2001 Ford Windstar Complaint Log

WE OBSERVED CLUNKING IN THE FRONT END PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. WHILE TURNING THE WHEEL TO THE RIGHT TO PARK, A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD IN THE FRONT END. AFTER THAT, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED RIGHT WHILE THE CAR WAS GOING STRAIGHT DOWN THE ROAD. AFTER INSPECTION, THE PASSENGER SIDE ATTACHMENT POINT FOR THE SUB-FRAME WAS ROTTED OFF AND SEPARATED FROM THE MOUNT. SUBSTANTIAL CORROSION WAS ALSO NOTED ON THE DRIVE AND PASSENGER SIDE CONTROL ARM ATTACHMENT POINTS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE SERVICED, HE NOTICED RUST ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE FRAME. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT IT WOULD EVENTUALLY ROT AND THE ENGINE COULD FALL OUT FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SECOND MECHANIC WHO CONFIRMED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 77,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN REFERENCE TO RECALL 10V385000 (SUSPENSION: REAR: AXLE: NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY). SHE HAS CONTACTED THREE DIFFERENT DEALERS IN HER AREA WHO INFORMED HER THAT THEY HAVE A WAITING LIST IN WHICH SHE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GET IN FOR A REPAIR UNTIL FEBRUARY OF 2011. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED HER TO DRIVE 200 MILES AWAY FROM HER AREA WITH A UNSAFE VEHICLE.

2001 FORD WINDSTAR RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ARM MOUNT FAILURE. JUST DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN I NOTICE MY STEERING WHEEL WAS NOT CENTERED, SLOWED DOWN UNTIL I GOT INTO PARKING LOT. WENT TO TURN AND LOST DRIVE, LOOKED AT FRONT END AND RIGHT TIRE WAS POINTING TO RIGHT AND LEFT TIRE WAS STRAIGHT, LOOKED UNDER VAN AND SAW THAT MOUNT HAD COME OFF FRAME AND AXLE PULLED OUT OF TRANSMISSION. HAD VAN TOWED BACK TO MY HOUSE. WENT RIGHT TO MY COMPUTER TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT FRONT END FAILURE AND THEIR IS. WAS GOING TO HAVE VAN REAR AXLE CHECKED PER RECALL BUT CAN'T EVEN GET IT TO FORD DEALERSHIP FOR THAT. CALLED FORD AND THEIR IS NO HELP. I AM A MECHANIC AND HAVE NEVER SEEN A MOUNT COME OFF A FRAME LIKE THIS. THIS VAN HAS ALWAYS BEEN PARKED IN A GARAGE AND WASHED AT A HIGH PRESSURE WASH WITH UNDER CAR RINSE. I THINK THIS IS POOR METAL OR A POOR DESIGN. *TR

MY 2001 WINDSTAR HAS SEVERE CORROSION ON THE SUBFRAME. THE CORROSION IS LOCATED ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE NEAR THE FRONT WHEEL. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING HELD BY A DEALERSHIP FOR THE AXLE RECALL, I HAVE MADE THEM AWARE OF THE CORROSION BUT IT SEEMS THEY HAVE NO INTENTION OF REPAIRING IT SINCE IT IS NOT A RECALL. *TR

BRAKING DISTANCE SUDDENLY INCREASED WE HAVE NOTICED THAT THE BRAKING SYSTEM ILLUMINATES THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY AND THERE IS A CORRESPONDING FAILURE OF THE ABS SYSTEM THAT PREVENTS IT FROM WORKING PROPERLY. FORTUNATELY, WE HAVE NOT YET HAD AN ACCIDENT AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE, BUT WE HAVE ALSO NOT YET REPLACED THE SYSTEM TO FIX IT. *TR

THE RIGHT CONTROL ARM BROKE OFF OF THE SUB FRAME WHILE BACKING OUT OF OUR DRIVE WAY. THE VAN IS NOT DRIVABLE (CONTACTING FORD TO FIND OUT WHAT CAN BE DONE). *TR

WHILE BACKING OUT FROM A PARKING SPACE, THE PASSENGER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM MOUNT SEPARATED FROM THE SUBFRAME DUE TO EXTENSIVE CORROSION. THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL WAS TURNED OUTWARDLY AND THE RIGHT HALF SHAFT WAS DISENGAGED FROM THE DIFFERENTIAL. WHILE RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE ON THE INTERNET, I REALIZED THE SUBFRAME SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. FORTUNATELY FOR SOME IT HAS BEEN DETECTED WHILE IN A REPAIR SHOP FOR SOME OTHER REASON SUCH AS BRAKES, ALIGNMENT OR OTHER FRONT END WORK. UNFORTUNATELY FOR OTHERS IT HAS BEEN DISCOVERED BY MALFUNCTIONING TO THE POINT OF BREAKING AND CAUSING OTHER STRUCTURAL/MECHANICAL DAMAGE, AS WELL AS PERSONAL INJURY. I WOULD LIKE TO BELIEVE THAT FORD STANDS BEHIND ITS PRODUCT AND IS WILLING TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR REPAIR.

I HAVE A FORD WINDSTAR 2001 MINI VAN AND I LIVE IN NEW YORK STATE. ON DECEMBER 7TH, 2010, AS I WAS PULLING LEFT INTO A PARKING SPACE I HEARD A LOUD CRACKING SOUND. (AT FIRST I THOUGHT I HAD ROLLED OVER A VERY LARGE PIECE OF ICE) I AGAIN PROCEEDED TO PULL IN, BUT MY CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. (ENGINE WAS STILL ON) I GOT OUT AND FOUND 3 OF MY TIRES FACING LEFT AND 1 FACING RIGHT. I CALLED AAA AND WAS PREPARING TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC. WHEN THE DRIVER/MECHANIC FROM AAA, INFORMED ME THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM (DRIVE ARM) HAD TORE AWAY FROM THE MAIN FRAME (FRONT AXEL) AT THE FRONT OF THE CAR, AND HAD TORE AWAY ALL OF THE DRIVING MECHANISMS AND WOULD NEED A WELDER FIRST , NOT A MECHANIC . SO I HAD HIM TAKE IT TO A LOCAL WELDER. HE WAS ABLE TO FIND SOME CLEAN METAL TO WELD IT BACK ON AND THEN RECOMMENDED I TAKE IT TO A MECHANIC TO FINISH UP WITH EVERYTHING ELSE THAT WAS NEEDED. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT IT WOULD NEED A CV JOINT AND THE LINKAGE FOR THE TRANSMISSION IN ORDER TO HAVE IT WORKING AGAIN. I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES WITH THE ENGINE, OR TRANSMISSION PRIOR TO THIS DAY. AND THE CAR HAS VERY LITTLE RUST ON IT'S BODY. SO I WOULD HAVE NEVER THOUGHT TO LOOK UNDERNEATH FOR ANY. AND BECAUSE IT WAS ALWAYS MAINTAINED WELL, A MECHANIC WAS HARDLY EVER UNDER HER TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANY POSSIBLE DAMAGE EITHER. SHE HAS LESS THAN 75,000 MILES ON HER SO I NEVER EXPECTED THIS TO OCCUR. I HAVE FILED A REPORT WITH FORD AFTER THE INCIDENT BUT ALL THEY COULD SAY WAS THANK YOU AND THEY'LL MAKE A NOT OF IT. AND THAT THE REAR AXEL WAS ON RECALL....BUT IF THAT WAS THE CASE, WHY NOT THE FRONT AXEL TOO??? *TR

FOR TWO YEARS MY ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT FOR MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR WILL COME ON AFTER DRIVING FOR LONG PERIODS. I HAVE TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAY NOTHING IS WRONG AND THAT IF THE ABS LIGHT IS ON IT JUST MEANS THAT THE ABS SYSTEM WON'T WORK. WELL, DRIVING IN SNOW AND ICE IN CHICAGO WITHOUT ABS IS A HUGE ISSUE. *TR

ON DECEMBER 27TH, MY WIFE HAD HER FORD WINDSTAR LX RECALL ON THE REAR AXLE FIXED AT JIM KIEM FORD IN HILLIARD, OHIO. SHE ALSO WANTED FORD TO LOOK INTO A REALLY BAD NOISE THAT SHE WAS HEARING IN FRONT WHEN SHE WAS TURNING. IT WAS A LOUD BANGING NOISE. JIM KIEM FORD TOLD US THAT THE SOUND THAT WE HEARD WAS THE SUB-FRAME. THEY SAID THE SUB-FRAME WAS RUSTED AND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THEY SAID THAT THE ENGINE MIGHT FALL OUT OF THE CAR! MY WIFE AND CHILDREN HAVE BEEN USING THIS VAN EVERYDAY. I HAVE READ MANY WINDSTAR OWNERS COMMENTS ONLINE ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO GET A RECALL? DO CHILDREN HAVE TO DIE! *TR

POWER REAR SLIDING DOORS. WILL OPEN WHEN DRIVING!!! HAVE TWO SMALL CHILDREN IN THE BACK AND THEY HAVE POPPED OPEN AT SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 50 MPH. TOOK TO MECHANIC WHO CLEANED TRACKS THAT DOORS RUN ON. FIXED ISSUE FOR TWO (2) DAYS THEN ISSUES RETURNED. FORD CLAIMS IT IS REGULAR WEAR AND TEAR, BUT THE MECHANIC SAYS THERE IS NO ISSUE WITH VEHICLE PARTS...IT'S THE EXPOSED TRACK GETTING DIRTY THAT CAN CAUSE THIS ISSUE!!!

FRONT END STEERING,DISTURBING FRONT END FRAME SOUND,ABS LIGHTS NOTICED ABS BRAKING PROBLEM,BRAKE LIGHT,OD LIGHT,INTERIOR LIGHTS FLASH ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY WHEN DRIVING. HAVE TO CUT THE VAN OFF AND RESTART FOR TO STOP THAT ONLY LAST AWHILE. .TOOK INTO DEALER FOR RECALLS STILL DEALING WITH ELECTRICAL PROBLEM SO FORTH. I NEVER BEEN SO SCARED OF AN VEHICLE IN MY LIFE. *TR

ABS WARNING LIGHT COMES ON ALONG WITH EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT. THE LIGHTS STAY ON FOR VARYING PERIODS AND THEN GO OUT ONLY TO RETURN AT IRREGULAR INTERVALS. NO CHANGE IN VEHICLE OPERATION IS NOTICEABLE. *TR

I AM NOT A MECHANIC BUT WILL ATTEMPT TO RELAY MY BEST INTERPRETATION OF WHAT I BELIEVE HAPPENED. WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING A TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING OCCURRED. VERY LUCKILY SHE WAS NOT ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY TRAVELLING AT HIGH SPEED OR IN THE PROCESS OF NAVIGATING A TURN. AFTER INSPECTION BY OUR MECHANIC IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CRADLE THAT SUPPORTS THE FRONT SUSPENSION FRACTURED. THIS OCCURRED ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE FRONT AXLE CONNECTED TO PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WAS THEN DISCONNECTED FROM THE TRANSMISSION THIS WAS EITHER CAUSED BY LOWER CONTROL ARM DISCONNECTED OR THE VICE/VERSA. THE VEHICLE LOST THE ABILITY TO TURN AND LUCKILY THERE WAS NOBODY TAILGATING AS SHE WAS FORCED TO PARK THE VEHICLE STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. IT IS MY OPINION THAT AN EXISTING OPEN DEFECT INVESTIGATION, PE10026 , IS AN EXACT MATCH TO THE PROBLEM ENCOUNTERED. I TRIED TO RESOLVE WITH FORD BUT AT THIS TIME THEY DO NOT CONSIDER THE 100+ INSTANCES OF THIS OCCURRING AS SUFFICIENT CAUSE TO WARRANT A RECALL AND I GUESS THAT OVER THE NEXT YEAR OR TWO AS THIS COMPONENT OF THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO AGE WE WILL SEE MORE INCIDENTS LIKE THIS. I JUST HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED AND MY MECHANIC KNEW TO CHECK FOR THE REAR AXLE FAILURE BUT HAD THERE BEEN PROPER NOTIFICATION ALREADY IN PLACE THEY MAY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CHECK FOR THIS DEFECT BEFORE THE VEHICLE WAS PUT BACK ON THE ROAD AT RISK OF HUMAN LIFE.

ABS FAILURE - 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. *TR

2001 FORD WINDSTAR REAR AXLE RECALL. I BROUGHT MY VAN IN FOR INSPECTION FOR THE REAR AXLE RECALL (1OS13) THE FORD DEALERSHIP CONDEMNED THE VEHICLE AND I WAS PROVIDED WITH A RENTAL CAR. FORD HAS NO PARTS TO FIX THIS CONCERN AND ALSO HAS NO TIMETABLE WHEN THIS WILL BE RESOLVED. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE TO ME AND FORD NEEDS TO STAND BEHIND THERE PRODUCTS AND SHOW LOYALTY TO THERE CUSTOMERS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUB FRAME ON HER VEHICLE WAS COVERED WITH RUSTED AND DAMAGED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE SUB FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WILL BE REPAIRED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 114,000.

I HAD TO REPLACE THE SUBFRAME ON MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE HAVING THE REAR AXLE REPAIRED UNDER A RECALL 10V385000, SUSPENSION REAR AXLE, NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY; THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FRONT SUB-FRAME ON THE VEHICLE WAS COVERED WITH RUST AND CORRODED TO THE POINT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY DID NOT EXPERIENCE ANY PROBLEMS PRIOR TO TAKING THE VEHICLE IN TO HAVE THE REAR AXLE RECALL REPAIR PERFORMED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 126246.

VEHICLE FRONT SUBFRAME STRUCTURE CORRODED AND CAUSED THE PASSENGER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM TO BREAK OFF WHERE THE MOUNTING TABS CONNECT INTO THE FRAME AND THE PASSENGER SIDE SWAY BAR MOUNT ALSO CORRODED CAUSING IT TO FAIL AT THE SAME TIME. OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING CAUSING THE CAR TO SKID AS THE PASSENGERSIDE AXLE CAME RIGHT OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION WHEN THE FRAME FAILED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH SHE NOTICED THAT SHE COULD TURN THE STEERING WHEEL BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT CHANGE DIRECTIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRAME UNDER THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND THAT THE TIE RODS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 150,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER 10V385000, SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY AND TOOK HIS VEHICLE IN FOR THE RECALL ON 10/29/2010. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND OFFERED HIM NO ASSISTANCE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE REAR LEFT TRAILING ARM BROKE ON NOVEMBER 16, 2010. HE DROVE THE VEHICLE INTO A PARKING AREA AND LATER HAD IT TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE DEALER ADVISED HIM THAT HE NEEDED TO MAKE SOME PHONE CALLS AND WOULD CALL HIM BACK. THE DEALER LATER ADVISED HIM THAT THE PART THAT FAILED WAS NOT UNDER THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND REMAINED IN THE DEALERS POSSESSION. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER ON 11/18/2010 AND WAS ADVISED OF THE SAME INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE DEALER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,800.

THE BRACKET THAT HOLDS THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER ARM TO THE SUBFRAME FAILED WHILE DRIVING THE CAR. THIS BRACKET THAT HOLDS THIS ARM TO THE SUBFRAME WAS COMPLETED CORRODED AWAY, CAUSING THE FAILURE. ALL THAT IS LEFT ON THE SUBFRAME IS CORROSION AND WELD MARKS. THE ARM IS COMPLETELY DISCONNECTED FROM THE SUBFRAME. WITHOUT THIS LOWER ARM, THE WHEEL ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, TOED OUT AND HAD NEGATIVE CAMBER WHICH POPPED OUT THE DRIVE SHAFT FROM THE TRANSMISSION. FORTUNATELY, THIS HAPPENED AT A LOW SPEED, 10 MPH AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. AT A HIGHER SPEED, I SPECULATE THAT THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION SINCE THE VEHICLE PULLED VERY HARD TO THE RIGHT AND YOU DIDN'T HAVE ADEQUATE CONTROL OVER THE STEERING. I HAVE TALKED TO A FORD REPRESENTATIVE AND HE INDICATED THAT THEY HAD NO INFORMATION ON THIS TYPE OF FAILURE, AND THAT THERE ISN'T ANY RECALL. I UNDERSTAND THAT YOUR DEPARTMENT IS LOOKING INTO IT.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SUBFRAME HAD RUSTED; THE VEHICLE MADE A THUMPING SOUND AS IF THE WHEEL WOULD FALL OFF. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE BOLTS NEAR THE WHEEL WERE ALSO RUSTED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 120,000.

MY WIFE AND I OWN A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE OTHER DAY AS WE WERE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WE HEARD A LOUD POP FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR. WE PULLED OVER TO FIND THAT THE SUBFRAME HAD BROKEN. *TR

WHILE SWITCHING FROM REAR DRIVE TO FORWARD DRIVE, BIG NOISE WAS HEARD. UNABLE TO DRIVE CAR AFTER DUE TO FRONT WHEEL SUSPENSION BREAK, PASSENGER SIDE. FRONT SUSPENSION WAS REPLACED. *TR

I OWN A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR THAT I RECENTLY HAD THE SUBFRAME REPLACED AS IT HAD CORRODED THROUGH ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE SUBFRAME. I NOTICED THE FAILURE OF IT WHILE DRIVING. I HEARD A LOUD CLUNK AND THEN MY STEERING WHEEL ABRUPTLY TURNED TO THE RIGHT AND THE FRONT END STARTED VIBRATING SIMILAR TO WHEN THE FRONT END IS OUT OF ALIGNMENT. I WAS TRAVELING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED WHEN THIS OCCURRED AND ID NOT RESULT IN A CRASH, BUT MADE THE VEHICLE UNDRIVEABLE.

2001 FORD WINDSTAR CONFISCATED BY DEALER DURING RECALL INSPECTION ON 11/10/2010 DUE TO CRACK IN REAR AXLE. AS OF 01/04/2011, NO PARTS ARE AVAILABLE OR EXPECTED TO BE AVAILABLE IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE MOUNTING COSTS OF THIS CONFISCATION INCLUDING LOSS OF USE OF VEHICLE, REDUCED VEHICLE VALUE EVEN AFTER POSSIBLE REPAIR, COST OF INTERIM RENTAL VEHICLE, LACK OF COMMUNICATION BY FORD AND THE DEALERSHIP. *TR

ABS, BRAKE LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALL ON AT THE SAME TIME. VEHICLE SHAKES LIKE IT IS GOING TO CUT OFF. DESPITE NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS AT REPAIRS, STILL DOES IT AS OF TODAY (2012). *TR

OUR ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS IN THE DASH HAVE BEEN COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY FOR AROUND THE LAST 2 YEARS. WE TOOK THE VAN TO THE FORD DEALER AND THEY SAID THAT THE ABS SHOULD BE WORKING AS LONG AS THE DASH WARNING LIGHTS ARE OFF. ON A RECENT TRIP, WE WERE TRAVELING AT 35 MILES PER HOUR AND NEEDED TO STOP QUICKLY FOR A CAR TURNING IN FRONT OF US. I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES AND THE TIRES SQUEALED (BRAKES LOCKED-UP) INSTEAD OF THE ABS ACTIVATING, THUS SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASING MY BREAKING DISTANCE AND NEARLY CAUSING A WRECK. THERE WAS NO PULSING OF THE BRAKES LIKE WHEN THE ABS IS FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY. THE DASH ABS AND THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS WERE NOT ON BEFORE NOR AFTER THE INCIDENT. THE DASH ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS HAVE COME ON SINCE THEN, BUT THE WARNING LIGHTS GO OFF ONCE THE CAR IS SHUT OFF FOR AWHILE. UPON RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE ON THE INTERNET, IT APPEARS THIS IS A COMMON MALFUNCTION (DASH ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS COMING ON) IN 2001 FORD WINDSTARS.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD UNTIL HE ABRUPTLY APPLIED TO THE BRAKES. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHILE THE CONTACT WAS STOPPED WITH THE BRAKES DEPRESSED. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE LIGHT WOULD INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURES DIAGNOSED AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NEITHER FAILURE OCCURRED UNTIL AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V385000 (SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY). THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 126,000.

WHILST TURNING A CORNER THE FRONT SUBFRAME MOUNT SHEARED AT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM CONNECTION. I LOST STEERING AND POWER. MY CAR ENDED IN A DITCH AT THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. MYSELF AND MY ONE YEAR OLD SON WERE IN THE CAR AT THE TIME, WE WERE BOTH SHAKEN BUT NOT INJURED. WHEN THE SUBFRAME FAILED THE HALF AXLE LEFT THE TRANSMISSION, THUS LOSING POWER AND THE TWO FRONT WHEEL WERE LEFT POINTING IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS. WE HAVE NOT HAD THIS REPAIRED YET BUT HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT'S PARTS WILL BE IN EXCESS OF $1800 PLUS LABOR. THIS COULD COST $2500. WORSE STILL IF THIS HAD HAVE HAPPENED ON THE MOTORWAY, IT DOES BEAR TO CONSIDER THE CONSEQUENCES! I HAVE SEEN THOUSANDS OF SIMILAR CASES POSTED ON VARIOUS INTERNET SITES, THIS NEEDS TO BE REMEDIED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT! *TR

THE FRONT SUB-FRAME ON THE RIGHT SIDE HAS SEVERE RUSTING AND CORROSION WHERE THE SUB-FRAME MEETS THE CONTROL ARM. I TOOK IT IN FOR INSPECTION AND WAS NOTIFIED BY THE MECHANIC THAT IT WOULD NOT PASS WITHOUT REPLACEMENT AND WAS NOT EVEN SAFE TO DRIVE OUT OF HIS SHOP. HE ALSO SAID THAT HE WAS SURPRISED THE CAR PASSED INSPECTION AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP LAST YEAR. THANKFULLY, IT WAS DISCOVERED BEFORE THE SUB-FRAME DETACHED. *TR

FRONT SUB FRAME RUSTED OUT ON THE RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE. AFTER GOING TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP TO HAVE MY TRANS REBUILT I WENT TO A MECHANIC TO SEE WHY I KEPT HEARING STRANGE NOISE FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VAN. WHEN THE MECHANIC LIFTED THE VAN HE SHOWED ME THE RUSTED SUBFRAME AND STATED THAT EVENTUALLY IT WILL FAIL AND THAT IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE ONLY WAY TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM IS TO REPLACE THE SUB FRAME, BECAUSE IT IS TOO THIN TO WELD IN THEIR OPINION. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT SHE WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE SUB FRAME AND CRADLE ASSEMBLY DUE TO RUSTING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 85,958. UPDATED 03/02/11 *BF UPDATED 04/28/11

ON NOVEMBER 2ND OF 2010, I WAS DRIVING AND NOTICED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT STEERING PROPERLY AND THE WHEEL WAS NOT ALIENED AS IT SHOULD BE, I THEN GOT UNDER THE VEHICLE AS I WAS REPLACING AN O2 SENSOR AND NOTICED THE EXTENSIVE CORROSION ON THE PASSENGER SIDE SUB FRAME, I TOOK A PHOTO OF IT AND SHOWED MY HUSBAND, HE SAID IN NO WAY TO DRIVE THAT VEHICLE. I HAD IT TOWED. THE SUB FRAME WAS SO CORRODED BY NOT DRIVING IN MY OPINION SAVED MY 83 YEAR OLD MOMS LIFE, AND MINE. THE DRIVERS SIDE IS ALMOST AS BAD, I HAVE PHOTOS AND THE REPAIR SLIP COST ME 324.00 TO WELD TO SAFETY. THIS OBVIOUSLY IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. I TOOK OVER THIS VEHICLE NOVEMBER 30TH OF 2010, MY MOM OWED IT IN NEW YORK SINCE 2003.

HAVE NOTICED THE BRAKING DISTANCE HAS SUDDENLY INCREASED. HAVE INSPECTED BRAKES, LINES, AND MASTER CYLINDER AND FOUND NO LEAKS OR ABNORMALITIES. AMBER "ABS" LIGHT AND RED EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT COME ON RANDOMLY WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. RECALL 09S09 HAS BEEN COMPLETED BY FORD. *TR

ADVISED BY FORD DEALERSHIP SERVICE MANAGER THAT THE FRONT SUBFRAME ASSEMBLIES ON BOTH SIDES ARE CRACKED AND SEVERELY RUSTED.

TOOK MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP FOR REAR AXLE RECALL. I WAS ADVISED BY THE SERVICE MANAGER AT MY FORD DEALERSHIP THAT REAR AXLE WAS CRACKED, AND THAT THE METAL WAS RUSTED AND PITTED. IT WAS DETERMINED BY THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. APPARENTLY THERE ARE SEVERAL WINDSTARS WITH THIS PROBLEM. WHILE PERFORMING THE REAR AXLE INSPECTION, THE DEALERSHIP FOUND THAT THE FRONT SUBFRAME ASSEMBLIES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE ARE SEVERELY RUSTED AND CRACKED. THIS ALSO APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. HOWEVER, FORD HAS YET TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. HAVE YOUR DEALERSHIP CHECK YOUR SUBFRAME ASSEMBLIES, AND IF PROBLEMS ARE FOUND, FILE A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA SO WE CAN ALSO GET THIS UNSAFE CONDITION REMEDIED. THERE IS AN ONGOING INVESTIGATION, AND IT APPEARS THERE ARE MORE AND MORE CASES ARISING. THERE NEEDS TO BE SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF CLAIMS IN ORDER FOR FORD TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES.

FORD CO. IS CAUSING UNDUE HARDSHIP IN OUR ATTEMPT TO GET SAFETY RECALL COMPLETED. WE HAVE ONE CAR, SO MADE APPT. W/ LOCAL DEALER (1/2 HR AWAY) & GOT CONFIRMATION # FOR RECALL 10S13 ON A DAY BOTH OF US HAD OFF WORK. HAD TO GET SOMEONE TO FOLLOW (1 HR DRIVE) TO BRING US BACK. DEALER WOULD NOT HONOR APPT. AND TOLD US TO MAKE ANOTHER ONE IN 3 - 4 WKS. I E-MAILED FORD CO.DETAILING POOR SERVICE WE HAD AND THE DIFFICULTY THIS CREATED FOR US. RECV'D RESPONSE 2 DAYS LATER THAT THEY ARE WORKING ON IT. ONE WEEK LATER, STILL NOT HEARD FROM FORD CO AND WAS CONCERNED ABOUT OUR SAFETY, SO I CALLED AND EXPLAINED DILEMMA TO CUST SERV REP. SHE TRIED TO GET US AN APPT W/ A DEALER 40 MINS AWAY, BUT SHE WAS NOT ABLE. AFTER WAITING 20 MINS. I HAD TO GO BACK TO WORK, SO I CALLED FORD CO. THAT NIGHT AND THIS CUST. SERV REP TRIED TO GET US APPT. W/ DIFFERENT DEALER WHO WAS 1 HR. AWAY, BUT THEY COULD NOT LOOK AT IT. I WAS THEN DISCONNECTED, SO CALLED RIGHT BACK. ANOTHER REP SAID WE COULD GO TO A DEALER IN S.C. I DON'T THINK IT IS REASONABLE TO REQUIRE US TO TRAVEL LONG DISTANCES FOR THEIR BAD PRODUCT. AGAIN, WE HAVE ONE CAR, SO HAVE TO ASK SOMEONE TO FOLLOW US TO DEALER. WE WORK RETAIL (CHRISTMAS SEASON) SO CANNOT REQUEST SPECIAL TIME OFF. WE HAVE MADE FIVE ATTEMPTS AND GONE FAR BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY TO HAVE THIS RECALL DONE. FORD NEEDS TO DO THEIR PART AND PROVIDE CUSTOMER SERVICE FOR THE SAFETY OF THEIR CUSTOMERS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON NOVEMBER 1, 2010 FOR RECALL REPAIR 10V385000 SUSPENSION: REAR: AXLE: NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY; WHILE THE DEALER EXAMINED THE REAR AXLE THEY NOTICED THAT THE FRONT AXLE WAS ALSO CORRODED AROUND THE MOTOR AND TRANSMISSION AREA. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE FRONT SUSPENSION FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WASN'T REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 139,000. UPDATED 12/14/2011 *CN THE CONSUMER IS STILL WAITING ON THE REAR AXLE TO BE REPAIRED. UPDATED 05/04/11

2001 FORD WINSTAR. CONSUMER WRITES REGARDING RECALL *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HAS CALLED SEVERAL DEALERS TO HAVE THE RECALL PERFORMED. HOWEVER, DUE TO THE LARGE VOLUME OF RECALLS, DEALERS ARE ONLY SERVICING VEHICLES THAT WERE PURCHASED AT THEIR DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP WHERE SHE PURCHASED HER VEHICLE FROM IS NO LONGER A FORD DEALERSHIP. CONSUMER DID NOT REFERENCE RECALL. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER:11V030000(STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO PASS STATE INSPECTION DUE TO CORROSION AND A CRACK IN THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,136 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 116,700.

2001 FORD WINDSTAR SE: MAY 4, 2010, BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY, LOUD NOISE, COULD NOT DRIVE CAR. DRIVER'S SIDE REAR AXLE FRACTURED, CAR TOWED TO MECHANIC WHO REPAIRED AND REINFORCED SAID FRACTURE BY WELDING. AUGUST 2010, FORD ANNOUNCES RECALL OF WINDSTARS, ISSUES LETTERS TO AFFECTED OWNERS LATE SEPTEMBER, 2010. RECEIVED FORD RECALL NOTICE DURING THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 18, 2010. SUNDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2010, WHILE DRIVING ON SIDE ROAD (5 PASSENGERS, PLUS DRIVER) SAME LOUD NOISE, CAR IMMOBILIZED. PASSENGER SIDE REAR AXLE FRACTURED. PASSENGERS LEFT STRANDED. CAR TOWED FIRST TO RESIDENCE THEN TO DEALERSHIP ON MONDAY AM. TOLD BY DEALER THAT CAR WOULD NOT BE REPAIRED UNTIL JANUARY OR FEBRUARY, 2011 (AT THE EARLIEST) AS NO PARTS AVAILABLE. *TR

MY 2001 FORD WINDSTARS REAR AXLE CRACKED IN HALF YESTERDAY 10-26-10 WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I RECEIVED THE RECALL FROM FORD ON 10-23-10. THESE VANS NEED TO TAKEN OFF THE ROAD NOT JUST TOLD TO BRING THEM IN TO GET CHECKED. THIS WAS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS FOR ME AND I THANK GOD MY CHILDREN WERE NOT IN THE VAN WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I WONDER HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL HAVE TO DIR BEFORE REALIZES HOW SERIOUS THIS PROBLEM IS. THE DEALERSHIP HAS MY VAN WHICH THEY WILL KEEP UNTIL PARTS COME WHICH I;M BEING TOLD IS MAYBE SOMETIME IN JANUARY. FORD HAS GIVEN ME A RENTAL THAT IS A FOUR PASSENGER CAR WHICH IS MUST SMALLER THAN MY 7 PASSENGER, BUT I WILL HAVE TO DEAL WITH THAT. I HOPE THE NHTSA CAN DO MORE TO GET THESE VEHICLES OFF THE ROAD BECAUSE THIS PROBLEM IS ONLY GOING TO GET WORSE BEFORE IT GETS BETTER. MAYBE THE TOP EXECUTIVES SHOULD PUT THEIR FAMILIES IN A WINDSTAR WHEN THE AXLE CRACKS IN HALF SO THEY CAN UNDERSTAND THE DANGER OF THIS PROBLEM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V385000(SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE PART WAS ON A MASSIVE BACK ORDER AND WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR THREE MONTHS. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED A LOANER VEHICLE DURING THE REPAIR; HOWEVER, THE OWNER WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SALES TAX. THE CONTACT WAS DISPLEASED ABOUT THE EXTENSIVE TIME PERIOD FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,794. UPDATED 01/20/11 *BF UPDATED 04/15/11*JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE NOTICED SMOKE EMITTING FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE BRAKE AND ABS LIGHTS THEN ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 148,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 147,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL ASSEMBLY WAS CORRODED AND RUSTED FROM THE FRAME WHICH CAUSED THE WHEEL TO FALL OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS. THE CONTACT FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,160.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN RECALL 10V385000 (SUSPENSION: REAR: AXLE: NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY). WHEN HE SPOKE WITH THE DEALER, HE WAS INFORMED THAT PARTS WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR FOR FIVE MONTHS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 111,000.