an accident with the vehicle and no one was hurt, but this could have easily been an accident,.

I took my van for inspection and was told I cannot get it inspected because the rear axel corroded and has huge hole on it. I was told it was a danger to continue to drive the van like. I've called Ford and was told there is no longer a recall for my van but yet there was a recall back in early 2010 to 2015 and it's exactly was is wrong with my van. I am scared to get in the highway or drive it for that matter.

Tl the contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that after replacing the driver's and passenger's side rear tires, the tires started to wear to the inner cord. The vehicle was previously taken to an independent mechanic to be aligned however, the contact was informed that the rear suspension was fractured. The contact called thoroughbred Ford of platte city, inc. (1901 prairie view rd, platte city, mo 64079) and was informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The contact had the vehicle repaired by the independent mechanic. The contact called the manufacturer and was informed that the vehicle was included in and repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 15v608000 (suspension) in 2015 prior to vehicle ownership. The dealer was called back and confirmed the information provided by the manufacturer. The vehicle had been repaired. The failure mileage was 161,000.

On Saturday August 29, 2020 I was driving in my 2002 Ford Windstar down a road that was under construction. The speed limit of the road is 35 mph and there is a current bump in the road at an asphalt elevation change. As soon as I went over the bump it was obvious that something was severely wrong with the vehicle. There was a loud "bang" and the vehicle began vibrating wildly and making severe noises. It was obvious that something significant had occurred in the rear of the vehicle. Fortunately I was able to maintain control of the vehicle and pull onto a side street shortly thereafter. I exited the vehicle and immediately noticed the rear driver-side wheel was angled into the body of the van. Upon further investigation, peering under the vehicle it was obvious that the actual cause was that the vehicle's rear axle had fractured nearly completely through (see pictures). In this condition both rear tires collapsed into the vehicle frame. Upon further investigation I discovered that there had already been recalls related to the rear axle on this vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a local Ford dealership for inspection. After the inspection, I was informed that the previous recall for the vehicle to install brackets on the axle had been performed in Dec 2010 and that they had been installed correctly. Due to this, Ford's position was that the recall was done according to specifications related to the recalls and refused to accept responsibility for this safety failure on their vehicle. I tried to contend that the intent of the recall was to prevent the axle from fracturing, which obviously their previous recall "fix" didn't appropriately accomplish. It was a frightening experience to have an axle fracture while driving my vehicle, and Ford's previous recall "fix" failed to correct the problem making the vehicle a hazard to drive.

Rear axle broke into two pieces. Car was being driven on two lane road and had just gone over rr tracks.

Tl the contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. The contact stated while driving 75 mph, the rear axle seized without warning, causing the contact to almost lose control of the steering wheel. The contact managed to regain control of the steering veering the vehicle to the shoulder of the roadway. The contact placed the vehicle in park got out and looked under the vehicle and noticed the vehicle rear axle was fractured. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact to take the vehicle to the dealer for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was towed to thoroughbred Ford of platte city (1901 e. Prairie view rd, platte city, mo 64079) where the technician inspected the vehicle and noticed the rear axle was fractured. The rear axle was temporarily fixed. The contact attempted to drive the vehicle home however, the rear axle fractured completely while leaving the dealer. No further assistance was provided. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 10v385000 (suspension), 12v195000 (suspension) and 12v194000 (suspension) as possible solutions to the failure however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 161,000.

Although my van has been through all recall repairs/inspections as I pulled into my local gas station today my rear axle broke!.

The rear axle split/broke while driving 5 mph turning onto a street. Both wheels are now rubbing against the frame.

The rear axle broke while driving on the interstate. This vehicle has already been seen at a dealership for a previous recall about broken rear axles.

On July 02, 2020, I was driving along the southfield freeway in detroit. The travel speed was 20 mph due to a police situation (road rage shooting) which caused all motorists to exit at seven mile road. After exiting on seven mile road, I drove to greenfield road (5 minutes). I proceeded down greenfield to macdonald's, but I did not stop due to the long lines (in drive through). I drove for about one minute (or less) when I heard a loud pop. I heard something dragging on the street and smoke began to enter my van. I saw smoke coming from the back of my vehicle. In addition, I smelled a foul odor. I immediately exited to a vacant shopping mall (northland). I parked the vehicle in the parking lot at pillar g. I called my mother for a ride. Next, I called aaa to have my vehicle towed. I exited the vehicle and looked at the damage and concluded my rear axle had split. Both tires were misaligned. I purchased my vehicle in July 2009 from a detroit auction. Years ago, I recalled receiving a notice (from Ford) of a recall for the rear axle. I took the vehicle to fairlane Ford for an inspection which addressed the recall. The technician informed me that the rear axle was not cracked. My vehicle has over 272,000 miles.

Rear axle snapped while driving, recall repair was done less than 5 years ago (10/2015). Ford will not fix it. An axle should last the life of the vehicle, not just 4 1/2 years.

Tl- the contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 mph the odor of burning rubber was present. After stopping the vehicle it was discovered the rear passenger side wheel and tire was rubbing against wheel well. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the passenger side rear axle had failed. The mechanic also indicated that the failure had occurred on a previously repaired recall remedy NHTSA recall 12v193000(power train). The local dealer krapohle Ford mt. Pleasant 1415 e pickard rd, mt pleasant, mi 48858 was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 110,000. Jft.

I was driving down the road on a city street at 35 mph and the rear axle broke on the driver side underneath the recall bracket installed by Ford. Recall 10s13 was performed on this vehicle in 2008 or 2009. The brackets were installed as specified by Ford and obviously were inadequate to fix or prevent the problem from the original recall. Ford should never have been allowed to get away with this poorly designed and executed repair to the axle. The vehicle was recently at a Ford dealer that verified that the brackets were installed correctly per 15s27 and Ford denied covering any of the repair cost. I have background study as a structural engineer (I'm a licensed civil engineer) and I used to work in an automotive parts and machine shop. Given my experience, if you refer to 10s13 there is a location on the axle referred to as a "tooling hole" on page 18 that should have been used if Ford ever intended these repair brackets to do anything useful. I cant imagine any engineer designed these things and disregarded the obvious, tying the load to this hole. I have the vehicle back and I've used this hole on both sides to pull the axle back together and make it at least moveable until the new part arrives, so not only does it make sense structurally, but it works physically as well. Why the NHTSA would allow Ford to call this a fix and make these vehicles acceptable to drive is beyond me. The axle also has a horizontal crack in the middle, its been there since the brackets were installed. I do not believe Ford has been honest or useful in taking care of this problem on these vehicles, and it appears the NHTSA is backing them on it. Curious how a recall for a cracking problem is not resolved but its not their responsibility? I would say at this point in time, there was no point in any of the recall work as nothing was fixed. Failure is identical to pre-recall.

I contacted this agency previously regarding the failure of the rear axle in detail. This note is sent to further explain the failure of Ford, garlitch Ford, and the NHTSA to properly assure me that the vehicle was repaired adequately. It was not. I removed the useless brackets garlitch Ford installed under your and Ford's direction, and the recall 10s13 was not performed properly. I have the evidence. I'd like to know what is the point in a recall when absolutely nobody will stand behind it? we may as well just ignore them all in that case. So to explain the problem, per the instructions for the recall the technician was supposed to remove all undercoat/paint/e-coat from areas specified to the base metal in order to inspect the axle for cracks. This was not done. Original e-coat is clearly visible in the photos. So the inspection of the axle was not done properly. I cant say I am surprised. Then, since the axle passed the improperly performed inspection, they installed the atrociously "designed" brackets to the axle. Again, the instructions say to remove all paint, undercoating, or e-coat from the axle to bare metal, as the epoxy or adhesive or whatever it is will not adhere to anything but bare metal. This was not done either, obviously. I did not take this in for recall 15s27 as there was no point. The only concern of that recall was to make sure the spacing from the axle weld to the bracket was within specification, and it was. Autonation Ford of tustin confirmed that. However, this recall does not tell anyone if the original recall was done properly and if these were actually supposed to add structural strength to the axle they could not have in my case and would have contributed to its ultimate failure given that they were not properly attached. Step up and get Ford to cover this failure. Ford is blaming the "independently owned" dealer. What a joke.

The contact called on behalf of his mother who owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the driver's side axle fractured, causing the vehicle to sag on the driver's side. The vehicle was towed to pallotta Ford Lincoln (4199 cleveland rd, wooster, OH 44691, (330)439-0835) however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number: 15v608000 (suspension) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and confirmed that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 250,000.

Tl the contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving at a low rate of speed, the rear axle failed without warning. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the vehicle was diagnosed with a fractured rear axle. Upon investigation, the contact associated NHTSA campaign number: 10v385000 (suspension) with the failure. A dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.

Engine cradle rusted through and snapped while backing out of a parking spot leaving me stuck with tires in two different directions.

Tl-the contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 51 mph, the contact noticed a burning odor entering the vehicle. In addition, the contact and passengers heads was hitting towards the windows. The contact stated that the rear driver side tire was bent in and noticed that the axle was fractured. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that there was holes and cracks in axle causing the axle to be fractured and needed to be replaced. The contact contacted evansville Ford 428 n union rd, evansville, WI 53536 where they informed the contact that they were aware of the hole and cracks but unable to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact mentioned that a year ago that the vehicle was serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 15v608000 (suspension). The approximate failure mileage was 143,000. Ak.

Tl- the contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that stated the vehicle had a reinforcement brackets which were not installed properly and caused the rear axle to break and in turn, caused the inner center wall of the rear tires to wear off. The dealer was not called. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that a recall was done in the past under (NHTSA campaign number: 12v194000 (suspension) the vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 161,300. Fe.

The axle was part of recall #11s16. As part of the recall the axle was patched, but the axle is now broken because the "repair" did not correct the structural flaws in the axle.

Tl- the contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving over a bridge at 70 mph, the rear axle snapped without warning, causing the contact to lose control of the vehicle. As the contact was able to regain control of the vehicle, smoke began to emit from the rear undercarriage. Upon pulling over and inspecting the vehicle, the contact discovered that the axle was broken in half and that both rear tires were turned inward. The vehicle had to be towed to an independent mechanic where it remained in there possession. The manufacturer was notified of the failure where they offered him no assistance. The contact was placed on hold and was automatically transferred to NHTSA without him knowing. Upon prior investigation, the contact discovered a recall NHTSA campaign number: 10v385000 (suspension) which did not include his vehicle. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was 98,600. Jo.

Tl the contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. While driving 32 mph entering a ramp to the freeway, the rear axle fractured without warning. The contact managed to veer to the shoulder of the road where the vehicle shut off and would not restart. The vehicle was towed to the contact's father's house. Kocourek Ford Lincoln (2727 n 20th Ave, wausau, WI 54401, (715) 298-3673) and the manufacturer were contacted and stated that the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign numbers: 15v608000 (suspension) and 10v385000 (suspension). The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

Bracing on rear axle did not work, the bracing retained road salt and moisture causing the axle to fail. I was driving to work when the axle broke and almost went into a dich.

Driving in town and rear axle busted in half next to Ford's so called bracket fix.

I was driving my vehicle and the rear axle crack I was driving on a on a city street and was scared my tires was rubbing and smoking.

Tl- the contact owns a 1999 Ford winstar. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under the NHTSA campaign number: 15v608000 (suspension) back in 2015. The contact stated that while driving at 35 mph, the rear of the vehicle dropped. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road and when inspected, the contact noticed that the tires where caved in. The vehicle was towed to groove Ford 10039 e arapahoe rd, centennial, CO 80112 (720) 523-9154 where the contact was informed that the rear axle beam needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to file a complaint with no further assistance. The failure mileage was 134,000. Dr.

The rear axle broke where Ford repaired it in 2011. They are saying that my van is out of warranty on the recall because it is over 150000 miles. If they had replaced my rear axle in 2011 instead of a bad patch job on that recall I wouldn't be having this trouble. I feel that since Ford had it under recall in 2011 they should have fixed it right at that time. I went into town on Monday 10/14/19 and when I came out of the store I noticed that the rear wheels were leaning in against the body.