2000 Ford Windstar Complaint Log

DRIVING STRAIGHT ON ROAD APPROX. 35 MPH IN TOWN NORMAL STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, AND REAR AXLE BROKE COMPLETELY IN HALF. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO MY MECHANIC. NEED TO REPLACE THE AXLE. WILL COST AROUND $1000.00. NO ONE WAS HURT BUT IT COULD OF BEEN TRAGIC IF I HAD BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY OR GOING AROUND A CURVE. VAN HAS APPROX. 142,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY 2000 FORD WINDSTAR DOWN THE ROAD WITH MY CHILDREN AND MY TIRES STARTED TO SQUEAL AND THE BACK END STARTED TO LOSE CONTROL. I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE ROAD SAFELY. WHEN I GOT OUT TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG MY BACK TIRES WERE BOWED IN. WHEN LOOKING UNDER I SAW MY AXLE WAS SPLIT IN HALF. I HAD NO OTHER WARNING SIGNS. I CALLED FORD AND THEY SAID THERE IS NO RECALL OR ANY PROBLEMS REPORTED ON THE REAR AXLES. *TR

THE CAR WAS FISHTAILING AND I ASSUMED THE ALIGNMENT NEEDED FIXING. I WAS GOING DOWN A DIRT ROAD, THE TRACTION CONTROL CAME ON AND THE CAR WASN'T DRIVING NORMALLY. I PULLED OVER AND NOTICED THE BACK DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL WAS LEANING IN. UNDER THE CAR I FOUND THE REAR AXLE BROKEN A QUARTER FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE. THE CAR WAS TOWED AND A NEW REAR AXLE WAS INSTALLED. AN OLD PART WAS AVAILABLE, BUT I LEARNED THAT THE FAILURE RATE ON THE USED PARTS WAS HIGH SO I CHOSE TO USE A NEW PART. *TR

REAR AXLE BROKE ON MY 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. WE GOT NEW TIRES AND NOTICED THE CAR WAS DRIVING FUNNY. LOOKED UNDERNEATH TO FIND A CRACK ALMOST ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE REAR AXLE. EXACTLY WHAT IS DESCRIBED IN NHTSA ACT NUMBER PE10016. *TR

WHILE TRAVELING ON VACATION TO TENNESSEE I NOTICED A SWAY FROM THE REAR END. WHEN ARRIVING I NOTICE BOTH REAR TIRES WERE LEANING INWARD AND THE INSIDE OF EACH TIRE WAS WORN DOWN TO THE STEEL BELTS. I TOOK THE VAN TO A FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED THE COMPLETE REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY AND BOTH REAR TIRES. *TR

2000 FORD WINDSTAR REAR AXLE FAILURE - DRIVING WITH MY MOTHER AND MY GRANDCHILDREN THE REAR AXLE BROKE IN HALF. WE ARE LUCKY IT DID NOT HAPPEN ON THE MAJOR HIGHWAY ON THE WAY. I HAD TO BE TOWED, AND HAD THE REAR AXLE REPLACED. *TR

WHILE DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH, MY 2000 FORD WINDSTAR LX MADE A LOUD NOISE AND BLACK SMOKE AND THE SMELL OF BURNING RUBBER FILLED THE VEHICLE. IT WAS WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY THAT MY HUSBAND WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND GET IT OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. MY SELF AND OUR 3 CHILDREN WERE VERY FORTUNATE TO ESCAPE INJURY. THE REAR TIRE AXLE HAD SNAPPED IN TWO. I HAVE SINCE READ OF NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS SAME DEFECT. WHY HASN'T ANYTHING BEEN DONE ABOUT THIS SERIOUS ISSUE? THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IN AUTO SHOP AND I AM WAITING TO HEAR IF IT CAN BE REPAIRED. I AM EXTREMELY APPREHENSIVE ABOUT DRIVING THIS CAR EVER AGAIN. WILL THE SAME SITUATION HAPPEN AGAIN IF I REPLACE IT WITH ANOTHER FORD PART? WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A SAFETY RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND THIS CAR HAS BEEN PROPERLY MAINTAINED. THERE ARE APPROXIMATELY 110,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, SHE HEARD A CLANKING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER MOVE FORWARD. AFTER INSPECTING IT, SHE NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER FRONT TIRE WAS POINTING OUTWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT A BRACKET THAT HELD THE FRONT AXLE HAD CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT A PIECE OF THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE CONTACTS EXPENSE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 145,000.

TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR; WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH THE TIRES STARTED MAKING AN UNUSUAL NOISE AND THEN HE HEARD METAL SCRAPING ON THE PAVEMENT, HE PULLED OVER ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND DISCOVERED THAT HIS REAR SUSPENSION WAS BROKEN; THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO HIS HOME; THERE WAS NO DIAGNOSTIC TEST DONE OR REPAIRS; THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND HE STATED THAT THE DEALER WAS NO LONGER IN BUSINESS SO HE COULD NOT CONTACT HIM. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE 195,000..

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL BANG. THE VEHICLE CABIN WAS IMMEDIATELY FILLED WITH SMOKE AND THE CONTACT MOVED OFF THE ROADWAY. THE CONTACT WAS ASSISTED BY A STATE TROOPER AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE REAR AXLE HAD FAILED BUT DID NOT EXHIBIT SIGNS OF WEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT WITH THE MECHANIC WHERE HE WAS AWAITING REPAIRS TO THE AXLE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF A CRASH HAD THE TRAFFIC BEEN HEAVIER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

FORD WINDSTAR 2000 BROKEN REAR AXLE. 2 WEEKS PRIOR HAD INTERMITTENT GRINDING NOISE WHICH VEHICLE OWNERS IDENTIFIED AS A SUSPENSION PROBLEM. SOUNDS WAS MOST NOTABLE ON UNEVEN TERRAIN, BUT NOT ALL THE TIME. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, NOTED BROKEN REAR AXLE. NO CONSEQUENCES, VEHICLE WAS TAKEN OFF ROAD BEFORE AXLE BROKE IN HALF. PART WILL BE REPLACED. *TR

ON JUNE 13, 2010 MY WIFE WAS DRIVING FORD WINDSTAR AT APPROXIMATELY 25MPH SPEED DOWN A PAVED ROAD NEAR OUR HOME WHEN THE REAR SUSPENSION AXLE BROKE. THE AXLE CRACKED AND COMPLETELY SEPARATED AT APPROXIMATELY 1 1/2 FEET FROM DRIVERS SIDE REAR WHEEL. BOTH HALVES OF AXLE DROPPED TO THE GROUND AND ONE SIDE WAS DRAGGING ON PAVEMENT. BOTH REAR TIRES WERE RUBBING ON WHEEL HOUSING. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED LOSS OF CONTROL IN REAR END AND DID NOT STAY INLINE WITH THE FRONT END OF VEHICLE. THERE WAS A SMELL OF BURNING RUBBER AFTER VEHICLE WAS STOPPED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED YET AND WE ARE AWAITING NEW PART (AXLE) PURCHASED FROM FORD DEALERSHIP BEFORE REPAIRS MAY BEGIN. VEHICLE HAD BEEN USED ON DAILY BASIS AND WAS USED FOR A FAMILY VACATION TRIP THE WEEK PRIOR TO FAILURE. VEHICLE HAS UNDER 111,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. FAILURE SHOULD HAVE NOT OCCURRED IN SUCH A CRITICAL AREA AND AT SUCH A LOW MILEAGE. ALTHOUGH THERE WERE NO INJURIES OR COLLISION, THE FAILURE IS A SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE HAD LOST CONTROL AND THE REAR TIRES WERE RUBBING AGAINST THE WHEEL HOUSING AND COULD HAVE BLOWN. *TR

MY SON AND I WERE DRIVING TO BJ'S WAREHOUSE AFTER BUYING MULCH AT LOWE'S. WE JUST GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY AND WAS ABOUT 1/4 MILE FROM BJ'S WHEN WE HEARD A LOUD CLUNK. I THOUGHT THE TIRE BLEW AT FIRST AND CONTINUED INTO THE CLOSEST PARKING LOT. I LOOKED UNDER THE CAR AND FOUND THAT MY REAR AXLE I-BEAM HAD SNAPPED IN TWO. BOTH THE FLATBED DRIVER WHO TOWED IT AND MY MECHANIC SAID THEY NEVER SAW SUCH A THING HAPPEN BEFORE. A STEEL BEAM BRAKING IN TWO ISN'T SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN. WE WERE LUCKY WE DIDN'T HAVE AN ACCIDENT. FORD WILL ONLY HAVE A RECALL AFTER SOMEONE DIES AND A MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR LAWSUIT FOLLOWS. THAT WOULD BRING THE KIND OF PUBLICITY THAT FORD WOULD HAVE TO REACT TO. IT SEEMS THAT'S THE ONLY TIME ANY OF THESE CARMAKERS BACK THEIR VEHICLES IS AFTER A TRAGEDY AND A MAJOR INVESTIGATION. LIVES JUST AREN'T IMPORTANT TO THEM. JUST PROFITS. *TR

THE REAR AXLE ON MY 2000 FORD WINDSTAR SNAPPED IN HALF WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE VAN BEGAN TO SHAKE AND BOUNCE VIOLENTLY AND FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VAN TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD WITHOUT HITTING ANOTHER CAR OR SOMETHING ALONG THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. UPON INSPECTION, BOTH REAR WHEELS HAD COLLAPSED INTO THE WHEEL WELLS AND THE AXLE HAD COMPLETELY BROKEN IN HALF. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING OF THIS ISSUE. THE VAN NEEDED TO BE TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER WHERE THE REPAIRS WERE MADE TO REPLACE THE REAR AXLE. TOTAL REPAIR COST EXCEEDED $1800. *TR

DRIVING HOME FROM PHILA, PA THE REAR WAS FISH TAILING WITH EVERY LITTLE BUMP. BEING CLOSE TO HOME I FIGURED I COULD CHECK IT AFTER ARRIVING HOME. REAR AXLE BROKE OFF COMPLETELY IN HALF ON MY STREET. BOTH REAR TIRES WENT INWARD AND WERE AGAINST THE WHEEL WELL . THE CAR COULD NOT GO FORWARD OR BACKWARD AS THE AXLE WAS ON THE GROUND. SNAPPED APPROX. 18 INCHES FROM THE LEFT SIDE. LUCKILY WE WERE NOT ON A HIGHWAY AT THE TIME. 4 PASSENGERS. NEEDED 3 TOW TRUCKS BEFORE ONE FIGURED OUT HOW TO TOW IS WITHOUT ANYMORE DAMAGE. HAD A NEW AXLE PUT IN FOR $1200. MY WIFE IS STILL AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. *TR

I OWNED A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR WITH APPROXIMATELY 94,000 MILES. FOR ABOUT A WEEK, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE CAR WHEN DRIVING OVER UNEVEN SURFACES, ESPECIALLY WHILE BRAKING ON AN UNEVEN OR BUMPY SURFACE BECAUSE THE REAR END WOULD SHIFT TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT UNDER THESE CONDITIONS. .A FEW DAYS LATER, THE FRONT END BEGAN TO JERK AND I TOOK IT INTO THE GARAGE. UPON REVIEW, THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE REAR AXLE WAS BROKEN ALMOST COMPLETELY THROUGH. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS FRACTURED AND WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE AT A VERY LOW SPEED, THE CONTACT HEARD AN UNUSUAL CRACKING SOUND FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR WHENEVER THE CONTACT WAS REVERSING. WHEN DRIVING OVER SPEED OR ROAD BUMPS, THE VEHICLE WOULD ABNORMALLY FISHTAIL AND MOMENTARILY LOSE CONTROL. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS FRACTURED IN TWO SEPARATE LOCATIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 127,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, HE NOTICED THAT ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL. HE ALSO NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE SPARK PLUGS HAD FAILED WHICH CAUSED A SMALL FIRE UNDER THE HOOD DAMAGING THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 98,000.

2000 FORD WINDSTAR, XL. A/C, HEATER, ODOMETER, SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING. ABS LIGHT ON. *TR

2000 FORD WINDSTAR ABS AND TRAC OFF LIGHTS ON. *TR

I OWN A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR AND MY ABS MODULE HAS GONE BAD. THE ABS YELLOW WARNING LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. THE PART ALONE IS $800.00. I'VE READ ON THE INTERNET THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE ON THE WINDSTAR DUE TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE PART. PLEASE CONSIDER ASKING FORD TO RECALL THE PART. *TR

CRACKED REAR AXLE, CONFIRMED BY DEALER. DEALER HAS SEIZED VEHICLE WITH RECOVERY ONLY POSSIBLE IF LIABILITY RELEASE IS SIGNED. *TR

I HAD RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR MY FORD WINDSTAR 09S09. I HAD TAKEN MY VEHICLE IN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY ASCERTAINED THAT THE PART WAS DEFECTIVE AND HAD LEAKED. IT WAS NOTED WITH FORD THAT MY ABS LIGHT WAS ALWAYS ON, AS WAS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THAT MY CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT FUNCTION ANY MORE. MY SPEED INDICATOR AND ODOMETER DID NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY EITHER READING ONLY HALF OF THE ACTUAL SPEED AND MILEAGE. THESE WERE ALL NOTED AND THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE DEFECTIVE PART BUT STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE OTHER PROBLEMS THAT WERE CAUSED BY THE LEAKED HYDRAULIC FLUID. I STILL HAVE ISSUES WITH EVERYTHING STATED BECAUSE THEY DID NOT DO ANYTHING TO FIX THESE PROBLEMS JUST CHANGED THE PART. AT THIS POINT I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS TOO LATE TO DO ANYTHING BECAUSE ACCORDING TO FORD THE RECALL CASE WAS CLOSED BECAUSE THE DEFECTIVE PART WAS CHANGED. AS A CONSUMER, I TRUSTED MY DEALERSHIP TO HANDLE THE RECALL IN THE CORRECT MANNER INSTEAD OF LEAVING ALL OF THE PROBLEMS TO CONTINUE WITHOUT NOTIFYING ME UNTIL IT WAS TOO LATE, IN FORD'S WORDS. *TR

ABS LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. NO PROBLEM DETECTED. LIGHT COMES ON AFTER DRIVING FOR AWHILE AND THE ENGINE GETS UP TO NORMAL OPERATING TEMP. MECHANICS TELL ME THE ABS MODULE IS BAD. I HAVE TWO WINDSTARS AND THIS HAPPENS ON BOTH. FORD DEFINITELY HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ABS MODULE! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, HE NOTICED THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE TIRE WAS ABNORMALLY BENT OUTWARD. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT FOUND THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 88,000.

I DISCOVERED A LARGE CRACK IN THE REAR AXLE BEAM OF MY 2000 FORD WINDSTAR WHEN DOING ROUTINE BRAKE WORK. THE CRACK GOES HALFWAY THROUGH THE AXLE BEAM SO I DECIDED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD UNTIL I CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY. I WILL CONTACT THEM A.S.A.P. TO DETERMINE WHAT ACTION I SHOULD TAKE AT THIS POINT. IN MY OPINION THE VEHICLE IS NOT CURRENTLY SAFE TO OPERATE AS THE AXLE COULD COMPLETELY FRACTURE AT ANY GIVEN TIME DUE TO THE SEVERITY OF THE CRACK. I HAVE READ THAT MANY OTHER WINDSTAR OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM, YET FORD HAS DONE NOTHING TO NOTIFY OWNERS ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF AXLE FAILURE. I HAVE TAKEN SEVERAL PHOTOS OF THE AXLE FOR DOCUMENTATION BEFORE I HAVE THE IT REPLACED. *TR

I WAS BACKING UP IN MY DRIVEWAY WHEN THE REAR AXLE OF MY 2000 FORD WINDSTAR BROKE IN HALF. *TR

MY 2000 FORD WINDSTAR REAR AXLE SPLIT IN HALF DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS (5/28/10). I AM IN THE PROCESS OF INQUIRING HOW MUCH THE REPAIR WILL COST. *TR

WE HAVE A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR THAT WE TOOK TO OUR MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. WHILE BEING INSPECTED, THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE REAR BEAM AXLE WAS ROTTED AND CRACKED. THIS IS THE 2ND REAR AXLE THAT ROTTED OUT ON THE VAN. 1ST ONE WAS REPLACED IN JULY 2008. CAR IS STILL AT MECHANICS GARAGE, AWAITING INSTRUCTIONS FOR REPAIR. FORD HAS NO RECALL ON THE AXLE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VEER OFF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS BROKEN. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 136,000.

I WAS REVERSING OUT OF THE STORE PARKING LOT AND MY REAR AXLE CRACKED. CRACKED RIGHT IN HALF. MY 9 YEAR OLD SON WAS WITH ME . 2 MINUTES BEFORE THAT I WAS ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY. I WAS LUCKY! SOMEONE IS GOING TO INJURED OR WILL DIE. THERE ARE LOTS OF THESE COMPLAINTS AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE REVERSING IN THE DRIVEWAY AT 5 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED A CLICKING SOUND FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS SPLIT IN TWO. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 108,000.

I OWN A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR SE. I NOTICED MY CAR SHUDDERING A BIT ON THE EXPRESSWAY LATE LAST WEEK (5/20/10.) I SLOWED A BIT AND THE MOVEMENT STOPPED. I PULLED OFF THE EXPRESSWAY AND CONTINUED DRIVING ON CITY STREETS. I TRIED INCREASING MY SPEED BUT COULD NOT RECREATE THE 'SHUDDERING.' OVER THE WEEKEND, I FELT THE MOVEMENT ONCE MORE SO I STAYED AT LOW SPEEDS ON CITY STREETS AND PLANNED ON TAKING THE CAR IN ON MONDAY TO HAVE IT CHECKED. THE MOVEMENT HAD NOT RETURNED. ON SUNDAY, MAY 23 I HAD TO DRIVE ABOUT 7 MILES TO WORK. ABOUT 1 MILE SHORT OF MY DESTINATION THE SHUDDERING RETURNED, BUT MUCH WORSE AND AT LOW SPEED. I SLOWLY DROVE THE CAR INTO A PARKING LOT AND SAW MY LEFT REAR TIRE WAS TILTED. THINKING THE TIRE WAS LOOSE (I HAD NEW REAR SHOCKS PUT ON ABOUT 1 MONTH AGO AND THOUGHT MAYBE THEY HAD NOT TIGHTENED THE NUTS ENOUGH) I JACKED THE CAR UP A BIT AND POPPED THE HUBCAP. THE LUG NUTS WERE ALL TIGHT BUT THE RAISED CAR GAVE ME A CLEAR VIEW OF MY REAR AXLE, COMPLETELY SPLIT IN HALF. THE AXLE WAS STILL HOLDING UP THE CAR ONLY BECAUSE THE TWO HALVES WERE STILL PRESSED TOGETHER. THE AXLE WAS COMPLETELY BROKEN THROUGH (NOT JUST CRACKED) BASICALLY RIGHT AT THE MID POINT. I HAVE HAD THE CAR TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP ON A FLAT BED TRUCK, BUT WORK HAS NOT STARTED ON IT YET. TONIGHT I CHECKED ON LINE AND FOUND THAT THIS PROBLEM IS BEING INVESTIGATED BY YOUR AGENCY. HERE'S ANOTHER CASE FOR YOU TO ADD TO THE LIST. I FEEL EXTREMELY LUCKY TO BE WRITING THIS TO YOU WITHOUT HAVING BEEN IN THE ACCIDENT THAT THIS DEFECT SO EASILY COULD HAVE CAUSED. INTERESTINGLY, I HAVE HAD WORK DONE ON THE CAR A COUPLE OF TIMES IN THE PAST MONTH AND NO ONE NOTICED/REPORTED ANY AXLE DAMAGE. THE CAR WAS RIDING FINE UP TO THIS PAST WEEK. *TR

1. I WAS CHECKING UNDERNEATH MY CAR BECAUSE IT SOUNDED LIKE THERE WAS SOMETHING THE MATTER WITH THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE BRAKES. 2. I FOUND SOMETHING MORE ALARMING. ABOUT 1/3 OF THE WAY ACROSS THE AXLE FROM THE DRIVER SIDE REAR WHEEL WAS A BIG CRACK IN THE AXLE. 3.I HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING YET BUT LEFT THE CAR IN MY DRIVEWAY AS SEVERAL PEOPLE ADVISED ME THAT THE CAR WAS TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. I WAS THINKING OF CALLING A BODY SHOP TO HAVE THE CRACK WELDED BACK TOGETHER. BUT THEN I READ ABOUT HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE MAKING COMPLAINTS ABOUT REAR AXLES IN FORD WINDSTARS AND DECIDED TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE NHTSA. *TR

I OWN A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR WITH A REAR AXLE THAT IS CRACKED IN TWO PLACES. NOTICED INSTABILITY AT FREEWAY SPEEDS AND BELIEVED IT TO BE AN ALIGNMENT PROBLEM, BUT TECHNICIANS DISCOVERED REAR AXLE PROBLEM. VEHICLE IS PARKED AND HASN'T BEEN DRIVEN SINCE AXLE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED. ESTIMATES FOR REPLACEMENT RUN FROM $1000 TO $2200. REAR TIRES ARE WORN UNEVENLY AND TIRES ARE NOTICEABLY TILTED INWARD IN REAR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 30 MPH, THE REAR AXLE CRACKED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT SPOKEN WITH THE DEALER OR MANUFACTURER AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 118,000.

I HAVE A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR VAN AND THE REAR AXLE SNAPPED IN TWO. I THINK IT HAPPENED WHEN WE PULLED INTO OUR DRIVEWAY. I HAVE NOT FIXED IT YET BECAUSE IT IS VERY EXPENSIVE AND HAVE TO SAVE UP THE MONEY. *TR

WHILE DRIVING MY SON TO SCHOOL TRAVELING APPROX. 40 MPH THE REAR AXLE COMPLETELY BROKE IN HALF CAUSING ME TO LOOSE CONTROL. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT AND IT WAS AIMED IN A DIRECTION ALLOWING IT TO PULLED OFF THE ROAD. VEHICLE HAS SINCE BEEN TOWED HOME AND WE ARE INVESTIGATING NEXT STEPS. *TR

FORD WINDSTAR RECALL, NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V399000, FOR ABS ECM MODULE THAT CAN CAUSE A FIRE. FORD ONLY INSTALLED A FUSIBLE LINK AS A SOLUTION AND I AM STILL HAVING TROUBLES. THE ADDRESSED THE INITIAL CAUSE, BUT PROBLEM HAD ALREADY STARTED. POWER STEERING OUT, ODOMETER, SPEEDOMETER DO NOT WORK, ALL DOCUMENTED ISSUES FOR THE RECALL THAT CAN LEAD TO FIRE. *TR

MY WIFE HAS BEEN COMPLAINING THAT SHE WAS HEARING LOUD NOISES COMING FROM THE REAR OF HER 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. I CHECKED THE SHOCKS AND SPRINGS AND EVERYTHING WAS OKAY. TODAY SHE WAS BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY ON HER WAY TO WORK WHEN I NOTICED THAT THE LEFT REAR TIRE WAS BADLY TILTED INWARD. I STOPPED HER AND LOOKED UNDER THE VAN AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR AXLE HAD SPLIT IN TWO. THERE IS NO SIGNIFICANT SIGNS OF RUST OR CORROSION, JUST A HUGE FRACTURE OF THE ENTIRE AXLE. *TR

LOCAL NEWS ARTICLE BROADCAST YESTERDAY REGARDING REAR AXEL PROBLEM WITH FORD WINDSTAR. MY 2000FORD WINDSTAR LX WAS BECOMING MORE DIFFICULT TO DRIVE/CONTROL, SIMILAR TO DRIVING WITH FLAT TIRES & UNABLE TO MAINTAIN VEHICLE CONTROL. THE VAN WAS"DRIFTING" FROM SIDE TO SIDE. I LOOKED AT THE REAR AXEL & THERE IS A VISIBLE CRACK ON DRIVER SIDE OF REAR AXEL. PASSENGER SIDE OF REAR AXEL IS ALSO STARTING TO CRACK. *TR

SEVERAL WEEKS AGO THE 'CHECK BRAKES' LIGHT CAME ON IN OUR 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. THE NEXT DAY THE SPEEDOMETER AND THE ODOMETER ONLY SHOWED DASHES.WE WENT TO THE FORD DEALER THEY CHANGED THE BLOWN FUSE AND IT WORKED FOR A COUPLE DAYS SINCE THEN THE FUSE HAD CONTINUED TO BLOW NOW AND THEN BUT IN THE LAST COUPLE DAYS IT BLOWS ANYTIME THE VEHICLE STARTS. SO WE CHANGE THE FUSE AGAIN AND THEN IT JUST BLOWS AGAIN A COUPLE MINUTES OR MILES LATER. ALSO WHEN IT DOSE GO OUT THE ABS LIGHT STAYS ON AND DOESN'T GO OUT. *TR

TLA* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR AN UNRELATED ISSUE, THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS CRACKED AND WAS STILL ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE BY A SMALL PIECE OF METAL. THE AXLE WAS REPLACED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000 AND THE CURRENT WAS UNKNOWN.

ON FRIDAY, MAY 15, 2010, MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK FOR LUNCH AND THE REAR AXLE SNAPPED ON OUR 2000 FORD WINDSTAR SLE MINIVAN. THE MECHANIC ALSO SAID THE "DIFFERENTIALS" WERE DAMAGED. THE TOTAL COST WAS $795. FORTUNATELY, MY HUSBAND WAS NOT ON A BUSY STREET AND HE WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD UNTIL WE COULD HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED. ALSO, HE DID NOT HIT ANYTHING THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED THE AXLE TO SNAP. IN JULY 2009, WE HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION IN THIS SAME VEHICLE WHILE TRAVELING TO MYRTLE BEACH, S.C., ON VACATION. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE IS VERY HARD TO SHIFT. HE HEARS A LOUD BANGING NOISE WHEN SHIFTING AND THE VEHICLE ALSO LOOSES POWER. THE FAILURE IS MORE PRONOUNCED ON AN INCLINE. FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED NOR HAS THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 130,000.

ON WED MAY 12TH I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY TO TAKE ONE OF MY KIDS TO A GUITAR LESSON. MY 2000 FORD WINDSTAR, WHICH HAD BEEN WORKING FINE, SUDDENLY MADE AN ODD NOISE AND THE TIRES WERE BENT INWARD TOWARD THE CAR. I GOT OUT AND DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR AXLE HAD BROKEN! THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS AND THERE WERE NO SIGNS OF THIS PROBLEM OCCURRING. I HAD THE CAR REPAIRED AND WAS TOLD BY THE REPAIR SHOP THAT THEY HAD SEEN A NUMBER OF THESE INCIDENTS OCCURRING. THE CAR IS OKAY NOW, BUT I HAD TO PAY OVER 900.00 TO HAVE THE DAMAGE FIXED AND I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT OTHER OWNERS OF THIS TYPE OF CAR. *TR

I WAS DRIVING HOME AND ALL OF SUDDEN MY 2000 FORD WINDSTAR MADE A FUNNY NOISE AND THE FRONT WHEELS LOCKED UP. I COULD NOT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED HOME. MY WINDSTAR IS NOW SITTING IN MY YARD, BECAUSE THE SUBFRAME RUSTED AWAY FROM THE CONTROL ARM. *TR

2000 FORD WINDSTAR ENGINE CRADLE ROTTING OUT ON THESE VANS. ONCE ROTTED THROUGH ,AND IT BREAKS YOU LOSE CONTROL OF VAN! AS IT IS TIED INTO THE STEERING! AT 70MPH THIS COULD BE FATAL TO EVERYONE IN THE VAN ALONG WITH LOSS OF CONTROL AND SMASHING INTO CARS IN THE OTHER LANES OF TRAFFIC! SHOULDN'T BE ROTTING OUT ON A TEN YEAR VEHICLE CHEAP METAL ! *TR

I HAD PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM A PRIVATE OWNER IN MARCH 2010 WHO REPORTED NO ISSUES. I DRIVE THIS VEHICLE DAILY TO WORK, AS WELL AS TRANSPORTING CHILDREN TO DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES. RETURNING HOME FROM WORK ON MAY 06, 2010, I NOTICED THE VAN HANDLING ODD; HAD TO KEEP RIGHT PRESSURE ON THE STEERING WHEEL (LIKE AN ALIGNMENT ISSUE). THE FURTHER I DROVE THE MORE PRESSURE I HAD TO MAINTAIN. I BEGAN TO SLOW MY SPEED (FROM 70 MPH TO 60 MPH) BECAUSE THERE WAS EXCESSIVE SWAY WHEN CROSSING BRIDGE JOINTS. I CONTINUED TO REDUCE SPEED TO ABOUT 50 MHP AND APPROXIMATELY 2 MILES AFTER I FIRST NOTICED THE SWAY, I HEARD A LOUD "POP" AND THE REAR OF THE VAN DROPPED. I WAS ABLE TO QUICKLY PULL TO THE EDGE OF THE HIGHWAY AND STOP. THE TIRES WERE LEANING IN AT THE TOP ON BOTH SIDES AND HAD BEGUN SMOKING. I LOOKED UNDER THE VAN AND THE AXLE HAD BROKEN APPROXIMATELY 15"-18" FROM END, ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. ENDED UP HAVING VEHICLE TOWED TO A REPAIR FACILITY, LOCATED A USED UNIT FROM A SALVAGE YARD, 2 TIRES AND HAD THEM ALL REPLACED. WHAT A HEADACHE. HEARD A 'POP' ON MY WAY TO WORK THIS MORNING SO I CHECKED THE AXLE AND FOUND THERE IS A CRACK IN THE SAME SPOT OF THIS REPLACEMENT AXLE. *TR