2001 Ford Windstar complaints

WHILE DRIVING THE VAN (2001 FORD WINDSTAR) IT BEGAN TO HANDLE ERRATICALLY. THIS WAS AN INTERMITTENT EXPERIENCE, BUT AT TIMES QUITE SEVER. AFTER ARRIVING HOME, I INSPECTED UNDER THE VEHICLE FOR ANY ODD DRIPS, HANGING PARTS, ETC. WHEN PUSHING ON EACH WHEEL I NOTICED THE RIGHT REAR WAS CANTED INWARD. UPON FURTHER LOOK UNDER THE VAN, I COULD SEE A LARGE CRACK UNDER THE RIGHT SIDE AXLE. I HAVE STOPPED DRIVING AS IT IS UNSAFE AT THIS POINT. THERE IS NO RUST, AND WAS NO WARNING OF TROUBLE, IT SIMPLY APPEARS TO HAVE FAILED. THE CRACK IS NEARLY COMPLETE WITH ONLY ABOUT 1 INCH NEAR THE FRONT OF THE AXLE HOLDING IT TOGETHER. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD MALFUNCTION WHILE BEING USED DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THEIR IS A RECALL REGARDING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS (RECALL 01V26100) BUT HIS VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CONTACT STATED THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

SOMETIME BETWEEN 10:30PM OF 28 JUNE AND 5AM 29 JUNE, MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUSTED WHILE PARKED IN THE GARAGE OF THE RECTORY HERE AT HOLY ASSUMPTION CHURCH IN MARBLEHEAD, OHIO. THE VAN IS A TOTAL LOSS AS THE ENTIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND MOST OF THE DASHBOARD (ON THE PASSENGER SIDE) ARE BURNT OUT OR MELTED. THIS HAPPENED AFTER I TWICE TOOK MY WINDSTAR TO AN AUTHORIZED FORD DEALERSHIP IN RESPONSE TO A RECALL TO HAVE A PART REPLACED CONNECTED WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL THAT HAS BEEN REPORTED AS OVERHEATING AND CAUSING SUCH A FIRE. THERE IS DAMAGE TO THE INTERIOR OF THE GARAGE (THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT DOES NOT KNOW WHY THE FIRE STOPPED BEFORE BURNING DOWN THE GARAGE - SINCE THERE IS CONCRETE EVIDENCE OF THE INTENSE HEAT OF THE FIRE. *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR WHEN I NOTICED THAT THE REAR OF MY CAR SEEMED TO BE SWERVING. I WAS HAVING DIFFICULTY BEING ABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR. THE TIRE PRESSURE INDICATOR CAME ON SO I ASSUMED THAT I NEEDED TO INFLATE THE TIRES. FORTUNATELY I MADE IT HOME AND AFTER INSPECTING THE TIRES CAME TO FIND THAT MY REAR AXLE WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY BROKEN APART. YOU CAN ALMOST COMPLETELY SEE THROUGH THE AXLE AND THERE IS RUST AROUND THE BREAK. THE TIRES WERE LEANING INWARD TOWARD THE WHEEL WELL. I HAD TO HAVE A FLAT BED TOW TRUCK TOW IT TO OUR MECHANIC. FORD TOLD US THAT THIS IS NOT A KNOWN ISSUE HOWEVER I HAVE FOUND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS FOR THE EXACT SAME ISSUE FOR THIS VEHICLE. FORD HAS TOLD US THAT IT WILL COST $497 FOR A NEW AXLE. OUR MECHANIC CALLED AROUND LOOKING FOR A USED PART AT JUNKYARDS AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAVE BEEN SELLING A LOT OF THESE FOR THIS SAME ISSUE AND AN OLD PART WOULD RUN $400. SO OBVIOUSLY THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE THAT FORD IS NOT ACKNOWLEDGING. I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT A RECALL HAS NOT OCCURRED. I REALLY HOPE THAT IT DOESN'T HAVE TO TAKE SERIOUS ACCIDENTS POSSIBLY CAUSING DEATH FOR THEM TO ACKNOWLEDGE IT. *TR

THE ABS WARNING LIGHT AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ON MY FORD WINDSTAR COME ON AFTER A FEW MINUTES TIME. THE LIGHT TAKES LONGER TO COME ON DURING COLDER WEATHER, BUT WILL EVENTUALLY COME ON IF I DRIVE THE VAN LONG ENOUGH. I HAVE TESTED MY BRAKES DURING THE WINTER ON SLIPPERY ROADS AFTER THIS HAS HAPPENED AND HAVE COME TO REALIZE THAT I LOSE MY ANTILOCK BRAKES. MY WHEELS LOCK UP AND MY VAN SLIDES UNCONTROLLABLY. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN GETTING WORSE OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS. WHEN IT FIRST STARTED HAPPENING IT OCCURRED ONLY EVERY FEW WEEKS OR SO; NOW IT IS A DAILY OCCURRENCE. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM FOR MY WINDSTAR OWNERS. I HAVE NOT HAD MY BRAKE SYSTEM REPAIRED YET. I CANNOT AFFORD THE HIGH COST. *TR

2001 FORD WINDSTAR - SEVERAL INSTANCES OF THE ABS & BRACKET WARNING LIGHTS COMING ON. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE CHECKED SEVERAL TIMES, BUT CANNOT REPLICATE THE ISSUE. VERY CONCERNING THAT THE ABS MAY NOT FUNCTION, BUT CANNOT ISOLATE. *TR

VEHICLE TYPE - 2001 FORD WINDSTAR DURING WARM, SUMMER MONTHS MY ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS WILL INTERMITTENTLY COME ON EVERY DAY. THERE IS NO RHYME NOR REASON FOR WHEN THIS HAPPENS OTHER THAN ONLY DURING WARM WEATHER. BRAKING DISTANCE DOES INCREASE. WHEN ENGINE IS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, THE LIGHTS WILL GO OFF. BUT LIGHTS WILL COME BACK ON AFTER DRIVING. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING DURING THE SUMMER OVER THE LAST 3 SUMMERS. HAVE HAD MECHANIC CHECK MY BRAKES MULTIPLE TIMES WITH NO LEAK FOUND. PERFORMED FORD RECALL 09S09 AT FORD DEALERSHIP BUT PROBLEM STILL IS OCCURRING. *TR

I HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE FOR ABOUT A MONTH MY HUSBAND LOOKED UNDER VEHICLE AND SEEN REAR AXLE WAS BROKEN IN HALF. THE VAN WAS TOWED AND A USED REAR AXLE WAS PUT ON. WE DO HAVE OLD AXLE. *TR

2001 FORD WINDSTAR WITH PROBLEM OF ABS BRAKE LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, OR TIRE PRESSURE LIGHTS COME ON INTERMITTENTLY DURING EXTREME COLD OR EXTREME HEAT. RESTART OF ENGINE USUALLY RESETS LIGHTS. ERROR CODE C1185 ABS POWER RELAY CIRCUIT SEEN BY SHOP. EXPANSION OF RELAY SWITCH ALUMINUM PLATE CAUSING SHORT CIRCUIT OF MODULE OR LEAKAGE FROM SPEED CONTROL CONNECTOR POSSIBLE CAUSES. REPAIR COST OF OVER $600. *TR

FAILURE/BRAKING OF THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS. *TR

2001 WINDSTAR REAR AXLE BROKE IN HALF CAUSING THE REAR TIRE TO SMOKE AND BURN THE RUBBER OFF THE TIRE AND THE UNDERCOATING ON THE WHEEL WELL. DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH. STARTED TO FEEL A SWAY JUST BEFORE IT BROKE, NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. TIRE WAS VERY HOT AND SMOKING,WE WERE TOLD SHE WAS LUCKY THE TIRE DID NOT BLOW. *TR

2001 FORD WINDSTAR REAR AXLE FAILURE. *TR

I HAD BEEN HEARING A CLUNKING NOISE AFTER MY WIFE REPORTED IT TO ME WHEN SHE WAS BACKING UP. IT TOOK A FEW DAYS BEFORE I HEARD IT AS WELL. I COULDN'T FIGURE OUT IF IT WAS THE EXHAUST OR SUSPENSION. A FEW WEEKS GOES BY AND IT GOT WORSE. MANAGED TO LOOK UNDER IT AT A GAS STATION AND SAW A CRACK ON THE BACK SIDE OF THE AXLE FROM BOTTOM TO ALMOST THE TOP. NORMAL DRIVING, NO TOWING. I HAVEN'T FIXED IT YET BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO SPEND $1000 ON A REPAIR USING ANOTHER FAILURE PRONE PART, SAME REASON I HAVEN'T ATTEMPTED THE ABS REPAIRS ON THE VAN. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE REVERSING FROM A PARKING SPACE, THE REAR AXLE CRACKED. THE CONTACT FOUND THE AXLE HAD SPLIT INTO TWO AND THE REAR WHEELS WERE TURNED INWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER ADVISED THE AXLE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AT THE CONTACTS EXPENSE. THERE WAS AN OPEN DEFECT INVESTIGATION (NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE10016: SUSPENSION) INTO THE WINDSTAR AXLE FAILURE BUT NO RECALLS. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 140,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR WHEELS WERE BENDING INWARD AND CAUSING THE REAR TIRES TO WEAR OUT PREMATURELY. THE FRONT TIRES HAD NEVER BEEN REPLACED AND APPEARED BRAND NEW. THE REAR TIRES HAD SINCE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES. THE DEALER ADVISED THE REAR AXLE WAS OUT OF SPECIFICATION AND WOULD NEED TO BE LOOSENED AND REALIGNED TO CORRECT THE FORMATION OF THE WHEELS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. HE STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING OVER A BUMP AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE SWERVED AND PRODUCED AN ABNORMAL NOISE. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT FOUND THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION HAD FRACTURED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE REPAIRS WOULD BE AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 106,000. UPDATED 10/27/10. *LJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 7 MPH, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES BUT THEY WOULD NOT ENGAGE. SHE THEN ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO NO AVAIL. SHE SHIFTED INTO PARK AND COASTED OFF THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE SHE WAS ADVISED THAT THE ABS MODULAR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR HER PARTICULAR VEHICLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,020 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 127,039.

THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT COME ON INTERMITTENTLY. UPON CONDUCTING RESEARCH, I REALIZE THAT WHILE THESE LIGHTS ON THE DASH ARE ILLUMINATED THE ABS SYSTEM MAY NOT FUNCTION AT ALL OR CORRECTLY. OBVIOUSLY UPON LOSS OF THIS FEATURE, THE CHANCES OF AN ACCIDENT WOULD BE CONSIDERABLY HIGHER, ESPECIALLY IN ADVERSE WEATHER SUCH AS A RAIN STORM. I HAVE OWNED ANOTHER 2001 FORD WINDSTAR WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. EVERY (1999-2003)WINDSTAR OWNER I HAVE SPOKEN TO HAS HAD ISSUES WITH THEIR ABS SYSTEM. MY VEHICLE CALLS FOR A REPLACEMENT OF THE ABS MODULE, WHICH SHOULD BE REPLACED BY FORD, HOWEVER THIS ABS ECM IS DEFECTIVE, AN UPDATED PART WOULD HAVE TO BE INSTALLED. I AM NOT AWARE IF FORD HAS CORRECTED THE ISSUE IN A REPLACEMENT PART. PLEASE CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION. *TR

ABS / BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHTS CONTINUE TO ILLUMINATE ON OCCASION AFTER RECALL REPAIR PERFORMED. BRAKING DISTANCES GREATLY INCREASED / AFFECTED WHEN WARNING LIGHTS ARE ON. BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL ALSO GREATLY INCREASED - PEDAL SLOWLY CONTINUES TO FLOOR WITH STEADY PRESSURE, ACCOMPANIED BY WHOOSHING SOUND WITH NO INCREASE IN BRAKING POWER. *TR

AS I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO WOBBLE FROM THE REAR, RESEMBLING A FLAT. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE TOWED TO MY HOME A FEW DAYS LATER, I LOOKED UNDERNEATH AND SAW A DEEP FRACTURE IN THE REAR AXLE. I CALLED A FORD DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS NO RECALL REGARDING THIS DEFECT AND IF I HAD THE VEHICLE BROUGHT IN FOR REPAIR THAT I WILL BE CHARGED. *TR

BRAKING DISTANCE SUDDENLY INCREASED IN FORD 2001 WINDSTAR AFTER REPAIR OF LEAKING MASTER CYLINDER. ABS LIGHT IS ON NON-STOP. *TR

THE REAR AXLE OF MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR HAS SNAPPED IN TWO PIECES WHILE RIDING AT 45 MPH. THE VAN SWAYED VIOLENTLY BUT I WAS ABLE TO BRING IT TO A SAFE STOP. PRIOR TO AXLE SNAPPING I HEARD AND FELT CRACKING METALLIC SOUND FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. I INVESTIGATED THIS ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS INCIDENTS INVOLVING FORD WINDSTARS AND BROKEN REAR AXLES. I COULD NOT IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAPPENED IF MY FAMILY WAS IN THIS VEHICLE AT THE TIME THE REAR AXLE SNAPPED IN TWO. THE EXTRA WEIGHT IN THE CAR MAY HAVE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO GO COMPLETELY OUT OF CONTROL AND CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH TO MY PASSENGERS AND MYSELF. I AM WONDERING WHY THE 2001 FORD WINDSTAR HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED TO FIX THIS VERY SERIOUS DEFECT. THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR AND IS A RESULT OF POOR DESIGN AND DEFECTS IN MANUFACTURING. PLEASE DON'T WAIT FOR A FAMILY TO BE KILLED IN ONE OF THESE VANS BEFORE YOU RECALLED THEM. THIS A VERY REAL PROBLEM AND THE CONSEQUENCES COULD BE DEADLY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE MAKES A POPPING NOISE WHEN TRAVELING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE AXLE WAS CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 116,000.

I OWN A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR LIMITED AND WHILE DRIVING THE CAR THE REAR AXEL SNAPPED IN HALF. I WAS STUCK BUT THANKFULLY WAS ABLE TO HAVE A TOW TRUCK BRING IT TO MY HOUSE. BOTH BACK TIRES AND TOTALLY BENT IN AS THE AXEL IS LITERALLY BROKEN IN HALF. I NOW HAVE NO MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION WHICH KILLS ME AS WE ALWAYS KEPT THIS CAR UP TO DATE ON ALL MAINTENANCE. WE JUST HAD THE FRONT ALIGNED, TIE RODS REPLACED AS WELL AS MANY OTHER REPAIRS RECENTLY. AS I SAID WE ALWAYS HAVE THE OIL CHANGED AND ALL OTHER SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE ON TIME. THIS IS A REAL BLOW AS RIGHT NOW WE DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX IT OR REPLACE IT. I CANNOT BELIEVE FORD DOES NOT HAVE TO HAVE A RECALL ON THIS AND THEIR ERROR IS OUR LOSS AND THE LOSS OF MANY OTHERS. I AM DISGUSTED AND ALTHOUGH A FORD COSTUMER FOR MANY, MANY YEARS WILL NO LONGER CONSIDER FORD IN THE FUTURE. SHAME ON YOU FORD, LIVES ARE AT STAKE HER; HAVE A CONSCIENCE. *TR

FREQUENT AND PERSISTENT DEACTIVATION OF THE ABS SYSTEM IN 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THIS PROBLEM HAS COME AND GONE ON THE VAN AND THERE ARE RECALLS TO COVER THE FIRE RISK. THE ABS SYSTEM WILL THROUGH AN ALARM WHEN THE CAR IS DRIVEN. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT ALARM THE COMES AND GOES IT THE COOLER MONTHS AND IF NO MOST OF THE TIME IN THE SUMMER MONTHS. WHEN THE ABS SYSTEM IS DISENGAGED THE BREAKING DISTANCE IS MUCH LONGER WHEN COMPROMISED ROAD CONDITIONS. WE WERE INVOLVED IN A NEAR MISS WHEN DRIVING IN SNOW AND ICE. THIS PROMPTED FURTHER INVESTIGATION AND IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS A PERSISTENT PROBLEM FOR ABS SYSTEMS ON THE WINDSTAR VAN. *TR

ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS INTERMITTENT COME ON. RECALL PROBLEM #2 ABS ECM FAILURE ON FORD WINDSTAR. FIXED PROBLEM #1 SPEED CONTROL SWITCH, HARNESS BUT NOT #2 MY SWITCH WAS LEAKING. LUCKY NO FIRE. BUT NOW MY SENSOR (#2) DOESN'T WORK. SO WHEN THE LIGHTS COME ON I HAVE NO ABS AND ITS SCARY TO THINK OF A BRAKE PROBLEM WHEN DRIVING. *TR

BEEN DRIVING MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. AND THE BACK STARTED MAKING NOISES AND SHIFTING. EVERYTIME I APPLY THE BRAKE OR BACK UP IT MAKES THE LOUDEST SOUND. WELL AFTER PUTTING IT UP ON THE JACK TO LOOK UNDERNEATH THE CAR. WE NOTICED A CRACK ABOUT 8 INCHES LONG AND CONTINUES AROUND THE BOTTOM OF THE AXEL. ESTIMATE TO REPAIR IS GOING TO BE OVER A $1000.00. THERE NEEDS TO BE SOMETHING DONE ABOUT THIS. *TR

BRAKING DISTANCE SUDDENLY INCREASED. *TR

STARTED OFF WITH YELLOW ABS LIGHT ON WITH THE RED BRAKE LIGHT ON AS WELL. SEEMED TO COME AND GO AS IT WANTED. SOME TIME DURING THIS I NOTICE A CONNECTOR LOOSE OFF THE MASTER CYLINDER AND CONNECTED IT. LIGHTS STAYED ON EVEN LONGER, MONTHS AT A TIME. BRAKES STILL WORKED (ABS UNTESTED). HAD CHANGED FRONT AND REAR BRAKES, AND THIS STILL HADN'T CORRECTED. AT SOME DATE THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING. IN 2010 I HAD THE 'RECALL' SWITCH REPLACED ON THE FRONT OF THE MASTER CYLINDER. THE CRUISE CONTROL WORKED AGAIN, BUT A COUPLE DAYS LATER THE LIGHTS WERE BACK ON. I CHANGED THE MASTER CYLINDER AND NOW THE BRAKES ARE EVEN SOFTER THAN BEFORE EVEN AFTER A LENGTHY BRAKE BLEEDING CYCLE. I STILL GET THE LIGHT, BUT THEY'RE NOT ALWAYS ON WHEN I START THE VEHICLE AS THEY WERE BEFORE. THIS IS IN ADDITION TO ALL THE OTHER LIGHTS THAT HAVE COME ON, AND ALL OF THE TSB SEARCHES AND PARTS BOUGHT AND REPLACED I HAVE DONE IN AN ATTEMPT TO MAKE MY VEHICLE SAFE TO DRIVE. *TR

2001 MY FORD WINDSTAR LIMITED REAR AXLE (NON-DRIVING) BROKE IN HALF AND THE REAR WHEELS WERE RUBBING THE WHEEL WELL. LUCKILY WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVING WELL, I DID NOT GET IN AN ACCIDENT. HOWEVER, 5 MILES EARLIER I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED AND THE PART WAS AVAILABLE AT THE CLOSEST FORD DEALERSHIP TO MY LOCATION??? THIS WAS A $975.00 REPAIR AT THE FIRESTONE DEALER IN CANTON, MI. I HAVE THE PAPERWORK IF YOU NEED THE DOCUMENTATION. *TR

THIS IS ON A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR WITH LESS THAN 100,000 MILES. IT STARTED WHEN MY WIFE WAS COMPLAINING ABOUT A RUBBING NOISE IN THE REAR THAT SEEMED TO BE WORSE ON CORNERS. I WAS DRIVING THE CAR DURING A LIGHT RAIN SHOWER ON A RIGHT CURVE AT ABOUT 35 MPH. THE BACK OF THE CAR FELT LIKE IT WAS ABOUT SPIN OUT ON ME. I BACKED OFF THE GAS AND IT FELT BETTER. THE NEXT DAY WHILE DRIVING IT AGAIN I NOTICE THAT THERE WAS TIRE SQUEAL MOSTLY ON RIGHT TURNS. WHEN I GOT HOME I COULD SEE THAT THE TOP OF THE LEFT REAR TIRE WAS LEANING IN. I COULD ALSO SEE WHERE THE TIRE WAS RUBBING ON THE INNER WHEEL WELL. AFTER REMOVING BOTH REAR WHEELS AND LOOKING AROUND I FOUND THE AXLE BEAM CRACKED ALMOST ALL THE WAY AROUND. I HAVE SINCE FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS NOT UNCOMMON IN 2001 FORD WINDSTARS, AND PROBABLY OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL. WE WERE PLANNING ON TAKING THIS VEHICLE ON VACATION DURINGTHE JULY 4TH WEEKEND. I CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPEN IF THIS BROKE ALL THE WAY THROUGH AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WITH A LOAD OF LUGGAGE AND MY FAMILY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I WILL NOT EVEN DRIVE THIS VEHICLE TO TURN IT AROUND IN MY DRIVEWAY LET ALONE TAKE IT ON THE ROAD. I HAVE NOT STARTED TO SEE WHAT CAN BE DONE TO FIX THIS BECAUSE NOTHING IS OPEN TODAY, BUT ATLEAST I CAN FIX IT MYSELF IF I CAN FIND THE PARTS. *TR

SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER QUIT WORKING , NOW AIR AND CRUISE DON'T WORK , ALSO ABS BRAKE LIGHT STAYS ON. THE VEHICLE IS A 01 FORD WINDSTAR, ALSO LEAKING BRAKE FLUID, THANKS FOR ANY HELP. *TR

REAR AXLE CRACKED IN HALF CAUSING FURTHER DAMAGE TO THE VAN. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE INSPECTING THE SHOCKS, HE DISCOVERED THE REAR AXLE WAS SPLIT APPROXIMATELY THREE QUARTERS UP THE BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC ADVISED REPLACING THE AXLE. THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED BY WELDING A PLATE ON THE OUTER INSIDE AND ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE AXLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 102,700 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THERE WAS AN UNUSUAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR AXLE AREA, AND UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, FOUND THE AXLE HAD BROKEN. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS TO REPLACE THE AXLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THERE WERE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ONLINE PERTAINING TO THE FAILURE IN HIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL AND BELIEVED THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE HELD LIABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,901.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT HAD THE CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 60 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO OVER 60 MPH. WHEN THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKE, THE CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT DISENGAGE. WHEN THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL, THE CRUISE CONTROL DISENGAGED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS FOR RECALL 09V399000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE CONTACT PLANNED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 18,000.

2001 FORD WINDSTAR SE SPORT REAR AXLE BROKE IN HALF WITH NO WARNING. FORTUNATELY, THE CAR WAS COMING TO A STOP AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, NOT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, WHEN A LOUD CLUNK WAS HEARD. MANAGED TO PULL INTO A PARKING LOT NEARBY, AND THE REAR TIRES WERE TILTED INWARD. THE AXLE WAS SNAPPED IN HALF TOWARDS THE DRIVER'S SIDE. TOW TRUCK DRIVER SAID HE HAS SEEN SEVERAL OF THESE THE PAST TWO YEARS AND DOESN'T KNOW WHY A RECALL HASN'T OCCURRED. MY FORD DEALER SAID THIS WAS THE THIRD ONE THEY SAW. *TR

BRAKE LIGHT WAS ON IN MY 2001 FORD, WINDSTAR. BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO OUR MECHANIC TO CHECK IT OUT AND MAKE NECESSARY REPAIRS. OUR MECHANIC CALLED ME AND INFORMED ME THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS ROTTED OUT AND THAT IN HIS OPINION IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND THE COST TO REPAIR IT WERE NOT WORTH IT. WE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE NEW IN OCTOBER OF 2001 AND IT ONLY HAS ABOUT 28,000 MILES ON IT. WE DO NOT LIVE ANY WHERE NEAR THE OCEAN, BUT LIVE IN MASSACHUSETTS, WHERE SALT AND SAND ARE USED ON THE ROADS IN THE WINTER. BUT AS YOU CAN TELL WITH THE LOW MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE IT WAS NOT DRIVEN MUCH ANY WAY. I AM FORCED TO BUY A NEW VEHICLE TO REPLACE THIS ONE. *TR

WE HAD OUR 2001 FORD WINDSTAR BEING CHECKED BY A GARAGE BEFORE A LONG TRIP AND WERE TOLD OUR REAR AXLE IS CRACKED ALMOST IN HALF. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING AT SPEEDS OF 35 MPH, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE STARTED TO EXCESSIVELY SWAY BACK AND FORTH. THE DEALER FOUND THAT THE REAR AXLE HAD SPLIT IN TWO. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS COMMON IN HIS MODEL VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 149,000.

REAR AXLE ON 2001 FORD WINDSTAR LTD. BROKE IN 2 PIECES. VEHICLE IS AT MECHANIC WHO STATED NEVER SAW ANYTHING LIKE THAT BEFORE. *TR

MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR MINIVAN WAS IN FOR AIR CONDITIONING SERVICE AND A TUNE-UP ON JUNE 1, 2010 AND THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH MULTIPLE CRACKS IN THE REAR AXLE. THE MECHANIC ISSUED A STERN WARNING ABOUT DRIVING THE VEHICLE, ESPECIALLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS BECAUSE THE AXLE WAS IN DANGER OF SPLITTING AND COULD CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL. HE INDICATED THAT IT LOOKED LIKE THE U-SHAPED AXLE DESIGN COLLECTED WATER AND ROAD SALT AND CAUSED RUST, WHICH LED TO THE CRACKS. *TR

ON MAY 29, 2010, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HER 2001 FORD WINDSTAR VAN AT 55 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE REAR AXLE SUDDENLY CRACKED IN TWO PIECES. THE BROKEN END OF THE AXLE THEN BEGAN DIGGING INTO THE HIGHWAY AND CAUSED A LOSS OF CONTROL. LUCKILY SHE WAS ABLE TO AVOID CONCRETE BARRIERS AND OTHER VEHICLES OF THE CONSTRUCTION AREA THAT SHE WAS IN AND ENDED UP IN THE DITCH. THE REAR TIRES WENT OUT OF ALIGNMENT AND THE TOPS OF THE TIRES WERE ANGLED IN CAUSING THEM TO RUB AGAINST THE WHEEL WELLS. WE ARE STILL IN THE PROCESS OF ASSESSING THE TOTAL DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE REAR AXLE FAILURE. *TR

2001 FORD WINDSTAR REAR AXLE BROKE ABOUT 18" IN FROM DRIVERS SIDE TIRE. MY WIFE WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT WHEN IT HAPPENED. *TR

DRIVING MY FORD WINDSTAR SE 2001, IT FELT LIKE THE REAR AXLE WAS ABOUT TO FALL APART. INDEED, THE FORD DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT DIAGNOSED A REAR AXLE CRACK TODAY, MAY 27, 2010. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WILL NOT LET ME DRIVE IT OFF THE LOT UNLESS IT IS REPAIRED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE TURNING AT APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH, THE REAR AXLE BROKE IN HALF. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 120,000. UPDATED 11/03/10. *LJ

2001 FORD WINDSTAR MINI VAN WITH ABOUT 80,000 MILES. REAR AXEL SNAPPED IN HALF WHILE DRIVING MY KIDS TO SOCCER. WE WERE LUCKY THAT WE WERE IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA CLOSE TO HOME. IT COST US CLOSE TO $900 TO FIX. WE HAVE THE OLD PART WHICH SHOWED RUST. MECHANIC SAID HE HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT AND RECOMMENDED WE REPORT IT. WE WOULD LIKE A RECALL AND REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPAIR. *TR

MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR WAS MAKING AN ABNORMAL SOUND AND 'SWAYING'. WHEN I LOOKED UNDERNEATH, I SAW A LARGE CRACK IN THE REAR AXEL. FURTHER INSPECTION BY MY MECHANIC REVEALED APPROXIMATELY A 70-75% CRACK THROUGH THE AXEL. I WAS TOLD IT COULD BE REPLACED WITH EITHER A NEW AXEL (ON BACKORDER FROM FORD) OR WITH ONE FROM THE JUNKYARD. I CHOSE NEITHER AS I WAS CONCERNED OVER THE SAFETY OF MY CHILDREN. *TR

REAR AXLE CRACKED. *TR

BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY, THE REAR AXEL OF MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR CRACKED IN HALF. I MAY REPAIR THE VEHICLE. *TR