1999 Ford Windstar Complaint Log

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE INSPECTED AT THE LOCAL DEALER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE LOWER FRAME HAD RUSTED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 113,345.

FRONT SUB-FRAME OR ENGINE CRADLE 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. NOTICED LOUD SCRAPING NOISE WHEN TURNING TO THE RIGHT. VEHICLE INSPECTED AND FOUND ONE OF THE FRONT SUB-FRAME MOUNTS RUSTED THROUGH AND ALMOST SEPARATED FROM ROUND RUBBER. (RIGHT SIDE, BACK) ALL OTHER 3 MOUNTS ARE FINE. I WAS TOLD "DO NOT DRIVE" TOLD ME I WAS LUCKY I DIDN'T LOSE MY WHOLE ENGINE. THEY ALSO SAID IT COULD BE DUE TO THE A/C DRAIN TUBE LOCATED ABOVE THIS MOUNT. STRANGE ALL OTHER MOUNTS WERE FINE. *TR

ABOUT 1 WEEK AGO MY CAR STARTED MAKING POPPING NOISES AROUND THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEEL. A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO, I WENT TO TURN RIGHT AFTER BEING STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN AND THE CAR MADE A LOUD POPPING NOISE. I WAS FORTUNATE THAT THE CAR WAS AT A VERY LOW SPEED, SO I WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL, BUT AM POSITIVE THAT HAD I BEEN GOING FASTER, I WOULD HAVE LOST CONTROL AND PROBABLY CRASHED. I HAD TO TURN THE WHEEL AND HOLD IT AT 90 DEGREES TO KEEP THE CAR ON THE ROAD. UPON INSPECTION, I WAS TOLD THAT THE SUBFRAME HAD CORRODED COMPLETELY THROUGH AND THAT MY ENGINE COULD HAVE FALLEN OUT AT ANY TIME. I WAS ALSO TOLD HOW FORTUNATE I WAS THAT I WAS ALIVE AND SAFE. AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION, I HAVE EXPERIENCED ALMOST IDENTICAL ISSUES TO MANY INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE WRITTEN COMPLAINTS IN RELATION TO INVESTIGATION PE10026. THE INDIVIDUAL WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE ALSO NOTICED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER TUBING TO RELEASE EXCESS CONDENSATION, WAS LEAKING DIRECTLY OVER THIS AREA IN QUESTION. THEY FELT THAT THE CORROSION FROM ROAD SALT IN ADDITION TO THE AIR CONDITIONER CONDENSATION CAUSED THE PROBLEM. I AM UNABLE AND UNWILLING TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE AT THIS POINT DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS. I AM HOPEFUL THAT THE NHTSA WILL DEEM THIS A NECESSARY RECALL AND PREVENT FUTURE INJURIES FROM OCCURRING. FOR THE RECORD, I LIVE IN INDIANA, A SALT-BELT STATE. *TR

1999 FORD WINDSTAR LX. ENGINE CRADLE FAILURE AT MOUNT POINT PASSENGER REAR. REFERENCE NHTSA # PE10026. I AM IN THE SAME SITUATION. THE PASSENGER REAR ENGINE CRADLE MOUNT HAS FAILED CAUSING STEERING PROBLEMS AND LOSS OF CONTROL. THE PASSENGER TIE ROD AND CONTROL ARM ARE NOW BENT. AT THIS POINT THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE, BUT I AM FORCED TO DRIVE IT. THE VEHICLE IS PULLING SEVERELY TO THE LEFT. THIS CONDITION IS WORSE ON ACCELERATION DUE TO THE BENT STEERING COMPONENTS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING @ 50 MPH CAUSING DIFFICULTY STEERING. *TR

'99 FORD WINDSTAR. ON 10/4/10 THE VAN MADE AN ODD NOISE WHEN TURNING RIGHT. AS I DROVE THROUGHOUT THE WEEK THE SOUND GOT WORSE. THE STEERING WHEEL ALSO BECAME UN-CENTERED ON 10/4. I DROVE IT VERY FEW MILES THAT WEEK., AS I WAS HOME ON VACATION WORKING ON HOME REPAIRS. ON 10/8, I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC. HE IDENTIFIED THE SOUND AS A PULLEY RUBBING THAT BECAME WORSE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED TO THE RIGHT. THE STEERING GEAR PUSHED THE ENGINE TO THE RIGHT CAUSING THE WATER PUMP PULLEY TO CONTACT THE RIGHT FENDER WALL. TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT PULLED THE ENGINE BACK TO THE LEFT, AWAY FROM THE RIGHT FENDER WALL, STOPPING THE NOISE. TOOK IT HOME, JACKED IT UP TO FIND THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE SUB-FRAME SUPPORTING THE ENGINE RUSTED AND DROPPED ABOUT AN INCH. THE VAN IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE UNTIL A REPAIR IS DONE. I WILL INSTALL A PIECE OF 1/4" STEEL UNDER THE SUB-FRAME TO SUPPORT IT UNTIL I CAN FIND A BETTER SOLUTION. I MAY NEED TO WELD IT TO THE SUB-FRAME. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE HAD BEEN OCCURRING SINCE OCTOBER 2010. THE VEHICLE ALSO STALLED WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 125,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 126,000.

I BOUGHT A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR LX IT HAD 130000 MILES ON IT WHEN I BOUGHT IT IT WAS MAKING A WEIRD NOISE WHEN I WOULD TURN SO I HAD THE POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACED BUT IT CONTINUED TO MAKE THE NOISE THEN A COUPLE MONTHS LATER IT BECAME VERY HARD TO STEER ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN AND STILL MAKING THE NOISE SO I AM NOW BEING TOLD ITS THE RACK AND PINION AND ALSO BEING TOLD BY A FEW DIFFERENT MECHANICS THAT THEY HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM BEFORE ITS VERY UNSAFE BECAUSE ITS ALL OF A SUDDEN YOU CANT TURN THE WHEEL AS IM INVESTIGATING FURTHER ABOUT THIS PROBLEM THERE IS OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE NOW IM GOING TO TRY TO REPLACE IT BUT AM LOOKING AT PURCHASING A USED ONE AND AM CONCERNED THAT IT WILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND I MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO TURN CAUSING A MAJOR ACCIDENT SO TO ME THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO FORD. *LN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS FOR RECALL 10V385000 (SUSPENSION: REAR: AXLE: NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY) THE CONTACT INFORMED THE DEALER THERE WAS SEVERE CORROSION ON THE FRONT SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING OVER A BUMP. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF A RECALL ON THE SUBFRAME 11V030000 (STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS: UNDERBODY SHIELDS) BUT THE DEALER STATED THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE SUBFRAME. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INFORMED IF THE VIN WAS INCLUDED OR NOT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BY EMAIL BUT HAD NOT RESPONDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.

ON OCTOBER 1, 2010 I WAS DRIVING ON I 75 IN MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. ABOUT 50 MILES FROM HOME THE REAR AXLE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE CAR BROKE. I STARTED TO SLOW DOWN, THE CAR SWERVED LEFT TO RIGHT DID A 180 DEGREE TURN SO I WAS TRACKING DOWN I 75 AT ABOUT 60 MILES AN HOUR. THEN I SKIDDED INTO THE GUARD RAIL ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE ROAD, BACK ON TO THE HIGH AND FINALLY ENDED UP BACKED INTO THE DITCH ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE ROAD. ABOUT 110 DAYS AFTER THE ACCIDENT WE RECEIVED NOTICE OF A RECALL ON THE REAR AXLE FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY. *TR

I HAVE A FORD WINDSTAR YEAR 1999. ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO THE TWO BRAKE LIGHTS WENT ON, I HAD A FUSE # 10 BLOWN AND A NON WORKING SPEEDOMETER DIAL.( THE CRUISE CONTROL HAS THREE MONTHS THAT IS NOT WORKING) I DID TAKE A LOOK AT THE OWNER'S MANUAL. IN THE MANUAL I READ THAT REASON FOR THE BREAK LIGHT TO COME ON WAS THE LOWER LEVEL OF BRAKE FLUID IN THE RESERVOIR AND SO IT WAS. I ADDED SOME BRAKE FLUID AND THE LIGHT WAS OFF. IN THE MEAN TIME I DID CHECKED THE FUSE PANEL AND I FOUND THIS FUSE #10 WAS BLOWN AND I REPLACED IT, BUT HALF AN HOUR LATER I GOT A BLOWN FUSE AGAIN. ALSO THE ABS LIGHT WAS ON AND SO I DECIDED TO SEE A MECHANIC. I DID GO TO A REPAIR SHOP AND I WAS TOLD THAT MY VAN HAS A SERIOUS PROBLEM. SCDS UNDER THE MASTER CYLINDER HAS DEVELOPED A BAD LEAK. THE SCDS SWITCH IS LEAKING AND THAT MAY CAUSE A FIRE SOONER OR LATER. THIS LEAK HAS CAUSED A SHORT AND A FUSE TRIP #10 THIS BREAK FLUID LEAK HAS WICKED DOWN THE WIRES TO THE ABS MODULE. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS LEAKY SWITCH HAS CAUSED ALL THE PROBLEM IN MY VAN. SPEEDOMETER, CRUISE CONTROL AND ABS BRAKE SYSTEM ARE NOT WORKING. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE MAY BE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEMS. I DO NOT KNOWANY THING ABOUT IT. I KNOW THAT IT WAS A RECALL ISSUED ON AUGUST 27,2010 IN REGARD WITH REAR AXEL. I NEVER GOT ANY NOTICE FROM FORD CO. I HAD A BROKEN REAR AXEL ON MARCH 2010 AND I WAS SAVED BY GOOD LUCK. I PAID A LOT OF MONEY TO FIX IT. FORD DID NOT PAY A DIME FOR THIS PROBLEM. FORD NEVER SENDS ME ANY RECALL NOTICES. I'M NEVER GOING TO BUY FORD CARS AGAIN. *TR

ABS BRAKE LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY GOES OFF AND ON SPORADICALLY. BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY DURING MY ANNUAL CAR INSPECTION IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT MY SUBFRAME IS DANGEROUSLY RUSTED THROUGH AND WILL COST 1,200 TO REPLACE IT WITH A USED ONE. I QUESTION HOW LONG A USED ONE WILL LAST SINCE IT HAS BEEN SAID THAT THE A/C DRAINAGE HOSE IS DIRECTLY OVER IT AND MOST CERTAINLY THE CAUSE.. THIS DEFINITELY HAS RECALL WRITTEN ALL OVER IT. IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS IF THE ENGINE FALLS OR ANYTHING ELSE AND CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE IS LOST. THE CAR BEING BUILT WITH THE A/C DRAINAGE OVER THE SUBFRAME ALLOWING SUCH AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE CAR TO RUST IS SO NEGLECTING AND IRRESPONSIBLE. WHAT IS TAKING FORD SO LONG TO RECALL THIS PROBLEM. I READ A MILLION SIMILAR INCIDENTS WITH THE SAME YEAR MAKE AND MODEL I HAVE.... 1999 FORD WINDSTAR LX CURRENTLY 90,500 MILES. *TR

I HAD TO REPLACE MY FRONT SUBFRAME AKA ENGINE CRADLE AND TWO MOTOR MOUNTS DUE TO PREMATURE RUST ON MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR THIS IS THE SECTION OF FRAME THAT HOLD UP THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION ALONG WITH MOST OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION. I LOST ALL ABILITY TO STEER AND WAS NEARLY IN AN ACCIDENT BRAKING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND GETTING THE MINIVAN TOWED TO A MECHANIC. I KNOW THIS FAILURE HAS GENERATED A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ALSO WITHIN THE NHTSA WEBSITE AND I FEEL IT SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE CURRENT RUSTED REAR AXLE RECALL WARRANTY. *TR

DRIVING THROUGH RESIDENTIAL AREA AND WENT TO MAKE A TURN ONTO ANOTHER STREET AND STEERING WENT OUT AND I WENT UP THE CURB THROUGH ON COMING TRAFFIC LANE. WHEN INSPECTED UNDER VEHICLE THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SUBFRAME WAS CORRODED, RUSTED AND BROKEN OFF. I HAD TO PURCHASE A USED INTACT FRONT SUBFRAME FROM A JUNKYARD AS THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME A NEW ONE WAS $2000.00. I HAD THE USED SUBFRAME PUT ON AND IT IS OKAY NOW. BUT THE ENTIRE PURCHASE OF A NEW SUBFRAME WOULD HAVE BEEN MORE THAN MY VEHICLES VALUE. *TR

MY BOYFRIEND AND I WAS ON OUR WAY HOME WITH OUR 6 KIDS DRIVING DOWN ROUTE 280 NJ ON THE NIGHT OF SEPT. 23, 2010. AFTER EXITING THE HIGHWAY, ABOUT A BLOCK AWAY FROM OUR HOUSE WHEN WE HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE AND THE STEERING BECAME VERY POOR AND PULLING TO THE RIGHT, I PULLED THE CAR OVER AND MY BOYFRIEND THEN GOT OUT AND INSPECTED THE CAR. HE JACKED THE CAR UP JUST TO FIND THAT THE SUBFRAME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS RUSTED AND BROKEN. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED. THE PRICE TO HAVE IT REPAIRED WAS $1000 IN PARTS AND LABOR. I RECENTLY WENT ONLINE TO FIND OUT THAT THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING TO OTHER 1999 - 2003 FORD WINDSTAR OWNERS AS WELL. *TR

DRIVING MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR, WHEN I NOTICED A BANGING NOISE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT. STOPPED BY A GARAGE AND FOUND THE NOISE CAME FROM THE PASSENGER TIRE SHIFTING BACK AND FORTH DUE TO THE ENGINE CRADLE ROTTING ON BOTH SIDES WHERE THE SUSPENSION CONNECTS. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ONLINE,I FIND ITS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM, ESP. IN REGIONS WHERE ROAD SALT IS USED. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED MY REAR AXLE AND FIND OUT NOW THAT THEY ARE BEING RECALLED. IS FORD GOING TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THESE PARTS? *TR

WENT TO FORD FOR 1999 REAR AXLE RECALL AND FOUND MY ENTIRE SUBFRAME ROTTED AT EVERY CONNECTION TO VEHICLE MORE DANGEROUS THAN REAR AXLE DO NOT KNOW WHAT HELD IT TO VEHICLE HAD REPLACED AT ABOUT $ 900.00 KEPT OLD PARTS FOUND MANY WINDSTARS HAVE SAME PROBLEM THE SALVAGE YARDS CAN NOT KEEP THE GOOD ONES IN STOCK BUT MOST ARE BAD THEY SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL I AM TOLD YOU ARE INVESTIGATING ALREADY BECAME HARD TO STEER AND BRAKES WERE KINDA FUNNY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V385000 (SUSPENSION: REAR: AXLE: NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY), AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER IN SEPTEMBER 2010. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT READILY AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PARTS STILL HAD NOT BECOME AVAILABLE AS OR MARCH 2011 NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 144,000.

I STARTED NOTICING A "CLUNK" NOISE BY THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE. THEN EACH TIME YOU WOULD TURN THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT, THE NOISE WAS MUCH MORE NOTICEABLE. THEN THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TO VIBRATE WHILE DRIVING. THEN EACH TIME YOU TOOK A RIGHT TURN AND OR DRIVE OVER A BUMP, THE "CLUNK" WAS NOT ONLY LOUDER YOU COULD ACTUALLY FEEL IT IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND ACTUALLY IN THE ENTIRE VAN. WE TOOK IT IN TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS AND WE WERE TOLD THE SUBFRAME HAD CORRODED THROUGH. *TR

NOTICED LOUD SCRAPING NOISE WHEN STEERING HAD VEHICLE INSPECTED AND FOUND RIGHT FRONT SUB-FRAME RUSTED AND SEPARATED FROM ROUND RUBBER BUSHING LOOKING INTO REPAIRS NOW AND FOUND ONLINE THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT CAN CAUSE STEERING LOSS. *TR

CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE BRAKE ABS UNIT LEADING TO BRAKE PEDAL GOING TO THE FLOOR WITH TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKES WITHOUT ANY WARNING. BRAKES WERE FINE WHEN VAN WAS STARTED. AT SOME POINT PRESSING ON THE PEDAL RESULTED IN ABSOLUTELY NO BRAKING EFFORT BEING APPLIED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. WHEN VEHICLE WAS STOPPED USING EMERGENCY BRAKES AND EVASIVE MANEUVERING (THANKFULLY WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT) AND SHUT OFF THE ABS PUMP CONTINUED TO RUN UNTIL FUSES FOR ABS UNIT WERE PULLED TO CUT OFF POWER. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO REPAIR FACILITY. THIS IS A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE THAT COULD LEAD TO INJURY OR DEATH SINCE THERE IS NO WARNING THAT ANYTHING IS ABOUT TO GO WRONG THAT CAUSES DRIVER TO LOSE ALL BRAKES. *TR

THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS GO ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. TURNING OFF VEHICLE USUALLY RESETS. THEY WILL COME BACK ON WHEN DRIVING AFTER A WHILE AND MANY TIME AFTER HITTING A BUMP. *TR

FORD WINDSTAR 1999: MY MECHANIC SAID THE FRONT SUB-FRAME IS RUSTED TO THE POINT THAT IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I AM TAKING IT TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER FOR EVALUATION. FORD WILL ALSO PERFORM THE REAR AXLE RECALL. *TR

I WAS AT A SEAR'S AUTO REPAIR CENTER,FOR A FLAT TIRE REPAIR. A MECHANIC HAD SHOWN ME THE SUB FRAME,(ENGINE CRADLE) WAS ALL RUSTED OUT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE,ALSO THE SPRING WAS BROKEN. I THEN PROCEEDED TO A COLLISION REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT IT .THEY TRIED TO FIND A USED SUB FRAME,BUT NO LUCK(THEY ALL HAD RUST ALSO)SO REPAIR SHOP IS ORDERING A NEW ENGINE CRADLE AND SPRING. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS FRACTURED IN HALF DUE TO RUST AND CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY REPLACED THE REAR AXLE AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V385000 (SUSPENSION: REAR: AXLE: NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY). THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE IDENTICAL FAILURE AS MENTIONED IN THE RECALL DEFECT HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE DID NOT MEET EITHER ONE OF THE REQUIREMENTS IN THE RECALL WHICH SPECIFIED THAT THE VEHICLE MUST BE CURRENTLY REGISTERED OR ORIGINALLY SOLD WITHIN SPECIFIC STATES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000.

1999 FORD WINDSTAR FRONT PASSENGER-SIDE SUBFRAME RUSTED THROUGH AND SEPARATED RENDERING THE VEHICLE UNDRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE CAN NOT CONTROLLABLY STEER OR BRAKE WITH THIS CONDITION. LUCKILY IT DIDN'T SEPARATE WHILE AT HIGHWAY SPEED OR IT WOULD HAVE HAD A CATASTROPHIC ENDING. AN IMMEDIATE RECALL SHOULD BE PUT OUT ON THIS BEFORE ANYONE IS KILLED. *TR

IRREGULAR BRAKING, EXPERIENCED AS AN ODD, SLIPPING LURCH AT THE COMPLETION OF A STOP OCCASIONED INVESTIGATION OF A SUPPOSED BRAKING PROBLEM BY OUR MECHANIC. PREVIOUSLY NOTED WAS THE MISALIGNMENT OF THE STEERING WHEEL ABOUT A QUARTER TURN FROM VERTICAL DURING STRAIGHT-AHEAD DRIVING. AFTER CHECKING THE BRAKES THE MECHANIC WAS PUZZLED BY A RUBBING NOISE HE HAD HEARD ON HIS TEST DRIVE. WHILE REPOSITIONING THE CAR TO INVESTIGATE, THE ENGINE CRADLE SUDDENLY SEPARATED FROM THE SUB-FRAME AND DROPPED TO THE GROUND, WRENCHING THE STEERING WHEEL FORWARD AND DISCONNECTING THE STEERING MECHANISM FROM THE WHEELS. ANCILLARY DAMAGE IS AS YET UNASSESED. THE CAUSE OF SEPARATION WAS MASSIVE,EVIDENT CORROSION WHERE THE ENGINE CRADLE ATTACHES TO THE SUB-FRAME. THIS VEHICLE IS LOCATED IN A "SALT-BELT" STATE. *TR

VEHICLE BECAME UN SAFE TO DRIVE AND SWERVED FROM LANE TO LANE WHEN ACCELERATING. FOUND FRONT SUBFRAME RUSTED THRU AND BROKEN ON PASSENGERS SIDE REAR CORNER. NEEDS NEW SUBFRAME IN FRONT. *TR

THIS IS REGARDING RECALL # 10S13. IN 2010 FORD ISSUED THIS RECALL BECAUSE THERE WAS A WEAK PART ON THE REAR AXLE THAT RUSTS AWAY AND CRACKS. THERE FIX IS TO INSPECT THE WELD AND THEN REPLACE THE AXLE IF THERE IS A CRACK. IF NO CRACK IS PRESENT, THE DEALERSHIP IS TO CLEAN THE RUST OFF THE WELD. WHEN THIS RECALL CAME OUT, FORD MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR DEALERS TO REPLACE BROKEN AXLES. THEY MADE IT SO DIFFICULT FOR THE DEALERS TO GET A REPLACEMENT AXLE THAT THEY WHERE "BACKORDERED" FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. I LIVE IN AN AREA THAT HAS SOME RUST AND HAD FORD "INSPECT" MY WELD FOR EXCESSIVE RUST. THEY SAID IT WAS FINE AND SENT IT DOWN THE ROAD WHICH THEN VOIDS MY RECALL. NOW THE REAR AXLE HAS BROKEN AT THE VERY SAME WELD WHICH WAS MENTIONED IN THE RECALL. IT EVEN BROKE UNDER THE SAME CONDITIONS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL. I CHECKED AND FOUND THAT THE ONLY THING FORD DID TO MY VEHICLE WAS TO SPRAY SOME RUST INHIBITOR ON TOP OF THE RUST THAT WAS ALREADY THERE AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. SINCE I TOOK IT IN FOR INSPECTION, THEY NOW REFUSE TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PART UNDER RECALL 10S13.I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT IF I HAD NEVER TAKEN THE CAR IN FOR INSPECTION, THAT THEY WOULD NOW HAVE TO REPLACE THE PART. THE PROOF I HAVE IS THIS. THE RECALL DIDN'T COME OUT UNTIL 11 YEARS AFTER THE CARS WHERE SOLD, WHICH PROVES IT TAKES A WHILE FOR THIS PART TO BREAK. LOOK AT YOUR COMPLAINTS. THE ONES THAT FAILED IN 08-11 WHERE IN THE FAR NORTHERN STATES. FORD HAD TO REPLACE MOST OF THESE IN 2011. FORD DIDN'T REPLACE MANY IN SOUTHERN ILLINOIS, SOUTHERN IOWA, ETC UNTIL A FEW YEARS LATER (2012-15). THE PROBLEM IS THAT THESE ARE STARTING TO BREAK IN THE MID-WESTERN STATES AND FORD IS REFUSING TO REPAIR THEM SINCE THEY ALREADY "INSPECTED" THE WELD AND FOUND IT WASN'T CRACKED WHEN THE RECALL FIRST CAME OUT. EVERYONE KNOWS THAT COVERING RUST WONT STOP IT FROM CONTINUING TO RUST. FORD NEEDS TO EXPAND THIS RECALL.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE IN THE REAR WITH NO WARNING SIGNS FROM THE DASHBOARD. SHE SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING AND DROVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE. EVERYONE WAS ABLE TO SAFELY GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND A TOW TRUCK WAS CALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND THEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER ADVISED HER THAT THERE WAS A TOTAL FRACTURE IN THE REAR AXLE. SHE WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER THAT IT WOULD TAKE 4 WEEKS TO GET THE PARTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 104,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE UNDER CARRIAGE WAS COVERED WITH RUST FROM FRONT TO BACK. THE SPARE TIRE UNDER THE VEHICLE WAS BARELY BEING HELD IN PLACE. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WAS NO LONGER SUPPORTED BY THE FRAME AND THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL WAS ALMOST COVERED WITH RUST AND FAILING. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 50000. UPDATED 12/02/10 *BF UPDATED 12/07/10

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 11V030000 (STRUCTURE), 10V385000 (SUSPENSION), AND 09V399000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER OWNED DUE TO NUMEROUS FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE SEVERAL UNKNOWN REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED, BUT FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

OUR 99 FORD WINDSTAR THAT WE PURCHASED, BROKE ITS REAR BAR YESTERDAY. HOWEVER, WE PURCHASED IT USED FROM LUTHER FAMILY FORD IN NORTH DAKOTA, THEY TOLD US THAT OUR WINDSTAR HAD SPENT MOST OF ITS LIFE UP NORTH IN OHIO, MINNESOTA ETC. I LOOKED AT THE FORD WINDSTARS UNDER BODY YESTERDAY AND YOU CAN EASILY TELL THAT IT HAS BEEN CORRODED ALL ALONG THE UNDERBODY FROM THE SALT. WHERE THE REAR BAR BROKE YOU CAN SEE RUST AND SALT CORROSION VERY EASILY, NOT TO MENTION THAT THE SPARE TIRE IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OVER FROM THE SALT. MY WIFE AND I HAVE TAKEN VERY GOOD CARE OF OUR VEHICLE, AND HAVE NEVER DRIVEN ANYWHERE IT IS NOT SUPPOSED TO AND YESTERDAY SHE PULLED OUT A PARKING SPOT AND SHE HEARD A THUD, AND THEN A SCRAPING SOUND. SHE CALLED ME AND I CAME OUT AND LOOKED AT IT. I NOTICED THAT ALL ACROSS THE REAR BAR AREA THERE IS A LARGE QUANTITY OF RUST AND WHERE IT BROKE YOU CAN SEE A BUILD UP OF RUST FROM SALT. MAINLY DUE TO IT SPENDING MOST OF ITS LIFE UP NORTH. WE DID SPEAK TO FORD, AND THEY MENTIONED THAT OUR REAR BAR SNAPPED IN TWO, AND IT WAS FROM RUST AND SALT THAT WEAKENED IT TO THE POINT OF BREAKING. THEY HOWEVER STATE ITS NOT ON THE LIST SO THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING. WE EVEN DOUBLE CHECKED WITH LUTHER FAMILY FORD, AND THEY TOLD US OURS WAS MANUFACTURED IN ONE OF THE PLANTS THAT DID HAVE PROBLEMS. SO EVEN THOUGH FORD STATES THAT IT IS NOT ONE OF THE VEHICLES WITH THE PROBLEM, I BELIEVE THERE MAY BE A LARGER UNDERLYING AMOUNT THAT THEY WOULD RATHER NOT HAVE TO DEAL WITH. WE HAD OUR VEHICLE TOWED TO OUR HOUSE WHERE ARE WAITING TO HEAR MORE ABOUT THIS RECALL TO SEE IF ANY OTHER ONES ARE AMONG THEM. *TR

REAR AXLE BEAM FAILURE..HEARD RECALL ON NEWS A MONTH BEFORE FORD OWNERS WERE NOTIFIED. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION AND REPAIR, CONFIRMED AXLE PROBLEM. 3 WEEKS LATER DEALERSHIP CALLED AND INFORMED ME THE VEHICLE WAS "UNREPAIRABLE". *TR

IN AUGUST OF 2010 I WAS DRIVING MY WINDSTAR WHEN I HEARD A LOUD BANG DURING A TURN. I KNEW I HAD NOT HIT ANYTHING AND AS I STRAIGHTENED OUT MY WHEEL I NOTICED THAT IT WOULD NOT RETURN TO THE NORMAL POSITION. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP TO GET IT LOOKED AT. AS SOON AS THE MAN PUT THE VAN UP IN THE AIR HE KNEW WHAT WAS WRONG. THE SUBFRAME ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WAS ALMOST RUSTED THROUGH. THE MAN TOOK IT DOWN AND TOLD ME NEVER TO DRIVE THE CAR AGAIN IN THIS SHAPE. HE SAID THAT HE HAD NEVER SEEN SO MUCH RUST UNDER A CAR THAT WAS STILL RUNNING. MY WINDSTAR ONLY HAS 86000 MILES ON IT. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW SOMETHING LIKE THAT CAN HAPPEN TO A CAR THAT HAS SUCH LOW MILES, I THOUGHT IT SHOULD HOLD UP BETTER. *TR

SEVERELY CRACKED (75%) REAR AXLE BEAM. NOT FIXED YET, LOOKING FOR A SHOP TO REPLACE THE PART WITH A SALVAGE YARD PART. REPLACEMENT AT THE FORD DEALER IS WAY TOO MUCH MONEY. *TR

DRIVING DOWN 2 LANE HWY AT 35 MILES AN HOUR . AFTER CROSSING SMOOTH RAIL ROAD TRACKS REAR AXLE BROKE. RECALL REPAIR WAS DONE BUT AXLE SNAPPED AT THAT LOCATION. BRACKET PUT ON TO KEEP FROM AXLE FROM SNAPPING DIDN'T HELP. *TR

WHILE EXITING A HIGHWAY WITHOUT WARNING THE REAR AXLE BEAM OF MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR BROKE IN HALF CAUSING THE REAR WHEELS TO TILT INWARD AND RUB AGAINST THE INNER WHEEL WELLS. THE VEHICLE CAME TO AN ABRUPT HALT NEARLY CAUSING THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME TO REAR END ME. *TR

1999 FORD WINDSTAR HAD PROBLEM CONTROLLING THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAY. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR HOME BUT WHEN I BACKED THE CAR IN THE DRIVEWAY, I HEARD A RUBBING SOUND . I LOOK TO SEE THAT MY REAR TIRES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CAR ARE LEANING INTO THE CAR. LOOKING UNDER THE CAR THE REAR AXLE BEAM IS CRACKED 3/4 OF THE WAY THROUGH. IT IS ABOUT 1.5 FEET FROM DRIVES SIDE I AM LOOKING FOR PRICES TO REPAIR THIS AT THIS MOMENT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD SCRAPING NOISE COMING FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. SUDDENLY, THE REAR SUSPENSION COLLAPSED. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETECTED THAT THE REAR AXLE FRACTURED IN HALF. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SAFE LOCATION. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE YET THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

WAS DRIVING MY 99 WINDSTAR SOUTH BOUND AT ABOUT 70 MPH ON THE GARDEN STATE PARKWAY AND HAD THOUGHT THAT A TIRE WENT FLAT ALMOST LOST CONTROL TRIED TO PULL LEFT BUT THE VAN WAS STILL GOING RIGHT AND ALMOST SPUN ME AROUND AND ALMOST COLLIDED WITH THREE OTHER CARS,UPON PULLING OVER HEARD NOISES COMING FROM REAR. LOOKED UNDERNEATH AND THE AXLE WAS BROKEN IN HALF. HAD TO WAIT OVER AN HOUR FOR A TOW JUST TO GET OFF THE ROAD AND THEN WAIT FOR ANOTHER TOW FROM THERE. I DRIVE 200 HUNDRED MILES DAILY 5 DAYS A WEEK. IT WAS MANY ONLY VEHICLE TOO. *TR

1999 FORD WINDSTAR REAL AXLE PROBLEM. WHILE DRIVING LOCALLY FELT THAT SOMETHING WAS NOT RIGHT. RETURNED HOME TO FIND THAT THE REAR AXLE HAD SNAPPED. HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO SPEND THE MONEY AND HAVE IT FIXED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AND HE COULD HEAR A LOUD SNAPPING NOISE FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. HE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME WHERE IT WAS PARKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THE SUB FRAME WAS BROKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 87,000. UPDATED 02/17/11 *BF THE SUBFRAME WAS REPLACED AT THE CONSUMERS EXPENSE. UPDATED 06/06/11

FRONT SUB-FRAME CORROSION HAS CAUSED FRAME TO BREAK ON PASSENGER SIDE. BREAK LIKELY OCCURRED WHILE MAKING A HARD RIGHT TURN TO JOIN TRAFFIC ON A 40MPH ROAD AS A NOISE WAS HEARD AT THAT TIME. NOT REALIZING THAT SOME STRUCTURAL FAILURE HAD OCCURRED THE CAR WAS DRIVEN ON TWO MORE OCCASIONS ON THE FOLLOWING DAY AND AT HIGHWAY SPEED. ONE DAY LATER STRANGE NOISE OCCURRED AGAIN WHEN TURNING, SO CAR WAS BROUGHT IN FOR SERVICE. REPAIR SHOP HAS INDICATED SUB-FRAME IS SEVERED IN AREA NOTED ABOVE AND CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TR

"BRAKING DISTANCE SUDDENLY INCREASED. *TR

SUBFRAME SEVERELY RUSTED @ REAR ENGINE CUSHIONS. MUST BE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY. *TR

FRONT CROSS MEMBER ON PASSENGER SIDE WAS DISCOVERED TO BE CRACKED WHICH COULD HAVE FAILED AND CAUSED SERIOUS INJURY. MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT TO BE DRIVEN UNLESS IT COULD BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED. I WAS ABLE TO HAVE A WELDING SPECIALIST REPAIR THE CRACK. *TR

THE REAR AXLE CRACKED ON MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH ON A CITY STREET. THE AXLE HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE CAR IS BEING PICKED UP TOMORROW (THURSDAY AUGUST 19, 2010) AND I WILL SEE IF THE BROKEN AXLE IS AVAILABLE. *TR

THE FRONT FRAME NEAR THE RIGHT WHEEL OF MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR HAS RUSTED TO THE POINT WHERE I HAVE BEEN ADVISED BY THE FORD DEALERSHIP REPAIR DEPARTMENT NOT TO SAFELY DRIVE THE VEHICLE. I HAVE READ WHERE THERE HAVE BEEN 900,000 COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS WHICH MAY RESULT IN AN RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 77000 MILE ON IT AND IS OTHERWISE IN GOOD CONDITION AND NOW IS USELESS UNLESS REPAIRED. I AM ADDING TO THE COMPLAINT LIST! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE FRONT SUSPENSION AND STEERING MECHANISM MALFUNCTIONED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 216,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE TRAVELING AT 10 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN UNUSUAL CLUNKING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR FRAME WAS CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED FOR THE FAILURE AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 130,000.