Problems with 2001 Ford Windstar SUSPENSION

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. the contact stated that while driving at approximately 51 mph, the contact noticed a burning odor entering the vehicle. in addition, the contact and passengers heads was hitting towards the windows. the contact stated that the rear driver side tire was bent in and noticed that the axle was fractured. the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that there was holes and cracks in axle causing the axle to be fractured and needed to be replaced. the contact contacted evansville ford 428 n union rd, evansville, wi 53536 where they informed the contact that they were aware of the hole and cracks but unable to repair the vehicle. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the contact mentioned that a year ago that the vehicle was serviced under nhtsa campaign number: 15v608000 (suspension). the approximate failure mileage was 143,000.

I was driving my vehicle and the rear axle crack i was driving on a on a city street and was scared my tires was rubbing and smoking.

The rear axle broke where ford repaired it in 2011. they are saying that my van is out of warranty on the recall because it is over 150000 miles. if they had replaced my rear axle in 2011 instead of a bad patch job on that recall i wouldn't be having this trouble. i feel that since ford had it under recall in 2011 they should have fixed it right at that time. i went into town on monday 10/14/19 and when i came out of the store i noticed that the rear wheels were leaning in against the body.

Ford axle recall in certain states. i took my vehicle to the ford dealership approximmently 5 months ago. they said brackets were ok. axle broke 08/26/2019 mileage on vehicle 100607. vehicle was in motion, van almost flip. tires are angled out and ruined.

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. while driving at an unknown speed, the rear driver's side wheel started to rub against the body of the vehicle. the driver was able to coast into a parking lot and could not be driven. the contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired per nhtsa campaign number: 15v608000 (suspension) by heller ford (located at 700 w main st, el paso, tx 61738, (309) 527-6050); however, the repair did not correct the failure. the vehicle was not towed to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repairs. the manufacturer informed the contact that the recall was no longer active and did not offer further assistance. the approximate failure mileage was 182,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. while driving 40 mph, the rear of the vehicle shook. the following day, the contact noticed that the rear driver's side wheel was tilted inward. he checked under the vehicle and noticed that the rear axle was fractured. the vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. the vehicle was not repaired. the contact called the manufacturer and was informed that, due to the age of the vehicle, they could not assist and repair the vehicle. the approximate failure mileage was 182,000.

Driving under 30 mph and noticed a strange sound pulled off the street and inspected rear drivers tire was leaning and discovered rear axle was broken

1. rear axle fractured severely & broke making the car un-drivable on 24 jan 2019 while in motion driving in city traffic. ford put braces on this vehicle under recall# 10s13, but they failed to prevent further corrosion and metal fatigue. the axle was a bad engineering design from the drawing board combined with not e-coating the metal during manufacturing to prevent corrosion of the metal due to road salt. the axle fractured next to the brace on the driver side as shown in the 4 images below. i have one tow bill (flat-bed) to get the car off the downtown street to my home & will have another tow bill to transport it to where i can replace the axle. 2. front cradle frame's mount rusted off that anchors the stabilizer bar so the stabilizer bar had to be removed. this happened several years ago. the cradle frame probable was not e-coated during manufacture either. i can take a pic and probable have the repair invoice detailing the date and the mechanic's work to remove the stabilizer bar. to fix the car will need a new front cradle frame, stabilizer bar, and possibly mount brackets.

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. while driving at an unknown speed, the driver heard a noise coming from the rear driver's side tire. the contact coasted the vehicle into a parking lot and noticed that the rear driver's side axle had detached without warning. the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. the vehicle was not taken to a dealer. the vin was included in nhtsa campaign number: 10v385000 (suspension). the manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist. the approximate failure mileage was 280,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. while driving approximately 12 mph, the rear of the vehicle lowered and the rear driver's side tire became stuck under the wheel well. the contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road. the contact looked underneath the vehicle and noticed that the rear driver's side axle had fractured. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the approximate failure mileage was 103,500.

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. while driving 55 mph, the vehicle began to shake. the contact discovered that the rear wheels were bent. there were no warning indicators illuminated. additionally, the contact stated that clamps were placed on the axle in 2015. the vehicle was towed to quality auto mall (55 state rt 17, rutherford, nj 07070, (201) 935-2400) where the failure was diagnosed as a fractured axle. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was notified and did not assist. the failure mileage was 195,000. the vin was not available.

Rear axle break due to corrosion of acknowledged inadequately designed axle. break happened in the reinforcement bracket installed do to initial axle recall for potential break due to corrosion.. car was on city street in motion to freeway onramp fortunately the axle broke prior to entering freeway. axle break resulted in sagging axle and a wheel tilted inward at about 20 degrees and wedged against the inner wheel well. tire started to smoke. car is undriveable. the repair is estimated to $1400. ford will not accept any financial responsibility for this break in the brackets installed to prevent the break. additional components are also needing repair and replacement due to the break of the axle.

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. the contact stated that the rear axle was fractured and an abnormal bumping noise was heard. the contact parked the vehicle and noticed smoke coming from the rear tires. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who found an unknown recall associated with the vehicle. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not assist. the dealer was not contacted. the failure mileage was 142,000.

Removed subframe to replace faulty torque converter. found substantial rusting at firewall end of subframe on both "arms", requiring replacement of subframe. called local dealers, no "open" recall (over 15 year-old van) and $4,900 new subframe quote provided, with no dealer or manufacturer coverage, after calling national and canadian mfctr recall numbers. mfctr/dealers of no assistance, whatsoever. part not actually available.

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. while driving 35 mph, the axle fractured. the vehicle was towed to ricart ford (4255 s hamilton rd, groveport, oh 43125) where it was diagnosed that the rear axle needed to be replaced. the repair was no longer covered under nhtsa campaign number: 15v608000 (suspension). the local dealer contacted the manufacturer and was informed that they would cover the inspection; however, the vehicle repairs would be the contact's responsibility. the failure mileage was unknown.

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. the contact received notification of an unknown recall regarding the rear axle. the contact took the vehicle to blackwell ford inc (41001 plymouth rd, plymouth, mi 48170; 734-453-1100) where it was determined that a repair was not needed. the recall was deemed completed. approximately two years after the recall, the vehicle underwent routine inspection and it was diagnosed that the rear axle fractured and needed to be replaced. the vehicle had not been repaired. the dealer was not contacted. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure who informed the contact that, due to the vehicle passing inspection for the recall, they were unable to provide the repair. the approximate failure mileage was 113,628.

Sub frame

2001 ford windstar rear axel cracked while driving on the city streets . i see recalls for other similar vehicles for the same problem.

A major crack in the rear axle beam was discovered during routine maintenance rendering the vehicle unsafe for use. ford had a recall to fix this problem, but my vehicle was not included in the recall because the vehicle was not sold in a state that used salt on the roads in winter (i live in florida where there is a lot of salt in the air - all the time!) i believe that all windstars should have been included in the recall because it is obviously a major design flaw and therefore a major safety issue.

The rear axle is broken during drive to 45 mph with my family.

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. while backing out of the driveway, the rear passenger wheel suddenly buckled inward. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the failure was due to severe rusting and corrosion of the axle, which caused the brackets to also separate. the vehicle was towed to schicker ford in st. louis, missouri where it was diagnosed that the axle needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. the failure mileage was 196,000.

Rear axle needed to be replaced, due to rust corrosion from road salt. there was apparently a recall on this that also failed. the axle was about to break in half.

Takata inflators;i ford denying my request f vin #[xxx] i have an obvious crack (see photos) directly under the bracket a band-aid that ford issued in an earlier recall on my rear axle with the sole purpose of this band-aid to prevent such cracking. apparently my bracket part was deemed installed correctly, effectively causing a denial for a replacement part on my windstar. clearly this bracket failed and did not stop my rear axle from experiencing cracking! ford clearly new exactly where this cracking would occur because the crack appears directly under the bracket installed to create a stronger part. the only thing holding this rear axle together is this bracket. this particular part in question is directly below the gas tank, should this crucial part experience failure while driving on a 70mph highway what would happen? also looking at my windstar on a lift we noticed the center of the windstar seems to be sagging (see photos) from what appears to be the under carriage breaking down from rust and corrosion, this appears to be causing extreme structure failure. i do reside in one of the stated salt belt states as being the state of iowa. what would the full criteria for this recall and buyback program on certain windstar?s in 2011 thru 2013 be? why was my windstar limited excluded in this recall? i still have not been advised not to drive my windstar by any current ford representatives. however former ford mechanics have advised me not to drive my windstar, these same mechanics? are adamant my windstar is unsafe! i have been attempting to fix the concerns that moffitts ford in boone iowa wanted me to repair at the time of the axle inspection. only having more concern brought to my attention about the axle. i wrote [xxx] a letter 2/15/17 asking to overturn and allow repair [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr *js

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. the contact stated that while driving at a very slow speed, the front passenger side coil spring fractured also causing damage to the brake line. the vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was discovered that both the driver side and passenger side coil springs had been cracked. the vehicle was not repaired. the contact also indicated that while operating the vehicle, the abs and brake sensor warning lights would illuminate. the cause of the failures were not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the failure mileage was 119,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. while driving in a parking lot, a clunking noise was heard. the vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the front coil springs fractured and needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the failure mileage was approximately 119,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. the contact took the vehicle to a dealer for a recall related to the lower control arm. the contact stated that the repair for the lower control arm was completed; however, the subframe was rusted. the rust was within the connection between the control arm and the subframe. the dealer determined that the rust was part of the recall repair that was completed. the recall information was not provided. the failure mileage was 140,000.

Rear axle snapped while driving on normal roads. *tr

Rear axle the rear axle on my windstar broke yesterday on the left side outside of the support bracket installed by the dealer for the 2011 recall. i was driving down the road at approximately 45 mph when i noticed the tire rubbing on the frame. i got the car to the dealership (betten ford in grand rapids, mi) who advised they would not repair the car unless i paid for the repair as the bracket held and the axle broke in a different location. ford customer support advised the same thing. *tr

Recall rear axle cracks. i took my ford 2001 windstar for 3rd recall and learned that i have cracks in my axle. ford dealer and customer services said that the offer f discounted replacement expired on october 30th 2016 where i need to pay full price to fix it. we cannot afford to pay and why is consumer paying for defective parts which was the original recall where deaths occurred? instead of replacing the parts, ford was allowed to put brackets to hold up the axle. the defect is still there and now consumer are driving unsafe and when realized of situation, a substantial cost by the consumer to correct ford's negligence. why it is allow and what can be done for working folks who cannot replace new cars. we took a lot of care of our car so we can have a car. why is ford not responsible to correct their problem at no cost to the consumer? *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 15v608000 (suspension). when the vehicle was taken to the dealer for repairs, the contact was informed that the repair would cost $300. the manufacturer was notified of the issue. the contact had not experienced a failure.

Yes i contacted ford about the recall on the rear axle they said i dont have a recall on my van but my rear axle just split

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 15v608000 (suspension); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. the contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the manufacturer was made aware of the issue. the contact experienced a failure. the failure mileage was 200,000.

Had brackets installed on rear axle on a previous safety recall and brought vehicle in today to ford for another recall for inspection of brackets installation. i was told that the brackets are correctly installed but my axle is broken and needs to be replaced and is going to cost me $300.00. axle should have been replaced in the first place and there are thousands of other vehicles with the same issue. i am also contacting the nys attorney general.

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. while driving approximately 30 mph, the front end frame fractured and disengaged from the vehicle. the vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the shock absorber, front end spring, and frame were fractured and needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the failure mileage was 100,000.

Safety recall 15s27/nhtsa recall 15v-608, had my vehicle inspected as per the recall was told it was fine, less than a month later the rear axle cracked causing a tire to blow. now they do not want to honor the recall solution

I recently had my windstar front end worked on by a local ford dealer, who was supposed to take care of all recall issues. they did a crappy job of that and now the vehicle is sitting my driveway with the axle snapped in half. had it towed to my home when it broke on the highway. this is not a safe vehicle and we were very lucky no-one got hurt.

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. the contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under nhtsa campaign number: 15v608000 (suspension). while driving at an unknown speed, an abnormal noise was heard from the rear of the vehicle. the contact noticed that the rear driver side tire was pushed in the vehicle and the rear axle was fractured. the vehicle was not taken to a dealer or diagnosed. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the approximate failure mileage was 131,000.

I came up to a stop sign, the entire front axle broke off the frame, i lost steering, brakes, had to slam it into park to stop. i ended up across the road. there was a recall in 2011 for the axle mount and ford decided it only needed a coating on it, 5 seconds later we would of been on the highway and killed. i emailed ford and they said the recall was still open, the ford dealer never closed it, so they won't help me. that is bull, the coated it and forgot to close it out, thats their fault, i can take pics if you want them.

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. while attempting to park, the rear driver side axle fractured. the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the axle was fractured and needed replacement or welding. the axle was welded. a year earlier, the rear passenger side axle fractured and was welded. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the approximate failure mileage was 192,000.

Takata recall, due to rust the sway bar bracket has broke from subframe. didn't know it until i got it looked at for an alignment issue.

Ford windstar 01 recall on rear axle cracking

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. the contact received a notification for nhtsa campaign number: 15v608000 (suspension). while the vehicle was at the dealer, the technician found that the axle was cracked and needed to be replaced. the contact mentioned that the axle would be replaced under the recall, but the dealer was charging for labor. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 154,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. after the vehicle was inspected under nhtsa campaign number: 15v608000 (suspension), the technician stated that the rear axle was cracked and needed to be replaced. the contact mentioned that the failure occurred after the vehicle was serviced under nhtsa campaign number: 10v385000 (suspension). the vehicle was not repaired due to the technician stating that the original recall repair was performed properly. the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. the failure mileage was unknown.

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. while the vehicle was undergoing an inspection, the technician noticed that the rear axle was bending and caused the rear driver and passenger side tires to wear unevenly. the vehicle was repaired due to a previous recall on the axle. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the failure mileage was 318,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. while driving at approximately 30 mph, the front passenger tire detached from the vehicle. the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the axle and the frame needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the vin was included in nhtsa campaign number: 15v608000 (suspension). the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. the failure mileage was unknown.

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. the vehicle was repaired under nhtsa campaign number: 10v385000 (suspension). the contact received a second notification, nhtsa campaign number: 15v608000 (suspension). the vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was discovered that the reinforcement brackets that were installed under nhtsa campaign number: 10v385000 (suspension), were properly installed; however, the rear axle fractured. the vehicle was unable to be repaired under the recall due to the fractured axle. the contact was told that the rear axle would have to be replaced. the vehicle was repaired. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but did not offer any assistance. the approximate failure mileage was 97,000. updated 05/20/16*lj *js

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. the contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer for a scheduled maintenance and was informed by the mechanic that the rear axle was severely rusted and needed replacement. the contact also stated that a recall notification was received for nhtsa campaign number: 15v608000 (suspension) and that the vehicle was repaired for the same failure previously. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the vehicle was not repaired. the approximate failure mileage was 125,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. while reversing at approximately 1 mph, there was an explosion on the rear passenger side near the rear tire. in addition, there was an abnormal noise coming from the rear passenger side after the tire was repaired. the tire had fractured. the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. the technician stated that the rear axle had fractured and that the vehicle needed to be towed to a dealer. the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. the approximate failure mileage was 179,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. while driving various speeds, the rear driver side axle fractured. the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who confirmed that the axle fractured. the vehicle was repaired. the failure recurred. the manufacturer was notified of the failure. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 10v385000 (suspension); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. the contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. the vin and failure mileage were unknown.

The subframe in the front had cracked after having the repair/recall done by ford. this is the passenger side, right by the mount to the body.