1999 Ford Windstar complaints

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 BOUGHT A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR LX IT HAD 130000 MILES ON IT WHEN I BOUGHT IT IT WAS MAKING A WEIRD NOISE WHEN I WOULD TURN SO I HAD THE POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED BUT IT CONTINUED TO MAKE THE NOISE THEN A COUPLE MONTHS LATER IT BECAME VERY HARD TO STEER ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN AND STILL MAKING THE NOISE SO I AM NOW BEING TOLD ITS THE RACK AND PINION AND ALSO BEING TOLD BY A FEW DIFFERENT MECHANICS THAT THEY HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM BEFORE ITS VERY UNSAFE BECAUSE ITS ALL OF A SUDDEN YOU CANT TURN THE WHEEL AS IM INVESTIGATING FURTHER ABOUT THIS PROBLEM THERE IS OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE NOW IM GOING TO TRY TO REPLACE IT BUT AM LOOKING AT PURCHASING A USED ONE AND AM CONCERNED THAT IT WILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND I MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO TURN CAUSING A MAJOR ACCIDENT SO TO ME THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO FORD. *LN

TL. STEERING PROBLEM 1999 FORD WINDSTAR COMMENTS: DEAR NHTSA, I HAVE A VECHICLE SAFTY CONCERN PROBABLE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL ON FORD WINDSTARS 1999-200? BELOW IS A RESPONCE I RECIEVED FROM FORD, CONCERNING THE PROBELM AT THE BOTTOM IS THE DETAILED CONCERN WITH A MOTOR MOUNT SUPPORT PLATE THAT IS RUSTING OUT ON THESES VECHICLE. THE MOTOR AND FRONT END SUSPENSION AND STEERING IS INVOLVED. THIS IS A TIME BOMB, THE ENGINE WILL DROP DOWN AND YOU WILL LOOSE STEERING CONTROL, MOST LIKLY CAUSING AFATAL ACCIDENT. THE REPAIR COST IN MOST CASES WILL BE AN AMOUNT MORE THAN THE VALUE OF THE VECHICLE RUST IS AN ACCEPTABLE PROBABILITY, BUT IT SHOULD NOT OCCUR IN AREAS CONCERNING STEERING. CONTACT WANTED TO USE THE COMPLAINT HE SENT IN AS A EMAIL. JO

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY WANDERED OUT OF THE LANE TOWARDS ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL AND AVOID CRASHING INTO A VEHICLE. SUDDENLY, THE FRONT END DRIVER SIDE COLLAPSED TO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. A MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME HAD COMPLETELY FRACTURED AS A RESULT TO EXCESSIVE RUST AND WAS BEYOND REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING STATE INSPECTED WHEN THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR RECALL 10V385000 (SUSPENSION: REAR: AXLE: NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY). THE CONTACT HAD NOT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,109.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE AND THEN FORWARD, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE FELL OFF OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO INFORMED HIM THAT THE TIRE SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE FRONT AXLE CORRODING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000.

THE FRONT SUBFRAME OF MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR CRACKED IN TWO WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR

1999 FORD WINDSTAR. CONSUMER STATES RECALL FAILURE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE REAR AXLE FAILED. *JB

AROUND OCTOBER 20TH, 2010, MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR WAS MAKING A WEIRD NOISE WHEN I A MAKE A RIGHT TURN AND ALSO WHEN I STEP ON THE GAS PEDAL. THE NOISE CAME FROM THE FRONT RIGHT OF THE VEHICLE, AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS A BRAKE PROBLEM. I TOOK IT RIGHT A WAY TO MY MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. WHEN THE TECHNICIAN LIFTED THE VAN, HE NOTICED RIGHT A WAY THE SUB FRAME ALL RUSTED AND BROKEN. MY MECHANIC DID NOT LET ME DRIVE IT BECAUSE IT'S A HIGH RISK, HE SAID THE ENGINE CAN FALL ANY MOMENT. DUE TO THE HIGH COST OF REPLACING A NEW SUB FRAME, THE TECHNICIAN SUGGESTED A USED ONE BUT IN GOOD CONDITION. IT COST ME $723.00 TO REPLACE IT. I WENT TO THE NEAREST FORD DEALER TO COMPLAINT BUT I WAS TOLD THAT SPECIFIC PART OF THE VEHICLE WAS NOT RECALLED AND IT'S DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE. I AM STILL AFRAID TO DRIVE MY FORD WINDSTAR EVEN AFTER I REPLACED IT. CURRENTLY MY VAN IS SITTING AT FORD DEALER PARKING LOT, IT'S UNDER RECALL FOR THE REAR AXLE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FEEL UNSTABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER HAVING HIS VEHICLE IN FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE, THE MECHANIC INFORMED HIM THAT HE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE CRADLE DUE TO RUST AND BEING FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A CERTIFIED DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE ENGINE CRADLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 64,000. UPDATED 12/14/2011 *CN THE ENGINE CRADLE WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED ON THE RIGHT SIDE. UPDATED 08/05/11

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE PULLED INTO THE RIGHT DIRECTION AND WANDERED OUT OF THE LANE CAUSING DIFFICULTY IN MAINTAINING THE STEERING. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE PULLED TOWARD THE LEFT DIRECTION WITH A METAL SCREECHING NOISE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED THREE TIMES. A CERTIFIED TECHNICIAN INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE AND LOWER CONTROL ARM WERE COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ABNORMALLY PULLING TO THE RIGHT IN WOULD SPORADICALLY BECOME STUCK IN PARK. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE AND OVERDRIVE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE UNKNOWN REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED YET THE FAILURE PERSISTED AFTER THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES WHERE SEVERAL UNKNOWN REPAIRS WERE MADE BUT TO NO AVAIL. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED FIVE TIMES AND THE SHE WAS RECENTLY MADE AWARE OF TWO OPEN RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE; NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS: 10V385000 (SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY) AND 09V399000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). NEITHER RECALL REPAIR HAD YET BEEN PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,445 AND THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR A REAR AXLE INSPECTION FOR RECALL 10V385000 (SUSPENSION: REAR: AXLE: NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY), THE DEALER DETECTED THAT THE FRONT UNDERCARRIAGE WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED AND WOULD RESULT IN THE DETACHMENT OF THE ENGINE. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS BEYOND REPAIR AND RECOMMENDED THAT THE VEHICLE NOT BE DRIVEN DUE TO A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000. UPDATED 02/23/11 *BF UPDATED 03/09/11

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA RECALL 10V385000, SUSPENSION REAR AXLE NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY SHOULD INCLUDE THE STATE OF NEBRASKA. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED ANY FAILURES AT THIS TIME; HOWEVER, HE WAS CONCERNED SINCE NEBRASKA ALSO HAD SNOW AND SALT ON THE ROADS WHICH COULD EVENTUALLY CRACK THE AXLE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY TURNING LEFT . THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN LEFT UNTIL MORE THAN USUAL FORCE WAS APPLIED TO TURN THE WHEEL ,WHICH AT THE TIME THE WHEEL DID TURN A DULL THUD WAS AUDIBLE. THIS ACTION OCCURRED TWICE WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE IN CITY TRAFFIC. THE VISUAL INVESTIGATION REVEALED A LARGE AREA OF THE INSIDE OF THE FRONT SUBFRAME ON THE DRIVERS SIDE HAD COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. APPROXIMATELY AN AREA 4' X 8' WAS GONE WITH SOME EVIDENCE OF METAL TEARING/FATIGUE. *LN

1999 FORD WINDSTAR : ENGINE CRADLE CRACKING AND HAS FRACTURED AWAY FROM MOTOR MOUNT. *LN

99 FORD WINDSTAR, SCDS SWITCH REPLACED,NO BRAKE LIGHTS, CANT GET SHIFTER OUT OF PARK, BLOWER WONT SHUT OFF WITH KEY REMOVED, HEADLIGHTS COME ON WHEN YOU SHUT THE DOOR WITH KEY REMOVED AND SWITCH OFF. NO SPEEDOMETER OR TACH. *TR

NOISE ON MINIVAN HUSBAND LOOKED FOR REASON AND FOUND AXLE CRACKED, WENT AND REPLACED IT WITH ANOTHER USED WINDSTAR AXLE AND PAID FOR IT.*TR

FRONT SUB-FRAME CORROSION ON PASSENGER SIDE NEAR MOUNT RESULTING IN COMPLETE BREAK. THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF RUST ANYWHERE ELSE ON THE SUB-FRAME, THE FRAME OR UNDERBODY. SYMPTOM WAS LOUD CLANKING FROM FRONT-RIGHT AND "JERKING" SENSATION ON SOME TURNS, ACCELERATION. DID NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING, SO BROUGHT TO NTB FOR EXAMINATION (THINKING IT WAS A BALLJOINT, ETC.) TECHNICIANS INVITED ME TO INVESTIGATE UNDER THE LIFT AS THEY WERE INCREDULOUS OF SUCH A SEVERE BREAK AMIDST AN OTHERWISE RUST-FREE SUB-FRAME.*TR

HI I JUST SAW THAT YOU WERE INVESTIGATING WINDSTAR RUST ISSUES. TWO YEARS AGO, IN 2008, OUR 1999 WINDSTAR STARTING MAKING WEIRD NOISES WHEN I WENT OVER CURBS OR TURNED THE WHEEL. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THE FRONT FRAME AND AXLE HAD RUSTED. IT WAS A COUPLE THOUSAND DOLLARS TO FIX. THEY SAID IT WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. I DID NOT WISH TO FIX IT (SINCE IT WOULD COST AS MUCH TO FIX AS THE VAN WAS WORTH) AND THEY SAID IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND DID NOT RECOMMEND I LEAVE WITHOUT FIXING IT. SO WE TRADED IT IN (EXPLAINING FULLY WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT) WHEN WE PURCHASED A VAN FROM THE HONDA DEALERSHIP DOWN THE ROAD. I JUST SAW THAT YOU WERE INVESTIGATING RUST ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH WINDSTARS AND THOUGHT I WOULD PASS THIS INFO ALONG. THANKS *TR

AT THE END OF NOVEMBER I NOTICE A LOOSENESS IN THE STEERING OF MY 99 FORD WINDSTAR. I WAS ABLE TO GET IT HOME AND IN THE DRIVEWAY. I LOOKED AT THE FRONT -END AND NOTICED A RUSTED AND CRACKED FRONT FRAME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. I HAD REPLACED THE CRACKED AXLE MY SELF IT COST ME $874.27 I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANYTHING FROM FORD ON THIS YET. I CAN NOT DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE IT IS A NOT IN GOOD SHAPE AT ALL. IT ONLY HAS JUST UNDER 90,000 MILES. AND HAS HAD A NEW INTAKE PUT ON WHICH IS PLASTIC AND NOW THE ENGINE RUNS VERY ROUGH. ALSO IT HAS TROUBLE WITH THE SIGNAL LIGHTS. THIS CAR HAS TURNED OUT TO BE A LOUSY CAR. *TR

"BRAKING DISTANCE SUDDENLY INCREASED. *TR

1999 FORD WINDSTAR LX FRONT SUB-FRAME RUSTED OUT ON PASSENGER SIDE. THIS SECTION OF THE SUB-FRAME IS ALWAYS WET WHEN THE AIR-CONDITIONER IS TURNED ON IN THE SUMMER AND THE CONDENSATION FROM THE AIR-CONDITIONER LEAKS ONTO THE SUBFRAME AT THIS SPECIFIC AREA, AND IN THE WINTER SALT IS CAUSING SUB-FRAME TO RUST OUT AND BREAK AT THIS SPECIFIC AREA. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW. *TR

I OWN A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH AGO 15 NOV,2010, I NOTICED THAT THE ALIGNMENT OF THE FRONT TIRES WAS OFF. AND THE STEERING SEEMED LOOSE AND A LITTLE UNRESPONSIVE. I IMMEDIATELY DROVE HOME AND REMOVED THE PASSENGER FRONT TIRE AND COULD NOT BELIEVE WHAT I SAW. THE FRONT SUB-FRAME / ENGINE CRADLE WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED WHERE THE SUB-FRAME ATTACHES TO THE UNI-BODY. THE AREA WHERE THE MOUNTING BUSHING THAT ATTACHES THE SUB-FRAME TO THE UNI-BODY ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS TOTALLY CORRODED / RUSTED / ROTTED AWAY. THE BUSHING WAS COMPLETELY PUSHED THROUGH THE SUB-FRAME AND HAD NOTHING TO SUPPORT IT ANY MORE. I BROUGHT IT TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER WITH THE PRINT OUT OF THE CURRENT INVESTIGATION OF THIS ISSUE. THEY TOLD ME IT IS NOT A RECALL YET AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR OUT OF MY OWN POCKET. *TR

VEHICLE "SUBFRAME ASSEMBLY" WAS FOUND TO BE HEAVILY CORRODED (RUSTED) AND REQUIRED TO BE REPLACED. THIS SUBASSEMBLY SUPPORTS ENTIRE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, INCLUDING THE BODY, ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION( TRANS AXLE ), FRONT SUSPENSION, STEERING, BRAKES, AND RADIATOR.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TRYING TO INSERT THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION, IT FAILED TO START. THE SECURITY WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL WHILE TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT SHE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE CHIP IN HER KEY AND TO CONTACT FORD. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 144,000.

FRONT SUB FRAME CORROSION. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR LX. THE PARTIAL HAVOC BOSCH WHICH WAS A PART OF THE HEAT IN THE VEHICLE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A RADIATOR MECHANIC WHO INFORMED HIM THE PARTIAL HAVOC BOSCH FAIL AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED HIM THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS RELATED TO THE FAILURES AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000. UPDATED 03/03/11 *BF UPDATED 04/28/11

WHILE DRIVING MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR I STARTED TO HEAR A GRINDING SCRAPPING NOISE WHEN MAKING RIGHT TURNS THE NOISE PROGRESSIVELY STARTED TO GET EVEN WORSE I STARTED TO HEAR A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE BROUGHT CAR TO MECHANIC INSPECTED AND FOUND THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS COMPLETED RUSTED OUT AND THE ENGINE COULD DROP AT ANY TIME WAS ADVISED NOT TO DRIVE VEHICLE ,LUCKILY NOTHING HAPPENED WHEN I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY DAUGHTER DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I CONTACTED FORD AND THEY HAVE TOLD ME THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON THIS PARTICULAR SITUATION, AFTER CHECKING ONLINE I HAVE SEEN SO MANY COMPLAINTS I AM NOW OUT A CAR AND NO MONEY TO BUY NEW ONE, THANK GOD MY DAUGHTER WAS NOT HURT OR ANYONE ELSE I WISH FORD WOULD REALIZE THIS VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND NOT WAIT FOR SOMEONE TO GET KILLED!!! *TR

WHILE PULLING ONTO A BUSY ROAD THERE WAS LOUD NOISE AND THE VEHICLE LOST ALL CONTROL AND SKIDDED ACROSS THE ROAD AND INTO A DRIVEWAY. FORTUNATELY NO PROPERTY DAMAGE OR PERSONAL INJURY OCCURED. THE VAN WAS TOWED TO MY MECHANIC AND HE INFORMED ME THAT SUBFRAME ON THE RIGHT SIDE HAD JUST BROKEN OFF. CLEARLY THIS MUST BE SOME SORT OF A DEFECTION THE MANUFACTURER. *TR

THE SUB-FRAME OF MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR HAS RUSTED AWAY AT CRITICAL SPOTS AROUND AND NEAR THE MOUNTING BOLTS AND AS A RESULT FAILED TO PASS PA STATE ANNUAL INSPECTION ON DEC. 12, 2010. I WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC (A NON-FORD MECHANIC) THAT THE CONDITION WAS VERY UNSAFE AND THAT THERE WAS NO WAY IT WOULD PASS PA STATE INSPECTION UNLESS THIS DANGEROUS CONDITION WAS FIXED. TO PASS IT WOULD HAD TO HAVE THE ENTIRE SUB-FRAME REPLACED WHICH WAS GOING TO BE EXPENSIVE OR ELSE THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE TO BE SCRAPED (THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS ABOUT 189,000 MILES). THE MECHANIC'S FINDING WAS VERY SURPRISING TO ME BECAUSE ON OCT. 30, 2010, THE SAME WINDSTAR WAS INSPECTED BY A LOCAL FORD DEALER BASED ON A REAR AXLE CORROSION RECALL NOTICE FROM FORD. FOLLOWING THE RECALL INSPECTION (BY A DIFFERENT MECHANIC) I WAS INFORMED THAT EVERYTHING WAS OKAY AND NO WORK WAS NECESSARY PER TO THE RECALL NOTICE. IN HINDSIGHT IT WOULD APPEAR THAT NOTHING ELSE BUT THE REAR AXLE WAS INSPECTED AND I WAS THUS SENT BACK ON THE ROAD OPERATING A VERY UNSAFE VEHICLE DUE TO CORROSION ISSUES. THANK GOODNESS THE PA STATE INSPECTION MECHANIC NOTICED THE SUB-FRAME DANGER SOME 6 WEEKS LATER BEFORE A POTENTIALLY DEADLY ACCIDENT OCCURRED. I'M WRITING TO HIGHLIGHT THIS SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM WITH WINDSTAR MODELS MADE BETWEEN 1999-2003 FOR THE NHTSA. I UNDERSTAND THAT MANY OTHERS HAVE COMPLAINED OF SIMILAR SUB-FRAME CORROSION PROBLEMS ON THEIR WINDSTARS BUT, TO DATE, FORD HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL EVEN THOUGH THEY DID FOR SIMILAR

1999 FORD WINDSTAR LX BROKEN SUB-FRAME I BEGAN TO HEAR A SCRAPING NOISE WHILE DRIVING, ESPECIALLY ON RIGHT TURNS. I HAD RECENTLY PURCHASED 4 NEW TIRES FROM FIRESTONE, SO TOOK IT BACK THERE THINKING THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE. INSTEAD I WAS TOLD THAT THE SUB FRAME IS BUSTED (ALSO CALLED ENGINE CRADLE), AND THAT REPAIR WOULD BE EXTENSIVE IN LABOR TO THE TUNE OF AT LEAST $1500! ...AND THAT WOULD BE FOR A REPLACEMENT PART FROM A JUNK YARD (WITH SAME POTENTIAL PROBLEM) RATHER THAN A NEW PART. RIGHT NOW I CANNOT AFFORD EITHER ONE. I ASKED A WELDER ABOUT IT, HOPING TO HAVE IT WELDED RATHER THAN REPLACED FOR MUCH LESS MONEY, BUT HE SAYS THAT WOULD NOT BE WISE GIVEN THE HEAVY LOAD PLACED ON THE SUBFRAME. PLEASE CONSIDER A RECALL ON THIS DANGEROUS DEFECT TO PREVENT TRAGEDY. THANKS. FIRESTONE STAFF WARNED ME NOT TO DRIVE VEHICLE, VERY UNSAFE. AN ONLINE SEARCH REVEALS MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS OF BUSTED SUBFRAMES ON FORD WINDSTARS, YET NO RECALLS FOR THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM AS YET. ARE WE WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO BE KILLED? I JUST DROVE ON THE HIGHWAY YESTERDAY NOT KNOWING HOW SERIOUS THIS PROBLEM IS. *TR

TOOK CAR IN FOR INSPECTION AND WAS TOLD THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS ROTTING AWAY AT THE POINT WHERE THE SWAY BAR CONNECTS TO THE CRADLE. AND THAT IT WILL COST OVER 800.00 TO FIX. THIS SHORTLY AFTER HAVING THE REAR AXLE REPAIRED DUE TO A RECALL FORM FORD. BY THE WAY FORD DID NOT SAY ANYTHING TO ME ABOUT THE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT WHERE THE RUST WAS ROTTING AWAY THE CRADLE. *TR

I HAVE A 99 FORD WINDSTAR WITH SUB-FRAME RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL FORD DEALER AND PUT UP ON A LIFT AND INSPECTED AFTER I NOTICED A NOISE AND PULLING TO THE RIGHT. THE SUB-FRAME HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE WHERE IT MOUNTS TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE ITSELF HAS LITTLE TO NO RUST UNDERNEATH EXCEPT TO THE SUBFRAME IN TWO SPOTS. THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE DRIVEN NOW AND I WAS TOLD THE SUBFRAME WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. DUE TO THE VEHICLE NOT BEING RUSTED UNDERNEATH AND NOT BEING DRIVEN IN SALTED ROAD CONDITIONS, I WOULD HAVE TO CONCLUDE THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT? THE WINDSTAR IS CLEAN ENOUGH UNDERNEATH TO ALMOST EAT OFF. AGAIN THERE IS LITTLE TO NO RUST UNDERNEATH EXCEPT TO THE SUBFRAME. THANK YOU FOR LOOKING INTO THIS MATTER. *TR

TOOK MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR TO HAVE FRONT TIRES REPLACED AND MECHANIC NOTICED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SUBFRAME MOUNTING BOLT IS SEVERELY RUSTED. WHEN I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE RECALL WORK DONE FOR THE REAR AXLE, I TOLD THEM ABOUT THE RUSTING OF THE SUBFRAME MOUNTING BOLT AND THEY SAID I WOULD HAVE TO MAKE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT AND PAY FOR THIS MYSELF BECAUSE THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. MY VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE, I AM SCARED TO DRIVE IT, AND I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX IT!!! *TR

1999 WINDSTAR VAN WHEN CHANGING THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE OUR MECHANIC SAW THE RIGHT FRONT DRIVE AXLE COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. NHTSA DEFECT INVESTIGATION #PE 10016 IS CONSISTENT WITH THIS PROBLEM.I WANT TO BE ADDED TO THIS INVESTIGATION. THERE ARE NO WARNING SIGNS FOR THIS PROBLEM. WE WERE LUCKY WE HAVE A GOOD MECHANIC WHO SPOTTED THE PROBLEM. THIS CAR IS AT A FORD DEALERSHIP IN MISSOURI. . I WISH SOMEONE WOULD GO AND SEE THIS PROBLEM FIRST HAND. ALL OTHER CARS WITH THIS PROBLEM WERE NOT DETECTED AND WERE IN A CRASH. THIS WOULD BE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO ACTUALLY SEE THE PROBLEM BEFORE THE CAR IS WRECKED. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR ANYONE WHO HAS A FORD WINDSTAR VAN 1999 THRU 2003. THERE IS NO WARNING AND WHEN THAT FRONT AXLE BREAKS THERE IS NO CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. ANYONE WHO DRIVES ONE OF THESE VEHICLES SHOULD IMMEDIATELY TAKE TO A MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THIS IS NOT LIKE THE REAR AXLE PROBLEM, BECAUSE YOU CAN AT LEAST STEER THE VEHICLE IF IT BREAKS. WHEN THE FRONT GOES YOU HAVE NO CONTROL. I AM TOLD THE REPAIR WILL COST $1200.00 DOLLARS. FORD MOTOR COMPANY WILL NOT HELP WITH THE COST OF REPAIR. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 10 MPH THE CONTACT WAS TURNING A CORNER WHEN SHE FIRST EXPERIENCED A CRACKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE STATED THE SUB-FRAME OR THE ENGINE CRADLE WAS COVERED WITH RUST. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.

FRONT A SUBFRAME WAS ALMOST COMPLETE RUSTED OUT AND DETACHED FROM FRONT END. THIS WAS NOTICED BY MY REGULAR MECHANIC DURING AN OIL CHANGE. THE COMPLETE FRONT A FRAME ("SUBFRAME") HAD TO BE REPLACED, INCLUDING CONTROL ARMS, ALIGNMENT; FRONT BRAKE PADS. COST WAS $1687. *TR

FRONT CROSS MEMBER ON PASSENGER SIDE WAS DISCOVERED TO BE CRACKED WHICH COULD HAVE FAILED AND CAUSED SERIOUS INJURY. MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT TO BE DRIVEN UNLESS IT COULD BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED. I WAS ABLE TO HAVE A WELDING SPECIALIST REPAIR THE CRACK. *TR

NOTICED VEHICLE UNSTABLE WHILE DRIVING. DIVING LEFT OR RIGHT DURING ACCELERATION AND BRAKING. UPON INVESTIGATION FOUND COMPLETE RUST-THROUGH SEPARATION OF SUB-FRAME AT REAR BODY MOUNT ON PASSENGERS SIDE. RIGHT CONTROL ARM MOUNT ON SUB-FRAME IS ALSO BADLY RUSTED. ENTIRE SUBFRAME IS ABLE TO MOVE FRONT AND BACK ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE RESULTING IN ERRATIC VEHICLE MOVEMENT WHILE DRIVING. FORTUNATELY WE CAUGHT IT BEFORE SOMETHING REALLY BAD HAPPENED, BUT THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY DEFECT, AND COULD HAVE HAD DISASTROUS RESULTS.

1999 FORD WINDSTAR SUBFRAME RUSTING AND HAVING TO BE REPLACED. VAN FAILED SAFETY INSPECTION BECAUSE OF A HOLE IN SUBFRAME DUE TO RUST. TOTAL COST PAID OUT OF POCKET IN 2008 $1240.56. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH WHEN THE INTERIOR DOME LIGHTS REMAINED IN THE ON POSITION. THE CONTACT MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO TURN THEM OFF; HOWEVER, THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS ALSO FAILED TO LOCK IMMEDIATELY UPON ACTIVATION OF THE IGNITION. THE BRAKE AND ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. IN ADDITION, THE RADIO WOULD NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES FOR THE SAME FAILURE, AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETECT THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNAVAILABLE.

WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY THE REAR AXLE BROKE ON 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. ALMOST LOST CONTROL BUT MANAGED TO GET TO SIDE OF ROAD SAFELY. THIS IS A LIFE AND DEATH PROBLEM WHERE ALL OF THESE AXLES NEED TO BE REPLACED ! *TR

1999 FORD WINDSTAR - SUBFRAME RUSTED OUT. HAD REPAIRS DONE. HAD VEHICLE INSPECTED BY FORD FOR CURRENT REAR AXLE RECALL, WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RUST IN THE REAR AXLE. I AM HAVING THE CAR INSPECTED BY MY MECHANIC BECAUSE IT WOULD SEEM THAT IF THE FRONT END RUSTED OUT, SO WOULD THE BACK. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR SEL. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 50 MPH WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND ALL THE GAUGES WHERE FLUCTUATING BACK AND FORTH INCLUDING THE SPEEDOMETER, FUEL AND TEMPERATURE GAUGES. HE STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT AND PERSISTED FOR EIGHT MONTHS. ON OCCASION, THE CONTACT COULD CORRECT THE FAILURE BY STRIKING THE DASHBOARD WITH FORCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE ABS ELECTRONIC STABILITY MODULE UNIT WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 79,119.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. AFTER ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WHILE CHANGING THE TIRES ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS CORRODED AND COVERED WITH RUST. HE WAS TOLD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND THE REPAIR COST WAS $1200. THERE ARE NO RELATED RECALLS OR WARRANTIES FOR THIS FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.

OUR 1999 FORD WINDSTAR WAS FOUND TO HAVE SERIOUS RUST ON SUB FRAME ON PASSENGER SIDE DURING A MASSACHUSETTS STATE VEHICLE INSPECTION TODAY. I UNDERSTAND THIS MAKE AND MODEL IS SUBJECT TO A RECALL INVESTIGATION AND I WANT MY COMPLAINT ADDED TO THAT INVESTIGATION AND REQUEST A RECALL NOTICE BE ISSUED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *TR

1999 FORD WINDSTAR FWD PASSENGER SIDE SUB FRAME MOTOR MOUNT BROKEN IN HALF DUE TO CORROSION. *TR

I HAD TO REPLACE MY FRONT SUBFRAME AKA ENGINE CRADLE AND TWO MOTOR MOUNTS DUE TO PREMATURE RUST ON MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR THIS IS THE SECTION OF FRAME THAT HOLD UP THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION ALONG WITH MOST OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION. I LOST ALL ABILITY TO STEER AND WAS NEARLY IN AN ACCIDENT BRAKING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND GETTING THE MINIVAN TOWED TO A MECHANIC. I KNOW THIS FAILURE HAS GENERATED A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ALSO WITHIN THE NHTSA WEBSITE AND I FEEL IT SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE CURRENT RUSTED REAR AXLE RECALL WARRANTY. *TR