2000 Ford Windstar complaints

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THERE WAS AN UNUSUAL POPPING SOUND AND THEN THE VEHICLE FISH TAILED UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO MOVE THE VEHICLE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE WAY WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR AXLE BROKE IN HALF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY SO THAT THE AXLE COULD BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 148,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 10-15 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE REAR AXLE FRACTURED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE AXLE WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED WITHIN ONE YEAR WHILE EXITING A DRIVEWAY AT RELATIVELY LOW SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

I WAS TRAVELING AT 70 MPH ON THE HIGH WAY WHEN THE REAR BEAM AXLE SNAPPED. I WAS ABLE TO RETAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE DID FISHTAIL AND ALMOST ROLLED. THERE IS AN AXLE AVAILABLE FOR THIS VEHICLE FROM FORD. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR LX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD OR ANY UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE, THE VEHICLE WOULD SWAY FROM SIDE TO SIDE. IN ADDITION, WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT AN UNUSUAL SQUEAKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO THEN STATED THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED BECAUSE THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT LEFT THE VEHICLE WITH THE DEALER UNTIL THE PART BECAME AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 104,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETECTED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE OF THE AXLE WAS CRACKED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000. UPDATED 08/27/10. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAD THE REAR AXLE REPLACED ON JULY 21, 2010. UPDATED 08/30/10*JB

THE ABS LIGHT ON OUR 2000 FORD WINDSTAR GOES ON AND OFF (NO CORRELATION TO ANYTHING) AND OCCASIONALLY OUR BRAKING DISTANCE INCREASES WHEN THE LIGHT IS ON. *TR

WAS DRIVING ABOUT 35 MPH ON A RESIDENTIAL ROAD . WHEN MY 2000 FORD WINDSTAR BEGAN TO SHAKE. THEN MY REAR AXLE SNAPPED IN HALF. I HAVE NOT YET GOTTEN MY CAR FIXED. *TR

2000 FORD WINDSTAR - BROKEN REAR AXLE - FORTUNATELY DISCOVERED WHILE CAR WAS IN A PARKING LOT - HEARD ONE LOUD NOISE EARLIER IN THE DAY AND A LOUDER NOISE AT TIME OF DISCOVERY. AXLE IS VISIBLY BROKEN AND WAS TOWED. *TR

2000 FORD WINDSTAR ABS AND TRAC OFF LIGHTS ON. *TR

WHILE TRAVELING ON VACATION TO TENNESSEE I NOTICED A SWAY FROM THE REAR END. WHEN ARRIVING I NOTICE BOTH REAR TIRES WERE LEANING INWARD AND THE INSIDE OF EACH TIRE WAS WORN DOWN TO THE STEEL BELTS. I TOOK THE VAN TO A FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED THE COMPLETE REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY AND BOTH REAR TIRES. *TR

ABS ECM FAILURE - DURING RECALL REPAIRS TO THE ABS SWITCH, TROUBLE SHOOTING DISCOVERED A MALFUNCTIONING ABS ECM MODULE. CUSTOMER WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS NOT A RESULT OF LEAKING BRAKE SWITCH. *TR

WHILE DRIVING BACK ON A TRIP FROM DEPERE WI STARTED HEARING A STRANGE SOUND FROM THE REAR END OF THE VAN WHEN HITTING BUMPS IN THE ROAD. AFTER LOOKING AT THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE FOUND A LARGE CRACK IN THE REAR AXLE BEAM ABOUT HALF WAY THROUGH THE "C" CHANNEL AND A BROKEN COIL SPRING. I STARTED LOOKING ONLINE FOR REPLACEMENT PARTS AND FOUND THAT THERE HAS BEEN OTHER FAILURES OF THIS TYPE ON 1999 - 2003 WINDSTARS. THE NHTSA HAS AN INVESTIGATION GOING ON THIS TYPE OF FAILURE - PE10016. JUST WANTED TO LOG THE FAILURE BEFORE GETTING THE REPAIR DONE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE REAR SUSPENSION COLLAPSED. THE CONTACT MOVED OFF THE ROADWAY AND FOUND THAT THE REAR AXLE HAD FRACTURED IN HALF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A REPLACEMENT AXLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 163,100.

THE REAR AXLE ON MY 2000 FORD WINDSTAR BROKE APART WHILE TRAVELING ON I-96 AT ABOUT 60 MPH, I WAS ABLE TO COME TO A SAFE STOP ON THE MEDIAN. THIS COULD HAVE ENDANGERED ME AS WELL AS OTHERS. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH ON LINE AND FOUND THIS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. THIS IS A SERIOUS DEFECT THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY THE NHTSA AND THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY. *TR

ON JUNE 13, 2010 MY WIFE WAS DRIVING FORD WINDSTAR AT APPROXIMATELY 25MPH SPEED DOWN A PAVED ROAD NEAR OUR HOME WHEN THE REAR SUSPENSION AXLE BROKE. THE AXLE CRACKED AND COMPLETELY SEPARATED AT APPROXIMATELY 1 1/2 FEET FROM DRIVERS SIDE REAR WHEEL. BOTH HALVES OF AXLE DROPPED TO THE GROUND AND ONE SIDE WAS DRAGGING ON PAVEMENT. BOTH REAR TIRES WERE RUBBING ON WHEEL HOUSING. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED LOSS OF CONTROL IN REAR END AND DID NOT STAY INLINE WITH THE FRONT END OF VEHICLE. THERE WAS A SMELL OF BURNING RUBBER AFTER VEHICLE WAS STOPPED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED YET AND WE ARE AWAITING NEW PART (AXLE) PURCHASED FROM FORD DEALERSHIP BEFORE REPAIRS MAY BEGIN. VEHICLE HAD BEEN USED ON DAILY BASIS AND WAS USED FOR A FAMILY VACATION TRIP THE WEEK PRIOR TO FAILURE. VEHICLE HAS UNDER 111,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. FAILURE SHOULD HAVE NOT OCCURRED IN SUCH A CRITICAL AREA AND AT SUCH A LOW MILEAGE. ALTHOUGH THERE WERE NO INJURIES OR COLLISION, THE FAILURE IS A SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE HAD LOST CONTROL AND THE REAR TIRES WERE RUBBING AGAINST THE WHEEL HOUSING AND COULD HAVE BLOWN. *TR

THE CAR WAS FISHTAILING AND I ASSUMED THE ALIGNMENT NEEDED FIXING. I WAS GOING DOWN A DIRT ROAD, THE TRACTION CONTROL CAME ON AND THE CAR WASN'T DRIVING NORMALLY. I PULLED OVER AND NOTICED THE BACK DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL WAS LEANING IN. UNDER THE CAR I FOUND THE REAR AXLE BROKEN A QUARTER FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE. THE CAR WAS TOWED AND A NEW REAR AXLE WAS INSTALLED. AN OLD PART WAS AVAILABLE, BUT I LEARNED THAT THE FAILURE RATE ON THE USED PARTS WAS HIGH SO I CHOSE TO USE A NEW PART. *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY 2000 FORD WINDSTAR DOWN THE ROAD WITH MY CHILDREN AND MY TIRES STARTED TO SQUEAL AND THE BACK END STARTED TO LOSE CONTROL. I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE ROAD SAFELY. WHEN I GOT OUT TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG MY BACK TIRES WERE BOWED IN. WHEN LOOKING UNDER I SAW MY AXLE WAS SPLIT IN HALF. I HAD NO OTHER WARNING SIGNS. I CALLED FORD AND THEY SAID THERE IS NO RECALL OR ANY PROBLEMS REPORTED ON THE REAR AXLES. *TR

REAR AXLE BROKE ON MY 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. WE GOT NEW TIRES AND NOTICED THE CAR WAS DRIVING FUNNY. LOOKED UNDERNEATH TO FIND A CRACK ALMOST ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE REAR AXLE. EXACTLY WHAT IS DESCRIBED IN NHTSA ACT NUMBER PE10016. *TR

DRIVING STRAIGHT ON ROAD APPROX. 35 MPH IN TOWN NORMAL STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, AND REAR AXLE BROKE COMPLETELY IN HALF. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO MY MECHANIC. NEED TO REPLACE THE AXLE. WILL COST AROUND $1000.00. NO ONE WAS HURT BUT IT COULD OF BEEN TRAGIC IF I HAD BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY OR GOING AROUND A CURVE. VAN HAS APPROX. 142,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED SHE CONTINUOUSLY HEARD A LOUD, UNUSUAL NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE AND WHEN DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE EXCESSIVELY. WHILE REVERSING FROM A DRIVEWAY AT 5 MPH, THE REAR AXLE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE AXLE WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 93,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL BANG. THE VEHICLE CABIN WAS IMMEDIATELY FILLED WITH SMOKE AND THE CONTACT MOVED OFF THE ROADWAY. THE CONTACT WAS ASSISTED BY A STATE TROOPER AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE REAR AXLE HAD FAILED BUT DID NOT EXHIBIT SIGNS OF WEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT WITH THE MECHANIC WHERE HE WAS AWAITING REPAIRS TO THE AXLE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF A CRASH HAD THE TRAFFIC BEEN HEAVIER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

WHILE DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH, MY 2000 FORD WINDSTAR LX MADE A LOUD NOISE AND BLACK SMOKE AND THE SMELL OF BURNING RUBBER FILLED THE VEHICLE. IT WAS WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY THAT MY HUSBAND WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND GET IT OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. MY SELF AND OUR 3 CHILDREN WERE VERY FORTUNATE TO ESCAPE INJURY. THE REAR TIRE AXLE HAD SNAPPED IN TWO. I HAVE SINCE READ OF NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS SAME DEFECT. WHY HASN'T ANYTHING BEEN DONE ABOUT THIS SERIOUS ISSUE? THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IN AUTO SHOP AND I AM WAITING TO HEAR IF IT CAN BE REPAIRED. I AM EXTREMELY APPREHENSIVE ABOUT DRIVING THIS CAR EVER AGAIN. WILL THE SAME SITUATION HAPPEN AGAIN IF I REPLACE IT WITH ANOTHER FORD PART? WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A SAFETY RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND THIS CAR HAS BEEN PROPERLY MAINTAINED. THERE ARE APPROXIMATELY 110,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. *TR

ABS BRAKE LIGHT (YELLOW) IS ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY AND BRAKE SYSTEM NO LONGER FUNCTIONS AS DESIGNED. SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH RECALL (09S09) WAS PERFORMED. *TR

TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR; WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH THE TIRES STARTED MAKING AN UNUSUAL NOISE AND THEN HE HEARD METAL SCRAPING ON THE PAVEMENT, HE PULLED OVER ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND DISCOVERED THAT HIS REAR SUSPENSION WAS BROKEN; THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO HIS HOME; THERE WAS NO DIAGNOSTIC TEST DONE OR REPAIRS; THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND HE STATED THAT THE DEALER WAS NO LONGER IN BUSINESS SO HE COULD NOT CONTACT HIM. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE 195,000..

TLA* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR AN UNRELATED ISSUE, THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS CRACKED AND WAS STILL ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE BY A SMALL PIECE OF METAL. THE AXLE WAS REPLACED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000 AND THE CURRENT WAS UNKNOWN.

FORD WINDSTAR 2000 BROKEN REAR AXLE. 2 WEEKS PRIOR HAD INTERMITTENT GRINDING NOISE WHICH VEHICLE OWNERS IDENTIFIED AS A SUSPENSION PROBLEM. SOUNDS WAS MOST NOTABLE ON UNEVEN TERRAIN, BUT NOT ALL THE TIME. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, NOTED BROKEN REAR AXLE. NO CONSEQUENCES, VEHICLE WAS TAKEN OFF ROAD BEFORE AXLE BROKE IN HALF. PART WILL BE REPLACED. *TR

THE REAR AXLE ON OUR 2000 FORD WINDSTAR SNAPPED IN TWO WHILE UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. THE AXLE WAS REPLACED FOR AROUND $800.00 ALONG WITH ONE OF THE SHOCKS FOR ANOTHER $85.00. ONE OF THE REAR COIL SPRINGS STILL NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *TR

2000 FORD WINDSTAR, XL. A/C, HEATER, ODOMETER, SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING. ABS LIGHT ON. *TR

I OWNED A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR WITH APPROXIMATELY 94,000 MILES. FOR ABOUT A WEEK, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE CAR WHEN DRIVING OVER UNEVEN SURFACES, ESPECIALLY WHILE BRAKING ON AN UNEVEN OR BUMPY SURFACE BECAUSE THE REAR END WOULD SHIFT TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT UNDER THESE CONDITIONS. .A FEW DAYS LATER, THE FRONT END BEGAN TO JERK AND I TOOK IT INTO THE GARAGE. UPON REVIEW, THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE REAR AXLE WAS BROKEN ALMOST COMPLETELY THROUGH. *TR

WE WERE BACKING SLOWLY OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. THE VAN SOUNDED LIKE SOMETHING WAS CAUGHT UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND WAS DRAGGING. WE GOT OUT OF THE CAR TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. WE NOTICED THE REAR WHEELS WERE BOTH TILTED INWARD AND THE REAR AXLE WAS DRAGGING ON THE GROUND, DAMAGING THE DRIVEWAY. THE VAN HAD TO BE TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC IN WHICH THE REAR AXLE WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 72,000 MILES. *TR

WE HAVE A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR THAT WE TOOK TO OUR MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. WHILE BEING INSPECTED, THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE REAR BEAM AXLE WAS ROTTED AND CRACKED. THIS IS THE 2ND REAR AXLE THAT ROTTED OUT ON THE VAN. 1ST ONE WAS REPLACED IN JULY 2008. CAR IS STILL AT MECHANICS GARAGE, AWAITING INSTRUCTIONS FOR REPAIR. FORD HAS NO RECALL ON THE AXLE. *TR

MY SON AND I WERE DRIVING TO BJ'S WAREHOUSE AFTER BUYING MULCH AT LOWE'S. WE JUST GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY AND WAS ABOUT 1/4 MILE FROM BJ'S WHEN WE HEARD A LOUD CLUNK. I THOUGHT THE TIRE BLEW AT FIRST AND CONTINUED INTO THE CLOSEST PARKING LOT. I LOOKED UNDER THE CAR AND FOUND THAT MY REAR AXLE I-BEAM HAD SNAPPED IN TWO. BOTH THE FLATBED DRIVER WHO TOWED IT AND MY MECHANIC SAID THEY NEVER SAW SUCH A THING HAPPEN BEFORE. A STEEL BEAM BRAKING IN TWO ISN'T SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN. WE WERE LUCKY WE DIDN'T HAVE AN ACCIDENT. FORD WILL ONLY HAVE A RECALL AFTER SOMEONE DIES AND A MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR LAWSUIT FOLLOWS. THAT WOULD BRING THE KIND OF PUBLICITY THAT FORD WOULD HAVE TO REACT TO. IT SEEMS THAT'S THE ONLY TIME ANY OF THESE CARMAKERS BACK THEIR VEHICLES IS AFTER A TRAGEDY AND A MAJOR INVESTIGATION. LIVES JUST AREN'T IMPORTANT TO THEM. JUST PROFITS. *TR

WITHOUT KNOWN CAUSE, THE REAR AXLE OF OUR 2000 FORD WINDSTAR LX SNAPPED IN HALF WHILE BEING DRIVEN. THE ONLY THING NOTICED,ONLY MOMENTS PRIOR TO THE BREAK, WAS THE BACK END SWIVELING JUST A BIT. THE REAR AXLE WAS REPLACED, THE OLD ONE DISCARDED, AND ONE OF OUR BRAND NEW TIRES WAS ALSO REPLACED DUE TO THE FRICTION IT SUSTAINED. *TR

DRIVING HOME FROM PHILA, PA THE REAR WAS FISH TAILING WITH EVERY LITTLE BUMP. BEING CLOSE TO HOME I FIGURED I COULD CHECK IT AFTER ARRIVING HOME. REAR AXLE BROKE OFF COMPLETELY IN HALF ON MY STREET. BOTH REAR TIRES WENT INWARD AND WERE AGAINST THE WHEEL WELL . THE CAR COULD NOT GO FORWARD OR BACKWARD AS THE AXLE WAS ON THE GROUND. SNAPPED APPROX. 18 INCHES FROM THE LEFT SIDE. LUCKILY WE WERE NOT ON A HIGHWAY AT THE TIME. 4 PASSENGERS. NEEDED 3 TOW TRUCKS BEFORE ONE FIGURED OUT HOW TO TOW IS WITHOUT ANYMORE DAMAGE. HAD A NEW AXLE PUT IN FOR $1200. MY WIFE IS STILL AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. *TR

I HAVE A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR VAN AND THE REAR AXLE SNAPPED IN TWO. I THINK IT HAPPENED WHEN WE PULLED INTO OUR DRIVEWAY. I HAVE NOT FIXED IT YET BECAUSE IT IS VERY EXPENSIVE AND HAVE TO SAVE UP THE MONEY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, HE NOTICED THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE TIRE WAS ABNORMALLY BENT OUTWARD. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT FOUND THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 88,000.

ON WED MAY 12TH I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY TO TAKE ONE OF MY KIDS TO A GUITAR LESSON. MY 2000 FORD WINDSTAR, WHICH HAD BEEN WORKING FINE, SUDDENLY MADE AN ODD NOISE AND THE TIRES WERE BENT INWARD TOWARD THE CAR. I GOT OUT AND DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR AXLE HAD BROKEN! THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS AND THERE WERE NO SIGNS OF THIS PROBLEM OCCURRING. I HAD THE CAR REPAIRED AND WAS TOLD BY THE REPAIR SHOP THAT THEY HAD SEEN A NUMBER OF THESE INCIDENTS OCCURRING. THE CAR IS OKAY NOW, BUT I HAD TO PAY OVER 900.00 TO HAVE THE DAMAGE FIXED AND I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT OTHER OWNERS OF THIS TYPE OF CAR. *TR

I DISCOVERED A LARGE CRACK IN THE REAR AXLE BEAM OF MY 2000 FORD WINDSTAR WHEN DOING ROUTINE BRAKE WORK. THE CRACK GOES HALFWAY THROUGH THE AXLE BEAM SO I DECIDED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD UNTIL I CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY. I WILL CONTACT THEM A.S.A.P. TO DETERMINE WHAT ACTION I SHOULD TAKE AT THIS POINT. IN MY OPINION THE VEHICLE IS NOT CURRENTLY SAFE TO OPERATE AS THE AXLE COULD COMPLETELY FRACTURE AT ANY GIVEN TIME DUE TO THE SEVERITY OF THE CRACK. I HAVE READ THAT MANY OTHER WINDSTAR OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM, YET FORD HAS DONE NOTHING TO NOTIFY OWNERS ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF AXLE FAILURE. I HAVE TAKEN SEVERAL PHOTOS OF THE AXLE FOR DOCUMENTATION BEFORE I HAVE THE IT REPLACED. *TR

MY 2000 FORD WINDSTAR REAR AXLE SPLIT IN HALF DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS (5/28/10). I AM IN THE PROCESS OF INQUIRING HOW MUCH THE REPAIR WILL COST. *TR

I WAS BACKING UP IN MY DRIVEWAY WHEN THE REAR AXLE OF MY 2000 FORD WINDSTAR BROKE IN HALF. *TR

I OWN A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR SE. I NOTICED MY CAR SHUDDERING A BIT ON THE EXPRESSWAY LATE LAST WEEK (5/20/10.) I SLOWED A BIT AND THE MOVEMENT STOPPED. I PULLED OFF THE EXPRESSWAY AND CONTINUED DRIVING ON CITY STREETS. I TRIED INCREASING MY SPEED BUT COULD NOT RECREATE THE 'SHUDDERING.' OVER THE WEEKEND, I FELT THE MOVEMENT ONCE MORE SO I STAYED AT LOW SPEEDS ON CITY STREETS AND PLANNED ON TAKING THE CAR IN ON MONDAY TO HAVE IT CHECKED. THE MOVEMENT HAD NOT RETURNED. ON SUNDAY, MAY 23 I HAD TO DRIVE ABOUT 7 MILES TO WORK. ABOUT 1 MILE SHORT OF MY DESTINATION THE SHUDDERING RETURNED, BUT MUCH WORSE AND AT LOW SPEED. I SLOWLY DROVE THE CAR INTO A PARKING LOT AND SAW MY LEFT REAR TIRE WAS TILTED. THINKING THE TIRE WAS LOOSE (I HAD NEW REAR SHOCKS PUT ON ABOUT 1 MONTH AGO AND THOUGHT MAYBE THEY HAD NOT TIGHTENED THE NUTS ENOUGH) I JACKED THE CAR UP A BIT AND POPPED THE HUBCAP. THE LUG NUTS WERE ALL TIGHT BUT THE RAISED CAR GAVE ME A CLEAR VIEW OF MY REAR AXLE, COMPLETELY SPLIT IN HALF. THE AXLE WAS STILL HOLDING UP THE CAR ONLY BECAUSE THE TWO HALVES WERE STILL PRESSED TOGETHER. THE AXLE WAS COMPLETELY BROKEN THROUGH (NOT JUST CRACKED) BASICALLY RIGHT AT THE MID POINT. I HAVE HAD THE CAR TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP ON A FLAT BED TRUCK, BUT WORK HAS NOT STARTED ON IT YET. TONIGHT I CHECKED ON LINE AND FOUND THAT THIS PROBLEM IS BEING INVESTIGATED BY YOUR AGENCY. HERE'S ANOTHER CASE FOR YOU TO ADD TO THE LIST. I FEEL EXTREMELY LUCKY TO BE WRITING THIS TO YOU WITHOUT HAVING BEEN IN THE ACC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VEER OFF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS BROKEN. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 136,000.

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 35 MPH WHEN THE CAR STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY... DROVE ABOUT 1 MILE TO FIND A SAFE PLACE TO PULL OVER... BY THIS TIME THE CAR WAS BARELY MOVING. I PULLED INTO A TURN LANE AND HEARD A LOUD CRASH AT THE BACK OF THE CAR. I STOPPED AND GOT OUT TO LOOK TO FIND THAT MY REAR AXLE HAD SNAPPED IN TWO. IT WAS COMPLETELY BROKEN INTO TWO PIECES TO THE LEFT OF CENTER ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THANK GOD I WAS NOT ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THE FORD DEALER ACTED TOTALLY SHOCKED THAT THIS COULD HAPPEN AND TOLD ME TO CALL MY INSURANCE COMPANY... THAT SURELY I MUST HAVE HIT SOMETHING IN ORDER FOR SUCH DAMAGE TO OCCUR. THE INSURANCE COMPANY FOUND NO DAMAGE... AND SO WE PAID OUT OF POCKET FOR THE REPAIR... WHICH ALSO INCLUDED WORK ON "REAR SUSPENSION" AND SHOCK ABSORBERS... DAMAGED AS A RESULT OF THE AXLE BREAKING. WE REPLACED WITH A USED AXLE. TOTAL PAID $1076.45. *TR

REAR AXLE BROKE ON 2000 FORD WINDSTAR, WHILE BEING MOVING DOWN THE STREET. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE REVERSING IN THE DRIVEWAY AT 5 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED A CLICKING SOUND FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS SPLIT IN TWO. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 108,000.

1. I WAS CHECKING UNDERNEATH MY CAR BECAUSE IT SOUNDED LIKE THERE WAS SOMETHING THE MATTER WITH THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE BRAKES. 2. I FOUND SOMETHING MORE ALARMING. ABOUT 1/3 OF THE WAY ACROSS THE AXLE FROM THE DRIVER SIDE REAR WHEEL WAS A BIG CRACK IN THE AXLE. 3.I HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING YET BUT LEFT THE CAR IN MY DRIVEWAY AS SEVERAL PEOPLE ADVISED ME THAT THE CAR WAS TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. I WAS THINKING OF CALLING A BODY SHOP TO HAVE THE CRACK WELDED BACK TOGETHER. BUT THEN I READ ABOUT HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE MAKING COMPLAINTS ABOUT REAR AXLES IN FORD WINDSTARS AND DECIDED TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE NHTSA. *TR

I WAS REVERSING OUT OF THE STORE PARKING LOT AND MY REAR AXLE CRACKED. CRACKED RIGHT IN HALF. MY 9 YEAR OLD SON WAS WITH ME . 2 MINUTES BEFORE THAT I WAS ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY. I WAS LUCKY! SOMEONE IS GOING TO INJURED OR WILL DIE. THERE ARE LOTS OF THESE COMPLAINTS AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. *TR

REAR AXLE SNAPPED IN HALF GOING 45 MPH. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 35 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS BARELY ALE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE SHE WAS ADVISED BY THE MECHANIC THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS CRACKED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL AND TO HAVE THE DEALER REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURE WOULD OFFER NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 130,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 30 MPH, THE REAR AXLE CRACKED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT SPOKEN WITH THE DEALER OR MANUFACTURER AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 118,000.