2001 Ford Windstar Complaint Log

I OWN A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR LX I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE EXPRESSWAY AT 55MPH WHEN THE REAR OF THE VAN START TO SWAY AND PULL ERATICALLY I PULLED OFF THE SIDE OF THE EXPRESSWAY AND FOUND THAT THE REAR AXLE ON MY VAN HAD CRACKED IN HALF. *TR

LIGHTS IN MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR SAYING "BRAKES AND ABS" COMES ON, EVERY TIME I HIT A POT HOLE. I GOT IT CHECKED AT 3 DIFFERENT MECHANICS AND 1 DEALER, THEY SAY THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH BRAKES OR ABS MODULE. OCCURS EVERYDAY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 8-9 MPH THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS AND RED BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT CHECKED THE BRAKE FLUID, AND ADDED FLUID TO THE VEHICLE. HE WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING TO HIS DESTINATION WITH THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE DEALER ADVISED HIM OF RECALL 09V399000, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL AND PERFORMED THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTO PARTS STORE FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING; HOWEVER, THERE WERE NO FAILURE CODES DISPLAYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,534 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 131,768.

REAR AXLE FRACTURED WHILE DRIVING MY FORD WINDSTAR 2001. AS A RESULT I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

I DRIVE A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR AND WAS RELIEVED TO FIND OUT THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON THE REAR AXLE FOR THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING A TICKING TIME BOMB SINCE MAY 2010 THE TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON THE SAME DAY I DROVE THE CAR OFF THE LOT AND I HAVE REPLACED FOUR REAR TIRES SINCE. NOT UNTIL I HAD MY MECHANIC COME AND LIFT THE VEHICLE UP TO SEE WHY I COULD NOT CONTROL THE VEHICLE COMING TO WORK ONE MORNING DID I REALIZE THE SEVERITY OF THE MATTER ONLY AFTER MY 17 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING IT THE DAY BEFORE TO RUN ERRANDS. SCARY HOW THE LIFE OF MY CHILD COULD HAVE BEEN LOST BECAUSE OF SUCH NEGLIGENCE. THE VAN NOW SITS AT MY JOB AND IS UNDRIVEABLE, AND I FOUND OUT THE STATE I LIVE IN IS NOT UNDER THIS RECALL. WHAT EXACTLY WILL IT TAKE TO REALIZE THE WINDSTAR IS A HAZARD. I WILL FIGHT TO GET THIS STATE ADDED TO THE RECALL LIST, DO WHAT I NEED TO DO, TALK TO WHOM EVER WILL LISTEN. *TR

THE FRONT SUB FRAME AND CONTROL ARM RUSTED AT 116,000 MILES ONLY. THIS IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE ON ALL FORD WINDSTARS, MINE IS A 2001 MODEL. *TR

MY FAMILY (7 MEMBERS) WAS RETURNING HOME FROM A VACATION DAY. WE WERE 2 1/2 HOURS FROM HOME WHEN SUDDENLY OUR VAN JERKED TO THE RIGHT VERY HARD AND I LOST ALL CONTROL OF THE STEERING. OUR VEHICLE WAS HEADING STRAIGHT FOR A GUARDRAIL AND CONCRETE BRIDGE WALL. SOMEHOW WE MANAGED TO MISS BOTH AND ENDED UP IN THE DITCH OVER 500 YDS FROM WHERE WE FIRST LOST CONTROL. IMAGINE MY SURPRISE WHEN I GOT OUT EXPECTING TO SEE MAYBE A FLAT TIRE, BUT INSTEAD SAW THE PASSENGER FRONT TIRE SIDEWAYS. NOT KNOWING ALOT ABOUT CARS, I CALLED MY NEIGHBOR TO POSSIBLY HELP ME. HE DROVE THE LARGE DISTANCE WITH HIS TRAILER TO COME PICK US UP. WHEN HE GOT THERE HE LOOKED AND SAW THE FRONT SUBFRAME HAD COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY FROM THE BODY MOUNT AND HAD CAUSED THE LOWER CONTROL ARM TO SHEER OFF THE FRAME. THIS IN TURN CAUSED THE AXLE TO PULL OUT OF THE TRANSMISSION RENDERING THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY INOPERABLE. WHEN I GOT HOME THE NEXT MORNING I FOUND OUT THROUGH THE NEWSPAPER THAT THE REAR AXLE HAD JUST BEEN RECALLED FOR SIMILAR CORROSION PROBLEMS. I WAS ASTONISHED. WHAT MORE AMAZED ME WAS GIVEN THE FACT THAT SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH COULD HAVE EASILY OCCURRED THAT MORE WAS NOT DONE TO RESOLVE THE SITUATION. WHEN WE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER WE WERE TOLD THAT THEY WOULDN'T HELP US, BUT WE COULD TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THEIR DEALER AND THEY WOULD BE HAPPY TO REPAIR IT AT OUR COST, BUT IT WOULD COME WITH A 1 YR./12,000 MILE WARRANTY. THIS REPAIR COULD COST UPWARDS OF $5,000. I NOR MY NEIGHBOR,WHO HAS BEEN A MECHANIC FOR YEARS, HAVE NEVER SEEN A VEHICLE LESS THAN 10 YEARS OLD RUST APART LIKE THAT WHEN THERE IS BARELY ANY RUST ON THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. THIS SITUATION NEEDS SERIOUS ACTION BECAUSE THE PROBLEM IS NOT ONE THAT IS EASILY DETECTED BY ANYONE WHO DOESN'T KNOW WHAT THEY ARE LOOKING FOR. UNFORTUNATELY OURS WAS NOT DETECTED AHEAD OF TIME , AND THANKFULLY MY FAMILY WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT THROUGH WITH ONLY SOME BAD DREAMS AND SCARED KIDS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WHEN THE REAR AXLE FRACTURED FOLLOWED BY A LOUD NOISE WHICH CAUSED DIFFICULTY IN STEERING. THE CONTACT HAD RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V385000 (SUSPENSION: REAR: AXLE: NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY) AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE PART NEEDED FOR REPAIRS WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE AND THE CONTACT WOULD BE NOTIFIED WHEN THE PART HAD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS STILL WAITING FOR THE PARTS TO BECOME AVAILABLE. MOST RECENTLY, THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V030000 (STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS: UNDERBODY SHIELDS) BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT A REASONABLE TIME TO ADHERE TO THE RECALL HAD PASSED AND THE VEHICLE HAD NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 127,000. UPDATED 03/29/11*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE DEALER'S POSSESSION FOR SIX MONTHS TO REMEDY TWO RECALLS. UPDATED 09/19/11

ONE YEAR AGO, BOTH THE ABS LIGHT AND THE BRAKE LIGHT WERE TURNED ON. SOMETIMES THEY ARE ON AND OFF FREQUENTLY. *TR

FORD WINDSTAR 2001 - PROBLEMS WITH ABS/BRAKE LIGHT: COMING ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. SOMETIMES IT WILL STAY ON FOR A LONG TIME, THEN GOES OFF. THEN WILL COME BACK. REPLACING BRAKE SHOES, DRUMS, BRAKE PADS, BLEEDING CYLINDERS, DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. IT COST ME OVER THEN $500 IN REPAIRS BUT PROBLEM STILL THERE. *TR

2001 FORD WINDSTAR WAS MAKING NOISES IN THE BACK FOR A COUPLE MONTHS. JUST RECENTLY, THE NOISE GOT MUCH LOUDER WHEN BACKING UP AND GOING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY. BEFORE DRIVING TODAY, I LOOKED UNDER THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE TO SEE THAT THE REAR AXLE BEAM WAS CRACKED AT LEAST 95% ABOUT 18 INCHES FROM THE DRIVERS WHEEL. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED IF I WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND LOST CONTROL. I HAVE TO GET THIS FIXED AND CANNOT DRIVE THE VAN. *TR

OWN A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR MINIVAN . ON TUESDAY, 8/24, I WAS DRIVING FROM RHINEBECK NY TO YONKERS, NY, MOSTLY ALONG THE TACONIC PARKWAY. THIS PARKWAY HAS MANY POTHOLES DUE TO THE GRATES SINKING OVER THE COURSE OF A YEAR AND IT IS VERY HARD TO AVOID MANY OF THESE GRATES BECAUSE OF THEIR LOCATION ALONG THE RIGHT EDGE OF THE RIGHT LANE. AFTER DRIVING ALONG THIS ROUTE FOR A WHILE (NOT SURE HOW LONG) THE VAN STARTED TO SQUEAK ON SOME TURNS AND THERE WAS A SMELL OF BURNING RUBBER THAT CAME AND WENT. THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS MANAGING THE CAR OR CONTINUING TO DRIVE AND THERE WAS NO PROBLEM BREAKING. BECAUSE OF THE LATE HOUR (WE ARRIVED HOME AT 9 PM) I OPTED TO KEEP MOVING TO GET HOME AND NOT STOP ALONG THE ROAD. THE SQUEAKING WAS MOSTLY WHEN I MADE RIGHT TURNS - I COULD NOT TELL WHEN/OR WHY THE SMELL WOULD RETURN. UPON RETURNING HOME I PULLED INTO THE DRIVEWAY AND THERE WAS A SORT OF 'CLUNK' AS I PARKED. NEXT MORNING I WENT OUT TO SEE THE VAN AND NOTICED THE REAR WHEELS WERE NO LONGER PARALLEL. I HAVE MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SO I DID NOT GET DOWN TO LOOK AT ANYTHING AND THERE WAS NO IMMEDIATE NEED FOR CAR SO WAITED FOR MY HUSBAND TO COME HOME. HE LOOKED AT THE REAR UNDERCARRIAGE AND TOLD ME THE AXLE WAS CRACKED. HE WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO A NEARBY MECHANIC WHO WAS SURPRISED I WAS ABLE TO GET HOME WITH IT AND ASKED ABOUT WHAT I 'HIT'. I DID NOT HIT ANYTHING EXCEPT POTHOLES AND WAS NOT DRIVING ABOVE LEGAL LIMIT OF 55 MPH (TOO DARK AND AREA KNOWN TO HAVE DEER CROSSING SO WOULD NOT RISK GOING OVER LIMIT). IT IS CURRENTLY IN FOR REPAIR NOW. ALSO WE HAVE NOT HAD ANY ACCIDENTS WITH THIS VEHICLE PRIOR TO THIS DATE AND IT HAS REASONABLY LOW MILEAGE ON IT FOR ITS AGE. *TR

2001 FORD WINDSTAR 150,000 MILES, DRIVING ON HIGHWAY APPROX. 55 MILES PER HOUR, VEHICLE STARTING SWAYING THEN HEARD A LOAD CRASH AND A LOT OF SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER VEHICLE, THOUGHT IT WAS A BLOW OUT. PULLED ON TO A SIDE ROAD BOTH REAR TIRES WERE BOWED IN AND REAR AXLE HAD SPLIT. *TR

I WENT TO RUN AN ERRAND & THE VAN SEEMED TO BE HANDLING STRANGELY. IT FELT LIKE THE REAR WAS JUMPING/SHIFTING ON "NORMAL" PAVEMENT. I TURNED AROUND (ONLY .5 MILES FROM HOME) & FOUND THE REAR TIRES ON MY 2001 WINDSTAR "CAVED INWARDS". I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY MAKE IT THE SHORT DISTANCE BACK TO MY HOME & LOOK UNDERNEATH TO SEE THAT THE REAR AXLE IS SPLIT THROUGH (NOT COMPLETELY, BUT BADLY). WE HAVE NOT YET HAD IT TOWED TO GET AN ESTIMATE FOR REPAIR. *TR

FORD WIND STAR REAR AXLE DAUGHTER DRIVING TO WORK AT 70 MPH WEATHER CLEAR,DRY & DAYLIGHT. ON STRAIGHT AWAY VEHICLE ENDED UP ROLLING OVER 2&1/2 TIMES. *TR

I HAVE A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR WHICH IS SHOWING SIGNS OF A SUB-FRAME CORROSION FAILURE SIMILAR TO THE ONE DESCRIBED IN INVESTIGATION PR 10-026. THERE IS A "U-SHAPED" SUBFRAME ELEMENT WHICH CONNECTS TO THE MAIN FRAME NEAR THE OUTBOARD SIDE OF BOTH FRONT SEATS AND EXTENDS FORWARD AROUND THE FRONT OF THE CAR. IT DOES APPEAR VARIOUS SUSPENSION AND STEERING MEMBERS ARE CONNECTED TO THIS SUB-FRAME. THE PASSENGER-SIDE END OF THIS SUB-FRAME WHERE IT CONNECTS TO THE VEHICLE FRAME SHOWS SEVERE RUSTING AND METAL DELAMINATION AND A CRACK HAS FORMED ON THE END. THE DRIVER-SIDE END OF THIS SUBFRAME SHOWS NORMAL WEAR AND IS NOT IN IMMEDIATE RISK OF FAILURE. THE CORROSION TO THE PASSENGER-SIDE END IS EXCESSIVE AS COMPARED TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND OTHER FRAME ELEMENTS IN THE VICINITY. SOMETHING IS ACCELERATING THE CORROSION ON THE RIGHT SIDE. IT MAY BE DUE TO THE CONDENSATE DRAIN FROM THE AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEM. AT THIS TIME, THE SUB-FRAME HAS NOT FAILED BUT THE VEHICLE REPRESENTS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY RISK SINCE FAILURE-RELATED CRASHES HAVE BEEN REPORTED. THE REPAIR COSTS ARE ESTIMATED TO BE IN EXCESS OF $2000 FOR FRAME REPLACEMENT. I BELIEVE THAT FORD SHOULD QUICKLY DEVELOP AND DEPLOY A MEANS OF REINFORCING THE FRAME MEMBER AND OFFER THE REPAIR VIA RECALL TO WINDSTAR OWNERS. SINCE THE PARTS ARE CURRENTLY STILL ON MY VEHICLE, I CAN TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS SHOWING THE DETERIORATION OF THE SUB-FRAME ENDS. AS A SIDE NOTE: MY WINDSTAR IS EQUIPPED WITH THE REARSEAT AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEM. THE EVAPORATOR IS IN THE REAR QUARTER-PANEL ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE IN THE REAR OR THE VEHICLE. WHILE THIS AFFECTED COMPONENTS DO NOT APPEAR TO BE A CRITICAL PART OF THE VEHICLE'S STRUCTURE, THERE IS SIGNIFICANT CORROSION TO THE PARTS WHICH ARE IN THE PATH OF THE CONDENSATE DRAIN FOR THE REAR A/C SYSTEM AS WELL. THIS SEEMS TO CONFIRM THE BELIEF THAT A/C CONDENSATE RUN-OFF IS A KEY FACTOR IN THE SUB-FRAME CORROSION ISSUE. *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR LX MINIVAN AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH ON INTERSTATE 270 IN MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS AT APPROXIMATELY 7:30 PM ON WED. 8/18/2010 WHEN THE VEHICLE'S BACK END STARTED TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY. THINKING IT MIGHT BE A BLOWN TIRE, I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER TO SEE IF I COULD FIND THE PROBLEM. SEEING HOW ALL TIRES WERE FINE, I CONTINUED. WHEN REACHING SPEED OF 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE AGAIN. I WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE INTERSTATE AND CONTINUE ON MY JOURNEY AT A RATE OF SPEED THAT DID NOT EXCEED 25 MPH. WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT HOME (UNDER 5 MILES THROUGH MINIMAL CITY TRAFFIC) AS THE VEHICLE DID NOT SHAKE DUE TO SLOWER SPEED. WHEN I REACHED HOME, I CHECKED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED A LARGE CRACK IN THE REAR AXLE NEAR THE CENTER OF THE AXLE. WHEN RESEARCHING THE INTERNET ON WINDSTAR AXLES, I DISCOVERED THAT OTHER WINDSTAR OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM DUE TO THE WINDSTAR'S AXLE DESIGN. ALSO WHILE DOING RESEARCH, I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT FORD IS KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT THE AXLE'S DEFECTIVE DESIGN BUT HAS NOT EVOKED ANY ACTION TO CORRECT THE SITUATION OR HAS PRESENTED A RECALL. THE 2001 FORD WINDSTAR LX I OWN HAS 160,000 MILES ON IT, BUT HAS NOT HAD ANY OVERWHELMING MECHANIC FAILURES ON IT EXCEPT FOR AIR CONDITIONING AND MINOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE WAS RECENTLY TAKEN TO A LOCAL FORD SERVICE CENTER IN ALTON, IL ON SAT. 7/24/2010 FOR RECALL WORK, AND EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE WENT THROUGH AN INSPECTION AT THE TIME, NOTHING WAS BROUGHT UP ABOUT THE AXLE SHOWING SIGNS OF DETERIORATION. THE VEHICLE WILL GO TO A LOCAL MECHANIC TOMORROW FOR AN ESTIMATE. LUCKILY, I WILL TAKE IT THERE MYSELF BECAUSE MY LIFE WAS AT RISK THIS EVENING DUE TO THE AXLE FAILURE. *TR

2001 FORD WINDSTAR. REAR AXLE CATASTROPHICALLY FAILED WHILE DRIVING DOWN A FREEWAY. METALLIC CLICKING OCCURRED WHILE THE CAR WAS DRIVEN IN REVERSE THE DAY BEFORE THE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. *TR

I HAVE A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR THAT WAS JUST CLEARED FROM THE SERV. DEPT FORD DEALERSHIP ABOUT THE ABS AND OD WARNING LIGHTS FLASHING (THEY SAID DUE TO A BLOWN FUSE). NOW THE LIGHTS ARE BACK ON, THE REMAINING DASH LIGHTS ARE GOING CRAZY AND THE HEADLIGHTS ARE CUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. WENT TO START THE CAR FROM WORK AND THE BATTERY IS DEAD. THESE LIGHTS COME ON WHEN THE VAN HEATS UP OR HITS A BUMP. I HAVE SMALL CHILDREN AND WORK THIRD SHIFT SO THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED BEFORE SOMETHING SERIOUS HAPPENS AS A RESULT IN FAULTY EQUIPMENT. *TR

REAR AXLE BROKE COMPLETELY IN HALF CAUSING THE WHEELS TO TURN INWARD WHILE APPROACHING HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AS IT SWAYED FORM SIDE TO SIDE AND PULL TO THE BERM. I HAD THE VAN TOWED HOME AND HAVEN'T REPAIRED IT YET. *TR

FORD WINDSTAR REAR AXEL BREAK 1. HEARD ODD SOUND UNDER CAR 2. REAR AXEL BROKE NEAR DRIVER SIDE OF CAR. 3. DEALER SAYS THEY CANNOT GET THE PART, I MUST FIND MY OWN. *TR

2001 FORD WINDSTAR REAR AXLE FAILURE. WHILE DRIVING AT CITY SPEEDS A LOUD CLUNKING WAS NOTICED IN THE REAR. NO LOSS OF CONTROL OCCURRED. THE DEALERSHIP CONFIRMED A REAR AXLE FAILURE AND RECOMMENDS REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE IS OWNED IN A "SALT-BELT" STATE, HAS 91,000 MILES AND HAS BEEN LIGHTLY DRIVEN AND WELL-MAINTAINED. *TR

WHILE DRIVING OUR 2001 FORD WINDSTAR WHICH HAS ONLY 60,000 MILES AT ABOUT 20 MPH, A LOUD SNAP SOUND OCCURRED, FOLLOWED BY WOBBLING FROM THE BACK OF THE CAR AND BURNING RUBBER SMELL AS THE VEHICLE CAME TO A SCRAPPING STOP. WE GOT OUT TO SEE THAT THE REAR AXLE BAR HAD SNAPPED IN TWO ABOUT A FOOT OR SO FROM THE DRIVERS REAR WHEEL. WE CALLED GEICO AND FILED A CLAIM, THEY ARE GOING TO REPAIR IT BUT WE WILL STILL HAVE TO PAY A $500 DEDUCTIBLE. THEY SAID THAT IF THEY ARE SUCCESSFUL IN GOING AFTER FORD FOR THIS "DEFECT", WE WOULD THEM BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE $500 BACK . WE SEE ON THE INTERNET THAT THERE ARE TWO YOUTUBE.COM VIDEOS ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM AND THESE AXLES ARE SNAPPED EXACTLY WHERE OURS LET GO. WE ALSO SEE ON THE INTERNET THAT THE NHTSA HAS BEEN INVESTIGATING THIS PROBLEM SINCE MAY OF 2010. AS OF THAT DATE THERE WERE ALMOST 300 OCCURRENCES OF THIS FAILURE IN THE NORTHEAST, I GUESS MORE AND MORE OF THIS OCCURRENCE WILL CONTINUE UNTIL FORD RECALLS THIS DEFECTIVE WELD OR INADEQUATE THICKNESS OF THE REAR AXEL BAR ITSELF. WE HOPE NO-ONE HAS TO LOOSE THEIR LIVES BEFORE FORD ADDRESSES THIS ISSUE. WE ARE SO GLAD THAT WE NEVER MADE IT TO THE ENTRANCE OF THE HIGHWAY, BECAUSE I CANNOT IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL POP FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THE REAR AXLE WAS FRACTURED UPON FURTHER INSPECTION. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO LOCATE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ONLINE REGARDING THE FAILURE YET THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

FRONT SUBFRAME RUSTED ON PASSENGER SIDE AT LOWER CONTROL ARM ATTACHMENT POINT. REAR SIDE OF ATTACHMENT POINT IS COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY. FRONT SIDE OF ATTACHMENT POINT IS STILL INTACT BUT IS RUSTED AND CRACKED. VEHICLE IS DEEMED UNSAFE TO DRIVE. PHOTOGRAPHS CAN BE SUBMITTED IF REQUIRED.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS CRACKED AND NOT TO DRIVE IT UNTIL IT WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO HAVE THE AXLE REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE AS THERE WAS NO OFFICIAL RECALL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 79,000.

DRIVING ALONG AT MINIMAL SPEED, +/- 30 MPH, I HEARD AND FELT A "SNAP" IN THE REAR OF MY FORD WINDSTAR. THEN AN IMMEDIATE DRAGGING FEELING AND SCRAPING OF METAL FROM THE REAR END FOLLOWED. THE CAR SWERVED AND SLOWED TO A STOP. NO ADDITIONAL VEHICLES WERE INVOLVED, BUT AN EASY COLLISION COULD HAVE RESULTED, IF NOT FOR THE FACT I WAS APPROACHING A LEFT TURN LANE AND WAS ABLE TO STEER CLEAR OF TRAFFIC. I CHECKED THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE AND THE AXLE WAS CLEANLY BROKEN IN TWO, AS IF A SEAM HAD SPLIT. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION, LIFE THREATENING IN MY OPINION IF I WAS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE SHIFTING INTO REVERSE GEAR THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD CRUNCHING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER EXAMINING THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS CRACKED IN HALF. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 110000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

CUSTOMER BROUGHT VEHICLE IN FOR ABS LIGHT ON, FOUND SCDS SWITCH TO BE LEAKING BRAKE FLUID AND REPLACED WITH A MOTORCRAFT UPDATED SWITCH. AFTER SERVICE WHILE VEHICLE WAS STILL IN SHOP BAY WITH IGNITION OFF, VEHICLE ABS UNIT STARTED ON FIRE. WE THEN REMOVED ALL POWER FROM VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT AFTER REMOVING THE ABS MODULE CONNECTOR BRAKE FLUID WAS FOUND INSIDE OF ABS MODULE, AND THE CONNECTOR WAS MELTED. WE THEN CALLED FORD DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF THE WERE ANY RECALLS CONCERNING THIS VEHICLE AND THE ABS MODULE AND OR SWITCH, AND WERE TOLD THAT THERE WERE NONE. WE HAVE SINCE FOUND MANY ARTICLES ONLINE CONCERNING THIS MATTER, AND YET NO RECALL ? ANOTHER HALF HOUR AND THE DOORS WOULD HAVE BEEN CLOSED FOR THE NIGHT, WE WOULD HAVE LOST OUR SHOP, ALL VEHICLES INSIDE. PLEASE MAKE THEM STAND BEHIND THIS CLEAR AND EVIDENT PROBLEM. *TR

2001 FORD WINDSTAR REAR AXLE CRACKED IN HALF - DRIVING VEHICLE AND HEARD A LOUD POPPING SOUND,(THOUGHT I BROKE A SHOCK), BACK END OF VEHICLE BECAME UNSTABLE. LOOKED UNDERNEATH AND FOUND REAR AXLE BROKEN IN HALF ABOUT ONE AND A HALF FOOT FROM DRIVES REAR TIRE. HAVE VEHICLE TOWED TO GARAGE TO HAVE FIXED, THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM SINCE THEY SAID THEY HAVE REPLACED SEVERAL. *TR

ABS LIGHT ON 2001 FORD WINDSTAR STAYS ON & ALL ODOMETER FUNCTIONS & RADIO CEASE OPERATION & FREEZE IN PLACE! *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT WAITED FOR THE MANUFACTURER TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR FOR THREE MONTHS. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE DUE TO THE FAULTY REAR AXLE. THE DRIVER SUFFERED INJURIES DUE TO THE CRASH. THE DEALER FOUND A CRACK IN THE AXLE AND ADVISED HER TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD CALL GIVE HER A CALL WHEN THEY DETERMINED THE REPAIR PROCESS OR THEY WOULD BUY THE VEHICLE BACK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH AND ENTERING ONTO THE INTERSTATE, THE SUBFRAME FROM THE ENGINE SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. SHE THEN LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND WAS UNABLE TO STOP UNTIL THE VEHICLE COASTED TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM MOUNT HAD RUSTED OUT CAUSING SEPARATION OF THE ARM OF THE AXLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 103,000. UPDATED 03/24/11*LJ

2001 FORD WINDSTAR VAN, REAR AXLE SNAPPED IN HALF WHILE DRIVING. *TR

I READ THE ARTICLE IN THE MORNING CALL IN ALLENTOWN, PA ABOUT THE REAR AXLES OF THE FORD WINDSTAR AND DECIDED TO GO CHECK OUR VAN. LOW AND BEHOLD, THERE IS A CRACK ABOUT 18 INCHES IN FROM THE DRIVER SIDE AND IS ABOUT 3 INCHES VERTICALLY. *TR

WE TOOK OUR 2001 FORD WINDSTAR MINIVAN TO OUR LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE 09S09 RECALL REPAIRED. THE REPAIR WAS MADE; HOWEVER, WE ARE NOW HAVING ISSUES WITH THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT CONSISTENTLY ILLUMINATING ON VEHICLE DASHBOARD. THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT DOES NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN VEHICLE IS FIRST STARTED UP; HOWEVER, ILLUMINATES ON VEHICLE DASHBOARD WHILE DRIVING. WHITE, PUFFY AND CLOUDY SMOKE ALSO FLOWS THROUGH FRONT AND CENTER AIR VENTS WHILE LIGHTS ARE ILLUMINATED. WE TOOK OUR VEHICLE TO MECHANIC WHO COULD NOT REPRODUCE SMOKE; HOWEVER, WAS ABLE TO PULL THE CODES. THE CODES PULLED ARE C1185, C1194, C1198, C1210, C1214, C1242, C1246, C1250, AND C1254. IT APPEARS THAT THE ABS MODULE WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. WE ARE SCHEDULING THIS REPAIR TO ME MADE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, AS WE HAVE FOUR YOUNG CHILDREN WHO RIDE IN THIS VAN ON A DAILY BASIS, AND THIS VAN IS THE MAIN TRANSPORTATION FOR OUR LARGE FAMILY. *TR

BRAKING DISTANCE SUDDENLY INCREASED. 2001 FORD WINDSTAR BRAKE LIGHT AND ABS BRAKE LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ON. WE TOOK OUR 2001 FORD WINDSTAR MINIVAN TO OUR LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE 09S09 RECALL REPAIRED. THE REPAIR WAS MADE; HOWEVER, WE ARE NOW HAVING ISSUES WITH THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT CONSISTENTLY ILLUMINATING ON VEHICLE DASHBOARD. THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT DOES NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN VEHICLE IS FIRST STARTED UP; HOWEVER, ILLUMINATES ON VEHICLE DASHBOARD WHILE DRIVING. ABS / BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHTS CONTINUE TO ILLUMINATE ON OCCASION AFTER RECALL REPAIR PERFORMED. BRAKING DISTANCES GREATLY INCREASED / AFFECTED WHEN WARNING LIGHTS ARE ON. BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL ALSO GREATLY INCREASED - PEDAL SLOWLY CONTINUES TO FLOOR WITH STEADY PRESSURE, ACCOMPANIED BY WHOOSHING SOUND WITH NO INCREASE IN BRAKING POWER. *TR

2001 FORD WINDSTAR. RIGHT FRONT SUBFRAME ROTTED AT MOUNTED POINT TO MAIN FRAME. HAD BEEN HEARING SLIGHT GRINDING NOISE FOR PAST WEEK OR SO FROM RIGHT SIDE OF VEHICLE. SEVERAL ATTEMPTS WERE MADE TO DIAGNOSE NOISE WITH NO SUCCESS. VEHICLE WAS RAISED ON JACKS FOR INSPECTION AND IT WAS FOUND THAT THE FRAME HAD ROTTED THROUGH AT THE MOUNTING POINT. VEHICLE REQUIRES COMPLETE FRONT SUBFRAME REPLACEMENT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD BANG FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. WITHIN SECONDS, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FISHTAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR AXLE HAD FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 109,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD, UNUSUAL EXPLOSION. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE FRONT SUB FRAME AND AXLE HAD FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING REPAIRS. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 110,000. UPDATED 11/19/10.*LJ ALSO, THE OIL PAN GASKETS WAS LEAKING. UPDATED 11/24/10

I OWN A FORD WINDSTAR 2001. CONCERNED THAT THE ABS LIGHTS ON AND BRAKE LIGHTS ARE ALWAYS ON- THEY WILL NOT COME OFF AND THE HAND BRAKE IS DOWN. *TR

11-23-2009 VEHICLE RECALL (09S09), "ABS LIGHT & BRAKE LIGHT COMING ON". WORK WAS PERFORMED THIS DATE TO CORRECT PROBLEM AT CROFT FORD, ATHENS, PA. ABOUT A 15 MINUTE REPAIR. VEHICLE OK FOR ABOUT (8) MONTHS (LIGHTS DID NOT COME ON). STARTING IN AUGUST 2010 BOTH LIGHTS STARTED COMING ON AGAIN AND COME ON ALMOST EVERYTIME THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN A FEW MILES. I DO NOTICE DURING THE COLD WEATHER OF DECEMBER AND JANUARY THAT THEY DON'T COME ON VERY OFTEN IN THE COLD WEATHER. THIS APPEARS TO BE THE SAME PROBLEM FOR WHICH RECALL (09S09) WAS PUT OUT. WE ARE CONCERENED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ESPECIALLY WHEN THE WEATHER WARMS BACK UP HERE IN NEW YORK.

ON A HOT SUMMER DAY IN 2010 PARKED ABOUT 20 MINUTES WITH AIR CONDITIONING RUNNING THE ABS FAULT WITH THE RED BRAKE LAMP FIRST APPEARED. WHEN THE ENGINE IS SHUT DOWN THE FAULT LAMPS ARE CLEARED. CURRENTLY WHEN THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE IS ABOVE 80 FAHRENHEIT AND AS THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WARMS I CAN EXPECT THE YELLOW ABS LAMP AND THE RED BRAKE LAMP TO BOTH TURN ON. HAD FAULT CODES READ ONCE AND IT REPORTED MAIN RELAY FAILED. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE AS I DECIDED IT'S A SUPERFLUOUS FEATURE AND I WILL DRIVE WITHOUT ABS PROTECTION.

THE REAR AXEL IN MY FORD WINDSTAR LS VAN HAS BROKEN APART IN TWO PIECES. THE REAR AXEL LOOKS AS THOUGH IT IS CUT INTO TWO PARTS. I AM VERY LUCKY THAT IT HAPPENED IN A PLACE WHERE I COULD PULL OVER AND ASSESS THE PROBLEM. I HAD RECENTLY TAKEN A TRIP WITH MY FOUR CHILDREN AND IF THIS HAD SNAPPED DURING HIGHWAY DRIVING IT COULD HAVE FLIPPED THE VAN AND HURT OR KILLED US ALL NOT TO MENTION ANY CARS THAT COULD HAVE BEEN INVOLVED. THE TIRES ARE LEANING UP AGAINST THE WHEEL WELLS (TURNED OUT) AND THE AXEL IS SPLIT. I HOPE THAT THIS IS LOOKED INTO FURTHER. II HAVE HAD NO ACCIDENTS, OR INCIDENT THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED THIS. I FEEL AS THOUGH IT MAY HAVE STARTED ON THE INSIDE OF THE AXEL DUE TO THE CLEAN BREAK. I HAVE NOT YET FIXED THE VEHICLE. THIS IS A SITUATION WHERE IT COULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE FOR MY FAMILY'S LIFE. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE QUALITY FORD IS PROVIDING ITS CONSUMERS, AND THE SAFETY RISK FACTOR THAT IS NOT CONSIDERED. FORD AXELS ARE DEFECTIVE, AND SALT BELT STATES DESERVE THE SAME SAFETY STANDARDS AND QUALITY AS OTHER STATES. I AM BLESSED TO LIVE THROUGH THIS EXPERIENCE AND FRUSTRATED AT THE QUALITY FORD HAS PROVIDED. I AM SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING NOT PURCHASING FORD PRODUCTS IN THE FUTURE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS SEVERELY CRACKED. THE DEALER WAS IN THE PROCESS OF REPLACING THE REAR AXLE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 150,000.

BACK AXEL BROKE ON OUR 2001 FORD WINDSTAR WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MILES AN HOUR. WE JUST GOT IT TOWED BACK HOME, TODAY IS SUNDAY SO WE WILL HAVE TO CALL ON IT TOMORROW, BUT I SEE THERE ARE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS WITH THIS. *TR

I HAVE A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR, I'VE NEVER HAD SO MUCH TROUBLE WITH A VEHICLE. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON AND OFF FOR OVER A YEAR. THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON MOST OF THE TIME. *TR

HI, I WENT IN TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP TO TAKE MY CAR FOR A RECALL FOR A SPEED CONTROL SWITCH ON 2001 FORD WINDSTAR, AFTER 2 WEEKS OF BEING THERE MY BRAKES AND ABS LIGHTS CAME ON AT THE SAME TIME, I TOLD MY HUSBAND HE SAID MAYBE I NEED IT BRAKE FLUID, WE PUT BRAKE FLUID IT WAS MISSING SOME BUT NOTHING CONSIDERABLE, THAT WAS ALMOST AT THE END OF THE WINTER, THE LIGHTS WILL COME ON AND OFF AS THEY FELT LIKE IT, BUT NOW THEY STAY LID ALL THE TIME, I WAS LOOKING ONLINE AND SEEMS TO BE LOTS OF OWNERS OF SAME CAR HAS SAME PROBLEMS WITH BOTH LIGHTS STAYING LID ALWAYS. SHOULD THIS BE A FORD PROBLEM OR SHOULD I SPEND $800.00 PLUS LABOR TO GET MY CAR FIX???? *TR

RE: 2001 FORD WINDSTAR MINIVAN HAVING CONTINUOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE ABS/ BRAKE LIGHT /TIRE GAUGE BEING DISPLAYED ON THE DASHBOARD. ALSO HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE SPEEDOMETER NOT WORKING . HAVE HAD THE VAN IN SEVERAL TIMES TO BE REPAIRED & PROBLEM KEEPS OCCURRING. *TR

I TURNED INTO MY DRIVEWAY TODAY IN MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR AND THE REAR AXLE SNAPPED IN HALF. THE ROADWAY-TO-DRIVEWAY TRANSITION IS SMOOTH. I WASN'T HAULING OR TOWING ANYTHING. NO INJURIES OR PROPERTY DAMAGE. I HAVEN'T HAD IT REPAIRED YET AND THERE MAY BE OTHER DAMAGES TO THE VEHICLE SUCH AS THE TIRE AND THE WHEEL BEARING. *TR