Wheel Rim Problems of Ford Windstar

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. While driving between 60-70 mph under any conditions, the vehicle vibrates. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that the rims were warped. The cause of failure was discovered when the dealer changed the tires. The unbalanced rotation caused the vehicle to vibrate. The current and failure mileages were 63,000.

See all problems of the 2002 Ford Windstar 🔎.

My front driver side wheel was making a clunking noise. Thought it was something inside. I took it to a les swabb tire dealer to have it looked at. The reason for the noise was a cracked rim, about 6 inches long. They said this is not supposed to happen, very dangerous. It costed me $45. 00 to replace the rim. They suggested to look into other reports. On your web site I found several reports of others having the same problem, some had to replace all 4 rims. They said if this cracked all around my tire would of fell off. Scary thought for my family and other drivers on the highways,etc. I called Ford to report this and requested them to replace all 4 rims. They refused to take responcibility for this. Tried to blame it on my tires and my driving. Tires are all new and driving shouldn't crack the rim like it did. I think it is sad they are not concerned nor care this could cause a fatal crash. I am going to call king 5 news. I am not comfortable driving my van now. This should be a recall, dangerous. Please make Ford take responcibility for this, before a fatal crash if has not happened already.

See all problems of the 1998 Ford Windstar 🔎.

The original wheels on my 1996 Windstar have developed air leaks at the welds. The first time this happened, I went to a salvage yard for a replacement, and they said Windstar wheels are scarce because this seems to be a common problem. I have replaced all four wheels within the past two years. I believe the oem wheels are defective. (in 34 years of driving, I've never had this problem with even one wheel on any car. 4 out of 4 wheels with the same problem on this van tells me something is wrong with the product. ) our driving is on good roads, so it cannot be attributed to rough use. The only consequence so far is that tire pressure is slowly lost, leading to low pressure. Our only expense so far is that we have had to replace all the wheels, one at a time. This problem causes inconvenience and expense at the very least, and could result in wheel failure, injury and death if not addressed.

See all problems of the 1996 Ford Windstar 🔎.

Consumer stated that all four rims had cracks in them. Consumer took vehicle to the dealer, where it was determined that the rims were defective.

We have had to replace the rim on our 1998 Windstar's right front wheel three times due to rim breakage and subsequent tire deflation. Two different tire repair shops reported seeing this problem frequently in Ford Windstars. The Ford dealer where the car was purchased denied any problem or responsibility.

The rims inside of the wheel had a hole that developed cracks inside of the wheel which caused it to deteriorate.

The driver side rim cracked.

The consumer noticed two cracked rims in 2001. The parts were replaced with Ford original part# f58z1015a. Later the consumer noticed three cracked wheels which were also replaced.

See all problems of the 1997 Ford Windstar 🔎.

The rim on the vehicle separated.

See all problems of the 2001 Ford Windstar 🔎.

The rim cracked into the tire, which caused the tire to leak air.

In 1999 when turning to the right, we experienced a grinding noise. My husband removed the hubcap and found the steel rim of the wheel to be cracked badly. We contacted the manufacturer and the dealer who both said it was a serious problem, but that the other should pay to have it fixed. Because I put my 3 small children in the car, I paid to have it fixed. Two years later, we have found two more wheels have cracked. This time, we contacted the dealer and the manufacturer agreed to help pay for the repair. The speedometer was the first "problem" we came across with this car. At speeds of over 40mph the needle would go sporactically back and forth between about 35 and 110mph. We were told it would be $400 to replace so, we have not yet had it fixed. Since the first few months of its occurance, it only moves back and forth 5mph up or down of our speed. Please recall the speedometer problem. We have been reading on the internet and it seems many, many other people are having the same problem with the same make of car. Thank you.

During oil change mechanic discovered cracks in left front and rear rim. Please add further comments. Right rear rim cracked and was replaced, now the left rear and left front are cracking.

While traveling on the highway the rim of the tire is cutting inside bead of the tire causing a blow out. The dealership is aware of the problem.

Wheel rim is causing a leakage in tire dealer is aware and waiting on parts. Left front tire exploded while driving and was replaced with new tire. That new tire became flat. A bad wheel rim was determined as the cause.

All four of wheel rims are cracked. Please provide more information.

Rims will develop cracks. Consumer had to already replace right front wheel for this problem, and currently has to replace left front wheel.

While driving 25 mph consumer heard a noise and noticed right rear rim had cracked.

Numerous problems with hatch, mechanic says wheel mounting bent,accident or frame defect.

Both of the front rims developed cracks. This was discovered in an inspection to find a clicking noise coming from tire area. Ford was contacted(local dealer and national customer services) they do not seem concerned and were unwilling to replace the rims. I feel that 2 (two) rims cracking on one vechicle without any apparent cause may be a sign of faulty rims and a potential hazard to all owners of like rims.

Wheel rim leaked air. Yh.

Three of rim wheel bases have cracked. This caused a clonking sound when driving. Dealr has been contacted. Wheels usually crack 6-7 months after brakes were serviced. Tire tread separation and out of round are caused by the faulty wheels.

2 of 4 wheels on our Windstar developed wheel leaks on the weld line joining the tire bead flange to the center hub section of the wheel (original suspicion was tire or valve stem leak, but soaping rim shows air bubbling through weld). First failed wheel replaced by dealer. Second wheel replaced by local garage (dealer wanted $50 deductable) and is available for examination. I've never heard of such a defect, but Ford dealer mechanic volunteered that they've "seen Windstar wheels leak". Garage replacing second wheel made similar comment. A friend with 1996 Windstar had two wheels fail with same problem. Dealer rejected claim of accelerated tire wear caused by first failure ($80 replacement cost). Second tire has wear on outer edges and will need premature replacement ($80!). As a safety-related defect (loss of tire pressure due to wheel leakage could lead to tire failure and potential loss of vehicle control) Ford logically should be responsible for all costs related to correcting this defect. Based on the limited sample I've seen (4 of 8 wheels on two vans failed; factory and independent mechanics specifically aware of problem with Windstar wheels), logically qualifies it as an epidemic failure (albeit with a low sampling certainty, pending expansion of the sample base). It's likely that Ford motor CO. Has service records to confirm these observations.

The welds on the wheel rims fail, and the rim leaks and has to be replaced. I contacted the Ford dealer and he told me he has not seen a history of failure, but the tire dealer said they have had to replace a lot of the rims due to leaks at the welds on 1997 Windstars.

2 rims failed causing slow leak.

2 front cracked wheel rims--rim had a crack--tire starting having slow leak---rim was replaced.

Right front rim cracked, causing tire to lose air. Please provide further information.

While driving vehicle the tire was flat, took tire for repair and consumer was told that the tire was flat because the wheel rim had split near one of the welds, unwelded and came apart.