2001 Ford Windstar complaints

2001 FORD WINDSTAR 150,000 MILES, DRIVING ON HIGHWAY APPROX. 55 MILES PER HOUR, VEHICLE STARTING SWAYING THEN HEARD A LOAD CRASH AND A LOT OF SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER VEHICLE, THOUGHT IT WAS A BLOW OUT. PULLED ON TO A SIDE ROAD BOTH REAR TIRES WERE BOWED IN AND REAR AXLE HAD SPLIT. *TR

WHEN THE ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS COME ON, THE BRAKING DISTANCE SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASES. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM THAT COMES ON WITH HOT WEATHER. ON A COOL MORNING OR AT NIGHT THERE WILL BE NO WARNING LIGHTS, BUT THEY COME UP WHEN CAR HEATS UP IN THE SUN. THE FORD RECALL 09S09 WAS DONE ON THIS CAR AND BRAKES ARE IN VERY GOOD CONDITION. THE ABS SEEMS TO WORK WHEN THE WARNING LIGHT ARE GONE, BUT BRAKES SEEM TO BE SLOW TO RESPOND IN HOT WEATHER WHEN HEAT TRIGGERS THE ABS WARNING LIGHTS. *TR

I WENT TO RUN AN ERRAND & THE VAN SEEMED TO BE HANDLING STRANGELY. IT FELT LIKE THE REAR WAS JUMPING/SHIFTING ON "NORMAL" PAVEMENT. I TURNED AROUND (ONLY .5 MILES FROM HOME) & FOUND THE REAR TIRES ON MY 2001 WINDSTAR "CAVED INWARDS". I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY MAKE IT THE SHORT DISTANCE BACK TO MY HOME & LOOK UNDERNEATH TO SEE THAT THE REAR AXLE IS SPLIT THROUGH (NOT COMPLETELY, BUT BADLY). WE HAVE NOT YET HAD IT TOWED TO GET AN ESTIMATE FOR REPAIR. *TR

FORD WINDSTAR REAR AXEL BREAK 1. HEARD ODD SOUND UNDER CAR 2. REAR AXEL BROKE NEAR DRIVER SIDE OF CAR. 3. DEALER SAYS THEY CANNOT GET THE PART, I MUST FIND MY OWN. *TR

OWN A 2000 WINDSTAR. AFTER THE LAST RECALL THOUGHT IT WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. THE ABS LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, CHECK ENGINE ARE CONSTANTLY ON. THE SPEEDOMETER, ODOMETER, AIR CONDITIONING NOT WORKING. HAVE NOT TAKEN TO A GARAGE YET. BUT WILL BE. *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR LX MINIVAN AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH ON INTERSTATE 270 IN MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS AT APPROXIMATELY 7:30 PM ON WED. 8/18/2010 WHEN THE VEHICLE'S BACK END STARTED TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY. THINKING IT MIGHT BE A BLOWN TIRE, I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER TO SEE IF I COULD FIND THE PROBLEM. SEEING HOW ALL TIRES WERE FINE, I CONTINUED. WHEN REACHING SPEED OF 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE AGAIN. I WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE INTERSTATE AND CONTINUE ON MY JOURNEY AT A RATE OF SPEED THAT DID NOT EXCEED 25 MPH. WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT HOME (UNDER 5 MILES THROUGH MINIMAL CITY TRAFFIC) AS THE VEHICLE DID NOT SHAKE DUE TO SLOWER SPEED. WHEN I REACHED HOME, I CHECKED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED A LARGE CRACK IN THE REAR AXLE NEAR THE CENTER OF THE AXLE. WHEN RESEARCHING THE INTERNET ON WINDSTAR AXLES, I DISCOVERED THAT OTHER WINDSTAR OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM DUE TO THE WINDSTAR'S AXLE DESIGN. ALSO WHILE DOING RESEARCH, I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT FORD IS KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT THE AXLE'S DEFECTIVE DESIGN BUT HAS NOT EVOKED ANY ACTION TO CORRECT THE SITUATION OR HAS PRESENTED A RECALL. THE 2001 FORD WINDSTAR LX I OWN HAS 160,000 MILES ON IT, BUT HAS NOT HAD ANY OVERWHELMING MECHANIC FAILURES ON IT EXCEPT FOR AIR CONDITIONING AND MINOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE WAS RECENTLY TAKEN TO A LOCAL FORD SERVICE CENTER IN ALTON, IL ON SAT. 7/24/2010 FOR RECALL WORK, AND EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE WENT THROUGH AN INSPECTION AT THE TIME, NOTHING WAS

I HAVE A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR THAT WAS JUST CLEARED FROM THE SERV. DEPT FORD DEALERSHIP ABOUT THE ABS AND OD WARNING LIGHTS FLASHING (THEY SAID DUE TO A BLOWN FUSE). NOW THE LIGHTS ARE BACK ON, THE REMAINING DASH LIGHTS ARE GOING CRAZY AND THE HEADLIGHTS ARE CUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. WENT TO START THE CAR FROM WORK AND THE BATTERY IS DEAD. THESE LIGHTS COME ON WHEN THE VAN HEATS UP OR HITS A BUMP. I HAVE SMALL CHILDREN AND WORK THIRD SHIFT SO THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED BEFORE SOMETHING SERIOUS HAPPENS AS A RESULT IN FAULTY EQUIPMENT. *TR

2001 FORD WINDSTAR. REAR AXLE CATASTROPHICALLY FAILED WHILE DRIVING DOWN A FREEWAY. METALLIC CLICKING OCCURRED WHILE THE CAR WAS DRIVEN IN REVERSE THE DAY BEFORE THE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH WHEN HE STRUCK A POTHOLE, CAUSING THE REAR AXLE TO FRACTURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE HE WAS AWAITING REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 122,000. UPDATED 11/16/10. *LJ

2001 FORD WINDSTAR:SPEEDO INOP WHEN RED BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON, ABS LIGHT ON, AND RED BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ON INTERMITTENTLY. TOOK TO DEALER TO HAVE RECALL PERFORMED AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT RECALL WOULD NOT COVER. CALLED FORD HOTLINE AND THEY TALKED TO DEALER. PULLING OUT OF DEALER ABS LIGHT CAME BACK ON. DEALER SAYS PROBLEM IS NOT RELATED TO ABS RECALL. NOW TOOK TO ANOTHER DEALER AND THEY SAY $2700 TO FIX ABS ECU, WHICH WAS SUPPOSED TO BE FIXED DURING THE RECALL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL POP FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THE REAR AXLE WAS FRACTURED UPON FURTHER INSPECTION. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO LOCATE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ONLINE REGARDING THE FAILURE YET THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

WHILE DRIVING OUR 2001 FORD WINDSTAR WHICH HAS ONLY 60,000 MILES AT ABOUT 20 MPH, A LOUD SNAP SOUND OCCURRED, FOLLOWED BY WOBBLING FROM THE BACK OF THE CAR AND BURNING RUBBER SMELL AS THE VEHICLE CAME TO A SCRAPPING STOP. WE GOT OUT TO SEE THAT THE REAR AXLE BAR HAD SNAPPED IN TWO ABOUT A FOOT OR SO FROM THE DRIVERS REAR WHEEL. WE CALLED GEICO AND FILED A CLAIM, THEY ARE GOING TO REPAIR IT BUT WE WILL STILL HAVE TO PAY A $500 DEDUCTIBLE. THEY SAID THAT IF THEY ARE SUCCESSFUL IN GOING AFTER FORD FOR THIS "DEFECT", WE WOULD THEM BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE $500 BACK . WE SEE ON THE INTERNET THAT THERE ARE TWO YOUTUBE.COM VIDEOS ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM AND THESE AXLES ARE SNAPPED EXACTLY WHERE OURS LET GO. WE ALSO SEE ON THE INTERNET THAT THE NHTSA HAS BEEN INVESTIGATING THIS PROBLEM SINCE MAY OF 2010. AS OF THAT DATE THERE WERE ALMOST 300 OCCURRENCES OF THIS FAILURE IN THE NORTHEAST, I GUESS MORE AND MORE OF THIS OCCURRENCE WILL CONTINUE UNTIL FORD RECALLS THIS DEFECTIVE WELD OR INADEQUATE THICKNESS OF THE REAR AXEL BAR ITSELF. WE HOPE NO-ONE HAS TO LOOSE THEIR LIVES BEFORE FORD ADDRESSES THIS ISSUE. WE ARE SO GLAD THAT WE NEVER MADE IT TO THE ENTRANCE OF THE HIGHWAY, BECAUSE I CANNOT IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *TR

MY WIFE WAS PULLING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY WITH HER 2001 FORD WINDSTAR WHEN THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE AND THE WHEELS TURNED AND LOCKED IN POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION IF IT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED AT HIGHWAY SPEED. THE VEHICLE HAS 96,000 MILES ON IT. IT COST $1,600 TO GET REPAIRED. FORD HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE METAL ON THESE VEHICLES. VEHICLE FRAMES SHOULD NOT RUST OUT. *TR

REAR AXLE BROKE COMPLETELY IN HALF CAUSING THE WHEELS TO TURN INWARD WHILE APPROACHING HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AS IT SWAYED FORM SIDE TO SIDE AND PULL TO THE BERM. I HAD THE VAN TOWED HOME AND HAVEN'T REPAIRED IT YET. *TR

DRIVING ALONG AT MINIMAL SPEED, +/- 30 MPH, I HEARD AND FELT A "SNAP" IN THE REAR OF MY FORD WINDSTAR. THEN AN IMMEDIATE DRAGGING FEELING AND SCRAPING OF METAL FROM THE REAR END FOLLOWED. THE CAR SWERVED AND SLOWED TO A STOP. NO ADDITIONAL VEHICLES WERE INVOLVED, BUT AN EASY COLLISION COULD HAVE RESULTED, IF NOT FOR THE FACT I WAS APPROACHING A LEFT TURN LANE AND WAS ABLE TO STEER CLEAR OF TRAFFIC. I CHECKED THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE AND THE AXLE WAS CLEANLY BROKEN IN TWO, AS IF A SEAM HAD SPLIT. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION, LIFE THREATENING IN MY OPINION IF I WAS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *TR

I OWN A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR WITH JUST OVER 119,600 MILES ON IT. ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 6, 2010 I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK. I WAS GOING BETWEEN 35 AND 40 MPH. SUDDENLY I HEARD A LOUD NOISE SOMEWHERE CLOSE BEHIND ME AND I SAW SMOKE AND/OR DUST COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VAN. I THOUGHT I HAD BLOWN A TIRE BUT WHEN I GOT OUT AND LOOKED ALL THE TIRES WERE FINE ALTHOUGH I THOUGHT THE REAR TIRES WERE TILTED TOWARD EACH OTHER. WHEN MY HUSBAND CAME TO PICK ME UP, WE LOOKED UNDER THE REAR OF THE VAN AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR AXLE HAD BROKEN ALMOST IN HALF. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS CRACKED AND NOT TO DRIVE IT UNTIL IT WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO HAVE THE AXLE REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE AS THERE WAS NO OFFICIAL RECALL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 79,000.

ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS IS ON AT THE DASHBOARD AND ABS DOESN'T WORK. *TR

CUSTOMER BROUGHT VEHICLE IN FOR ABS LIGHT ON, FOUND SCDS SWITCH TO BE LEAKING BRAKE FLUID AND REPLACED WITH A MOTORCRAFT UPDATED SWITCH. AFTER SERVICE WHILE VEHICLE WAS STILL IN SHOP BAY WITH IGNITION OFF, VEHICLE ABS UNIT STARTED ON FIRE. WE THEN REMOVED ALL POWER FROM VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT AFTER REMOVING THE ABS MODULE CONNECTOR BRAKE FLUID WAS FOUND INSIDE OF ABS MODULE, AND THE CONNECTOR WAS MELTED. WE THEN CALLED FORD DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF THE WERE ANY RECALLS CONCERNING THIS VEHICLE AND THE ABS MODULE AND OR SWITCH, AND WERE TOLD THAT THERE WERE NONE. WE HAVE SINCE FOUND MANY ARTICLES ONLINE CONCERNING THIS MATTER, AND YET NO RECALL ? ANOTHER HALF HOUR AND THE DOORS WOULD HAVE BEEN CLOSED FOR THE NIGHT, WE WOULD HAVE LOST OUR SHOP, ALL VEHICLES INSIDE. PLEASE MAKE THEM STAND BEHIND THIS CLEAR AND EVIDENT PROBLEM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE SHIFTING INTO REVERSE GEAR THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD CRUNCHING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER EXAMINING THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS CRACKED IN HALF. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 110000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE EXAMINING THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE LEFT REAR AXLE WAS CRACKED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 86000.

2001 FORD WINDSTAR REAR AXLE CRACKED IN HALF - DRIVING VEHICLE AND HEARD A LOUD POPPING SOUND,(THOUGHT I BROKE A SHOCK), BACK END OF VEHICLE BECAME UNSTABLE. LOOKED UNDERNEATH AND FOUND REAR AXLE BROKEN IN HALF ABOUT ONE AND A HALF FOOT FROM DRIVES REAR TIRE. HAVE VEHICLE TOWED TO GARAGE TO HAVE FIXED, THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM SINCE THEY SAID THEY HAVE REPLACED SEVERAL. *TR

2001 FORD WINDSTAR VAN, REAR AXLE SNAPPED IN HALF WHILE DRIVING. *TR

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND SOUNDED LIKE A TIRE BLEW. PULLED OFF ROAD AND NOTICED REAR PASSENGER TIRE COMPLETELY BUCKLED IN. LOOKED UNDER VEHICLE AND SAW REAR AXLE WAS IN 2 PIECES. HAD TO REPLACE REAR AXLE, BRAKE LINE, AND TIRE. *TR

2001 FORD WINDSTAR REAR AXEL CRACKED IN HALF WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AND HITTING A POT HOLE. LOSS CONTROL OF CAR, NOT HITTING ANYTHING OR ANYONE; JUST SWERVED INTO OTHER LANE AND UNABLE TO DRIVE VAN. TIRES DAMAGED AND LEFT TIRE TILTED INWARD. POSSIBLE DAMAGE TO REAR BRAKES. *TR

2001 FORD WINDSTAR, ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT COME ON INTERMITTENTLY, THEY ONLY GO OUT WHEN THE CAR COOLS. TERRYS LINCOLN MERCURY IN ORLAND PARK IL REPLACED/OR ADDED SOME SORT OF CABLE PER DETROIT (I WAS NOT AWARE OF THE RECALL, THEY PERFORMED THIS WITHOUT MY KNOWLEDGE AS I FOUND OUT. THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS AND HAS EXISTED FOR YEARS. *TR

FORD REFUSED TO FIX A COMMON PROBLEM ON A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR WITH A CHECK ENGINE CODE INDICATING THE DPFE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, I PAID FOR THE DIAGNOSIS BUT FORD INDICATED THAT THIS WAS NOT A RECALL. *TR

FORD WINDSTAR 2001 REAR AXLE CRACKED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED BY FORD DEALERSHIP AT OUR EXPENSE. THE DEALER IS THE PERSON WHO NOTICED THE PROBLEM UPON DOING ROUTINE WORK ON OUR VAN. WE WENT IN TO SEE AND TAKE PICTURES AS WE THOUGHT THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL AND WERE VERY THANKFUL THAT IT DID NOT BREAK WHILE WE WERE IN THE VAN WITH OUR CHILDREN. THEY STATED THAT THEY WERE SEEING IT MORE OFTEN AND WERE CHECKING CARS AS THEY WORKED ON THEM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR . WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE RESPONDED AS IF IT HAD A FLAT TIRE. WHEN HE DROVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE HE NOTICED THAT THE REAR WHEEL WAS TILTING OUTWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS CRACKED IN HALF. THE DEALER WAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 133000. UPDATED 10/21/10. *LJ

I OWN A FORD WINDSTAR 2001. CONCERNED THAT THE ABS LIGHTS ON AND BRAKE LIGHTS ARE ALWAYS ON- THEY WILL NOT COME OFF AND THE HAND BRAKE IS DOWN. *TR

WE TOOK OUR 2001 FORD WINDSTAR MINIVAN TO OUR LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE 09S09 RECALL REPAIRED. THE REPAIR WAS MADE; HOWEVER, WE ARE NOW HAVING ISSUES WITH THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT CONSISTENTLY ILLUMINATING ON VEHICLE DASHBOARD. THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT DOES NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN VEHICLE IS FIRST STARTED UP; HOWEVER, ILLUMINATES ON VEHICLE DASHBOARD WHILE DRIVING. WHITE, PUFFY AND CLOUDY SMOKE ALSO FLOWS THROUGH FRONT AND CENTER AIR VENTS WHILE LIGHTS ARE ILLUMINATED. WE TOOK OUR VEHICLE TO MECHANIC WHO COULD NOT REPRODUCE SMOKE; HOWEVER, WAS ABLE TO PULL THE CODES. THE CODES PULLED ARE C1185, C1194, C1198, C1210, C1214, C1242, C1246, C1250, AND C1254. IT APPEARS THAT THE ABS MODULE WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. WE ARE SCHEDULING THIS REPAIR TO ME MADE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, AS WE HAVE FOUR YOUNG CHILDREN WHO RIDE IN THIS VAN ON A DAILY BASIS, AND THIS VAN IS THE MAIN TRANSPORTATION FOR OUR LARGE FAMILY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS SEVERELY CRACKED. THE DEALER WAS IN THE PROCESS OF REPLACING THE REAR AXLE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 150,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD BANG FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. WITHIN SECONDS, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FISHTAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR AXLE HAD FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 109,000.

2001 FORD WINDSTAR. RIGHT FRONT SUBFRAME ROTTED AT MOUNTED POINT TO MAIN FRAME. HAD BEEN HEARING SLIGHT GRINDING NOISE FOR PAST WEEK OR SO FROM RIGHT SIDE OF VEHICLE. SEVERAL ATTEMPTS WERE MADE TO DIAGNOSE NOISE WITH NO SUCCESS. VEHICLE WAS RAISED ON JACKS FOR INSPECTION AND IT WAS FOUND THAT THE FRAME HAD ROTTED THROUGH AT THE MOUNTING POINT. VEHICLE REQUIRES COMPLETE FRONT SUBFRAME REPLACEMENT. *TR

I READ THE ARTICLE IN THE MORNING CALL IN ALLENTOWN, PA ABOUT THE REAR AXLES OF THE FORD WINDSTAR AND DECIDED TO GO CHECK OUR VAN. LOW AND BEHOLD, THERE IS A CRACK ABOUT 18 INCHES IN FROM THE DRIVER SIDE AND IS ABOUT 3 INCHES VERTICALLY. *TR

I HAVE A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR MINIVAN AND IN FEBRUARY 2010 I WAS DRIVING MY DAUGHTER AND HER FRIENDS HOME FROM DANCE WHEN THE REAR AXLE BEAM CRACKED IN HALF AND I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY AND PULL INTO A PARKING LOT BEFORE THE BACK WHEEL FELL OFF. THIS COST ME $800.00 TO FIX USING A USED PART. *TR

2001 FORD WINDSTAR. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE REAR AXLE CRACKED AND BROKE IN TO TWO PARTS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED PRIOR TO HER SERVICE APPOINTMENT, SHE HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WHEN SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLIDE. FORTUNATELY, SHE WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. WHEN SHE ARRIVED HOME, SHE LOOKED UNDER THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED A LARGE CRACK IN THE REAR AXLE. *JB

BRAKING DISTANCE SUDDENLY INCREASED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY DROPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS FRACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 130,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD, UNUSUAL EXPLOSION. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE FRONT SUB FRAME AND AXLE HAD FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING REPAIRS. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 110,000. UPDATED 11/19/10.*LJ ALSO, THE OIL PAN GASKETS WAS LEAKING. UPDATED 11/24/10

THE REAR AXEL IN MY FORD WINDSTAR LS VAN HAS BROKEN APART IN TWO PIECES. THE REAR AXEL LOOKS AS THOUGH IT IS CUT INTO TWO PARTS. I AM VERY LUCKY THAT IT HAPPENED IN A PLACE WHERE I COULD PULL OVER AND ASSESS THE PROBLEM. I HAD RECENTLY TAKEN A TRIP WITH MY FOUR CHILDREN AND IF THIS HAD SNAPPED DURING HIGHWAY DRIVING IT COULD HAVE FLIPPED THE VAN AND HURT OR KILLED US ALL NOT TO MENTION ANY CARS THAT COULD HAVE BEEN INVOLVED. THE TIRES ARE LEANING UP AGAINST THE WHEEL WELLS (TURNED OUT) AND THE AXEL IS SPLIT. I HOPE THAT THIS IS LOOKED INTO FURTHER. II HAVE HAD NO ACCIDENTS, OR INCIDENT THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED THIS. I FEEL AS THOUGH IT MAY HAVE STARTED ON THE INSIDE OF THE AXEL DUE TO THE CLEAN BREAK. I HAVE NOT YET FIXED THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A SITUATION WHERE IT COULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE FOR MY FAMILY'S LIFE. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE QUALITY FORD IS PROVIDING ITS CONSUMERS, AND THE SAFETY RISK FACTOR THAT IS NOT CONSIDERED. FORD AXELS ARE DEFECTIVE, AND SALT BELT STATES DESERVE THE SAME SAFETY STANDARDS AND QUALITY AS OTHER STATES. I AM BLESSED TO LIVE THROUGH THIS EXPERIENCE AND FRUSTRATED AT THE QUALITY FORD HAS PROVIDED. I AM SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING NOT PURCHASING FORD PRODUCTS IN THE FUTURE. *TR

FOR SEVERAL MONTHS, MY WIFE AND I NOTICED A CREAKING/THUMPING SOUND COMING FROM THE LEFT REAR OF OUR 2001 FORD WINDSTAR SEL, WHICH HAS 111,000 MILES ON IT. THE SOUND WAS ESPECIALLY NOTICEABLE WHEN TURNING AT LOW SPEEDS AND AT THE SAME TIME EXPERIENCING AN ELEVATION CHANGE (E.G., ENTERING A DRIVEWAY FROM THE ROAD). THE FORD DEALER TOLD US WE NEEDED NEW REAR SHOCKS, WHICH WE REPLACED FOR $500+. THE VEHICLE HANDLED A LITTLE BETTER AND THE SOUND SEEMED TO BE REDUCED, BUT NEVER TOTALLY WENT AWAY. OVER THE NEXT COUPLE MONTHS, THE SOUND GRADUALLY WORSENED. WE WERE PLANNING A LONG ROAD TRIP FOR OUR SUMMER VACATION, SO WE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER THE DAY BEFORE WE WERE GOING TO LEAVE. THIS TIME, THE DEALER TOLD US THE REAR AXLE BEAM WAS CRACKED. I'M SURE THAT WAS PART, IF NOT ALL, OF THE PROBLEM THAT WE EXPERIENCED THE FIRST TIME WE BROUGHT IT IN, BECAUSE THE SOUND WAS THE SAME. REGARDLESS, WE WERE FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO DISCOVER THE PROBLEM BEFORE WE WERE ON THE ROAD WITH OUR THREE CHILDREN AND A VAN FULLY LOADED FOR A 10-DAY VACATION. I ASKED THE FORD TECHNICIAN HOW IT COULD POSSIBLY BE THAT FORD COULD MAKE A MINIVAN WITH A REAR AXLE BEAM THAT FAILED AFTER ONLY NINE YEARS OF ROUTINE USE. HE DIDN'T HAVE MUCH TO SAY, BUT ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS TAKE A CLOSE LOOK AT THE AXLE BEAM TO UNDERSTAND WHY. IT'S AS THIN AS AN ALUMINUM BASEBALL BAT, AND IT'S JUST AS HOLLOW. A POP CAN HAS MORE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY. I MENTIONED THE PROBLEM TO A NEIGHBORHOOD AUTO MECHANIC, AND HE SAID THIS HA

BACK AXEL BROKE ON OUR 2001 FORD WINDSTAR WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MILES AN HOUR. WE JUST GOT IT TOWED BACK HOME, TODAY IS SUNDAY SO WE WILL HAVE TO CALL ON IT TOMORROW, BUT I SEE THERE ARE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS WITH THIS. *TR

NHTSA EXPANDS FORD WINDSTAR CORROSION PROBE TO FRONT SUBFRAMES. I HAVE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THIS BUT HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE H-FRAME IN THE FRONT OF MY WINDSTAR REPLACED DUE TO CORROSION WHERE THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT WHEEL CONNECTION HAD CORRODED THROUGH AND THE WHEEL WAS GOING TO POTENTIALLY COME OFF. IT WAS MAKING A LOT OF NOISE AND NOT PERFORMING CORRECTLY SO MY MECHANIC TOOK A LOOK TO SEE IF THE SHOCKS, BALL JOINTS NEEDED REPLACEMENT. HE FOUND THE H-FRAME CORRODED AND REQUIRED REPLACING. THIS WAS 2 YEAR AGO AND COST ABOUT $2000 TO REPLACE. I AM NOW HAVING ISSUES WITH MY REAR END WHICH IS CAUSING LOUD NOISES GOING OVER BUMPS AND VIBRATING AT SPEED. WENT TO THE SAME MECHANIC AND HE SAYS THAT THE U-FRAME HOLDING UP THE REAR END IS CRACKED AND CORRODED. EVENTUALLY IT WILL BREAK THROUGH AND DROP THE CAR. SINCE THIS IS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR WITH 80,000 MILES, I HAVE DECIDED NOT TO UNDERGO THE REPAIRS BUT TO LOOK FOR A NEW VEHICLE. THE WINDSTAR HAS BEEN GARAGE KEPT FOR ITS ENTIRE LIFE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH THE CONTACT HEARD A RUBBING NOISE UNDERNEATH THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS BENT. THE REAR AXLE WAS REPLACED BY THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE FAILURE HAS NOT RECURRED SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, TRANSMISSION FLUID HAS LEAKED OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE TRANSMISSION LEAK WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 123,000.

HI, I WENT IN TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP TO TAKE MY CAR FOR A RECALL FOR A SPEED CONTROL SWITCH ON 2001 FORD WINDSTAR, AFTER 2 WEEKS OF BEING THERE MY BRAKES AND ABS LIGHTS CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME, I TOLD MY HUSBAND HE SAID MAYBE I NEED IT BRAKE FLUID, WE PUT BRAKE FLUID IT WAS MISSING SOME BUT NOTHING CONSIDERABLE, THAT WAS ALMOST AT THE END OF THE WINTER, THE LIGHTS WILL COME ON AND OFF AS THEY FELT LIKE IT, BUT NOW THEY STAY LID ALL THE TIME, I WAS LOOKING ONLINE AND SEEMS TO BE LOTS OF OWNERS OF SAME CAR HAS SAME PROBLEMS WITH BOTH LIGHTS STAYING LID ALWAYS. SHOULD THIS BE A FORD PROBLEM OR SHOULD I SPEND $800.00 PLUS LABOR TO GET MY CAR FIX???? *TR

HAD MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR IN FOR RECALL 09S09 (ALSO DESCRIBED AS 05S28 ON MY FORD SERVICE INVOICE). SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH WAS REPLACED AFTER BURNING ODOR WAS DETECTED AND A DETERMINATION THAT UNIT WAS LEAKING. SERVICE ADVISOR AT FORD TOLD ME MY VEHICLE WOULD NEED A NEW ABS ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM). I REPLIED THAT MY ON-LINE RESEARCH INDICATED THAT PROBLEMS WITH THE ECM COULD OR MIGHT VERY LIKELY BE CONNECTED TO THE LEAKING SCDS. HIS ANSWER WAS THAT THEY WERE "UNRELATED". CONSIDERING MY RESEARCH, THAT STATEMENT APPEARS TO BE UNTRUTHFUL. I HAVE BEGUN TO NOTICE AN INCREASE IN BRAKING DISTANCE. BOTH MY ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS ARE ON, ALLOWING NO DISTINCTION TO BE MADE BETWEEN AN ABS PROBLEM AND AN ACTUAL BRAKE PROBLEM. THIS IN ITSELF IS A DESIGN FLAW AND DEFECT! PLEASE NOTE ALSO THAT THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW IN THE ECM, THE DESIGN OF WHICH CAUSES NOTICEABLE EXPANSION IN THE UNIT DURING PERIODS OF HOT WEATHER, AND RESULTS IN ELECTRICAL CONTACT ISSUES WITHIN THE UNIT. I BELIEVE THIS ECM ISSUE ALSO DESERVES THE IMMEDIATE ATTENTION OF NHTSA, AND AN IMMEDIATE RECALL FROM FORD. THANK YOU FOR GIVING THIS MATTER YOUR MOST SERIOUS CONSIDERATION AND ATTENTION. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT CONCERNS MANY THOUSANDS OF US, AND WE APPRECIATE YOUR ADVOCACY ON OUR BEHALF. *TR

RE: 2001 FORD WINDSTAR MINIVAN HAVING CONTINUOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE ABS/ BRAKE LIGHT /TIRE GAUGE BEING DISPLAYED ON THE DASHBOARD. ALSO HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE SPEEDOMETER NOT WORKING . HAVE HAD THE VAN IN SEVERAL TIMES TO BE REPAIRED & PROBLEM KEEPS OCCURRING. *TR

IT WAS RAINING & I WAS DRIVING HOME WITH MY SONS IN THE VAN WHEN IT SUDDENLY SWERVED OUT OF CONTROL, FISH-TAILING INTO THE DIRECTION OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I ALMOST LOST COMPLETE CONTROL AND NARROWLY AVOIDED HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE. I PROCEEDED HOME CAUTIOUSLY, THINKING THE WAY THE VAN WAS NOW HANDLING WAS DUE TO ROAD CONDITIONS. THE NEXT DAY IT CONTINUED TO HANDLE DIFFICULTLY, AND I NOTED A SQUEALING TIRE SOUND WITH TURNS - I THOUGHT PERHAPS THE TIRES NEEDED AIR, AND IT WAS STILL RAINING. THAT AFTERNOON, AS I WAS MERGING ONTO THE HIGHWAY, THE VAN RANDOMLY STARTED TO FISH-TAIL OVER TWO LANES, NEARLY ROLLING OVER. I WAS BARELY ABLE TO OBTAIN CONTROL. I PROCEEDED HOME CAUTIOUSLY, NOTING THE TIRES WERE SQUEALING MORE WITH TURNS & IT WAS MORE DIFFICULT TO HANDLE. ONCE HOME I CHECKED THE TIRES & THEY SEEMED FINE. I LOADED MY SONS IN THE VAN, AGAINST MY BETTER JUDGMENT, TO HAVE DINNER AT A FRIENDS HOUSE. I PLANNED TO HAVE HER BOYFRIEND CHECK IT WHILE WE WERE THERE (MY HUSBAND WAS GONE FOR TWO WEEKS). I CAUTIOUSLY DROVE DOWN OUR ROAD AND WHEN I TOOK THE LONG CURVE BY THE SCHOOL THE TIRES BEGAN TO SQUEAL LOUDLY AND THE VAN STARTED SWERVING ALL OVER, INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. IT ROCKED AND SWERVED & NEARLY FLIPPED, SCARING ALL 3 OF US NEARLY TO DEATH. I FINALLY WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VAN & HAD MY SON GET OUT AND WATCH AS I DROVE PAST SLOWLY. HE IMMEDIATELY STARTED SCREAMING TO GET OUT! THE WHEELS WERE ABOUT TO FALL OFF! I SLOWLY & FEARFULLY PULLED INTO THE CHURCH LOT WE WERE NEXT TO AND DISC

1. 2001 FORD WINDSTAR 158,000 MILES HAS A BROKEN REAL AXEL. THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY HAD NORMAL USE. NO ACCIDENTS. 2.THE BROKEN AXEL MAKES THE VEHICLE UNDRIVABLE. NO INJURIES OR ACCIDENTS INVOLVED. 3. LOOKING INTO REPAIR BUT YET UNSURE OF COSTS. WON'T BUY A USED REPLACEMENT DUE TO THE FREQUENCY OF THIS PROBLEM. *TR