2001 Ford Windstar Complaint Log

SOMETIME BETWEEN 10:30PM OF 28 JUNE AND 5AM 29 JUNE, MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUSTED WHILE PARKED IN THE GARAGE OF THE RECTORY HERE AT HOLY ASSUMPTION CHURCH IN MARBLEHEAD, OHIO. THE VAN IS A TOTAL LOSS AS THE ENTIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND MOST OF THE DASHBOARD (ON THE PASSENGER SIDE) ARE BURNT OUT OR MELTED. THIS HAPPENED AFTER I TWICE TOOK MY WINDSTAR TO AN AUTHORIZED FORD DEALERSHIP IN RESPONSE TO A RECALL TO HAVE A PART REPLACED CONNECTED WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL THAT HAS BEEN REPORTED AS OVERHEATING AND CAUSING SUCH A FIRE. THERE IS DAMAGE TO THE INTERIOR OF THE GARAGE (THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT DOES NOT KNOW WHY THE FIRE STOPPED BEFORE BURNING DOWN THE GARAGE - SINCE THERE IS CONCRETE EVIDENCE OF THE INTENSE HEAT OF THE FIRE. *TR

REAR AXEL CRACKED IN TWO DRIVING AROUND 40 MPH AS OF TODAY DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX IT 07/01/2010. ALSO PASS SIDE DOOR OPENS EVERY ONCE AND AWHILE WHEN DRIVING. *TR

VEHICLE TYPE - 2001 FORD WINDSTAR DURING WARM, SUMMER MONTHS MY ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS WILL INTERMITTENTLY COME ON EVERY DAY. THERE IS NO RHYME NOR REASON FOR WHEN THIS HAPPENS OTHER THAN ONLY DURING WARM WEATHER. BRAKING DISTANCE DOES INCREASE. WHEN ENGINE IS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, THE LIGHTS WILL GO OFF. BUT LIGHTS WILL COME BACK ON AFTER DRIVING. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING DURING THE SUMMER OVER THE LAST 3 SUMMERS. HAVE HAD MECHANIC CHECK MY BRAKES MULTIPLE TIMES WITH NO LEAK FOUND. PERFORMED FORD RECALL 09S09 AT FORD DEALERSHIP BUT PROBLEM STILL IS OCCURRING. *TR

WHILE DRIVING THE VAN (2001 FORD WINDSTAR) IT BEGAN TO HANDLE ERRATICALLY. THIS WAS AN INTERMITTENT EXPERIENCE, BUT AT TIMES QUITE SEVER. AFTER ARRIVING HOME, I INSPECTED UNDER THE VEHICLE FOR ANY ODD DRIPS, HANGING PARTS, ETC. WHEN PUSHING ON EACH WHEEL I NOTICED THE RIGHT REAR WAS CANTED INWARD. UPON FURTHER LOOK UNDER THE VAN, I COULD SEE A LARGE CRACK UNDER THE RIGHT SIDE AXLE. I HAVE STOPPED DRIVING AS IT IS UNSAFE AT THIS POINT. THERE IS NO RUST, AND WAS NO WARNING OF TROUBLE, IT SIMPLY APPEARS TO HAVE FAILED. THE CRACK IS NEARLY COMPLETE WITH ONLY ABOUT 1 INCH NEAR THE FRONT OF THE AXLE HOLDING IT TOGETHER. *TR

AFTER READING OF NUMEROUS OCCURRENCES OF REAR AXLE CRACKING, I EXAMINED MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR ON 6/27/2010 AND FOUND A 2 INCH CRACK IN THE REAR AXLE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. CONTACTED FORD DEALER FOR REPAIR COST AND WAS QUOTED APPROXIMATELY $1300. I AM HAVING AXLE REPLACED WITH NEW AXLE BY RELIABLE INDEPENDENT SHOP FOR $1000. CAR WAS TAKEN TO FORD DEALER EARLY MARCH 2010 FOR OIL CHANGE AND TO BE CHECKED OVER FOR EXPECTED EXTENSIVE TRAVEL THIS SUMMER. REPAIRS PERFORMED AT FORD DEALER CAME TO OVER $2000 AND INCLUDED REPLACING DRIVER SIDE REAR AXLE SEAL. NO MENTION WAS MADE OF THE CRACK AT THAT TIME, HOWEVER THE AMOUNT OF RUST ON THE CRACK APPEARS TO INDICATE THE CRACK STARTED QUITE SOME TIME AGO. VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN REGISTERED IN THE NEW YORK AREA. MILEAGE IS 113,854 AT TIME OF REPAIR. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THE SLIDING DOORS ON THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT OPEN. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE FAILURE WAS A ELECTRICAL. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

I WAS DRIVING MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR WHEN I NOTICED THAT THE REAR OF MY CAR SEEMED TO BE SWERVING. I WAS HAVING DIFFICULTY BEING ABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR. THE TIRE PRESSURE INDICATOR CAME ON SO I ASSUMED THAT I NEEDED TO INFLATE THE TIRES. FORTUNATELY I MADE IT HOME AND AFTER INSPECTING THE TIRES CAME TO FIND THAT MY REAR AXLE WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY BROKEN APART. YOU CAN ALMOST COMPLETELY SEE THROUGH THE AXLE AND THERE IS RUST AROUND THE BREAK. THE TIRES WERE LEANING INWARD TOWARD THE WHEEL WELL. I HAD TO HAVE A FLAT BED TOW TRUCK TOW IT TO OUR MECHANIC. FORD TOLD US THAT THIS IS NOT A KNOWN ISSUE HOWEVER I HAVE FOUND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS FOR THE EXACT SAME ISSUE FOR THIS VEHICLE. FORD HAS TOLD US THAT IT WILL COST $497 FOR A NEW AXLE. OUR MECHANIC CALLED AROUND LOOKING FOR A USED PART AT JUNKYARDS AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAVE BEEN SELLING A LOT OF THESE FOR THIS SAME ISSUE AND AN OLD PART WOULD RUN $400. SO OBVIOUSLY THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE THAT FORD IS NOT ACKNOWLEDGING. I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT A RECALL HAS NOT OCCURRED. I REALLY HOPE THAT IT DOESN'T HAVE TO TAKE SERIOUS ACCIDENTS POSSIBLY CAUSING DEATH FOR THEM TO ACKNOWLEDGE IT. *TR

THE #10 FUSE KEPT BLOWING. WE FIGURED OUT THAT THE SWITCH WAS OUR PROBLEM AND REPLACED THAT. THEN WE LOST RADIO AND OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. FINALLY TRACKED WIRES TO UNDERNEATH SEAT TO ABS MODULE TO FIND THAT IT WAS BURNT UP AND HAD BRAKE FLUID ON IT. NOT SURE WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO AT THIS POINT SINCE WHOLE HARNESS HAS TO BE REPLACED AND IS VERY EXPENSIVE. *TR

2001 FORD WINDSTAR WITH PROBLEM OF ABS BRAKE LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, OR TIRE PRESSURE LIGHTS COME ON INTERMITTENTLY DURING EXTREME COLD OR EXTREME HEAT. RESTART OF ENGINE USUALLY RESETS LIGHTS. ERROR CODE C1185 ABS POWER RELAY CIRCUIT SEEN BY SHOP. EXPANSION OF RELAY SWITCH ALUMINUM PLATE CAUSING SHORT CIRCUIT OF MODULE OR LEAKAGE FROM SPEED CONTROL CONNECTOR POSSIBLE CAUSES. REPAIR COST OF OVER $600. *TR

2001 WINDSTAR [XXX] SEL SUB FRAME SNAPPED WHILE DRIVING ALMOST CAUSING A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. TOW COMPANY SAID THIS WAS VERY RARE THAT THE SUBFRAME HAD RUSTED THROUGH. REPAIRED AT A COST OF $1058.03 TOTAL PARTS (USED SUBFRAME) AND LABOR. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *LN

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

I HAD BEEN HEARING A CLUNKING NOISE AFTER MY WIFE REPORTED IT TO ME WHEN SHE WAS BACKING UP. IT TOOK A FEW DAYS BEFORE I HEARD IT AS WELL. I COULDN'T FIGURE OUT IF IT WAS THE EXHAUST OR SUSPENSION. A FEW WEEKS GOES BY AND IT GOT WORSE. MANAGED TO LOOK UNDER IT AT A GAS STATION AND SAW A CRACK ON THE BACK SIDE OF THE AXLE FROM BOTTOM TO ALMOST THE TOP. NORMAL DRIVING, NO TOWING. I HAVEN'T FIXED IT YET BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO SPEND $1000 ON A REPAIR USING ANOTHER FAILURE PRONE PART, SAME REASON I HAVEN'T ATTEMPTED THE ABS REPAIRS ON THE VAN. *TR

2001 FORD WINDSTAR REAR AXLE FAILURE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE REVERSING FROM A PARKING SPACE, THE REAR AXLE CRACKED. THE CONTACT FOUND THE AXLE HAD SPLIT INTO TWO AND THE REAR WHEELS WERE TURNED INWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER ADVISED THE AXLE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AT THE CONTACTS EXPENSE. THERE WAS AN OPEN DEFECT INVESTIGATION (NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE10016: SUSPENSION) INTO THE WINDSTAR AXLE FAILURE BUT NO RECALLS. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 140,000.

ON JUNE 18TH MY WIFE AND SON RETURNED FROM A TRIP TO YOUNGSTOWN, WE LIVE IN CLEVELAND. MY WIFE ASK ME TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE CAR SHE SAID IT WAS DRIVING FUNNY. WHILE DRIVING AT 70 TO 80 MPH, SHE SAID SHE WAS ALL OVER THE ROAD AND AT ONE POINT ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR, WHEN SHE PULLED IN I NOTICED THE REAR TIRE WAS LOW SO I PUT AIR IN IT AND TOOK IT FOR A TEST DRIVE AROUND THE BLOCK. I KEPT HEARING THE WHEELS MAKING A CHIRPING NOISE AS IF I WAS IN A SKID. WHEN I GOT BACK I HAD HER DRIVE IT AND I FOLLOWED IN OUR OTHER CAR TO SEE WHAT I MIGHT NOTICE, IT WAS OBVIOUS THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE REAR END. I MADE HER RETURN HOME AND LOOKED UNDER THE CAR TO FIND A HUGE CRACK IN THE AXLE. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW FORD COULD LET THIS HAPPEN TO A MAJOR PART OF THE VAN. I WAS GOING ON A VACATION THE NEXT DAY AND WAS PLANNING ON USING THIS VAN! I CAN'T IMAGINE TRAVELING DOWN TO MYRTLE BEACH WITH MY FAMILY WITH A LOADED VAN DOING 70 MPH. SOMEONE IS GOING TO DIE FROM THIS DEFECT AND I AM VERY LUCKY MY WIFE DIDN'T WHEN SHE WAS DRIVING IT. PLEASE MAKE FORD DO A RECALL OR I AM SURE WE WILL BE READING THE IN THE NEWS OF SOMEONE'S DEATH WHEN IT DOES HAPPEN AND YOU DID NOTHING! *TR

MY 2001 HAS A BRAKE LIGHT, ABS TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS AND ELECTRIC CIRCUIT BOARD PROBLEM. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON THE DOOR CHIME COMES ON WHEN I TURN THE KEY OFF. THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHTS COMES ON AND OFF WHILE I AM DRIVING ALL THE TIME. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON SIMULTANEOUSLY WITH THE BRAKE LIGHT AND I LOST BRAKE POWER. NO FLUID LEAKED OUT AND THE TRANSMISSION WORKS FINE. I ALMOST CRASHED INTO THREE CARS WHILE DRIVING WITH THE BRAKE FAILURE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE MAKES A POPPING NOISE WHEN TRAVELING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE AXLE WAS CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 116,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 7 MPH, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES BUT THEY WOULD NOT ENGAGE. SHE THEN ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO NO AVAIL. SHE SHIFTED INTO PARK AND COASTED OFF THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE SHE WAS ADVISED THAT THE ABS MODULAR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR HER PARTICULAR VEHICLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,020 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 127,039.

ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT HAVE BEEN INTERMITTENTLY BEEN COMING ON AND GOING OFF FOR YEARS. I WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC NOT TO WORRY , JUST A LOOSE WIRE SOMEWHERE! NOW I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF A FIRE! I HAVE HAD ALL RECALLS COMPLETED ACCORDING TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER. THE PROBLEM IS WORSE IN THE SUMMER MONTHS. I LIKE MY VAN BUT AM CONCERNED ENOUGH TO START LOOKING FOR ANOTHER CAR! *TR

BEEN DRIVING MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. AND THE BACK STARTED MAKING NOISES AND SHIFTING. EVERYTIME I APPLY THE BRAKE OR BACK UP IT MAKES THE LOUDEST SOUND. WELL AFTER PUTTING IT UP ON THE JACK TO LOOK UNDERNEATH THE CAR. WE NOTICED A CRACK ABOUT 8 INCHES LONG AND CONTINUES AROUND THE BOTTOM OF THE AXEL. ESTIMATE TO REPAIR IS GOING TO BE OVER A $1000.00. THERE NEEDS TO BE SOMETHING DONE ABOUT THIS. *TR

FREQUENT AND PERSISTENT DEACTIVATION OF THE ABS SYSTEM IN 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THIS PROBLEM HAS COME AND GONE ON THE VAN AND THERE ARE RECALLS TO COVER THE FIRE RISK. THE ABS SYSTEM WILL THROUGH AN ALARM WHEN THE CAR IS DRIVEN. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT ALARM THE COMES AND GOES IT THE COOLER MONTHS AND IF NO MOST OF THE TIME IN THE SUMMER MONTHS. WHEN THE ABS SYSTEM IS DISENGAGED THE BREAKING DISTANCE IS MUCH LONGER WHEN COMPROMISED ROAD CONDITIONS. WE WERE INVOLVED IN A NEAR MISS WHEN DRIVING IN SNOW AND ICE. THIS PROMPTED FURTHER INVESTIGATION AND IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS A PERSISTENT PROBLEM FOR ABS SYSTEMS ON THE WINDSTAR VAN. *TR

2001 FORD WINDSTAR - SEVERAL INSTANCES OF THE ABS & BRACKET WARNING LIGHTS COMING ON. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE CHECKED SEVERAL TIMES, BUT CANNOT REPLICATE THE ISSUE. VERY CONCERNING THAT THE ABS MAY NOT FUNCTION, BUT CANNOT ISOLATE. *TR

2001 WINDSTAR REAR AXLE BROKE IN HALF CAUSING THE REAR TIRE TO SMOKE AND BURN THE RUBBER OFF THE TIRE AND THE UNDERCOATING ON THE WHEEL WELL. DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH. STARTED TO FEEL A SWAY JUST BEFORE IT BROKE, NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. TIRE WAS VERY HOT AND SMOKING,WE WERE TOLD SHE WAS LUCKY THE TIRE DID NOT BLOW. *TR

THIS IS ON A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR WITH LESS THAN 100,000 MILES. IT STARTED WHEN MY WIFE WAS COMPLAINING ABOUT A RUBBING NOISE IN THE REAR THAT SEEMED TO BE WORSE ON CORNERS. I WAS DRIVING THE CAR DURING A LIGHT RAIN SHOWER ON A RIGHT CURVE AT ABOUT 35 MPH. THE BACK OF THE CAR FELT LIKE IT WAS ABOUT SPIN OUT ON ME. I BACKED OFF THE GAS AND IT FELT BETTER. THE NEXT DAY WHILE DRIVING IT AGAIN I NOTICE THAT THERE WAS TIRE SQUEAL MOSTLY ON RIGHT TURNS. WHEN I GOT HOME I COULD SEE THAT THE TOP OF THE LEFT REAR TIRE WAS LEANING IN. I COULD ALSO SEE WHERE THE TIRE WAS RUBBING ON THE INNER WHEEL WELL. AFTER REMOVING BOTH REAR WHEELS AND LOOKING AROUND I FOUND THE AXLE BEAM CRACKED ALMOST ALL THE WAY AROUND. I HAVE SINCE FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS NOT UNCOMMON IN 2001 FORD WINDSTARS, AND PROBABLY OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL. WE WERE PLANNING ON TAKING THIS VEHICLE ON VACATION DURINGTHE JULY 4TH WEEKEND. I CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPEN IF THIS BROKE ALL THE WAY THROUGH AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WITH A LOAD OF LUGGAGE AND MY FAMILY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I WILL NOT EVEN DRIVE THIS VEHICLE TO TURN IT AROUND IN MY DRIVEWAY LET ALONE TAKE IT ON THE ROAD. I HAVE NOT STARTED TO SEE WHAT CAN BE DONE TO FIX THIS BECAUSE NOTHING IS OPEN TODAY, BUT ATLEAST I CAN FIX IT MYSELF IF I CAN FIND THE PARTS. *TR

I HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE FOR ABOUT A MONTH MY HUSBAND LOOKED UNDER VEHICLE AND SEEN REAR AXLE WAS BROKEN IN HALF. THE VAN WAS TOWED AND A USED REAR AXLE WAS PUT ON. WE DO HAVE OLD AXLE. *TR

I OWN A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR LIMITED AND WHILE DRIVING THE CAR THE REAR AXEL SNAPPED IN HALF. I WAS STUCK BUT THANKFULLY WAS ABLE TO HAVE A TOW TRUCK BRING IT TO MY HOUSE. BOTH BACK TIRES AND TOTALLY BENT IN AS THE AXEL IS LITERALLY BROKEN IN HALF. I NOW HAVE NO MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION WHICH KILLS ME AS WE ALWAYS KEPT THIS CAR UP TO DATE ON ALL MAINTENANCE. WE JUST HAD THE FRONT ALIGNED, TIE RODS REPLACED AS WELL AS MANY OTHER REPAIRS RECENTLY. AS I SAID WE ALWAYS HAVE THE OIL CHANGED AND ALL OTHER SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE ON TIME. THIS IS A REAL BLOW AS RIGHT NOW WE DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX IT OR REPLACE IT. I CANNOT BELIEVE FORD DOES NOT HAVE TO HAVE A RECALL ON THIS AND THEIR ERROR IS OUR LOSS AND THE LOSS OF MANY OTHERS. I AM DISGUSTED AND ALTHOUGH A FORD COSTUMER FOR MANY, MANY YEARS WILL NO LONGER CONSIDER FORD IN THE FUTURE. SHAME ON YOU FORD, LIVES ARE AT STAKE HER; HAVE A CONSCIENCE. *TR

IT WAS RAINING & I WAS DRIVING HOME WITH MY SONS IN THE VAN WHEN IT SUDDENLY SWERVED OUT OF CONTROL, FISH-TAILING INTO THE DIRECTION OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I ALMOST LOST COMPLETE CONTROL AND NARROWLY AVOIDED HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE. I PROCEEDED HOME CAUTIOUSLY, THINKING THE WAY THE VAN WAS NOW HANDLING WAS DUE TO ROAD CONDITIONS. THE NEXT DAY IT CONTINUED TO HANDLE DIFFICULTLY, AND I NOTED A SQUEALING TIRE SOUND WITH TURNS - I THOUGHT PERHAPS THE TIRES NEEDED AIR, AND IT WAS STILL RAINING. THAT AFTERNOON, AS I WAS MERGING ONTO THE HIGHWAY, THE VAN RANDOMLY STARTED TO FISH-TAIL OVER TWO LANES, NEARLY ROLLING OVER. I WAS BARELY ABLE TO OBTAIN CONTROL. I PROCEEDED HOME CAUTIOUSLY, NOTING THE TIRES WERE SQUEALING MORE WITH TURNS & IT WAS MORE DIFFICULT TO HANDLE. ONCE HOME I CHECKED THE TIRES & THEY SEEMED FINE. I LOADED MY SONS IN THE VAN, AGAINST MY BETTER JUDGMENT, TO HAVE DINNER AT A FRIENDS HOUSE. I PLANNED TO HAVE HER BOYFRIEND CHECK IT WHILE WE WERE THERE (MY HUSBAND WAS GONE FOR TWO WEEKS). I CAUTIOUSLY DROVE DOWN OUR ROAD AND WHEN I TOOK THE LONG CURVE BY THE SCHOOL THE TIRES BEGAN TO SQUEAL LOUDLY AND THE VAN STARTED SWERVING ALL OVER, INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. IT ROCKED AND SWERVED & NEARLY FLIPPED, SCARING ALL 3 OF US NEARLY TO DEATH. I FINALLY WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VAN & HAD MY SON GET OUT AND WATCH AS I DROVE PAST SLOWLY. HE IMMEDIATELY STARTED SCREAMING TO GET OUT! THE WHEELS WERE ABOUT TO FALL OFF! I SLOWLY & FEARFULLY PULLED INTO THE CHURCH LOT WE WERE NEXT TO AND DISCOVERED THAT BOTH REAR TIRES WERE TIPPED IN AT THE TOP, LIKE A TEE-PEE. WE WERE ALL SHAKEN, KNOWING HOW CLOSE WE CAME TO DYING. THE VAN WAS EVENTUALLY LOADED ONTO A FLATBED TRUCK AND BROUGHT HOME. MY HUSBAND GOT HOME & DISCOVERED THE STEEL SUPPORT BEAM WAS SPLIT NEARLY IN HALF IN THE MIDDLE. I THANK GOD WE DIDN'T GO OVER THE BRIDGE THAT NIGHT - WE WOULD'VE HAD A MASSIVE ACCIDENT, INJURING/KILLING WHO-KNOWS HOW MANY PEOPLE! WE WONT REPLACE IT WITH USED PARTS & THERE AREN'T NEW ONES. *TR

THE REAR AXLE OF MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR HAS SNAPPED IN TWO PIECES WHILE RIDING AT 45 MPH. THE VAN SWAYED VIOLENTLY BUT I WAS ABLE TO BRING IT TO A SAFE STOP. PRIOR TO AXLE SNAPPING I HEARD AND FELT CRACKING METALLIC SOUND FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. I INVESTIGATED THIS ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS INCIDENTS INVOLVING FORD WINDSTARS AND BROKEN REAR AXLES. I COULD NOT IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAPPENED IF MY FAMILY WAS IN THIS VEHICLE AT THE TIME THE REAR AXLE SNAPPED IN TWO. THE EXTRA WEIGHT IN THE CAR MAY HAVE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO GO COMPLETELY OUT OF CONTROL AND CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH TO MY PASSENGERS AND MYSELF. I AM WONDERING WHY THE 2001 FORD WINDSTAR HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED TO FIX THIS VERY SERIOUS DEFECT. THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR AND IS A RESULT OF POOR DESIGN AND DEFECTS IN MANUFACTURING. PLEASE DON'T WAIT FOR A FAMILY TO BE KILLED IN ONE OF THESE VANS BEFORE YOU RECALLED THEM. THIS A VERY REAL PROBLEM AND THE CONSEQUENCES COULD BE DEADLY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH WHEN SHE HEARD AN ABNORMAL POP AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO STEER IMPROBABLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE DEALER REPLACED THE FRONT SUB FRAME DUE TO SEVERE RUST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS FRACTURED IN TWO. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,445 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 145,000. UPDATED 01/12/11*LJ UPDATED 04/19/11

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE UNDER THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V399000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) RECALL, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRING THE DEFECT. THE CONTACT STATED THE RECALL DID NOT GIVE A SOLUTION TO THE DEFECT, BUT INSTEAD SLOWS DOWN THE FAILURE FROM OCCURRING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 116,000.

BRAKE LIGHT WAS ON IN MY 2001 FORD, WINDSTAR. BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO OUR MECHANIC TO CHECK IT OUT AND MAKE NECESSARY REPAIRS. OUR MECHANIC CALLED ME AND INFORMED ME THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS ROTTED OUT AND THAT IN HIS OPINION IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND THE COST TO REPAIR IT WERE NOT WORTH IT. WE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE NEW IN OCTOBER OF 2001 AND IT ONLY HAS ABOUT 28,000 MILES ON IT. WE DO NOT LIVE ANY WHERE NEAR THE OCEAN, BUT LIVE IN MASSACHUSETTS, WHERE SALT AND SAND ARE USED ON THE ROADS IN THE WINTER. BUT AS YOU CAN TELL WITH THE LOW MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE IT WAS NOT DRIVEN MUCH ANY WAY. I AM FORCED TO BUY A NEW VEHICLE TO REPLACE THIS ONE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING AT SPEEDS OF 35 MPH, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE STARTED TO EXCESSIVELY SWAY BACK AND FORTH. THE DEALER FOUND THAT THE REAR AXLE HAD SPLIT IN TWO. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS COMMON IN HIS MODEL VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 149,000.

WE HAD OUR 2001 FORD WINDSTAR BEING CHECKED BY A GARAGE BEFORE A LONG TRIP AND WERE TOLD OUR REAR AXLE IS CRACKED ALMOST IN HALF. *TR

MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR MINIVAN WAS IN FOR AIR CONDITIONING SERVICE AND A TUNE-UP ON JUNE 1, 2010 AND THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH MULTIPLE CRACKS IN THE REAR AXLE. THE MECHANIC ISSUED A STERN WARNING ABOUT DRIVING THE VEHICLE, ESPECIALLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS BECAUSE THE AXLE WAS IN DANGER OF SPLITTING AND COULD CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL. HE INDICATED THAT IT LOOKED LIKE THE U-SHAPED AXLE DESIGN COLLECTED WATER AND ROAD SALT AND CAUSED RUST, WHICH LED TO THE CRACKS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR WHEELS WERE BENDING INWARD AND CAUSING THE REAR TIRES TO WEAR OUT PREMATURELY. THE FRONT TIRES HAD NEVER BEEN REPLACED AND APPEARED BRAND NEW. THE REAR TIRES HAD SINCE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES. THE DEALER ADVISED THE REAR AXLE WAS OUT OF SPECIFICATION AND WOULD NEED TO BE LOOSENED AND REALIGNED TO CORRECT THE FORMATION OF THE WHEELS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR AXLE ON HIS VEHICLE WAS BROKEN. THE VEHICLE STARTED SWAYING BACK AND FORTH WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH. HE LOOKED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR AXLE HAD BROKEN IN HALF. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE AXLE HAD TO BE REPLACED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE FOR $497 ALONG WITH THE DRUMS AND OTHER BRAKE COMPONENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 62,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,500.

WHEN THE ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS COME ON, THE BRAKING DISTANCE SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASES. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM THAT COMES ON WITH HOT WEATHER. ON A COOL MORNING OR AT NIGHT THERE WILL BE NO WARNING LIGHTS, BUT THEY COME UP WHEN CAR HEATS UP IN THE SUN. THE FORD RECALL 09S09 WAS DONE ON THIS CAR AND BRAKES ARE IN VERY GOOD CONDITION. THE ABS SEEMS TO WORK WHEN THE WARNING LIGHT ARE GONE, BUT BRAKES SEEM TO BE SLOW TO RESPOND IN HOT WEATHER WHEN HEAT TRIGGERS THE ABS WARNING LIGHTS. *TR

I OWN A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR AND APPROXIMATELY FOUR MONTHS AGO, THE ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE "O/D OFF" LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING, THE SPEEDOMETER DIED AND THE ODOMETER CLEARED. I NO LONGER HAVE HEAT IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE , NOR AIR CONDITIONING. APPROXIMATELY A WEEK OR SO AGO, MY HUSBAND HAD JUST RETURNED FROM AN ERRAND AND WAS IN THE HOUSE WHEN HE HEARD A POP AND WENT OUTSIDE TO INVESTIGATE. HE SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND IMMEDIATELY REMOVED FUSES FROM THE VEHICLE. *TR

RECALL 09S09 WAS COMPLETED BY FORD LAST YEAR. THIS RECALL SHOULD HAVE FIX BRAKE LIGHT WARNING SIGN AND ALSO BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE. BUT UNFORTUNATELY MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR SHOWING BRAKE WARNING SING AND ALSO LEAKING BRAKE FLUID IN RECENT DAYS.

THESE LIGHTS STAY ON EVEN AFTER REPAIRS ARE DONE. THEY GO OFF FOR A COUPLE DAYS AND THEN COME BACK ON. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR AT LEAST 2 YEARS. I ALSO HAVE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH MY SPEEDOMETER AND GAUGES. I ALSO HAVE BEEN HAVING A PROBLEM WITH MY FUEL VACUUM CAUSING THE GAS TO SPILL OUT WHEN PUMPING AND TANK IS NOT FULL. *TR

I HAVE HAD THE ABS AND HANDBRAKE LIGHTS COMING ON FOR A FEW YEARS. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE FORD DEALER IN LEES SUMMIT MO THAT THERE IS NO PROBLEM AND I CAN JUST KEEP ON DRIVING IT. *TR

REAR AXLE ON 2001 FORD WINDSTAR LTD. BROKE IN 2 PIECES. VEHICLE IS AT MECHANIC WHO STATED NEVER SAW ANYTHING LIKE THAT BEFORE. *TR

2001 FORD WINDSTAR REAR AXLE BROKE ABOUT 18" IN FROM DRIVERS SIDE TIRE. MY WIFE WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT WHEN IT HAPPENED. *TR

ON MAY 29, 2010, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HER 2001 FORD WINDSTAR VAN AT 55 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE REAR AXLE SUDDENLY CRACKED IN TWO PIECES. THE BROKEN END OF THE AXLE THEN BEGAN DIGGING INTO THE HIGHWAY AND CAUSED A LOSS OF CONTROL. LUCKILY SHE WAS ABLE TO AVOID CONCRETE BARRIERS AND OTHER VEHICLES OF THE CONSTRUCTION AREA THAT SHE WAS IN AND ENDED UP IN THE DITCH. THE REAR TIRES WENT OUT OF ALIGNMENT AND THE TOPS OF THE TIRES WERE ANGLED IN CAUSING THEM TO RUB AGAINST THE WHEEL WELLS. WE ARE STILL IN THE PROCESS OF ASSESSING THE TOTAL DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE REAR AXLE FAILURE. *TR

DRIVING MY FORD WINDSTAR SE 2001, IT FELT LIKE THE REAR AXLE WAS ABOUT TO FALL APART. INDEED, THE FORD DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT DIAGNOSED A REAR AXLE CRACK TODAY, MAY 27, 2010. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WILL NOT LET ME DRIVE IT OFF THE LOT UNLESS IT IS REPAIRED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THERE WAS AN UNUSUAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR AXLE AREA, AND UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, FOUND THE AXLE HAD BROKEN. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS TO REPLACE THE AXLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THERE WERE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ONLINE PERTAINING TO THE FAILURE IN HIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL AND BELIEVED THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE HELD LIABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,901.

AS I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO WOBBLE FROM THE REAR, RESEMBLING A FLAT. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE TOWED TO MY HOME A FEW DAYS LATER, I LOOKED UNDERNEATH AND SAW A DEEP FRACTURE IN THE REAR AXLE. I CALLED A FORD DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE IS NO RECALL REGARDING THIS DEFECT AND IF I HAD THE VEHICLE BROUGHT IN FOR REPAIR THAT I WILL BE CHARGED. *TR

BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY, THE REAR AXEL OF MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR CRACKED IN HALF. I MAY REPAIR THE VEHICLE. *TR

REAR AXLE CRACKED. *TR

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED, THE REAR AXLE SNAPPED, WHICH RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, I WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION WITH A VEHICLE IN THE NEXT LANE. *TR