Problems with 1999 Ford Windstar SUSPENSION

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford windstar. while driving 32 mph entering a ramp to the freeway, the rear axle fractured without warning. the contact managed to veer to the shoulder of the road where the vehicle shut off and would not restart. the vehicle was towed to the contact's father's house. kocourek ford lincoln (2727 n 20th ave, wausau, wi 54401, (715) 298-3673) and the manufacturer were contacted and stated that the vin was not included in a recall. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the contact referenced nhtsa campaign numbers: 15v608000 (suspension) and 10v385000 (suspension). the failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

Bracing on rear axle did not work, the bracing retained road salt and moisture causing the axle to fail. i was driving to work when the axle broke and almost went into a dich.

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford windstar. the contact stated that the vehicle was repaired per nhtsa campaign number: 15v608000 (suspension) in 2015. while driving 35 mph, the rear of the vehicle dropped. the vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road and, when inspected, the contact noticed that the tires where caved inwards. the vehicle was towed to groove ford (10039 e arapahoe rd, centennial, co 80112, (720) 523-9154) where the contact was informed that the rear axle beam needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to nhtsa to file a complaint. the failure mileage was 134,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford windstar. the vehicle was repaired per nhtsa campaign number: 12v195000 (suspension) by an unknown ford dealer in circleville, oh that was no longer in business. the recall required the dealer to inspect the vehicle and install a reinforcement bracket on the rear axle or replace the axles, as necessary. the contact stated that the dealer did the latter, causing the failure to recur after five years. the contact stated that the failure recurred as his daughter attempted to slow down while exiting the highway. the vehicle swerved back and forth uncontrollably. the vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road where the driver noticed that the rear wheels were crooked. the manufacturer was made aware of the failures and stated that the recall would not be performed again. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford windstar. while driving approximately 50 mph, the front driver side control arm fractured and the vehicle could not be driven. the vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. the failure was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. the contact was informed that the vin was not included in nhtsa campaign number: 12v194000(suspension). the contact indicated that the vehicle experienced the same failure listed in the recall. the dealer was not contacted. the failure mileage was 109,000.

1999 ford windstar lx. consumer writes in regards to bracket recall that was not honored for vehicle. *ld the consumer stated the airbag did not deploy. *js the consumer stated the manufacturer agreed to have the vehicle repaired.*js

I was driving and heard a thud. when i hit the brakes there was a grinding noise. the tire than becamed slant and the steering wheel is cocked to one side.

Subframe is completely rusted through and will not pass the safety. the vehicle was treated by the recall 11s16-s4.in 2012. i went for a voluntary safety check and the vehicle stayed at the service as very unsafe to drive.

Both front lower control arm rear attaching brackets and both body mount attachments at rear of sub frame are rusted and broken . making a left hand turn i heard a clunking sound . upon inspection found the above problems

I had the rear axle replaced by the recall, and which i paid $300 for the work. the axle now does not align properly and i have been told that shims are required. without them the rear axle eats my tires. ford has a policy to my understanding that new parts installed by ford have a lifetime warranty. i believe that ford should fix or pay for this work so as to make my van safe, why should i have to repair an axle that was just replaced less then 10000 miles ago.

Front left sub frame by the motor mount is rusted through. passenger side is fine. concerned this could break which could cause the vehicle to loose control at highway speeds.

I just purchased the 1999 ford winstar and. 2 months later i was driving to work and the rear axle beem broke causing me to looae control. i am just now finding out about the recall please advise this i s my only vehicle

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford windstar. while reversing the vehicle from the driveway, a clunking noise was heard coming from the rear passenger side of the vehicle. the vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the rear axle needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. the failure mileage was 224,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford windstar. while driving various speeds, the axle fractured and caused the rear driver side wheel to rub against the wheel well. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 15v608000 (suspension) prior to the failure, but did not feel the repair was needed at the time. the contact mentioned that the dealer refused to make the recall repair because it was after the expiration date. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the approximate failure mileage was 148,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford windstar. the contact stated that the rear axle was cracked. the vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the rear axle needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 136,000.

The repair ford provided does not resolve or help with the rear axles failure. this vehicle never runs in the winter salt and slop still failed. ford should replace "all" of these rear axles. struggling with ford to get this axle replaced. they don't make it easy.

Broken rear axle.

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford windstar. while driving 65 mph, the contact heard a loud noise underneath the vehicle. the contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road and noticed that the front lower subframe bracket was fractured. the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. the vin was not included in nhtsa campaign number: 12v194000 (suspension). the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the approximate failure mileage was 185,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford windstar. the contact stated that after the vehicle was serviced under nhtsa campaign number: 12v194000 (suspension), a year later the contact noticed holes were in the sub frame. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the front sub frame needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. the approximate failure mileage was 115,000. updated 10/19/16*lj updated 10/24/16.*jb

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford windstar. the contact stated that the axle was rusted. the vehicle was taken to a dealer where the failure was confirmed. the vehicle was not repaired. the vehicle was previously repaired under nhtsa campaign number: 15v608000 (suspension). the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. the approximate failure mileage was 200,000.

I was backing out of parking lot and rear axle broke in half

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford windstar. while attempting to stop the vehicle, a loud clanking noise was heard coming from the front of the vehicle. while inspecting the vehicle, it was discovered that the front driver side control arm had separated. the cause of the failure was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was not notified. the failure mileage was 152,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford windstar. the contact stated that the rear axle fractured. the vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the rear axle failed. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. the failure mileage was 200,000.

While normal driving the rear axle broke in half. approximately two years ago there was a recall on the rear axle that they may break. the ford dealership instead of replacing the defective part used brackets to strengthen the axle. all this did was delay the inevitable. the car is currently at my local pep boys where it was towed. they said they have never seen this happen before, but will replace the axle at my great expense. i don't know how many more of these death traps are out there, where people believe they have had the problem corrected.

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford windstar. the contact stated that while driving at 15 mph making a right turn, the driver rear axle fractured. the vehicle was taken to a dealer, who diagnosed that the driver side rear axle needed to be replaced. the vehicle was repaired. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the approximate failure mileage was 207,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford windstar. while driving 40 mph, the contact heard a loud noise in the rear of the vehicle. the contact was able to stop the vehicle and noticed that the rear axle fractured. the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the manufacturer informed the contact to have the vehicle towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 160,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford windstar. the contact stated that the rear axle fractured without any warnings. the contact was aware of nhtsa campaign number: 12v195000 (suspension). however, the vin was not included. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 133,000.

The factory recall notice required trailing axle reinforcement brackets to be installed on the rear axle. they were installed at the dealership, along with an upgrade to the front control arm mounts. the rear axle broke while driving on the highway, the speed i was travelling at was only 45 mph at the time of the break. as the axle collapsed, the rear tires began rubbing against the wheel wells. i slowed down and pulled over immediately, seeing smoke from the rear. the crack occured on the driver's side of the axle, underneath the repair bracket that was installed by ford. ( obviosly placed over the weak/defective area.) the vehicle had only 80,000 miles on it in may of 2011 when we obtained it, the same year the recall repair was performed. in the last 4 yearsa i drove 175,000 highway miles, have regularly washed and maintained this vehicle well, (including undercarriage washes in the winter). i've recently replaced the entire ignition system, front suspension/brake components, and rear shocks. it's a real shame that this vehicle is disabled by a weak rear axle when there's plenty of life left in the engine and transmission. with regular full synthetic oil changes, cooling and transmission flushes, new aligned front steering, i expected to get over 300,000 miles out of this van. now i have to find a good used rear axle, but will have no faith in its durability or safety.

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford windstar. the vehicle was repaired under nhtsa campaign number: 12v194000 (suspension). after the remedy was performed, the front lower control arm fractured. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the failure mileage was unavailable.

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford windstar. while driving at approximately 70 mph, the vehicle emitted a loud noise. the contact discovered that the rear axle fractured due to corrosion. the vehicle was towed to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. the contact also stated that the repair for nhtsa campaign number: 12v195000 (suspension) was performed; however, the repair did not correct the failure. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. the failure mileage was 212,000. updated 7/1/15*cn

The rear axle on my windstar van broke in half. the recall was already done prior to me purchasing it so i can't say when. ford is not going to do anything to help. my wife and kids were in the van when this happened and she almost lost control when the tire exploded after the axle snapped. the break is located on the drivers side under the reinforcement bracket. from what i have seen online this is very common to break even after the recall is done. obviously the repair(if you can call it that) is merely a bandaid to get the nhtsa off there back and not to make the vehicles safe. you need to hold ford accountable for the vans safety, or lack of. there are many of these "time bombs" still on the road. something needs to be done! hopefully you respond quickly, the van is at the dealer now. i will be welding the axle saturday to get it home to replace the axle myself. i will be taking a lot of pictures before i do. *tr

The sub frame is being replaced by car doctor jr because it was rotted thru 2 years ago the ford dealership told me their was no issue with the subframe. and their was no recall

Driving down the road at 40 mph it felt like a tire blew on the rear. when i pulled over ad got out to check it the tires were fine but the rear wheels were at a bad angle. upon further inspection the rear axle beam has split rendering the vehicle undriveable. i have found that ford has recalled this part on may windstar minivans under 10s13. but not this one. i find this odd. *tr

Was driving around 40 mph, realized the van had a weird odd steering problem swerving to left and then to the right. i made it home then looked towards the back rear axle i seen a real large crack in the rear axle. the van back side was sitting really low like the axle was about to completely crack. im not risking driving being a safety hazard. i seen there was a recall for it but ford says its not valid. i found many other people having the same issue similar to mine. would like this issue resolved, i shouldn't have to repair a issue that is fords problem with salt on roads during the winter corrodes the metal of the rear axle for it to crack was the recall i found. *tr

I have a 1999 ford windstar mini van . my instrument cluster goes crazy all gauges just go up and down uncontrollably. i never know how much gas i have or how fast i am going and my abs brake lite stays on always. and my front lower control arm is bending. *tr

Ford dealer inspected vehicle due to recall for subframe/axle rust issue. dealer claimed frame okay. while driving the lower control arm came detached from the frame causing crash due to rusting of mounts. *tr

Ford recalled and replaced the rear axle in 2011 i believe. they did a repair on the front axle on a separate recall in 2011 as well. now the front axle is rusting; same issue that was happening to the rear axle and what was somewhat repaired on the front passenger side. if the rear axle was recalled for abnormal rusting; it would appear the same material was used on the front axle. ford bought out most windstar owners so there are probably not as much documentation of the front axle issue as there were with the rear. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford windstar. the contact stated that the rear end axle became fractured. the vehicle was not taken to a dealer fir repairs or diagnosis. the manufacturer was made aware of the problem. the approximate failure mileage was 160,000. *tr

Driving along when right front started to veer right and wobble. these models are not safe. ford is aware of this yet, will not honor a recall which affects these models. although there is a corrosion sub frame break on 1999 ford windstar's and that is exactly what happened( mechanic will testify) to mine, they keep making excuses and will not honor the expenses for their faulty design. my vehicle is a 99 ford windstar in very good shape, new tires battery,etc. it is now sitting in my driveway because of a frame broken thru by corrosion. the front right almost put me into the ditch on the way home. this is a design flaw which was is or should be covered by recall. ford previously recalled the same models 99-2003 for this exact problem. i have contacted my ford dealer (rapids ford, wis rapids), they said the recall no longer applies. how can this be? this is a very unsafe situation. *tr

We took a trip to chattanooga for the weekend. while there we were going to do some shopping and we turned a corner and the wheel flew off. my husband paid for the tow and our insurance reimbursed him, and my husband paid for the repairs. we had no idea that this vehicle has recalls. very scary!! *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford windstar. the contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer for a tire replacement when the contact was advised that the rear axle was fractured in two places. the contact spoke with the manufacturer and was advised that the vehicle was not included in nhtsa campaign id numbers: 10v385000, 12v193000 or12v195000 (suspension:rear:axle:non-powered axle assembly). the vehicle was not repaired. the failure and the current mileage was 178,000. *tr

The engine carriage is rusted out, and the rear axle is cracked due to rust. the main arm of the ball joint is completely pulled away from the frame because of the rust. i contacted baab ford in reed city michigan, because i was told by the mechanic i took it to originally that this was a recalled product. baab ford told me yes it is a recall issue, but no they wont fix my vehicle because the vin doesn't come up as one of the vehicles effected by the recall. i contacted ford motor company as they had advised me, ford motor company told me, my vehicle isn't on the recall list, regardless of the fact that it has both of the problems that 1998 - 2003 ford windstar was recalled for. the vehicle speeds up whenever it hits a bump and also pulls towards the center line especially on slippery roads or where loss of traction occurs. it also wears out tires every 2 weeks. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford windstar. the contact stated that the vehicle was serviced under nhtsa campaign id number: 12v195000 (suspension) and after the remedy repair was performed, the vehicle would abnormally drift out of the initial lane while the contact was driving at various speeds. the vehicle had not been repaired. there was no failure prior to the recall repair. the approximate failure mileage was 132,811.

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford windstar. the contact stated that the vehicle was serviced under nhtsa campaign id number: 12v195000 (suspension:rear:axle:non-powered axle assembly). the contact had not experienced a failure or a defect prior to the recall repair. the contact noticed that one year after the repair was performed, the rear driver's side axle exhibited several cracks. the contact welded the defective axle himself. the manufacturer was notified of the problem. the approximate failure mileage was 140,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford windstar. while driving approximately 20 mph the contact heard a rattling noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. the contact stopped the vehicle on the shoulder of the road. after inspecting the vehicle the contact noticed the rear axle was fractured. the vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic. the technician stated the rear axle would have to be replaced. there was a recall under nhtsa campaign id number: 12v195000 (suspension:rear:axle:non-powered axle assembly) that may be related to the failure. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated the vin was not included in the recall. the vehicle was not repaired. the vin was not available. the approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford windstar. while parked, the contact noticed that the front driver's side of the sub frame was cracked. the vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. the technician advised that the engine cradle would have to be replaced. the vehicle was included and previously repaired under nhtsa campaign id number: 12v194000 (suspension:front:control arm). the manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact that any additional repairs would not be covered under the recall. the vehicle was not further repaired. the approximate failure mileage was 190,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford windstar. the contact stated that the vehicle was included in nhtsa campaign id number: 10v385000 (suspension:rear:axle:non-powered axle assembly) and was towed to the an authorized dealer. the dealer advised that the sub frame was corroded. the manufacturer was contacted but the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 196,098. and the current mileage was 198,000.

Lived in the salt belt state of pa. frame rusted out and i lost steering control and almost had an accident.this is a known issue via nhtsa action number: pe10026 and i would like ford to recall and fix this at thier cost. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford windstar. the contact stated that while driving 60 mph the vehicle started jerking and swerving abnormally, casuing the rear driver side wheel to detach from the vehicle. the vehicle was towed to a local mechanic who inspected the vehicle and discoverd that the bolts were rusted and corroded and had caused the axle to fracture. the mechanic did not repair the vehicle. the vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer because the axle was previously installed under nhtsa campaign id number: 10v385000 (suspension: rear: axle: non-powered axle assembly). the dealer advised the contact that they would not repair the broken axle because it was repaired previously under the recall and had exceeded the 12,000 mile guarantee on the component. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was notified of the failure who stated that they would be in contact at a later date. the failure mileage was 190,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 ford windstar. the vehicle was included and repaired under nhtsa campaign id number: 12v195000 (suspension:rear:axle:non-powered axle assembly). after the repair, the contact was driving approximately 25 mph when the vehicle began to shake vigorously. the dealer was made aware of the failure and stated the vehicle was unsafe to drive and they needed to diagnose the failure. the vehicle was not repaired. the approximate failure mileage was 100,000.