2001 Ford Windstar Complaint Log

I JUST GOT OFF THE EXPRESSWAY AND MADE A LEFT TURN WHEN THE FRONT WHEELS OF MY 2001 WINDSTAR BOTH TURNED OUT IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS. I HAD IT TOWED AND FOUND OUT THE FRAME BROKE. I HAD THE FRAME REPLACED WITH A USED ONE. COST $1,187.15 PLUS TOW $105.10. NOW I HEAR THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND I AM CONCERNED IT COULD HAPPEN AGAIN. AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS I WORRY ABOUT LOSS OF CONTROL. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE REAR AXLE BROKE. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SWAY BACK AND FORTH PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 204000.

TL* THE CONTACT HAS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACTED STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE REAR AXLE BROKE OFF OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING 65MPH. THERE WAS NO ACCDENT, BUT THE VEHICLE SLID ACROSS THE HIGHWAY. THE CONTACT FEELS THIS IS SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE 104000.

REAR AXLE BROKE, CAR WAS TOWED (FLATBED) TO REPAIR FACILITY. BROKEN AXLE ASSEMBLY REMOVED AND REPLACED WITH A NEW AXLE. *TR

I TOOK MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR IN FOR THE RECALL, AND STILL MY ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT ARE ON. I RESEARCHED ONLINE THAT MANY PEOPLE ARE STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

2001 FORD WINDSTAR BEGINNING IN SUMMER OF 2009, ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT SOMETIMES LIT ON DASHBOARD. DASHBOARD CONTROLS EITHER STOPPED WORKING, GOING ON AND OFF AND CONTROLS SUCH AS RPM, GAS IND, SPEEDOMETER EITHER NOT WORKING OR GOING BACK AND FORTH RAPIDLY. THE RPM INDICATOR PIN ACTUALLY SNAPPED OFF. NOW IT IS STUCK AND DOESN'T MOVE AT ALL. DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW STOPPED WORKING, REPLACED MOTOR. HAD FORD DEALER REPLACE SWITCH AS INDICATED IN RECALL 09S09 IN NOVEMBER 2009. THOUGHT PROBLEM WAS FIXED.AS OF JAN 18, 2010, ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON AFTER ENGINE HAS WARMED UP. BEFORE I WAS NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL I HAD FULL BRAKE SERVICE ON FRONT AND REAR BRAKES IN OCTOBER 2009. ALSO, NOT SURE IF RELATED OR NOT, I TURNED THE CAR OFF AT A RED LIGHT AND ATTEMPTED TP RESTART IT TO TURN OFF LIGHTS AND THE ALTERNATOR DIED, HAD TO REPLACE. *TR

THE REAR AXLE ON MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR BROKE IN HALF AS I WAS BACKING UP OUT OF A PARKING SPOT. I HAD TO HAVE THE REAR AXLE REPLACED. U HAVE HEARD FROM MANY PEOPLE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD WINDSTARS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE DASHBOARD WHENEVER SHE ENTERED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT YET BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 150,000.

ABS BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF. *TR

201 FORD WINDSTAR. ENGINE/TRANSMISSION SUBFRAME/CRADLE RUSTS THROUGH LEAVING VEHICLE UNCONTROLLABLE. IT IS REPORTED TO BE CAUSED BY AC DRAIN DRIPPING DIRECTLY ON SUBFRAME ASSEMBLY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. HE STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HIS LOCAL MECHANIC; HOWEVER, THEY FOUND THE PART NEEDED TO MAKE THE REPAIR COULD ONLY BE ORDERED BY AN AUTHORIZED FORD DEALER. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO DATE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.

ANTILOCK BRAKE COMPUTER HAS FAILED. *TR

I HAVE A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHEN I RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE 09V399000 I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE IN FOR THE REPAIR. THE ISSUE THAT I WAS EXPERIENCING IN REGARDS TO THE ABS/BRAKE LIGHTS GOING ON WHILE THE CAR IS IN USE HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. I BELIEVE THAT THERE IS STILL AND ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM. *TR

2001 MY FORD WINDSTAR LIMITED REAR AXLE (NON-DRIVING) BROKE IN HALF AND THE REAR WHEELS WERE RUBBING THE WHEEL WELL. LUCKILY WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVING WELL, I DID NOT GET IN AN ACCIDENT. HOWEVER, 5 MILES EARLIER I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED AND THE PART WAS AVAILABLE AT THE CLOSEST FORD DEALERSHIP TO MY LOCATION??? THIS WAS A $975.00 REPAIR AT THE FIRESTONE DEALER IN CANTON, MI. I HAVE THE PAPERWORK IF YOU NEED THE DOCUMENTATION. *TR

TRAVELING ALONG A MAJOR HIGHWAY APPROX. 70 MPH, THE ENGINE CRADLE ASSEMBLY BECAME DETACHED FROM THE FRAME DUE TO CORROSION AND SUBSEQUENTLY THE CV AXEL BECAME DETACHED FROM THE WHEEL AND THE CONTROL ARM ALSO BECAME DETACHED. THE VEHICLE BECAME UN CONTROLLABLE AND LUCKILY WE DIDN'T FLIP OR HIT SOMEONE ELSE. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS CONDITION AND A SUB FRAME ASSEMBLY SHOULDN'T COME APART ON A VEHICLE WITH ONLY 70K MILES ON IT. I HAVE CALLED FORD MOTOR CO. WITH NO HELP OR EVEN AN APOLOGY AS THERE IS NO RECALL FOR ANY ISSUES LIKE THIS. AGAIN, THIS IS VERY SERIOUS ISSUE AND WE WERE LUCK WE WEREN'T KILLED. *TR

MY WIFE'S 2001 FORD WINDSTAR BRAKE, ABS AND TRAC OFF (TRACTION CONTROL) LIGHTS WOULD COME ON A FEW MINUTES AFTER SHE WOULD DRIVE THE CAR. THIS WAS MORE PREVALENT DURING WARMER WEATHER THAN IN THE LATE FALL OR WINTER. BASICALLY SOMETHING WAS MALFUNCTIONING WHICH CAUSED THE ABS BRAKING AND TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM FROM WORKING. I HAD RECENTLY BROUGHT HER WINDSTAR TO RYE FORD FOR A BRAKE SWITCH RECALL (PROBABLY RELATED TO THIS) AND HAD THIS PROBLEM LOOKED AT. LET ME SAY THAT I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FOR HER AND MY FAMILY FOR THE SAFETY FEATURES THAT WERE NOW FAILING. THE DIAGNOSIS WAS A BAD ABS MODULE AND A HYDRAULIC VALVE. THE COST FOR THE PARTS FROM FORD WERE $700 FOR THE CA CONTROL, $1,000 FOR THE VALVE ASY MODULATOR AND $385 FOR THE 166CMF (NOT SURE WHAT THAT IS). LABOR CAME TO $385 FOR A TOTAL OF $2,110.00 DOLLARS! IN DOING RESEARCH I FOUND THIS PROBLEM TO BE PRETTY COMMON FOR THE WINDSTAR. IT HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED BY OTHER FORD WINDSTAR OWNERS ONE OF WHICH HAS RESEARCHED AND FIGURED OUT THE CAUSE OF THIS MALFUNCTION. PLEASE GO TO:HTTP://WWW.FORDWINDSTARRECALL.INFO/ AND GO TO PROBLEM #2.. BASICALLY THE MODULE MALFUNCTIONS BECAUSE A METAL PLATE EXPANDS WHEN IT WARMS UP (WHICH EXPLAINS WHY THIS PROBLEM OCCURS DURING THE WARMER MONTHS) AND TOUCHES THE CIRCUITRY. THERE ARE PICTURES AND EVIDENCE OF THIS MALFUNCTION ON THE SITE. I BELIEVE FORD IS WELL AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND HAS IGNORED IT BECAUSE IT IS A BIG MONEY MAKER FOR THEM. THE PART COST MUST BE A HUGE PROFIT FOR THEM WHICH IS WHY THEY IGNORE THIS ISSUE. IN ADDITION MANY PEOPLE I AM SURE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE AS I DID FOR THE SAFETY FEATURES OF THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL. WHEN FORD PUTS OUT A VEHICLE WITH KNOWINGLY INFERIOR PARTS THAT WOULD COMPROMISE THE OPERATION AND ULTIMATELY THE SAFETY TO THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS THEN FORD SHOULD BE MADE TO CORRECT THIS SITUATION AT THEIR EXPENSE AND NOT AT THE EXPENSE OF THEIR CUSTOMERS. *TR

DRIVEN DOWN THE ROAD THE FRONT PASSENGER AXLE POPS OUT LOSE OF ALIGNMENT VEHICLE WONT RUN BOTH FRONT TIRES ARE LOOKING THE OPPOSITE WAY.... HOW CAN I FIND OUT HOW TO FIX THIS. VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVABLE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WARNING BRAKE LIGHT AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE COIL WHICH CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE DEALER INFORM HIM AFTER REPLACING THE COIL THAT THERE WAS ALSO A PROBLEM WITH THE ABS LINK AND THE HEAT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE W'S 73,000. UPDATED 02/1710 *BF THE ABS ACTIVATED ON ITS OWN. THE DEALER REPLACED THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR. UPDATED 02/19/10.*JB

2001 FORD WINDSTAR, REAR AXLE SPLIT IN TWO. MILES 118,000. *TR UPDATED 11/16/10 *BF THE CONSUMER LEARNED A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR THE EXACT PROBLEM HE EXPERIENCED. HOWEVER, THE CONSUMER HAD ALREADY HAD THE AXLE REPLACED AT HIS EXPENSE. THE CONSUMER WAS THEN INFORMED HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE AXLE THAT IS NOW ON HIS VEHICLE CAME FROM A ANOTHER WINDSTAR THAT IS BEING RECALLED. UPDATED 11/23/10

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NOT ALIGNED IN THE CORRECT POSITION. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE LOWER SUB FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 140,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING, SHE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT STABLE WHEN SHE MADE LEFT AND RIGHT TURNS. AFTER EXAMINING THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS BROKE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 125000.

WE BOUGHT VAN USED... FROM BEGINNING ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS ON DASH ARE CONSTANTLY ON. I BELIEVE THIS IS CAUSING THE ALSO CONSTANT BEEPING. WE HAVE GOTTEN A TUNE UP, CHANGED THE BRAKES, OIL, AIRFILTER AND HAD THE CODES CHECKED... LIGHTS ARE STILL ON AND STILL LOTS OF WARNING BEEPS GOING OFF !! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. DURING VEHICLE INSPECTION, A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE REAR AXLE HAD DEVELOPED CRACKS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT IT WOULD COST $7000.00 TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. SHE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 92,000. THE VIN NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE.

I HAVE A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. IN DECEMBER 2009 MY REAR AXLE SNAPPED IN HALF WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 30 - 40 MPH. NO INJURIES OCCURRED. REPAIRS COST ABOUT $600 (IN ADDITION TO A CAR RENTAL COST OF $250) AS THIS OCCURRED ABOUT 2 HOURS FROM MY HOME. I CALLED MY FORD DEALER AND THEY CLAIMED TO HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH FORD WINDSTARS, HOWEVER, I READ TODAY THAT THE NHTSA IS INVESTIGATING THIS VERY PROBLEM. AT THE TIME OF THE REPAIR THE GARAGE DOING THE WORK INDICATED THAT "FORD WINDSTARS ARE NOTORIOUS FOR THIS PROBLEM" IT WAS THE SECOND AXLE REPLACEMENT HE HAD DONE ON A FORD WINDSTAR IN A WEEK. PLEASE ADD MY NAME/EXPERIENCE TO THE LIST OF COMPLAINTS RELATED TO THIS PROBLEM. IF IT IS DETERMINED THAT A RECALL IS IN ORDER I WOULD APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECOUP PART/ALL OF MY EXPENSES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS PROBLEM ($850). THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR NEED FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME. *TR

2001 FORD WINDSTAR- REAR AXLE CRACKED IN HALF BY THE DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE. THE ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHTS KEPT COMING ON, WE HAD BRAKES CHECKED, THEN WE HEARD NOISE LIKE SOMETHING ROLLING AROUND IN THE BACK OF THE VAN. THEN WE HAD THE SMELL OF RUBBER BURNING AND MY HUSBAND CHECKED AND NOTICE THE TIRES TILTED IN AT THE TOP . LOOKING UNDERNEATH HE SAW THE AXLE CRACKED. IN DOING SOME RESEARCH I NOTICE MANY FORD WINDSTAR OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I CAN'T HELP BUT WONDER IF THERE HAS BEEN ACCIDENTS WHERE THIS WAS THE CAUSE AND IT WAS WRITTEN OFF AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT. *TR

THE REAR AXLE COLLAPSED, JUST AS MY FAMILY WAS HEADING TO THE HIGHWAY FOR A ROAD TRIP. WE WERE ABLE TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY REPAIRED THE VEHICLE TO THE COST OF $900. WE HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO AUTHORIZE THE REPAIR AS IT WAS THE ONLY CAR WE HAD THAT COULD TRANSPORT MY FAMILY OF SIX TO A CHRISTMAS VACATION. I HAD READ ABOUT REAR AXLE FAILURES IN THESE MINI VANS TWO YEARS AGO FROM THIS WEBSITE WHEN I RESEARCHED AND FILED A COMPLAINT AFTER THE BRAKES FAILED WHILE TRAVELING AT 65MPH ON THE HIGHWAY IN THIS SAME VEHICLE. *TR

INTERMITTENT ILLUMINATION OF ABS WARNING LAMP AND RED BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LAMP DURING DRIVING - NO UNDERLYING BRAKE SYSTEM MALFUNCTION; ALSO, ABS AND BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LAMPS OCCASIONALLY REMAIN ON AFTER START-UP WARNING SYSTEM CHECK CYCLE . *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN INTO HER DRIVE-WAY AT 40 MPH, SMOKE BEGAN EMANATING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION SHE NOTICED THAT THE AXLE HAD FRACTURED, AND THAT THE TIRES WERE TILTED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD MALFUNCTION WHILE BEING USED DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THEIR IS A RECALL REGARDING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS (RECALL 01V26100) BUT HIS VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CONTACT STATED THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

FRONT RIGHT SUBFRAME BROKE AND ALLOWED WHEEL TO BE TRAPPED IN WEELWELL VERY CLOSE TO CRASH HAD REPLACED AND USED REPLACMENT BROKE JUST OVER ONE YEAR LATER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ABS CONTROL UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED IN REFERENCE TO RECALL 09V399000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT SINCE THE ABS FAILURE HAD NO RELATION TO THE RECALL, THEY WOULD ONLY PROVIDE A FREE REMEDY FOR THE SPEED CONTROL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,180. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 95,000.

REGARDING DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT, FORD RECALL 09S09, 49 CFR PART 573, OCTOBER 9, 2009, FROM THE AUTO SAFETY OFFICE, FORD MOTOR COMPANY, TO THE ASSOCIATE ADMINISTRATOR FOR SAFETY ASSURANCE NHTSA. "SERVICE PROCEDURE" STATES "ON WINDSTARS WITH A LEAKING SWITCH THE REPAIR WILL ALSO INVOLVE INSPECTION AND REPAIR,IF NECESSARY, OF THE ABS MODULE CONNECTOR. REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED AT NO CHARGE TO OWNERS." MY 2001 WINDSTAR WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A FAULTY ABS MODULE CONNECTOR ON 11/09 AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT MY LOCAL FORD DEALER REFUSES TO INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM AND STATES HE HAS NO KNOWLEDGE OF THIS POTENTIAL COMPLICATION AS A RESULT OF THE LEAKING SWITCH. ABS MODULE CONNECTOR HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED. *TR

FAILURE OF BRACKET HOLDING UPPER CONTROL ARM TO FRAME ON 2001 FORD WINDSTAR WITH 58,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. FAILURE CAUSED WHEELS TO GO THEIR OWN WAY CAUSING TOTAL LACK OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE. *TR

WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE LOOSE FROM THE FRAME CAUSING TOTAL LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. VAN HAS 60K MILES AND WAS WELL MAINTAINED

ON NOVEMBER 3RD, 2009, THE REAR AXLE FAILED IN MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR WHILE I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CAR HAD BEGUN PERFORMING ERRATICALLY SO I WAS NOT TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEED, BUT EVEN AT LOW SPEED IT WAS ESSENTIALLY UNCONTROLLABLE WHEN THE FAILURE HAPPENED. IN THE WEEKS LEADING UP TO THE ACTUAL FAILURE, I HAD EXPERIENCED HANDLING PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. AFTER MY MECHANIC REPLACED THE FRONT STRUTS AND REAR SHOCKS THE CAR STILL DIDN'T HANDLE RIGHT. THEY THOUGHT THIS MIGHT BE BECAUSE THE REAR ALIGNMENT WAS NOT A LITTLE OUT OF SPEC - THEY WERE WAITING FOR SHIMS TO COME IN TO CORRECT THAT WHEN THE AXLE FAILED. IN ADDITION TO MY UNHAPPINESS ABOUT THE COMPLAINTS - THE VEHICLE KIND OF SWERVED WHEN GOING AROUND CORNERS, ESPECIALLY HIGHWAY ON/OFF RAMPS - THE ONLY WARNING THE CAR GAVE IN THE WEEKS UP TO THE FAILURE WAS SEEMINGLY-RANDOM INDICATIONS FROM THE TIRE-PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT. IN END END, THE GARAGE I TOOK THE CAR TO ENDED UP REPLACING THE REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY AND THE TWO REAR TIRES - WHEN THE AXLE FAILED THE TIRES HAD RUBBED AGAINST THE TIRE WELLS. WHEN SEARCHING ONLINE FOR OTHER REPORTS OF THIS PROBLEM I CAME ACROSS SEVERAL HERE, AND POSTED MY OWN. (MY OWN DESCRIPTION AS WELL AS FOUR PICTURES OF THE FAILED PART ARE ON THE SITE UNDER NOVEMBER 3RD 2009: HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/WINDSTAR/2001/DRIVETRAIN/REAR_AXLE_SNAPPED_IN_TWO.SHTML. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE TO BE HELD BY THE DEALER FOR MONTHS FOR RECALL 10V385000 (SUSPENSION: REAR: AXLE: NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED A RENTAL VEHICLE BUT IT WAS NOT COMPARABLE TO THE VEHICLE BEING REPAIRED. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE REPAIR WAS GOING TO TAKE TOO LONG. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 85,000.

I WAS DRIVING A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR MINIVAN WITH 154K MILES ON A RAINY NIGHT AT HIGHWAY SPEED ON A 3 LANE INTERSTATE WITH 5 CHILDREN ABOARD. I HEARD A LOUD NOISE FROM THE VEHICLE AND LOST ALL CONTROL AS THE STEERING AND BRAKING WASN'T WORKING RIGHT. AS I TRIED TO GET ONTO THE SHOULDER, IT KEPT SWERVING TOWARD THE LEFT, BACK INTO THE LANES. WHEN IT FINALLY STOPPED MOVING, WE WERE STICKING OUT INTO TRAFFIC AND I FEARED WE WOULD BE HIT. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER SHOWED ME THAT THE RIGHT TIRE WASN'T EVEN POINTING STRAIGHT AHEAD ANYMORE AND SAID THAT THE AXEL PROBABLY BROKE. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE FRAME CRACKED AND IN HIS OPINION, HE WOULDN'T RECOMMEND FIXING THE VEHICLE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY SAID THE RIGHT FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM MOUNT ROTTED OFF WHICH PULLED OUT AXEL AND BROKE TIE ROD END AND SO ON, DUE TO NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. I RECEIVED ZERO DOLLARS FOR MY AUTO CLAIM AND MY FAMILY OF SEVEN HAD TO USE OUR 3 SEATER PICKUP TRUCK AS THE FAMILY VEHICLE FOR MONTHS AFTER THE INCIDENT. I LIVE IN A SNOW BELT STATE AND I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR OCCURRED IN A MERE 8 YEARS. I HAVE PICTURES OF THE VEHICLE AFTER THE INCIDENT AS WELL. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE INFORMATION FOR OPEN INVESTIGATION #PE10-026. MY HOPE IS THAT MY STORY IS USEFUL ENOUGH TO HELP PREVENT THIS SAME THING FROM HAPPENING TO OTHER 2001 FORD WINDSTAR OWNERS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHILE HE WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AND SHIFTING INTO THE "REVERSE" POSITION. THE VEHICLE SUDDENDLY FAILED TO OPERATE IN REVERSE. IMMEDIATELY, THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS PLACED INTO THE "DRIVE" POSITION; FOLLOWED BY NO POWER RESPONSE. THE DRIVER TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL WAS TURNED OUTWARDLY WHEN THE RIGHT SHAFT DISENGAGED FROM THE DIFFERENTIAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE ENGINE CRADLE WHICH EXHIBITED SEVERE RUST AND CAUSED THE LOWER CONTROL ARM TO BREAK. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR MALFUNCTION. THE CONTACT HAD CONCERN OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 71,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH HIS REAR AXLE FRACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT BECAUSE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.

2001 FORD WINDSTAR VERY WELL MAINTAINED RECORDS TO SHOW. ENGINE FAILURE (BAD ROD) WITH NO WARNING . NO LEAKS OR USE OF OIL EVER. MECHANIC SAID THERE IS NO REASON FOR THE FAILURE EXCEPT FOR MAYBE A FAULTY ROD. *TR

ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS INTERMITTENT COME ON. RECALL PROBLEM #2 ABS ECM FAILURE ON FORD WINDSTAR. FIXED PROBLEM #1 SPEED CONTROL SWITCH, HARNESS BUT NOT #2 MY SWITCH WAS LEAKING. LUCKY NO FIRE. BUT NOW MY SENSOR (#2) DOESN'T WORK. SO WHEN THE LIGHTS COME ON I HAVE NO ABS AND ITS SCARY TO THINK OF A BRAKE PROBLEM WHEN DRIVING. *TR

THE BRAKE PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL DEACTIVATION SWITCH LOCATED UNDER THE MASTER CYLINDER DEVELOPED A LEAK. MY FORD DEALER TOLD ME THIS WILL CAUSE A SHORT AND A FIRE!!!!!!!!. FROM WHAT I HEAR THIS LEAK CAUSES BRAKE FLUID TO WICK DOWN TWO WIRES TO THE ABS BRAKE MODULE. THE FLUID ACCUMULATES ON THE POWER CONNECTORS FOR THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM WHICH ARE POWERED BY FUSES 101 AND 102 AND ARE BOTH 40 AMP. THE FLUID ATTRACTS MOISTURE, ROAD SALT AND LEADS TO A FIRE WHEN THE FLUID AND MOISTURE ACT AS CONDUCTOR BETWEEN THE HOT LEADS AND GROUND. FORD WANTS ME TO PAY THEM $2000 TO FIX THIS. I HEAR YOU ARE LOOKING INTO THIS FIRE ISSUE. *TR

THE MOUNTING EARS ON THE RIGHT FRONT SUBFRAME (H-FRAME THAT ALL THE SUSPENSION, STEERING , AND DRIVETRAIN) THAT CONNECTS THE LOWER CONTROL ARM TO THE FRAME ROTTED OFF THE FRAME ALLOWING THE PASSENGER SIDE TIRE ASSY. TO SWING OUT FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE CAUSING A LOSS OF CONTROL. FORTUNATELY IT HAPPENED WHEN TURNING LEFT AT A INTERSECTION AND NOT ON THE FREEWAY. THE WHOLE FRONT H FRAME HAS TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE IS AN 01 FORD WINDSTAR WITH APPROX. 61,000 MILES, ALWAYS TAKEN GOOD CARE OF AND GARAGE KEPT. ORIGINAL OWNER NEVER ANY ACCIDENTS. *TR

ABS WARNING LIGHT GOES ON INTERMITTENTLY ON 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. LIGHT GOES OFF AND STAYS OFF IF MOTOR IS SHUT OFF AND THEN RE-STARTED. SOMETIMES IT STAYS OFF AFTER RESTARTING VAN AND OTHER TIMES IT COMES BACK ON. I UNDERSTAND THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS BY CONCERNED OWNERS AND THAT IN SOME CASES A FIRE HAZARD HAS BEEN EXPOSED OR FEARED. PLEASE ADD MY VEHICLE TO THOSE OTHERS WHO HAVE SUBMITTED COMPLAINTS. I UNDERSTAND A RECALL MAY BE IN THE WORKS. I INTEND TO HAVE THE CAR INSPECTED BY A RELIABLE MECHANIC SOON. *TR

OWN A 2000 WINDSTAR. AFTER THE LAST RECALL THOUGHT IT WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. THE ABS LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, CHECK ENGINE ARE CONSTANTLY ON. THE SPEEDOMETER, ODOMETER, AIR CONDITIONING NOT WORKING. HAVE NOT TAKEN TO A GARAGE YET. BUT WILL BE. *TR

ABS LIGHT IS O IN MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR EVEN AFTER THE RECALL IN 2009 FOR ABS ECM FAILURE - ABS BRAKE LIGHT. THE LIGHT CONTINUES TO STAY ON FOR THE PAST YEAR ALMOST AND IT IS CAUSING OTHER DEFECTS IN MY VEHICLE. MY VEHICLE WILL SHUT DOWN ON ME COMPLETELY AND NOTHING IN MY VEHICLE WILL WORK UNTIL I GET A JUMP AD IT IS CAUSING ISSUES WITH MY BRAKE SYSTEM AND TRANSMISSION! *TR

THE ABS BRAKE LIGHT TURNS ON MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR AFTER DRIVING FOR AT LEAST 10 MINUTES. IT STAYS ON UNTIL I TURN MY ENGINE OFF. WHEN I TURN THE ENGINE BACK ON AGAIN, THE LIGHT IS OFF. IT MAY OR MAY NOT TURN ON AGAIN AFTER I'VE DRIVEN THE CAR FOR AT LEAST 10 MINUTES. THIS HAS JUST STARTED HAPPENING ABOUT 10 DAYS AGO. I DRIVE MY CAR EVERYDAY BUT THE LIGHT ONLY CAME ON, 4 OCCASIONS. ONE TIME ABOUT 10 DAYS AGO, AND THE LAST 3 TIMES WITHIN THESE PAST 2 DAYS. I AM GOING TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE REPAIR SHOP TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. THE BRAKES SEEM TO WORK FINE. I HAD THEM REPLACED 2 YEARS AGO AT A LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP, WHICH IS NO LONGER THERE SINCE IT HAS BEEN CLOSED DOWN. I DO NOT DO ALOT OF DRIVING AND HAVE LOW MILEAGE ON MY CAR. IT IS A 2001 BUT I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW IN 2003. IT WAS A LEFTOVER WITH NO MILES AND CAME WITH A FULL 3 YEAR WARRANTY, WHICH EXPIRED IN AUGUST 2006. MY CAR CURRENTLY HAS 56,230 MILES. I AM CONCERNED SINCE I HAVE 2 SMALL CHILDREN. *TR

WE COULD SMELL SMOKE IN OUR VAN, AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS GOING CRAZY (WARNING LIGHTS COMING ON, SPEEDOMETER FLUCTUATING BETWEEN SPEEDS). WE TOOK IT IN AND FOUND THAT THE ABS MODULE HAD SHORTED OUT BECAUSE OF BRAKE FLUID DRIPPING ONTO THE MODULE AND WAS SLOWLY SHORTING OUT OTHER WIRES AND SENSORS, WHICH COULD HAVE CAUGHT FIRE. THEY ARE CHARGING US TO REPLACE THE ABS MODULE AND THE ENGINE WIRE HARNESS BECAUSE OF THE FRIED WIRES. *TR

ABS AND E-BRAKE LIGHT COME ON AFTER A MINUTE OR SO OF DRIVING. TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC, THEY ERASED ERROR CODES AND CHANGED MY BRAKE FLUIDS AND BLED MY BRAKE SYSTEM. LIGHTS STILL COME ON. *TR

I HAVE A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR, THE BRAKE AND ABS LIGHTS ON INTERMITTENTLY. THIS SATURDAY (09-19-2009) I MADE A SHORT TRIP TO THE MARKET, THE VEHICLE RAN GOOD, WHEN I ARRIVED BACK HOME THE FAMILY GOT INTO THE VAN TO GO A SOCCER GAME AND WE NOTICED AN ODOR OF SMOKE. I UNLOADED THE FAMILY FROM THE VAN AND NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I COULDN'T FIND THE SOURCE OF THE SMOKE. I DROVE THE VAN OUT OF THE GARAGE AND PARKED IT IN THE STREET, IN THAT SHORT TIME I SAW MORE SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. STILL COULD NOT SEE WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM. AFTER A FEW MINUTES THE SMOKE WENT AWAY. MONDAY MORNING I TOWED THE VEHICLE TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC, AFTER AN HOUR OR SO OF ISOLATING HE DISCOVERED MY ABS MODULE HAD CAUGHT FIRE AND MELTED THE CONNECTOR AND WIRE HARNESS. I CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY TODAY (09-21-2009), AND WAS TOLD THERE ARE NO RECALLS OR SAFETY DEFECTS CONCERNING THE ABS MODULE OR ANY FIRE HAZARDS. I HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING TO CORRECT THIS FAILURE BECAUSE I DO NOT HAVE $2000.00 TO FIX MY VAN. *TR