Problems with 2001 Ford Windstar POWER TRAIN

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. while driving over a railroad track at 20 mph, the rear axle broke in half. the vehicle was towed to a local mechanic who will perform a diagnostic test and advise him of the repair cost. the manufacturer was not notified. the vin was unavailable. the failure and current mileages were 160,000.

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

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

2001 ford windstar se sport, 20,000 miles abs, brake, & tire pressure lights come on after first starting car and running for a while.. abs and brake lights go on and off, tire pressure light stays on even with all 4 new tires equally filled at 35psi. just bought this van. transmission slips, had it drained and serviced 1 month ago with no problem reported. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. the contact stated while driving at unknown speeds, the vehicle began making an abnormal squeaking noise from the rear. the contact moved the vehicle from the roadway and exited the vehicle. he then discovered the rear axle was fractured. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer for repairs. the failure mileage was 147,000.

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. while driving approximately 40 mph a loud cracking sound was heard in the rear of the vehicle. the vehicle began to move from the left to the right. smoke was also coming from the rear end of the vehicle. the contact was able to drive safely onto the emergency lane. upon examining the vehicle, the contact noticed that the rear axle was severely cracked. the vehicle remained on the emergency lane and was not towed or further examined. the failure and current mileages were 130,000.

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. the contact was traveling 65 mph when the rear of the vehicle began making an abnormal cracking sound. the contact shut the vehicle off to observe the failure but did not locate one. he continued driving to his destination and heard the noise again. he then noticed that the rear wheels were abnormally tilted inward. the contact, who was a mechanic, was able to locate the failure as a crack in the rear axle. the local dealer stated that the part was on backorder and they would not be able to repair the vehicle. the failure and current mileages were 130,000. updated 09/29/10. *lj

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. while driving in reverse, there was a loud noise in the rear of the vehicle. the contact observed that the rear axle was broken and that the tire was pushed outward. the vehicle was towed to a mechanic and will be repaired. the mechanic stated that the parts would not be available for a week. the manufacturer stated that there were no related recalls or warranties. the failure and current mileages were 157,000.

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.

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 approximately 65 mph the vehicle began to bounce up and down after the rear axle broke in half and caused the vehicle to fishtail. the vehicle was towed to residence. the manufacturer was notified and informed the contact that there were no related recalls. the dealer had not diagnosed the failure when the complaint was filed. the failure and current mileages were 172,000.

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 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.

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.

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. the contact stated that the rear axle on his vehicle was broken. the vehicle started swaying back and forth while driving approximately 5 mph. he looked underneath the vehicle and noticed that the rear axle had broken in half. the dealer informed the contact that the axle had to be replaced at the owners expense for $497 along with the drums and other brake components. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was approximately 62,000. the current mileage was 62,500.

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.

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. 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.

Backing out of driveway, the rear axel of my 2001 ford windstar cracked in half. i may repair the vehicle. *tr

I bought this vehicle in march of 2010. two months after buying it i was driving home from l.a. and didn't notice until to late that the od off light was flashing. i had it towed to ammco and was told that the torque converter went out and that the trans had to be replaced. so this is what i had done. since i had this replacement done with the transmission i have had the od off light flash on and off periodically. every time the light comes on i run it back over to ammco and they test it to find the same code over and over, torque converter/clutch error. they have since replaced the transmission a second time, contacted the manufacturer on several occasions and spoke with several sources of theirs and they cannot find the problem. they have since told me that there is nothing else that can be done and think that it may be caused by the abs/brake light occasionally coming on. *ln

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. while driving at 30 mph, the contact noticed that the rear of the vehicle swayed back and forth. the vehicle was taken to a repair shop where the contact was informed that the rear axle was broken. the mechanic did not mention rust but stated that the axle was hanging by a thread. the current and failure mileages were approximately 74,000.

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

1. vibration in steering wheel. 2. rear axel broke in 2 places on the new jersey turnpike. the car veered uncontrollably almost causing a serious accident. 3. the car was towed 90 miles to our local service station where axel was replaced with a used part. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. while driving at 40 mph, the contact noticed that the rear end of the vehicle was swaying left to right. the vehicle was taken to a repair shop where the contact was informed that the rear axle needed to be replaced. the current and failure mileages were approximately 106,000.

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.

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. the contact stated while replacing the brakes, he noticed the right rear axle had cracked 12 inches from the tire. he stated if he had been driving, the failure could have potentially caused a crash. the manufacturer had not yet been contacted. the failure and current mileages were 100,000.

Rear axle of 2001 windstar broke in half. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. while driving at various speeds and reaching 60 mph, the contact noticed vibrations on the seats, head restraints and rear window. the vehcile was taken to a local mechanic who stated that there was a crack in the right rear axle and another forming on the left side axle. the contact called the dealership but the dealer statted that the vehicle was no longer under warranty and it was repaired at the contacts expense. the failure mileage was approximately 116,000. the current mileage was 118,273. updated 07/26/10. *lj updated 08/03/10*jb

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.

When the transmission got hot, after about 30-40 miles of driving the steering wheel starts to shimmy like the wheels are going to fall off. was told that there was a flaw in the design of a bearing that rides on the main shaft of trans, the one that connects the trans to the torque converter and engine. it was not able to handle to load and cuts a groove in to the shaft. this allows the trans to leak. once the grove gets deep the bearings can fall out and cause more damage to the transmission. the affects of the transmission getting hot could cause the driver to lose control of vehicle or become stranded in the roadway, causing a collision. was told the cost of repair would be $1500-$2500 depending on the amount of damage done to internal components. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. while driving 35 mph the rear axle broke. the vehicle began to sway back and forth prior to the failure. the current and failure mileage was 204000.

Tl* the contact has a 2001 ford windstar. the contacted stated that while driving the rear axle broke off of the vehicle. the vehicle was traveling 65mph. there was no accdent, but the vehicle slid across the highway. the contact feels this is serious safety issue. the failure and current mileage 104000.

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. while driving, she noticed that the vehicle was not stable when she made left and right turns. after examining the vehicle the contact also noticed that the rear axle was broke. the vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer and there were no prior warnings. the current and failure mileages were 125000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. during vehicle inspection, a technician stated that the rear axle had developed cracks. the technician stated that it would cost $7000.00 to repair the vehicle. no repairs were made. she filed a complaint with the manufacturer. the failure and current mileages were 92,000. the vin number was unavailable.

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. while driving 25 mph his rear axle fractured. the manufacturer was notified, but because the warranty expired no assistance was provided. no repairs were made. the failure mileage was 77,000.

Abs light is o in my 2001 ford windstar even after the recall in 2009 for abs ecm failure - abs brake light. the light continues to stay on for the past year almost and it is causing other defects in my vehicle. my vehicle will shut down on me completely and nothing in my vehicle will work until i get a jump ad it is causing issues with my brake system and transmission! *tr

I heard a squeaking noise in my vehicle,i took it to local garage for inspection of problem they found my rear axel is about one inch from snapping in half. i then called a few other local places that fix these type of problems and found out that this is a recurring problem with this vehicle and that it has been reported many times. i then checked to see if there was a recall on the rear axel and found that ford has done nothing about this. i did a search on the web on this vehicle and found several stories just like mine only some more severe where accidents have been caused from this same break in the rear axel. i am still in the process of getting this fixed.i will need to replace my rear axel it can't be welded for safety purposes. this problem is very serious and needs immediate attention. my family and i have escaped serious injury but how many more complaints need to be made before something is done. *tr

During a routine oil change on our ford 2001 windstar our mechanic noticed that the rear axle was cracked about 12 " from the drivers side tire. if the axle had failed catastrophically while driving my family would have been seriously injured or killed. an internet search revealed numerous identical failure on windstars of the same model year. *tr

I was driving my mother-in law to a restaurant with my husband and 3 children. on the way there was a squealing sound from the rear of the vehicle and we assumed it could have been a low tire. we stopped added air and went on but the squealing continued. we went around a very winding curve at 25mph [way below the recommended] and the van was almost uncontrollable. as though someone covered the road with oil [by the way, it is 92 degrees and very sunny here]. my husband thought that maybe we had a busted shock. when we came home, my husband removed the rear, driver's side tire to find that the tire had been rubbing the fenderwell - alot [which explains the burning tire smell on our way home]. upon inspecting the rear end of the van, the rear axle is almost in two!!! we never had any problems with the rear of the van before and actually just had tires put on 3 months ago and it was not noticed!!! i cannot drive this vehicle until it is fixed and don't know when that will happen because of the cost of this major repair. we could have all been killed if this would have happened on our way home, or on our way out-of-town tomorrow!! thank god we found the problem today!!! i find it very irresponsible that ford has not recalled this - they have recalled seatbelts, airbags and gas pedals due to safety concerns - why not this? i am not the only windstar owner this has happened too. there are others and their complaints i'm sure you have also received- they are posted on numerous sites on the internet. i would understand it not being recalled if i was the only one it happened to - but i'm not!!! *tr

While driving 2001 ford windstar on a 1-hour trip toward home, i noticed the back wheels fish tailing that occurred in every rough spot in the road. i immediately thought the tire was going flat and pulled over to check it. since the tires visually looked fine, i drove to the next exit to a gas station and checked the tire air pressure and found it was at proper levels. i was still unsure what could cause the "fish tailing" or "hydroplaning" feeling, yet i was able to make it the rest of the way home without a major accident; although my car kept "fishtailing".. the next morning, my husband took the windstar to a service mechanic to inspect the tires. what he found was a rear axle that was "rusted from the inside out" about 3/4 of the way. the mechanic's initial estimate is $1000 (for replacement of new axle and labor). we are relieved that the rear axle didn't break while we were driving as the car could have flipped and killed all of us. what could cause corrosion on the inside? the rear axle should be made to never corrode or break under normal road driving conditions. after researching on the internet, i have found other 8 year old, same make/model windstar owners reporting the same conditions. this is an unsafe part especially noting that people are keeping their cars longer due to economy. ford should own up to this part failure and recall and replace this part at no charge to the owners immediately! *tr

Abs light, brake light, and traction control light come on at once.

When driving van in hot weather or going up steep hills or grades the transmission will start leaking out transmission fluid. enough will be coming out to create a visible cloud of smoke behind the vehicle as it is hitting the exhaust system. had new trans axle seal installed but the problem still is there. if you park the van for about 45 minutes it quits leaking and you can proceed. for some reason the fluid gets so hot it is basically boiling out of the transmission. *tr

The right front axle broke without warning while i was driving to the movies with all my kids in the van. luckily no one was injured but my mechanic said that should not have happened without warning. he also said if we would have been on the freeway it would have been bad, really bad. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. while driving 25 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. the contact restarted the vehicle and drove to his residence. the dealer stated that there was no recall for the vehicle and repairs would only be made at the contact's expense. the transmission was the cause of the failure. through online research, the contact found numerous reports from consumers who were experiencing the same failure. the vehicle has not been repaired. the failure and current mileages were 154,000.

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. from time to time he was unable to shift gears out of park without some maneuvering. the dealer stated that there was a safety recall and that it was performed with the first owner. the current mileage was 129,500 and the failure mileage was 124,000. updated 06/25/08 *bf the dealer informed the consumer the problem he experienced was not due to the recall, and that his problem was originated from somewhere else. the consumer wished to withdraw his complaint. updated 06/25/08

While driving down my street i heard a noise, it sounded like my tires were rubbing against the wheel well of my car, i pulled over and noticed my tires were leaning inwards, i looked under my van and noticed that the axel was hanging down and broken almost in half. i called ford company they said the van was no longer under warranty and i would have to pay for the repair (1,000.00- 1500.00) i don't feel this is a "normal" wear and tear to this car , the manager at the dealer ship said this is the 3rd one he has seen within this year on the same van. the tow truck driver said this should have never have happened. *tr

Rear axle of my 2001 windstar cracked and split in half while driving approximately 50 mph. significant safety issue. no warning signs. only 67,000 miles on well-maintained vehicle. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. while driving between 5-10 mph, the vehicle dropped and came to a stop. the contact noticed that both rear wheels were folded inward. the vehicle was towed to the mechanic and they stated that the rear axle snapped due to a defective part. the part was not rusted. the mechanic replaced the rear axle. the current and failure mileages were 68,200. updated 07/15/08 *bf updated 07/15/08

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. while driving approximately 35 mph, the rear of the vehicle swerved to the right. the vehicle was taken to the dealer and they discovered that the rear housing was rusted and cracked. the current mileage was 72,413 and failure mileage was 72,380.

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford windstar. the contact stated that the constant-velocity joints on the passenger side were repeatedly replaced and the speedometer did not work. the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, who stated that there were no recalls addressing the failures. the manufacturer was notified and offered no other assistance. the failure mileage was 139,000. error codes po 174 and po 171 - misfire, fuel comp, cat lyst, evap 02 sensor, 02 htr, egr. updated 10/03/2011 *ln *tr