2001 Ford Windstar Complaint Log

1. DRIVING TO THE SUPERMARKET WITH MY FAMILY. 2. THE REAR AXEL BROKE IN HALF, ALMOST CRASHED. 3. HAVING IT TOWED AND TO BE FIXED. *TR

REAR AXLE BROKE WHILE I WAS TAKING MY GRAND DAUGHTER HOME..I AM ON A FIXED INCOME...NOW I HAVE NO TRANSPORTATION UNTIL I CAN GET ENOUGH MONEY TO PAY TO HAVE IT FIXED...MY GRAND DAUGHTER COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED..LUCKILY I WAS JUST PULLING AWAY FROM A STOP SIGN WHEN IT HAPPENED... *TR

REAR AXLE BROKE WHILE I WAS TAKING MY GRAND DAUGHTER HOME..I AM ON A FIXED INCOME...NOW I HAVE NO TRANSPORTATION UNTIL I CAN GET ENOUGH MONEY TO PAY TO HAVE IT FIXED...MY GRAND DAUGHTER COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED..LUCKILY I WAS JUST PULLING AWAY FROM A STOP SIGN WHEN IT HAPPENED... *TR

FOR SEVERAL MONTHS, MY WIFE AND I NOTICED A CREAKING/THUMPING SOUND COMING FROM THE LEFT REAR OF OUR 2001 FORD WINDSTAR SEL, WHICH HAS 111,000 MILES ON IT. THE SOUND WAS ESPECIALLY NOTICEABLE WHEN TURNING AT LOW SPEEDS AND AT THE SAME TIME EXPERIENCING AN ELEVATION CHANGE (E.G., ENTERING A DRIVEWAY FROM THE ROAD). THE FORD DEALER TOLD US WE NEEDED NEW REAR SHOCKS, WHICH WE REPLACED FOR $500+. THE VEHICLE HANDLED A LITTLE BETTER AND THE SOUND SEEMED TO BE REDUCED, BUT NEVER TOTALLY WENT AWAY. OVER THE NEXT COUPLE MONTHS, THE SOUND GRADUALLY WORSENED. WE WERE PLANNING A LONG ROAD TRIP FOR OUR SUMMER VACATION, SO WE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER THE DAY BEFORE WE WERE GOING TO LEAVE. THIS TIME, THE DEALER TOLD US THE REAR AXLE BEAM WAS CRACKED. I'M SURE THAT WAS PART, IF NOT ALL, OF THE PROBLEM THAT WE EXPERIENCED THE FIRST TIME WE BROUGHT IT IN, BECAUSE THE SOUND WAS THE SAME. REGARDLESS, WE WERE FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO DISCOVER THE PROBLEM BEFORE WE WERE ON THE ROAD WITH OUR THREE CHILDREN AND A VAN FULLY LOADED FOR A 10-DAY VACATION. I ASKED THE FORD TECHNICIAN HOW IT COULD POSSIBLY BE THAT FORD COULD MAKE A MINIVAN WITH A REAR AXLE BEAM THAT FAILED AFTER ONLY NINE YEARS OF ROUTINE USE. HE DIDN'T HAVE MUCH TO SAY, BUT ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS TAKE A CLOSE LOOK AT THE AXLE BEAM TO UNDERSTAND WHY. IT'S AS THIN AS AN ALUMINUM BASEBALL BAT, AND IT'S JUST AS HOLLOW. A POP CAN HAS MORE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY. I MENTIONED THE PROBLEM TO A NEIGHBORHOOD AUTO MECHANIC, AND HE SAID THIS HAPPENS ON 'ALL' WINDSTARS. RATHER THAN PAY THE $1000 REPAIR BILL, AND GIVEN THE DOZENS OF OTHER ISSUES WE'VE HAD WITH THIS SUBSTANDARD VEHICLE, WE DECIDED TO JUST BUY A NEW VEHICLE. WE WERE CONSIDERING TRADING THE WINDSTAR, BUT BEFORE DOING SO, I DECIDED TO SEE IF THIS PROBLEM WAS AS COMMON AS THE LOCAL MECHANIC IMPLIED. TURNS OUT IT IS. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, AND ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES NEED TO BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY. *TR

I HAVE A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR THAT THE FRONT SUBFRAME FAILED ON. I WAS SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT WAITING FOR IT TO TURN GREEN. WHEN THE LIGHT CHANGED I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND PUSHED ON THE GAS. I HEARD A BIG CLUNK SOUND AND THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SPIN FREELY. I SLOWLY DROVE THE VEHICLE INTO THE CENTER MEDIAN AND FOUND THAT THE FRONT SUBFRAME HAD FAILED RIGHT UNDER THE FLOORBOARDS. HAD THIS OCCURRED AT A HIGH SPEED THE OUTCOME COULD HAVE BEEN GRAVE. I HAD NO WAY TO STEER THE VEHICLE. THIS FAILURE NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED ASAP. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN IN THE SALT BELT AS THEY SAY ALL ITS LIFE. *TR

HAD MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR IN FOR RECALL 09S09 (ALSO DESCRIBED AS 05S28 ON MY FORD SERVICE INVOICE). SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH WAS REPLACED AFTER BURNING ODOR WAS DETECTED AND A DETERMINATION THAT UNIT WAS LEAKING. SERVICE ADVISOR AT FORD TOLD ME MY VEHICLE WOULD NEED A NEW ABS ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM). I REPLIED THAT MY ON-LINE RESEARCH INDICATED THAT PROBLEMS WITH THE ECM COULD OR MIGHT VERY LIKELY BE CONNECTED TO THE LEAKING SCDS. HIS ANSWER WAS THAT THEY WERE "UNRELATED". CONSIDERING MY RESEARCH, THAT STATEMENT APPEARS TO BE UNTRUTHFUL. I HAVE BEGUN TO NOTICE AN INCREASE IN BRAKING DISTANCE. BOTH MY ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS ARE ON, ALLOWING NO DISTINCTION TO BE MADE BETWEEN AN ABS PROBLEM AND AN ACTUAL BRAKE PROBLEM. THIS IN ITSELF IS A DESIGN FLAW AND DEFECT! PLEASE NOTE ALSO THAT THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW IN THE ECM, THE DESIGN OF WHICH CAUSES NOTICEABLE EXPANSION IN THE UNIT DURING PERIODS OF HOT WEATHER, AND RESULTS IN ELECTRICAL CONTACT ISSUES WITHIN THE UNIT. I BELIEVE THIS ECM ISSUE ALSO DESERVES THE IMMEDIATE ATTENTION OF NHTSA, AND AN IMMEDIATE RECALL FROM FORD. THANK YOU FOR GIVING THIS MATTER YOUR MOST SERIOUS CONSIDERATION AND ATTENTION. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT CONCERNS MANY THOUSANDS OF US, AND WE APPRECIATE YOUR ADVOCACY ON OUR BEHALF. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING OVER A RAILROAD TRACK AT 20 MPH, THE REAR AXLE BROKE IN HALF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO WILL PERFORM A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND ADVISE HIM OF THE REPAIR COST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 160,000.

ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT ON AND CRUISE CONTROL NOT WORKING LEAKING MASTER CYLINDER SWITCH. *JS

BROKEN REAR AXLE IN MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR-2ND OCCURRENCE HAD THE AXLE REPAIRED/WELDED IN 2009 ON THE LEFT REAR AND NOW THE RIGHT REAR IS CRACKED RENDERING THE CAR UNDRIVEABLE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO SCENE AND THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A RECOVERY FACILITY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V399000(VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE RECALL REMEDY REPAIR WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE FIRE. THE CAUSE OF FAILURE HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,816.

ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT ON DASHBOARD COMING ON AT THE SAME TIME. THIS IS INTERMITTENT AND USUALLY DISAPPEARS NEXT TIME THE CAR IS STARTED. THIS STARTED HAPPENING AFTER THE BRAKE PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS) WAS REPLACED DUE TO RECALL. THE DEALER SAID THAT THERE WAS BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE AT THIS SWITCH WHEN IT WAS REPLACED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH WHEN HE STRUCK A POTHOLE, CAUSING THE REAR AXLE TO FRACTURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE HE WAS AWAITING REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 122,000. UPDATED 11/16/10. *LJ

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR . WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE RESPONDED AS IF IT HAD A FLAT TIRE. WHEN HE DROVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE HE NOTICED THAT THE REAR WHEEL WAS TILTING OUTWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS CRACKED IN HALF. THE DEALER WAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 133000. UPDATED 10/21/10. *LJ

2001 FORD WINDSTAR SE SPORT, 20,000 MILES ABS, BRAKE, & TIRE PRESSURE LIGHTS COME ON AFTER FIRST STARTING CAR AND RUNNING FOR A WHILE.. ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS GO ON AND OFF, TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT STAYS ON EVEN WITH ALL 4 NEW TIRES EQUALLY FILLED AT 35PSI. JUST BOUGHT THIS VAN. TRANSMISSION SLIPS, HAD IT DRAINED AND SERVICED 1 MONTH AGO WITH NO PROBLEM REPORTED. *TR

I HAD THE RECALL 09809 REPAIR DONE ON MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR ON 12-0-09 (INSPECTED DEACTIVATION SWITCH, LEAKING, REPLACE SWITCH AND APPLY GREASE TO CONNECTORS). PRIOR TO THAT ON 7-13-09 I REPORTED TO FORD DEALER THAT THE RED BRAKE AND YELLOW ANTI-LOCK BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON ESPECIALLY WHEN THE AC WAS ON. THEY QUICK CHECKED THE MODULE AND FILLED BRAKE LEVEL PER THE RECEIPT FOR $29.50. THIS PAST WEEK I TOOK IT IN AGAIN WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND ALSO AN OIL CHANGE AND TOLD THEM I THOUGHT THE RECALL REPAIR NEEDED TO BE DONE AGAIN. THEY TOLD ME THE LIGHTS COMING ON WHERE NOT RELATED TO THE RECALL AND GAVE ME CODE #S AND STATED THAT IT NEEDS ABS CONTROL MODULES WITH A PART ESTIMATE OF $853.88 AND LABOR AT $97.50. THEY STATED THEY CONTACTED FORD AS I HAD TOLD THEM I WAS WANTING AN ADJUSTMENT ON THE COST OF CHECKING ON IT AGAIN AND THEY SAID FORD OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. WHEN I HAD FIRST TAKEN THE CAR IN I ATTEMPTED TO SHOW THE MAN A CONSUMER REPORTS ARTICLE ABOUT THE RECALL IN THE JANUARY 2010 EDITION WHICH MENTIONS THE FAULTY CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH LEAKING CAUSING POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE. ANYWAY THE SECOND MAN WHEN I WENT TO PICK UP THE VAN WOULD ALSO NOT LOOK AT THE ARTICLE AND ASKED ME WHERE I HEARD OF IT "ON THE INTERNET?". I FEEL LIKE THE PROBLEM STEMS FROM WHAT WAS SUPPOSEDLY FIXED IN THE RECALL AND FROM WHAT I HAVE NOW SEEN ON THE INTERNET IT APPEARS OTHERS ARE STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AFTER RECALL REPAIRS. I DON'T KNOW IF I SHOULD GET THE MODULE FIXED, HAVE THEM UNDO/REMOVE THE CRUISE OR ABS SYSTEM OR WHAT. I FEEL FORD IS TRYING TO GET BY NOT ENTIRELY FIXING THE PROBLEM DUE TO FINANCIAL REASONS. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF AN INVESTIGATION CAN BE OPENED IF ONE HAS NOT BEEN ALREADY AND WHAT MY SAFEST BEST COURSE OF ACTION WOULD BE. *TR

FORD WINDSTAR REAR AXLE U FAILURE - SPLIT/CRACK JOINTS. *TR

1. REAR AXLE COMPLETELY CRACKED AT 50 MPH DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. ABLE TO CONTROL VEHICLE AND GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY SINCE EXIT WAS VERY CLOSED. 2. ONCE 3. N/A. *TR

MY WIFE WAS PULLING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY WITH HER 2001 FORD WINDSTAR WHEN THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE AND THE WHEELS TURNED AND LOCKED IN POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION IF IT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED AT HIGHWAY SPEED. THE VEHICLE HAS 96,000 MILES ON IT. IT COST $1,600 TO GET REPAIRED. FORD HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE METAL ON THESE VEHICLES. VEHICLE FRAMES SHOULD NOT RUST OUT. *TR

WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE I HEARD THE REAR TIRES SCREECHING FOLLOWED BY A LOUD CRACK, ALONG WITH DIFFICULT STEERING AND FRIGHTENING FISH-TAILING. THERE WAS SMOKE AND AN ODOR OF BURNING RUBBER. I STOPPED THE VEHICLE, WITH MY THREE YOUNG CHILDREN INSIDE THE CAR, AND IMMEDIATELY NOTICED THAT BOTH OF THE REAR TIRES WERE COMING-IN AT THE TOP. I INSPECTED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND OBSERVED THAT THE REAR AXLE HAD A LARGE CRACK LOCATED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND CURRENTLY IS NOT AT ALL DRIVABLE. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND HAVE BEEN QUOTED A REPAIR ESTIMATE OF $1100-$1500. THE MILEAGE AT THE TIME OF OCCURRENCE IS 155,000. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE BEGAN MAKING AN ABNORMAL SQUEAKING NOISE FROM THE REAR. THE CONTACT MOVED THE VEHICLE FROM THE ROADWAY AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. HE THEN DISCOVERED THE REAR AXLE WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000.

2001 FORD WINDSTAR WAS BOUNCING OVER BUMPS AND FELT LIKE SHOCKS NEEDED REPLACING. I DID WEB SEARCH AND ALSO FOUND COMPLAINTS OF REAR AXLE FAILURES. I REPLACED THE SHOCKS AND DECIDED TO CHECK THE AXLE WHILE I WAS UNDER THE CAR. SURE ENOUGH, JUST IN FROM THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL, THE REAR PORTION OF THE REAR AXLE HAS A 3-4 INCH CRACK. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH A LOUD CRACKING SOUND WAS HEARD IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MOVE FROM THE LEFT TO THE RIGHT. SMOKE WAS ALSO COMING FROM THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE SAFELY ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE. UPON EXAMINING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS SEVERELY CRACKED. THE VEHICLE REMAINED ON THE EMERGENCY LANE AND WAS NOT TOWED OR FURTHER EXAMINED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 130,000.

I HAVE A 2001 WINDSTAR. MY REAR AXLE SNAPPED IN HALF AFTER EXITING THE FREEWAY. THE MILEAGE IS ABOUT 152,000. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING AT THE TIME IT OCCURRED WITH OUR 3 CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE. SHE HEARD A NAP WHILE DRIVING, BUT THE VEHICLE MADE NO NOTICEABLE CHANGE IN THE MANNER IN WHICH IT DROVE. WHEN I DROVE THE CAR I HEARD THE TIRE RUBBING THE FENDER WHILE TAKING A SHARP LEFT AND PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY. I INSPECTED THE REAR AND FOUND THE AXLE SPLIT IN TWO BUT WAS HELD TOGETHER BY FRICTION. I HAD IT TAKEN THE REPAIR SHOP IMMEDIATELY AND LEFT MY FAMILY ON THE CURB. FORD IS LUCKY THIS DIDN'T KILL ANYONE. WITH ALL THE COMPLAINTS I HAVE RECENTLY SEEN WHILE INVESTIGATING THIS ISSUE ON THE INTERNET THEY OBVIOUSLY KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM. IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY HURT. GIVEN THE NATURE OF THE VEHICLE, A MINIVAN, THE ODDS OF HAVING CHILDREN IN THE CAR AT THE TIME OF FAILURE ARE HIGH. REGARDLESS IF THERE IS A RECALL, NOTICES SHOULD BE SENT TO AT LEAST WARN THE CURRENT OWNERS TO HAVE THE VEHICLE'S REAR AXLE INSPECTED. IN MY OPINION, BECAUSE OF THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FILED, FORD IS NOW RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY AND ALL INJURIES THAT COME AS A RESULT OF A FAILED REAR AXLE UNTIL THEY NOTIFY THE OWNERS. *TR

1. 2001 FORD WINDSTAR 158,000 MILES HAS A BROKEN REAL AXEL. THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY HAD NORMAL USE. NO ACCIDENTS. 2.THE BROKEN AXEL MAKES THE VEHICLE UNDRIVABLE. NO INJURIES OR ACCIDENTS INVOLVED. 3. LOOKING INTO REPAIR BUT YET UNSURE OF COSTS. WON'T BUY A USED REPLACEMENT DUE TO THE FREQUENCY OF THIS PROBLEM. *TR

FORD WINDSTAR 2001 VAN. PERIODICALLY THE CHECK TRACTION CONTROL WARNING MESSAGE ALONG WITH THE ABS WARNING LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT WAS COMING ON. NOW IT SEEMS TO BE OCCURRING MORE FREQUENTLY WITHIN THE PAST MONTH OR TWO. *TR

I OWN A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR SE. IN JULY 2010 I NOTICED TWO CRACKS IN THE REAR AXLE. MANUFACTURER WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED ON THIS VEHICLE. I HAD THE CRACKS REPAIRED (WELDED). *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT NOTICED AN UNUSUAL CRACKING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FRAME THAT HELD THE REAR WHEELS TOGETHER HAD FRACTURED IN HALF. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE DEALER OF THE FAILURE BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 106,000.

WHILE DRIVING OUR 2001 FORD WINDSTAR PULLING A 7'X12' TRAILER AT 60 M.P.H. ON A TWO LANE STATE ROUTE ROAD WE CROSSED AN INTERSECTION OF A COUNTY ROAD THERE WAS A SMALL HUMP AT THE INTERSECTION THERE WAS A VERY LOUD BANG FOLLOWED BY A TIRE SCREECHING AND LOSS OF STEERING THE VAN PULLED VERY HARD TO THE RIGHT INTO THE GRASS CORRECTING WE CAME BACK INTO OUR LANE AND STARTED INTO THE ONCOMING LANE I WAS ABLE TO BRING THE VAN BACK TO OUR LANE AND THEN SLOWLY BACK TO THE GRASS WHERE WE CAME TO A STOP 1500' PAST THE INTERSECTION AFTER LOOKING AT THE VAN I HAD FOUND THAT THE BACK MOUNT OF THE RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS WET AND HAD RUSTED AND BROKE OFF CAUSING THE RIGHT WHEEL TO TURN OUT PULLING THE DRIVE SHAFT OUT AND LOCKING UP THE WHEEL CAUSING THE LOSS OF STEERING I BELIEVE THAT OVER TIME THE EVAPORATOR DRIPPED CONDENSATION ON TO THE MOUNT CAUSING IT TO RUST A FAIL THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS STRUCTURAL FAILURE AND COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURIES OR DEATH AND IS JUST NOT A PLEASANT TIME NOT WANTING TO PAY $900 TO $2000 TO BE REPAIRED I FOUND A GOOD SUB FRAME AT A JUNK YARD FOR $150( SOME FRAMES MAY BE MORE MONEY) AND WILL REPLACE IT MYSELF THIS IS A VERY BIG AND HARD PROJECT THAT WILL TAKE A LOT OF TIME I HAVE THE RIGHT TOOLS AND KNOWHOW I DON'T RECOMMEND TRYING FOR EVERYONE THIS IS A BACKUP VEHICLE SO I HAVE THE TIME TO FIX IT FORD OR THE N.H.T.S.A. SHOULD RECALL ALL VEHICLES WITH THE POTENTIAL OF THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOME ONE GETS BADLY HURT OR DIES THIS PROBLEM WILL NOT GO AWAY ONLY GET WORSE I URGE ALL OWNERS OF ANY WINDSTAR TO CHECK THERE RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ARM MOUNTS TO SEE IF THEY ARE BAD. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 65 MPH WHEN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN MAKING AN ABNORMAL CRACKING SOUND. THE CONTACT SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF TO OBSERVE THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT LOCATE ONE. HE CONTINUED DRIVING TO HIS DESTINATION AND HEARD THE NOISE AGAIN. HE THEN NOTICED THAT THE REAR WHEELS WERE ABNORMALLY TILTED INWARD. THE CONTACT, WHO WAS A MECHANIC, WAS ABLE TO LOCATE THE FAILURE AS A CRACK IN THE REAR AXLE. THE LOCAL DEALER STATED THAT THE PART WAS ON BACKORDER AND THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 130,000. UPDATED 09/29/10. *LJ

FOR 2-3 WEEKS, AT TIMES, WE NOTICED A POPPING NOISE FROM THE BACK END WHEN TURNING INTO DRIVEWAYS/PARKING LOTS. THEN ONE TUESDAY WE NOTICED THE BACK END OF THE VAN WOULD SWAY AFTER HITTING A BUMP IN THE ROAD. ON THURSDAY OF THAT WEEK WHILE DRIVING TO WORK I NOTICED THE VAN WOULD "VIBRATE" AFTER HITTING A BUMP. I LIKEN IT TO RIDING ON AN OLD FASHIONED WASHBOARD. I SLOWED TO A STOP AND THEN DECIDED IT WOULD BE BEST TO GET OFF THE ROAD. THE VAN WOULD NOT MOVE. UPON EXAMINATION THE REAR AXLE WAS BROKEN THROUGH ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AND THE TOPS OF THE REAR WHEELS WHERE TURNED IN TOWARD THE VAN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SHOP WHERE REPAIRS WERE DONE - A NEW REAR AXLE, 2 REAR SHOCKS (BOTH WERE BENT AS A RESULT OF THE BROKEN AXLE), A NEW TIRE (DAMAGED FROM RUBBING ON THE WHEEL WELL) WITH ITS ASSOCIATED ITEMS AND ALIGNMENT. *TR

ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON AND OFF AT DIFFERENT TIMES WHEN DRIVEN. MY LIGHT SYSTEM STAYS ON ALL THE TIME. PLEASE HELP ME GET IT RECALLED. *TR

I OWN TWO 2001 WINDSTARS AND ON BOTH VEHICLES THE REAR AXLE CRACKED CAUSING SEVERE SWERVING, IT HAPPENED LAST YEAR ABOUT 3 WEEKS APART, BECAUSE I USED TO BE A MECHANIC I REPLACED BOTH AXLES MYSELF. MY SISTER ALSO OWNS A 2001 FORDSTAR AND BECAUSE OF WHAT HAPPENED TO ME I INSPECTED HER CAR EARLIER THIS YEAR AND DID NOT SEE ANY CRACKS BUT TODAY WHILE SHE AND HER KIDS WERE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY HER REAR AXLE SNAPPED IN HALF AND SHE STATED SHE ALMOST LOST CONTROL. THEY COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED!! THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN FIXED AND I STILL HAVE THE OLD AXLES FOR MY CARS. *TR

NOISE COMING FROM REAR OF CAR. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALS LARGE CRACK IN REAR AXLE. THE AXLE IS CRACKED THREE QUARTERS OF THE WAY THRU JUST TO THE DRIVERS SIDE OF CENTERLINE. THIS COULD BE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE IF IT BROKE AT HIGHWAY SPEED. THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND HAS HAD NORMAL MAINTENANCE AND GOOD CARE. RUST DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE A CAUSE FOR THIS FAILURE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE SERVICED FOR UNRELATED ISSUES AT AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR FACILITY, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STABILIZER BAR ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WAS CORRODING. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT WAS LEAKING ONTO THE STABILIZER BAR CAUSING THE RUST AND CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 119,000.

I OWN A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR WITH 80,000 MILES ON IT, NEVER HAD AN ACCIDENT AND THE REAR AXLE BROKE IN HALF TODAY. CAR IS NOT DRIVABLE, I HAD IT TOWED TO MY MECHANIC. I MAINTAIN MY VEHICLE ALL THE TIME BUT I HAVE HAD SUCH PROBLEMS WITH THE 2001 WINDSTAR. I HAVE A FILE ON ALL THAT I HAVE HAD DONE ON THE CAR. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT ABUSED BY US. IT IS A DEFECTIVE CAR. IN MAY, I HAD THE FUEL INJECTION FIXED CAUSE THE CAR JUST DIED. THE WINDSTAR IS NOT A VERY SAFE CAR. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS BROKEN AND THAT THE TIRE WAS PUSHED OUTWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND WILL BE REPAIRED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE PARTS WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR A WEEK. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS OR WARRANTIES. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 157,000.

THERE HAS NOT BEEN AN INCIDENT OR CRASH, BUT THE ABS, TRACE OFF, AND BRAKE! LIGHT ALL COME ON AT ONCE. ANTI-LOCK BRAKES AND TRACTION CONTROL DO NOT FUNCTION WHEN THIS HAPPENS. IT HAS OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY FOR ABOUT A YEAR, BUT HAPPENS ALMOST CONSTANTLY NOW. THE LIGHTS WOULD GO OFF AFTER RESTART, BUT NOW COME ON ALMOST IMMEDIATELY, AND STAY ON IN SPITE OF A RESTART IN COLD OR HOT WEATHER. THE FORD DEALERSHIP SAYS THEIR DIAGNOSTIC CODE INDICATES A NEED TO REPLACE THE "ABS MODULE" AT A COST OF NEARLY $1300.00 WITH LABOR ON MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR LX MINIVAN WHICH NOW ONLY HAS 60,000 ORIGINAL MILES. I GOGGLED THIS PROBLEM AND FOUND A SITE AT WWW.FORDWINDSTARRECALL.INFO THAT DISCUSSED MY PROBLEM. *LN

BRAKING DISTANCE SUDDENLY INCREASED; ABS/BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON EVEN THOUGH THE MAINTENANCE FOR THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED EARLIER IN THE DAY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE MAIN SUB FRAME WAS SEPARATED AND COVERED WITH RUST ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH HE HEARD A NOISE COMING ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. A LOCAL MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE FRAME WAS COVERED WITH RUST AND SEPARATING FROM THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO PROGRAM OR WARRANTY TO COVER THE FAILURE. CLAIM#0355841870 WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 69,000.

FAILED BRAKES ON 2001 FORD WINDSTAR CAUSE NEAR MISS COLLISION. NO FIX AVAILABLE: I HAD BEEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH NO PROBLEMS. EXITED HIGHWAY FOR DINNER AND ATTEMPTED TO STOP AT STOP SIGN. BRAKES WERE NONRESPONSIVE UNTIL PUSHED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR CAUSING A NEAR-MISS REAR-END COLLISION WITH THE CAR IN FRONT. WHEN BRAKE PEDAL WAS RELEASED A "POPPING" SOUND WAS HEARD. THIS CONTINUED FOR SEVERAL MORE STOP SIGNS UNTIL REACHING TOWN TO LOOK FOR ASSISTANCE. TURNED VEHICLE OFF FOR ABOUT 45 MINS. MADE CALLS BUT NO SERVICE STATIONS WERE OPENED. RESTARTED VEHICLE TO RETURN HOME SINCE I WAS ONLY AT THE BEGINNING OF THE TRIP. ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS APPEARED ON DASH BUT LATER DISAPPEARED. TOOK BACK ROADS HOME AT LOW SPEEDS AND ALLOWED EXTRA TIME FOR BRAKING. BRAKES WERE FINE FOR THE NEXT 10 MINUTES BUT THEN BECAME UNRESPONSIVE AGAIN. TOOK VEHICLE TO FORD DEALERSHIP WHEN OPENED 2 DAYS LATER. THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG AFTER TEST DRIVING. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. WE FEEL ABSOLUTELY UNSAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE GIVEN THE UNRELIABILITY OF THE BRAKES. *TR

2001 FORD WINDSTAR ...DRIVING ON JULY 3RD ,HIT POTHOLE AND DIDN'T REALIZE TILL LATER THAT THE REAR AXLE BEAM CRACKED....THE VEHICLE IS AT THE MECHANIC SHOP AND WE ARE HAVING TROUBLE LOCATING A USED PART THAT IS NOT CRACKED...THE NEW ONE IS TOO EXPENSIVE ..PLEASE HELP. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY DROPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS FRACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 130,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE EXAMINING THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE LEFT REAR AXLE WAS CRACKED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 86000.

I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 55 MPH ON A HIGHWAY WHEN THE BACK END STARTED TO SWAY SIDE TO SIDE. I SLOWED DOWN, HEARD A LOUD NOISE, SMOKE AND BURNING RUBBER WAS NOTICED AND I PULLED OVER. AS I GOT OUT I NOTICED THE DRIVERS REAR TIRE TILTED IN. I WALKED BEHIND THE VAN AND NOTICED THE AXEL WAS SNAPPED IN TWO. I CALLED MY MECHANIC AND HE STATED THIS SEAMS TO BE A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH THIS VEHICLE. MILES ARE 118,000. *TR

BRAKING DISTANCE SUDDENLY INCREASED. *TR

ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. SEVERAL INCIDENTS WHEN COMING TO ROLLING STOP ABS BRAKES WOULD ACTIVATE AND VAN WOULD NOT STOP EVEN WHEN BRAKE PEDAL WAS TO THE FLOOR. THIS IS AFTER THE 2001 FORD WINDSTAR VAN WAS TAKEN IN AND HAD THE SWITCH RECALL DONE. HAD TO HAVE THE ABS MODULE REPLACED. *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR MAKING A RIGHT TURN WHEN I STRAIGHTENED OUT I NOTICED THAT MY STEERING WHEEL WAS STILL TURNED AT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE. BEING CAUTIOUS NOW LISTENED FOR WARNING SOUNDS OF POSSIBLE FURTHER PROBLEMS, THERE WAS NO STRANGE SOUNDS OR SHAKING NOTHING TO INDICATE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN NEXT . AS I CONTINUED ON MY JOURNEY I WAS DRIVING 50KM AN HOUR WHEN SUDDENLY THE FRONT END OF THE VAN DROPPED SITTING ON BOTH FRONT TIRES, CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF STEERING AND BRAKING. I SLID DOWN THE STREET EVENTUALLY CRASHING INTO THE CURB THANKFULLY NO ONE WAS INJURED AND NO OTHER VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED. I EXITED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED TRANSMISSION FLUID POURING OUT ONTO THE ROAD. MY VAN WAS TOWED TO THE MECHANICS AND WE DISCOVERED THAT THE RIGHT CONTROL ARM THAT IS CONNECTED TO THE FRONT SUB FRAME BRACKETS WERE TOTALLY ROUGHED OUT DUE TO BAD DESIGN IN THE SUB FRAME IN WHICH THE BRACKETS ARE WELDED TO THE FRAME WHICH HAS A BOWL LIKE BASE WHICH COLLECTS WATER AND SALT AND SPEEDS UP THE CORROSION TIME. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE FOR OTHER WINDSTAR VANS, IF I WAS ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY DOING 100KM THIS WOULD OF BEEN A FATAL ACCIDENT. IF THIS WOULD OF HAPPENED THE POLICE WOULD OF DETERMINED THAT I WAS GOING TO FAST OR SOME OTHER REASON OTHER THAN THE CONTROL ARM BREAKING OF. THERE HAS BEEN A RECENT RECALL FOR THE REAR AXLE CRACKING AND SPLITTING IN HALF DUE TO BAD U SHAPE DESIGN OF THE AXLE IN WHERE AGAIN SALT AND WATER BECOME TRAPPED AND SPEED UP THE CORROSION TIME. SO I BELIEVE THAT THE CONTROL ARM IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WHICH NEEDS TO BE DEALT WITH BY ISSUING A RECALL AS WELL. *TR

BRAKING DISTANCE SUDDENLY INCREASED - ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATE ON DASH WITH WARMER TEMPERATURES. IT HAS ALSO OCCURRED IN JANUARY 2011 AT 30 F OUTSIDE TEMP. IT DE-ACTIVATES ABS SYSTEM. THIS POSES A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE ON ICY ROADS SINCE I'M USE TO THE ABS TYPICALLY WORKING. I NEVER KNOW WHEN THE ABS SYSTEM WILL DROP OUT AND ADD DISTANCE TO MY BRAKING. *TR

2001 FORD WINDSTAR ABS WARNING LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY WITH FEWER INCIDENCE OF LOW TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT ALTHOUGH ALL TIRES PRESSURE READS 32PSI WHEN COLD JUST HAD SCDS SWITCH REPLACED UNDER RECALL AND WAS TOLD HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE ABS WARNING LIGHT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO BOUNCE UP AND DOWN AFTER THE REAR AXLE BROKE IN HALF AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO FISHTAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS. THE DEALER HAD NOT DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 172,000.