Underbody Shield Problems of Ford Windstar - part 1

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.

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Tl the contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact took the vehicle to a aaa repair facility for inspection. The mechanic placed the vehicle on a lift and found rust and corrosion on the axles and subframe. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and found the same rust and corrosion. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not made aware of the failure. Nhtsa campaign number: 15v608000 (suspension) was referenced. The failure mileage was 147,131.

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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.

The contact owns a 2000 Ford Windstar. The contact indicated that there was extensive rust on the underbody, frame, brackets, and other components of the vehicle. Also, the suspension was unstable. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop where it was diagnosed that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The technician stated that the frame may fracture and the rust to the frame and underbody was extensive and almost corroded. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 12v194000 (suspension), 10v385000 (suspension), and 11v030000 (structure). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 86,000.

See all problems of the 2000 Ford Windstar 🔎.

Mini van steering started making clunking noise while turning. Then I notice steering wheel is not straight when car is driving straight and something was wrong with alignment. Automechanic told me passenger side sub-frame rotted out and minivan is unsafe to drive. I investigated potential recall of Windstar minivans - I am very upset that this could have caused me to crash on the highway. Only a very thin piece of metal remains holding the frame in place. Minivan is undrivable and need to replace subframe.

The issue with my vehicle is with its subframe. The front driver's side portion of it is rusting out. I took it in on 11/4/13 to a licensed vehicle service place for a regular oil change, only to have the mechanic tell me the subframe is rusting out. After learning this news (and viewing the subframe myself to observe the condition), I took it into a Ford dealership to have it further inspected. The second inspection was on 11/7/13. At the local Ford dealership, they also inspected the rear axle (which was part of a Ford recall in the past). The dealership could see where an attempt to apply some type of coating to it another time did not change the fact that there was now a six-inch crack running down the center of the axle. A service consultant from the dealership took many pictures to send to Ford. I did not drive my vehicle home that day. A Ford rep came in the next day, and one of the things he was to do was to inspect my vehicle. From what I was told, and from what the initial Ford service consultant said, was that it was a unanimous recommendation to Ford to replace the subframe. Ford, however, refused, even after many attempts to have the "why" question answered, and they would not provide an answer. Before our ownership of the vehicle, when the initial subframe recall existed, the vehicle's subframe apparently was not corroding profusely in 2011. Brackets were installed, and the problem was considered "fixed. " less than a year and a half into our ownership of the vehicle, the subframe is rotting, and Ford will do nothing to repair it as she told me today (11/12/13) in my conversation with [xxx] from Ford (1-800-392-Ford). Though they have the pictures somewhere in their system, they have considered the case closed. Our family vehicle can not be safely used for the family. Please hold Ford accountable for the safety of their vehicles. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

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!.

The subframe cracked due to corrosion. This happened in the front end, including a brace that holds the engine. This Windstar was purchased in upstate new york, and was driven there from 1999-2006.

See all problems of the 1999 Ford Windstar 🔎.

Brought in van for recalls 09s09, 10s13 and 11s16. This was for the subframe issues and speed control switch. Speed control switch was supposed to address leaking brake fluid. Brake fluid still leaking and now dealership is charging me for brake switch repair and bleeding of brakes. Also abs light came on after service and now dealership says abs sensor needs to be replaced. I believe these are all related to original recall but dealership says no.

See all problems of the 2002 Ford Windstar 🔎.

Mechanics at big mike naughton aurora denver Ford, inc, and private mechanic discovered rust and cracks through out rear axle.

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. .

Hit brakes and heard popping a cracking took to shop and they said the front subframe was cracked and need to be fixed.

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.

My dealership just confirmed that the front (passenger) side engine mount that is part of the subframe has corrosion to the extent that there are two perforations completely through the engine mount. I was told that the recall for the subframe has closed and that there is no recourse for getting financial assistance with this. However, the service manager ([xxx]) also admitted that the extent of corrosion and perforation did not occur in one year ( I had the original recall service done in may of 2011). Therefore, I question why they did not bring this to attention of the recall and include the repair accordingly. This is a safety issue and I would appreciate any help you can give me. The dealership where I had the service performed is roy o'brien Ford in st. Claire shores mi and their phone number is 586-776-7600.

To whom it may concern, I am seriously concerned about this vehicle and the way I am treated by Ford motors. The car suddenly while driving on highway came to a complete stop and almost flipped. Thank god that injuries were not that serious but the car is now total loss. After taking the car to private mechanics, it was determined that subframe broke and the axles, control arms all broke. It was then discovered that this was part of a recall. Car was towed to Ford motors dealership. A request has been made to provide me with safety report on the vehicle. Ford and its dealership forced me out of their dealership and kicked me out. The car is their for months and I have been sending Ford online messages via email and phone but they are not willing to buy the car or give me its value nor fix the car. I have been without a car for more than 4 months now and Ford is not doing the least to even trade the car for another one. I am seriously disappointed.

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.

The van was parked in a parking lot, I was in the vehicle at the time. A noisy metal braking sound & movement of the van, made me think I was hit by another car, but no one was around. The front left coil spring broke, in more than 1 place. I had 15 minutes before been on a busy highway in a lot of traffic, I am just glad nothing happened then. On the 1998 Ford Windstar, I know there was a recall for the same problem. The 2002 Ford Windstar has had 2 other recalls, in regards to corrosion problems, on back axle & front frame.

Lived in the salt belt state of PA. Frame rusted out and I lost steering control and almost had an accident. This is a known issue via NHTSA action number: pe10026 and I would like Ford to recall and fix this at thier cost.

After hearing a loud cracking noise from rear area of the 2000 Ford Windstar, husband investigated and found a large crack in the rear axle. I called Ford customer relations today who after looking at my VIN told me that while everything is the same (the location of the crack, year and model of the vehicle) as in recall #10s13, there was nothing they could do because the van wasn't made at the facility that the recalled parts were made. How is it not covered and it's exactly the same? very rude customer relation guy, I might add. Very unhappy Ford owner.

The subframe on my 1999 Ford Windstar van subframe is rusting into had to have it welded to get home.

Dear sir/madam I am filing this complaint for a Ford Windstar 2000, the rear axel, which was on recall and Ford had contacted us to have it replaced, however after calling Ford and all the nearest dealers and we actually went to a Ford dealership as well. No dealership was able to provide the recall replacement for the axle or any repairs in that matter. Thanks, Ford owner.

While driving my 1998 Windstar @ 45mph, I lost total steering control of my vehicle and my vehicle veered into the oncoming lane of a two lane highway. I was able to regain control after turning the steering wheel approx 360 degrees to the right and managed to stop safely. After further investigation, it was found that the drivers side lower control arm bracket that is welded to the subframe broke away from the subframe due to a rusted out subframe. I've owned this vehicle for the past 8 years and never received any information from Ford regarding this safety issue as noted in the 1999-2003 Ford Windstar recall which has the same issue as my vehicle. Although Ford is not going to honor a subframe recall for my year vehicle, Ford should at least send a notification letter to inform owners of this dangerous issue. Both my wife and kids drive this vehicle, but had I at least known there was a dangerous issue with this vehicle, I would have parked it.

See all problems of the 1998 Ford Windstar 🔎.

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.

After having the 2011 rear axle and subframe recall done my transmission failed with no warning signs what's so ever . . . . Shortly after spending two thousand on having the transmission rebuilt in August my brake light came on and my abs starting kicking in when I apply my breaks and when my abs light comes on my brakes are fine and my van doesn't come up on the abs recall . . . . . . Ford needs to get their act together and fix these vans.

The rear axle twisted so bad that it destroyed my right rear brakes. The new drum will not go on it is so badly twisted. The consumer also stated there is rust under the vehicle. Updated portable 08/30/11.

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 2003 Ford Windstar. While driving in reverse at approximately 5 mph the contact heard a snapping sound. The contact stopped the vehicle and noticed the front passengers side suspension had detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The mechanic stated that the front passenger side lower control arm and suspension detached from the vehicle. The mechanic notified the contact of a recall related to the failure. The dealer was then notified and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 11v030000 (structure: frame and members:under body shields). The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the contact was informed that the sub frame was corroded and needed to be replaced. The technicians repaired both front lower control arms and body mounts. The suspension bar which detached from the vehicle and the sub frame was not replaced. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000. Updated 08/17/11.

The contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. The contact stated while having the vehicle repaired by an authorized dealer, she was informed that the front passenger side stabilizer bar was separated from the subframe. The contact was also informed that this failure was unrelated to the failure addressed in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 11v030000 (structure: frame and members:underbody shields). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and informed the contact that the separation occurred approximately two inches away from the location which was being addressed in the recall. No further assistance was provided. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 75,353. The vehicle was inspected by the dealer on June 30, 2011. The dealer contacted Ford to see if the defect would be honored by a recent additional recall related t the subframe. Ford declined as the damage was two inches away and not covered by the current recall. The vehicle was repaired using a used front engine cradle for $528. 68. Updated 08/24/11.

2002 Ford Windstar. Consumer writes in regards to numerous recalls for vehicle, the last involving the subframe snapping and separating from the body causing loss of control the consumer also stated the rear axle snapped in half.