1999 Ford Windstar complaints

I HAVE A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR THAT I PURCHASED USED APPROXIMATELY 9 YEARS AGO. ON FRIDAY, JULY 9TH, I WAS ON MY WAY TO THE BEACH WITH TWO OF MY SONS AND HAD JUST CROSSED THE DELAWARE MEMORIAL BRIDGE AND HAD TURNED ONTO ROUTE 40 WHEN I HEARD A LOUD NOISE. AT FIRST I THOUGHT I HAD A FLAT TIRE BUT THEN SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE BACK OF THE CAR AND IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER. I WAS VERY ALARMED TO SEE THAT THE REAR AXLE OF MY CAR HAD COMPLETELY BROKEN IN HALF AND MY TIRES WERE TURNED INWARD. HAD THIS HAPPENED WHILE CROSSING THE BRIDGE THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I WAS VERY LUCKY THAT THIS HAPPENED WHERE IT DID, EVEN THOUGH I HAD TO BE TOWED FROM NEW JERSEY TO PA. THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT WITH THESE VANS AS I HAVE FOUND OUT SINCE FRIDAY. SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS BEFORE A LIFE IS LOST DUE TO THIS DEFECT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE REAR END WAS COVERED WITH RUST AND REPLACED IT FOR $700. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 187,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 TO 10 MPH, THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL FELL OFF OF THE VEHICLE. HE OBSERVED THAT THE STUDS ON THE WHEEL BROKE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. HE STATED THAT THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE DRUM, HUB AND ROTOR ASSEMBLY. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A VIN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,100.

ABS LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF. WE DID TAKE OUR WINDSTAR IN FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL RECALL, AND THE SWITCH WAS LEAKING. THE FORD DEALERSHIP SAID THE THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE ABS HARNESS OR MODULE. THE LIGHT PROBABLY COMES ON 3-4 TIMES PER WEEK. *TR

I HAVE A 99 FORD WINDSTAR. I WAS READING ABOUT A REAR AXLE PROBLEM AND WHEN I CHECKED MINE, I FOUND THAT IT WAS CRACKED ALMOST THROUGH. I WANTED TO ADD MY NAME TO THE LIST OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THIS FAILURE. I PURCHASED THIS CAR NEW AND IT HAS LESS THAN 80K MILES ON IT. THESE VANS ARE DRIVEN BY MOMS WITH KIDS FOR THE MOST PART. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THIS CAR FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR AXLE ON THE VEHICLE WAS CRACKED ON THE BOTTOM. THE CONTACT HAD NOT DRIVEN THE VEHICLE SINCE LOCATING THE CRACK IN THE AXLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 170,000.

INCREASED BRAKING DISTANCE. THE ABS DASH LIGHT IS ON AT THIS TIME. IT IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. SOMETIMES IT IS ON AND AT OTHER TIMES IT IS OFF. IT IS ON MORE THAN IT IS OFF. MY MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ABS ECM IS BAD AND NEEDS REPLACED. *TR

I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 25 MILES PER HOUR AND MY REAL AXEL BROKE IN HALF. *TR

AFTER THE INITIAL RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED ON MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR MINI VAN THE ABS LIGHT IS STILL LIT. ACCORDING TO THE PAPERWORK I RECEIVED FROM THE DEALERSHIP THEY INSTALLED A JUMPER HARNESS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM FOR RECALL 09S09 BUT IT HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED SINCE THE LIGHT IS STILL ON. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR, DRIVER SIDE SLIDING DOOR WOULD NOT CLOSE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR BUT TO NO AVAIL. IN ADDITION, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED AND THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT BELT WAS COVERED IN AN UNKNOWN OIL EACH TIME IT WAS RETRACTED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR ANY OF THE FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 95,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE REAR END SUSPENSION COLLAPSED. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE REAR AXLE WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE REAR AXLE AND REAR SHOCKS WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 152,565.

DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 81 IN VA. APPROX 65 MPH NOTICED THE REAR END BEGIN TO SWAY AS WE WERE GOING AROUND A BEND IN THE ROAD. AFTER REGAINING CONTROL WE EXITED THE HIGHWAY. I NOTICED THAT THE TWO REAR TIRES WERE LEANING INWARD AT THE TOP. I THEN LOOKED UNDER THE REAR END AND SAW A CRACK IN THE REAR AXLE ABOUT 18" FROM THE DRIVER SIDE AND 2 INCHES LONG FROM BOTTOM TO TOP. *TR

NOTICED A BUMPING NOISE COMING FROM BACK PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL AREA ON '99 FORD WINDSTAR (3.8L) LX. TOOK TO FORD DEALER TODAY AND THEY SAID REAR AXLE HAS A HOLE IN IT, IS CRACKED AND BROKEN. HAVE READ THAT THIS MAYBE A DEFECT? *TR

CRACKED REAR AXLE - 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. *TR

1999 FORD WINDSTAR VAN. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH FRONT END SHUDDERS ON ACCELERATION, SOMETIMES DOESN'T MOVE AT ALL WHEN GAS IS PRESSED *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A RECALL AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER, PROBLEMS DEVELOPED. FOUR DAYS LATER, THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. *JB

MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR REAR AXLE BROKE IN HALF. *TR

I HAD RECALL # 09S09 PERFORMED AT LITHIA FORD IN ROSEBURG, OREGON ON 4/16/10/. SINCE THAT DATE THE FOLLOWING ISSUE HAS CONTINUED TO ARISE, BRAKING DISTANCE SUDDENLY INCREASED. THE ABS WARNING DASH LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. THIS ISSUE WAS NOT ADDRESSED WITH THE RECALL. *TR

REAR AXLE OF FORD WINDSTAR VAN JUST BROKE. IT IS AT A SHOP NOW TO ACCESS THE DAMAGE. *TR

REAR AXLE ALMOST BROKE COMPLETELY THROUGH....IF I (OR MY WIFE) HAD BEEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND IT BROKE IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT. *TR AXLES ON VEHICLES SHOULD NOT BREAK/CRACK IN 11 OR LESS YEARS OF USE. THERE HAS TO BE A MAJOR DEFECT IN THE REAR AXLE ON THIS VEHICLE AND THE LONGER IT TAKES BEFORE A RECALL NOTICE THE HIGHER THE RISK THAT SOMEONE IS GOING TO LOSE THEIR LIFE DUE TO THIS DEFECT.

I WAS BACKING MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR VAN OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AT 3:45 P.M. ON A CLEAR DAY, SUNDAY JUNE 20, 2010, WHEN, WITHOUT WARNING, THE REAR "AXLE" BROKE IN HALF AND COLLAPSED. THE WHEELS TILTED IN. RESULTS ON A HIGHWAY WOULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS OR DEADLY. FORD SHOWS NO RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE, BUT NUMEROUS REPORTS ARE ONLINE OF THE SAME PROBLEM FOR THE SAME VEHICLE MODELS OF SEVERAL MODEL YEARS. NO REPAIR REPORT YET, AS THIS JUST HAPPENED A DAY BEFORE THIS REPORT. I HAVEN'T *TR

ON JUNE 17,2010 MY BOYFRIEND AND I HAD JUST ARRIVED HOME FROM WORK AND GOTTEN INTO BED. MAYBE 10-15MIN WENT BY WHEN THE NEIGHBOR WAS BANGING ON DOOR SCREAMING "YOUR CAR IS ON FIRE" GOING OUTSIDE WE FOUND THE VAN ENGULFED IN FLAMES ..IT HAD DRIVEN BEAUTIFULLY UP TIL THIS POINT. THE VAN IS TOTAL LOSS. *TR

1999 FORD WINDSTAR REAR AXLE SNAPPED IN HALF WHILE OPERATING AT 35 MPH. *TR

WE OWN A 1990 FORD WINDSTAR AND MY FATHER AND I WERE JUST PULLING OUT A PARKING SPOT WHEN WE FELT A "JOLT" SORT OF LIKE A TIRE POPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER MOVING WHEN ACCELERATOR WAS PRESSED WE GOT OUT TO CHECK WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS AND OUR REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE LOOKED INVERTED AND WE FOUND OUT OUR REAR AXLE HAD BROKEN. WE ARE NOW OUT OF A CAR. I GOT ONLINE RIGHT AWAY TO SEE HOW MUCH REPAIRS WOULD COST AND SOON FOUND MANY RELATED STORIES FROM OTHER FORD WINDSTAR OWNERS WHO WERE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS VERY FRUSTRATING AS IT IS OUR ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION AND WE MIGHT NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO REPAIR IT, IF IT EVEN IS REPAIRABLE. *TR

WE TRAVELED FROM AGAWAM MA TO SCARBOROUGH ME FOR A FAMILY PARTY. 20 MINUTES AFTER WE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, WE STARTED TO BACK UP OUR MINIVAN BECAUSE SOMEONE NEEDED TO MOVE THEIR CAR OUT. WE THEN HEARD A LOUD CRACK WHILE BACKING UP IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE VAN BEGAN LEANING TO THE LEFT. WE FOUND THE REAR AXLE BROKEN INTO TWO PIECES. THE BREAK IS LOCATED ABOUT A FOOT AWAY FROM THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL. WE HAD TO HAVE THE VAN TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER, PRIME FORD IN SACO ME AND HAD TO LEAVE IT THERE FOR REPAIRS. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAYS THE REAR AXLE WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT WHERE THE BREAK OCCURRED. WE NEED TO REPLACE THE REAR AXLE, THE LEFT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE, AND SHOCK ABSORBER THAT WERE DAMAGED DUE TO THE AXLE BREAK. WE WILL LET THE SERVICE DEPT. KNOW THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO KEEP THE OLD PART IF POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF THIS PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION GOING ON NOW. WE WILL ALSO HAVE TO TAKE TIME OFF FROM WORK TO RETURN TO MAINE TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE ONCE IT IS REPAIRED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THE SPEEDOMETER, ODOMETER, AIR CONDITIONER AND HEATING UNIT FAILED. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATES AND WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING TO DETERMINE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.

INCREASED VIBRATION IN REAR END. FELT LIKE WHEEL BALANCE WAS WAY OFF. DAYS LEADING UP TO AXLE BREAK. LOTS OF REAR-END SHIMMY WHEN GOING OVER ANY BUMPS ESPECIALLY IF IN TURNS. CLICKING NOISES WHEN BACKING UP. SLIDING REAR END WITH WET ROAD.. ERRATIC STEERING. FELT WOBBLY LIKE VERY STRONG GUSTS OF WIND BUFFETING SIDES OF VEHICLE. WHEN AXLE SPLIT, REAR END TOTALLY UNSTABLE. FORTUNATELY WAS ON CITY STREET (AND NOT ON HIGHWAY) AND WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN SOME CONTROL. WAS AT NIGHT. DESERTED STREET AND CITY SPEED OF 40MPH. SWERVED OVER DOUBLE YELLOW LINES. IF HAD BEEN EARLIER IN DAY, WOULD HAVE PROBABLY COLLIDED WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC. WAS ABLE TO OVERCOME LOSS OF CONTROL AND STEER BACK INTO LANE AND THEN OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD. NO CURB STONES OR I WOULD HAVE DEFINITELY BLOWN A TIRE OR TWO AND DAMAGED UNDERCARRIAGE. VERY SCARY. THANKFULLY NO FAMILY ONBOARD. HAVE ORDERED REPLACEMENT AXLE. MAY NEED TO REPLACE COIL SPRINGS AND SHOCKS IF THEY HAVE BEEN BENT/DISTORTED/DAMAGED. MECHANIC SAYS WILL KNOW WHEN REPLACING WITH NEW AXLE. I HAVE ASKED TO RETAIN OLD PARTS FOR FUTURE INSPECTION AND PROOF OF DEFECT. CANNOT BELIEVE FORD HAS ALLOWED THIS KNOWN PROBLEM TO GO ON WITHOUT RECALL! HUNDREDS HAVE REPORTED SAME PROBLEMS ONLINE. HOW MANY THOUSANDS HAVE NOT REPORTED IT?! THIS IS GOING TO COST ME OVER A THOUSAND DOLLARS TO REPAIR. ALSO, HAD A MAJOR ISSUE WITH TOTALLY ROTTED SUB-FRAME LAST YEAR --- ALSO A MAJOR ISSUE WITH OTHER OWNERS! ANOTHER SAFETY ISSUE!! THAT COST ME NEARLY $1500! FORD SHOULD BE E

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V399000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) OCTOBER 2009 AND TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIRS. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATE SPEEDS OF 55-65 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE BEGAN ABNORMALLY SURGING AND LOSING BRAKE FLUID. IN MAY 2010, THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT RELATIVELY LOW, UNKNOWN SPEEDS WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED IN REVERSE AND CRASHED INTO TWO YARD FENCES. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MAJOR DAMAGE AND THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE CRUISE CONTROL MECHANISM WAS DISCONNECTED. THERE WERE TWO MORE FAILURES. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THERE WERE NEVER ANY UNINTENDED ACCELERATION INCIDENTS PRIOR TO THE RECALL REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 113,000. UPDATED 07/26/10. *LJ UPDATED 09/07/10

MY REAR AXEL IN MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR BROKE THIS AM WHILE MY HUSBAND WAS PULLING OUT OF YOUR DRIVEWAY. WE HAD NO WARNING THAT IT WAS BROKE. NO ONE WAS HURT AND WE HAVE NOT GOTTEN IT FIXED YET BUT WENT OUT AN LOOKED AT IT AN IT LOOKS TO BE ALMOST DEAD CENTER OF THE AXEL THAT IS BROKE IN HALF. *TR

I TOOK MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR IN FOR RECALL WORK . THEY JUST PUT IN A FUSE LINK. SINCE THEN MY SPEEDOMETER AND TECH HAVE BEEN GOING WILD AND I AM GETTING AND MY ABS LIGHT ALWAYS COMES ON. MY CRUISE CONTROL DON'T WORK RIGHT EITHER AMONG OTHER ISSUES LIKE LEAN CODES! *TR

1999 FORD WINDSTAR EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 114,000 MILES DESPITE HAVING ABSOLUTELY NO PRIOR ISSUES OF THIS NATURE. I WAS AT A RED LIGHT APPROXIMATELY 1/4 MILE FROM THE ON-RAMP OF I-25 WHEN THE VEHICLE SHUDDERED AND JERKED BEFORE ACCELERATING; AFTER PULLING OVER TO CHECK FOR DAMAGE (AS I WAS SURE I HAD HIT/RUN OVER SOMETHING), I FOUND NOTHING UNUSUAL AND PROCEEDED ONTO THE INTERSTATE. THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY FOR APPROXIMATELY 25 MILES AT FREEWAY SPEED UNTIL I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. UPON TRYING TO ACCELERATE, THE ENGINE WOULD ONLY REV REGARDLESS OF THE GEAR I USED, AT WHICH TIME I CONTACTED AN AUTOMOTIVE SHOP TO TOW THE VEHICLE. CURRENTLY, I AM AWAITING A CALL FROM THE SHOP AFTER THEIR FULL DIAGNOSIS, WHICH I WILL UPDATE THIS COMPLAINT. A SUDDEN PROBLEM OF THIS MAGNITUDE IS PERPLEXING AS WELL AS POTENTIALLY COSTLY. AFTER READING PAGES OF COMPLAINTS SIMILAR TO MINE, I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT THE HIGH(ER) MILEAGE OF MY VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THIS INCIDENT SPEAKS TO THE LEVEL OF REGULAR MAINTENANCE I HAVE PROVIDED. PLEASE CONSIDER SERIOUSLY INVESTIGATING THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS SIMILAR TO MINE BEFORE A LIFE IS TAKEN AS A RESULT. *TR

ON DECEMBER 17, 2009 WE TOOK OUR 1999 FORD WINDSTAR IN TO THE CERRITOS FORD DEALERSHIP IN CA. WE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM FORD THAT OUR VEHICLE WAS BEING RECALLED (RECALL # 09S09) AND AS IT TURNED OUT THE VAN WAS LEAKING AND THEY REPLACED THE LEAKING SWITCH AND HARNESS. BEFORE THE WORK WAS EVEN DONE, I TOLD THEM THAT WE WERE CONCERNED ABOUT THE ABS LIGHT THAT WAS ON OUR DASHBOARD. THE RECALL SUMMARY STATES THAT THE "WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE." ON OUR INVOICE, THE DEALERSHIP FAILED TO NOTE OUR CONCERN REGARDING THE ABS AND NEVER STATED WHETHER OR NOT THEY INSPECTED THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR. ALTHOUGH I AM AWARE THAT THERE COULD BE OTHER FACTORS CAUSING THE ABS LIGHT TO SHOW UP, I AM DEEPLY CONCERNED THAT THE RECALL WAS NOT FULLY COMPLETED. I AM AWARE THAT THE ISSUES WE ARE HAVING COULD RESULT IN A CAR FIRE. I JUST WANT CONFIRMATION THAT THE INSPECTION WAS DONE AND IF THE CONNECTOR NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED, THAT FORD TAKES CARE OF IT WITH NO OUT-OF-POCKET FROM ME. I HAVE CONTACTED BOTH THE SERVICE MANAGER AT CERRITOS & FORD CO. DIRECTLY. I WAS TOLD THE RECALL WAS COMPLETED ALTHOUGH THEY CANNOT SAY WHETHER OR NOT THE INSPECTION OF THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR WAS PERFORMED. THEY SAID I COULD PAY FOR AN EXPENSIVE DIAGNOSTIC TEST THROUGH THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY COULD DETERMINE IF THERE ARE ISSUES WITH THE ABS THAT WERE A RESULT OF FRAUD OR POOR WORKMANSHIP

INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) 1999 FORD WINDSTAR- BROKEN REAR AXLE BEAM STEERING ARM AT DRIVER SIDE WHILE DRIVING. ALSO FOUND ANOTHER CRACK ON THE BAR ARM. VIN # [XXX] .

WE WERE MAKING THE NORMAL TURN INTO OUR COMMUNITY AND HEARD A LOUD POP SOUND COMING FROM UNDER THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN I GOT HOME I LOOKED UNDERNEATH AND SAW THAT THE SUBFRAME HAD BROKEN. *TR

THIS WAS A FORD 1999 WINDSTAR RECALL ON THE ABS SYSTEM. THE RECALL STATED THAT A FIRE MAY OCCUR IN CONNECTION WITH THE ABS. I TOOK THE CAR IN, HOWEVER THE BRAKE FLUID LEAK INSIDE THE CAR HAS GOTTEN WORSE. FROM TIME TO TIME THE CAR SMOKES UP, AND THERE IS A BURNING SMELL. THE ABS LIGHT CONTINUES TO COME ON. MY FEAR IS THAT THIS IS STILL A HAZARD WITH ALL THE FLAMMABLE BRAKE FLUID IN THE CAR. I LOOKED IT UP AND OTHERS HAVE CALLED THIS PROBLEM "BRAKING DISTANCE SUDDENLY INCREASED SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC". BRAKE FLUID LEAKING INTO THE CAR. THIS SEEMS TO OCCUR CONSTANTLY. I HAVE CLEANED MY CAR WITH THE THOUGHT THAT I SPILLED OIL, HOWEVER AFTER READING UP FOUND OUT THAT THIS WAS THE PROBLEM. WHEN I TOOK IT IN FOR THE RECALL, THIS WAS NOT MENTIONED AT ALL TO ME BY THE FORD DEALER. I WILL BE TAKING IT TO THE DEALER THAT FIXED IT TO SEE WHAT THEY WILL DO OR SAY. I GUESS I AM WONDERING IF THERE IS ANYTHING ELSE TO DO. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 60-65 MPH, THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SWAY UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL AND THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE REAR TIRES WERE TILTED INWARDLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE REAR AXLE SUPPORT FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000.

WHILE I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON MAY 17, 2010 I HAD TWO OCCASIONS WHEN IT FELT LIKE I HIT SMALL PATCHES OF ICE AND THE VAN SWERVED ON ME EVEN THOUGH IT WAS A WARM SUNNY DAY WITH DRY ROADS. I CALLED TRAGESSER FORD OF ROSS OHIO AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO TAKE THE VAN IN ON MAY 19, 2010. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE THE NEXT DAY THEY CALLED ME AND SAID THE REAR AXLE HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND BROKEN AND THAT I WAS LUCKY I DIDN'T HAVE AN ACCIDENT. THEY SAID ALTHOUGH IT SOUNDS LIKE A SAFETY PROBLEM THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE AXLE. I PICKED UP THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALERSHIP ON MAY 26, 2010 WITH A COST TO REPLACE THE AXLE OF $817.82. *TR

RECENT NEWS REPORTS HAVE LEAD ME TO BELIEVE THAT I AM NOT ALONE WITH THE FOLLOWING PROBLEM: THE REAR AXEL OF MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR BROKE IN HALF WHILE I WAS DRIVING ONTO I-93, NORTH OF BOSTON, ON DECEMBER 5, 2009. FORTUNATELY THE VEHICLE SKIDDED TO A STOP ON THE ON RAMP JUST BEFORE MERGING WITH FAST MOVING TRAFFIC. THE WINDSTAR WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE, THEN DONATED TO CHARITY ON DECEMBER 7, 2009. TWO PEOPLE WERE IN THE VAN, HOWEVER, THERE WERE NO INJURIES AS A RESULT OF THE STRUCTURAL FAILURE. *TR

SUBFRAME ON 1999 FORD WINDSTAR SNAP SAW REVIEWS ON OTHER WINDSTARS. FOUND OUT THIS A ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. *TR

ENGINE SUB-FRAME/CRADLE FAILURE AT RIGHT SIDE REAR BODY MOUNT RESULTING IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. REPLACE SUB-FRAME. YES OLD SUB-FRAME IS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION. *TR

VAN WAS MADE AN OCCASIONAL THUMPING SOUND THAT SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS COMING FROM THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. WHILE TURNING INTO MY DRIVEWAY I HEARD A LOUD CRACKING NOISE AND WHEN I LOOKED UNDER THE VAN THE REAR AXLE WAS BROKEN ALMOST ALL OF THE WAY THROUGH ABOUT 1 TO 2 FT. FROM THE LEFT REAR WHEEL. *TR

I OWN A FORD WINDSTAR AND HAD TO HAVE THE REAR AXLE REPLACED DUE TO IT BREAKING ALMOST IN HALF. THERE WAS ABOUT AN INCH OR SO LEFT BEFORE A COMPLETE BREAK OCCURRED. MY MECHANIC SAID IT WAS LUCKY IT DIDN'T SNAP COMPLETELY. ABOUT A MONTH BEFORE WE NOTICED THE CAR WOULD HAVE TROUBLE SWAYING A LOT WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS AND IN THE RAIN INCREASING IN SEVERITY AS TIME WENT ON BEFORE WE HAD IT REPLACED. OUR MECHANIC EVEN SENT US A PICTURE OF THE AXLE AFTER IT WAS REMOVED. *TR

BRAKING DISTANCE SUDDENLY INCREASED AND ABS WAS NOT RELIABLE. ABS WOULD ACTIVATE WHEN TURNING ON DRY ROADS. BACK UP RADARS AND TRACTION CONTROL ALSO STOPPED WORKING. SPEEDOMETER IS ERRATIC ABOVE 55 MPH. *TR

1999 FORD WINDSTAR SEL VAN BROKE REAR AXLE BEAM EARLIER THIS SPRING. WE HAVE MORE THAN NORMAL SNOWFALL IN SIOUX FALLS SD AND OUR STREET DEPARTMENT USED MORE SALT THAN IN A NORMAL YEAR. AXLE BROKE AT LOW SPEED WHILE TURNING INTO A DRIVEWAY APPROACH. AXLE WAS BROKE OR TORE IN TWO DIFFERENT LOCATIONS. I HAVE SINCE REPLACED THE AXLE WITH A USED ONE NOT KNOWING OF THIS ISSUE FORD HAS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD UNUSUAL NOISE AND THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHEELS WERE FOLDING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, SHE FOUND THAT THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE AXLE WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THE REPAIR SHOP WAS AWAITING APPROVAL FROM AN ADJUSTER TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 135,000.

OUR 1999 FORD WINDSTAR BEGAN TO SHAKE AND THEN REAR AXEL CRACKED IN HALF WHILE TRAVELING APPROX. 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. LUCKILY WE WERE ABLE TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD SAFELY...I STILL DO NOT KNOW HOW MY HUSBAND WAS ABLE TO DO THAT AS THERE WAS SO MUCH "SMOKE" (FROM THE METAL RUBBING THE ROAD AND THE TIRES RIDING AT AN ANGLE) AND IT WAS DARK OUTSIDE AND WE HAD TO GET OVER 2 LANES. PART WAS REPLACED AT OUR OWN EXPENSE. THIS WAS NOT THE FIRST ONE THE MECHANIC HAD SEEN. THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED SPRING 2008 BUT I JUST READ ON THE INTERNET OF THE PENDING INVESTIGATION AND HAD NOT PREVIOUSLY KNOWN WHERE TO REPORT IT. WHEN WE REPORTED IT TO FORD, THEY JUST TRIED TO GET US TO WANT TO BUY A NEW CAR FROM THEM. ALSO, WE TOLD FRIENDS OF OURS THAT HAVE A 2000 WINDSTAR TO WATCH OUT FOR THE SHAKING AND TO GET IT CHECKED. WELL SEVERAL MONTHS LATER THEY BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE SHAKING AND TOOK IT IN AND THE MECHANIC SAW THAT IT WAS READY TO BREAK AND REPLACED IT BEFORE ANY HARM WAS DONE. THANK GOD WE WERE ALL UNHURT...THE NEXT PEOPLE MAY NOT BE SO LUCKY! WE NO LONGER OWN THIS VEHICLE. *TR

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON ROUTE 81, THE CAR STARTED REACTING TO BUMPS MORE SEVERELY THAN USUAL, AND THEN THERE WAS A SHARP NOISE AT THE REAR OF THE CAR. AFTER PARKING THE CAR ON THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY, WE SAW THAT THE REAR AXLE HAD BROKEN, BASICALLY DOWN THE MIDDLE. THE REPAIRING OF THE CAR COST $960.12. *TR

INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) ON SATURDAY MAY 15TH, AROUND NOONTIME, I WAS TRAVELING ON I-91 NORTHBOUND IN HARTFORD. THE VAN STARTED PULLING AND SWERVING LIKE I HAD FLAT TIRES. THE VAN HAS 124,210 MILES, AND HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH A BROKEN REAR AXLE. ESTIMATED REPAIR COST FOR A 'USED' AXLE IS AROUND $900.00. FROM WHAT I'VE BEEN READING, THIS IS AN INHERENT DESIGN FLAW. VIN # [XXX] . *TR

THE REAR AXLE CRACKED ON THE LEFT SIDE LAST YEAR. I HAD IT WELDED. THIS YEAR IT CRACKED IN THE SAME SPOT ON THE RIGHT SIDE. *TR

REAR AXLE 1999 FORD WINDSTAR SNAPPED IN HALF WHILE BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY REPLACED WITH ONE FROM JUNKYARD AND THAT ONE HAS CRACKED ALSO IN SAME PLACE APPROX 4/1/10 WELDED THAT PART. *TR

INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) WE HAVE RECENTLY EXPERIENCED A BROKEN AXLE BEAM ON A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THANK GOD NOTHING HAPPENED AND NO ONE WAS HURT. THE CAR WAS SWAYING AND KNOCKING FROM THE REAR END AND WHEN WE GOT HOME THE REAR WHEELS WERE CANTERED OUT. I LOOKED UNDER THE CAR TO FIND THE BROKEN AXLE BEAM AND THE ONLY THING LEFT HOLDING IT ALL TOGETHER WAS A THE TORSION BAR. I AM VERY GLAD THAT WE WERE NOT ON A HIGHWAY OR TOO FAR FROM HOME, SINCE WE USE THE CAR TO TRAVEL TO OHIO AND FLORIDA . WE THEN LOOKED ON THE INTERNET TO FIND THAT MANY OTHER PEOPLE WERE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM AND NO RECALLS. ALTHOUGH OUR CAR HAS 150,000 MILES ON IT OTHERS HAD UNDER 100,000. OUR MAIN CONCERN IS THE SAFETY ISSUE WITH OUR FAMILY. WE TRAVEL A LOT WITH OUR WINDSTAR AS DO SO MANY OTHER FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN DO AND IT SEEMS AS IF FORD DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THE DANGER. I HOPE THAT FORD DOES NOT WAIT FOR A DEATH TO DEAL WITH THIS PROBLEM AS THE PART THAT FAILED SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED. THIS PART IS A MAIN STRUCTURE OF OUR VEHICLE AND SEEMS TO BE POORLY DESIGNED. I CAN'T IMAGINE HOW MANY OTHER WINDSTARS ARE OUT THERE WITH AN AXLE BEAM READY TO BREAK AND HOW MANY FAMILIES ARE UNAWARE OF THIS POTENTIAL DANGER. THE YEARS OF WINDSTARS THAT I SAW ON COMLPAINTS.COM VARIED FROM 1999 TO 2003 AND ITS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOMEONE GETS INJURED OR KILLED. I ASK YOU TO PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS MATTER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. [XXX] *TR