2001 Ford Windstar Complaint Log

WHILE DRIVING 2001 FORD WINDSTAR ON A 1-HOUR TRIP TOWARD HOME, I NOTICED THE BACK WHEELS FISH TAILING THAT OCCURRED IN EVERY ROUGH SPOT IN THE ROAD. I IMMEDIATELY THOUGHT THE TIRE WAS GOING FLAT AND PULLED OVER TO CHECK IT. SINCE THE TIRES VISUALLY LOOKED FINE, I DROVE TO THE NEXT EXIT TO A GAS STATION AND CHECKED THE TIRE AIR PRESSURE AND FOUND IT WAS AT PROPER LEVELS. I WAS STILL UNSURE WHAT COULD CAUSE THE "FISH TAILING" OR "HYDROPLANING" FEELING, YET I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT THE REST OF THE WAY HOME WITHOUT A MAJOR ACCIDENT; ALTHOUGH MY CAR KEPT "FISHTAILING".. THE NEXT MORNING, MY HUSBAND TOOK THE WINDSTAR TO A SERVICE MECHANIC TO INSPECT THE TIRES. WHAT HE FOUND WAS A REAR AXLE THAT WAS "RUSTED FROM THE INSIDE OUT" ABOUT 3/4 OF THE WAY. THE MECHANIC'S INITIAL ESTIMATE IS $1000 (FOR REPLACEMENT OF NEW AXLE AND LABOR). WE ARE RELIEVED THAT THE REAR AXLE DIDN'T BREAK WHILE WE WERE DRIVING AS THE CAR COULD HAVE FLIPPED AND KILLED ALL OF US. WHAT COULD CAUSE CORROSION ON THE INSIDE? THE REAR AXLE SHOULD BE MADE TO NEVER CORRODE OR BREAK UNDER NORMAL ROAD DRIVING CONDITIONS. AFTER RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET, I HAVE FOUND OTHER 8 YEAR OLD, SAME MAKE/MODEL WINDSTAR OWNERS REPORTING THE SAME CONDITIONS. THIS IS AN UNSAFE PART ESPECIALLY NOTING THAT PEOPLE ARE KEEPING THEIR CARS LONGER DUE TO ECONOMY. FORD SHOULD OWN UP TO THIS PART FAILURE AND RECALL AND REPLACE THIS PART AT NO CHARGE TO THE OWNERS IMMEDIATELY! *TR

BRAKE WARNING LIGHT COMBINED WITH ABS LIGHT, ABS DOES NOT FUNCTION. PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT AT FIRST, NOW CHRONIC. DIAGNOSTIC CODE C1185. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR RECALL REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V030000 (STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS). THE DEALER ADVISED THAT DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION OF THE FRAME, THE ROCKER PANELS WERE DEFECTIVE AND WOULD COLLAPSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CONSULT WITH THE LOCAL DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

REAR AXLE BROKEN IN OUR 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN A CRASH, HAS APPROXIMATELY 92,000 MILES, AND IN OVERALL GOOD CONDITION. THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN DRIVEN HARD OR ON ROUGH TERRAIN. THERE IS NO APPARENT REASON FOR THIS MALFUNCTION. AFTER CONDUCTING SEARCHES ON THE INTERNET, WE DISCOVERED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES, ALTHOUGH FORD IS DENYING IT IS A DEFECT. *TR

2001 FORD WINDSTAR SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING. FUSE 10 WAS BLOWN. HAVE REPLACED THE BRAKE PRESSURE SWITCH ONCE AND THE FUSE SEVERAL TIMES. FUSE IS STILL BLOWING OUT. *TR

I OWN A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR IN THE SPACE OF LESS THAN THREE WEEKS, BOTH OF MY FRONT COIL SPRINGS HAVE BROKEN AND GONE THROUGH THE FRONT TIRES. FORTUNATELY BOTH TIMES WE WERE TRAVELING AT LOW SPEEDS, BUT IF THIS HAD OCCURRED AT 65 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE, IT WOULD ALMOST CERTAINLY HAVE RESULTED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I CHECK THE INTERNET FOR RECALLS ON THIS , BUT DIDN'T FIND ANY FOR THIS MODEL YEAR. *TR

BOTH ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS ACTIVATED ON THE DISPLAY PANEL. NO ACCIDENT RESULTING YET. *TR

INTERIOR LIGHTS FLASH ON AND OFF VERY FAST WITH KEY OUT AND DOORS OPEN. WILL THIS BE A BIGGER PROBLEM IN THE FUTURE AND WHY SHOULD I PAY FOR THIS PROBLEM TO BE CORRECTED. *TR

ABS AMBER LIGHT, AND RED BRAKE LIGHT HAVE BEEN COMING ON. LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID THROUGH THE BRAKE PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL SWITCH AND CODE C1185 ABS MAIN RELAY FAILURE CODE. NON-FUNCTIONAL CRUISE CONTROL. *TR

I STARTED HEARING A KNOCKING -- POPPING NOISE WHENEVER I TURNED THE WHEEL. I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC AND HE SAID IT COULD BE THE BUCKLES IN THE STEERING RACK. WHEN I BROUGHT THE VAN TO BE FIXED, THE MECHANIC STATED THAT MY PROBLEMS ARE WORSE THAN THAT. THE REAR AXLE CARRIER IS CRACKED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND THE FRONT SUBFRAME TO BODY IS ALMOST COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. HE STATED THAT HE HAS SEEN THIS PROBLEM ALOT IN 2001 FORD WNIDSTARS WITH MILEAGE OVER 100,000 MILES. MY VAN HAS 108,000 MILES. I HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS VAN INCLUDING REPLACING STRUTS, STEERING RACK, ABS LIGHTS CONSTANTLY ON THE DASH. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. ALL THESE ISSUES HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED AND STILL NO RESOLUTION. I AM VERY FRUSTRATED. THIS LATEST "MECHANICAL" ISSUE GOING TO COST ME WAY ABOVE $2000. I HAVE ALWAYS DRIVEN FORD CARS/VANS. I AM NOT SURE IF GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY, IF I WOULD BUY ANOTHER FORD VEHICLE. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH FORD. *TR

BRAKE PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL DEACTIVATION SWITCH LOCATED UNDER THE MASTER CYLINDER OVERTIME DEVELOPS A LEAK. THIS CAN CAUSE A SHORT AND A FUSE TRIP IS ENGINE IS ON. THIS LEAK FALLS INTO THE ABS MODULE. MY BRAKE LIGHT AND ABS LIGHT IS ON AND I'M HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES. I COULDN'T MAKE A FULL STOP AT THE EMPLOYEE PARKING LOT AT WORK. ALMOST HIT ANOTHER CAR AND ONE OF MY CO-WORKERS. *TR

THE BRAKE DEACTIVATION SWITCH LEAKING BREAK FLUID DOWN ONTO THE CRUISE CONTROL. *TR

IN MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR THE PRESSURE ACTUATED SENSOR ATTACHED DIRECTLY BELOW THE MASTER CYLINDER LEAKED ALL OVER EVERYTHING BELOW IT(AFTER REPLACING THE MASTER MYSELF AND EVERYTHING IN THAT AREA WAS CLEAN I FIGURED THE PROBLEM WAS TAKEN CARE OF,BUT LESS THAN A WEEK WENT BY AND MY WIFE LOST HER BRAKES AGAIN .THANKFUL THAT SHE HAD THE SMARTS TO TAKE PROPER PRECAUTIONS.(THAT WAS THE THIRD TIME )SO NOW THAT IT WAS CLEAN I COULD IDENTIFY THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM(THE SENSOR LEAKING)I WENT EVERYWHERE TO FIND THE PART (USING THE # OFF OF THE DEFUNCT ORIGINAL)NO ONE HAD IT.WENT TO DREW FORD EXPLAINING THE PROBLEM ,THEY SAID I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE PART(OK IT WAS 25 BUCKS) THE THING ABOUT IT IS THAT IT WAS A PART THAT WAS DESIGNED TO ACCOMMODATE THE PROBLEM AND OF COURSE A NEW PART #(WHICH IS WHY I COULD NOT FIND IT,IT WAS RECALLED EVERYWHERE) ADDED TO THAT THE BRAKE AND ABS LIGHTS ON THE DASH HAVE BEEN ON FOR QUITE A TIME OUR MECHANIC COULDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM. WHEN I REPLACED THE PART THE LIGHTS WENT OFF FOR A DAY AND A HALF BUT ARE BACK ON CONSTANTLY. MY WIFE AND KIDS ARE PLANNING A TRIP AND I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE ARE GOING TO BE NO PROBLEMS. THERE IS NO MORE FLUID LEAKING ,BUT I AM CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT I HAVE DISCOVERED ON THE INTERNET. THE BEST SITE IS HTTP://WWW.FORDWINDSTARRECALL.INFO. *TR

TRAC ACTIVE COMES ON, GEAR MESH SOUND FOR A FEW SECONDS, STOPS, ABS LIGHT AND TRAC OFF LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE MADE A VERY LOUD BANGING NOISE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE WAS ROTTED OUT. THE REPAIR COST WAS ESTIMATED AT MORE THAN $500. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 110,000. UPDATED 04-23-09 UPDATED 04/24/09.*JB

OUTRAGEOUS ,I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING THE POSSIBLE PROBLEM OF AN ABS/BRAKE LIGHT ,THAT KEEPS COMING ON IN MY 2001 FORD WIND STAR LX VAN. STATEMENT IS 1999- 2003 FORD WINDSTAR VANS COULD HAVE THIS AND THE PROBLEMS THAT COULD OCCUR. MY OH MY .. I HAVE 3 CHILDREN THAT RIDE IN THAT VAN DAILY, I'M A LOW INCOME PARENT. WHY WOULD ONE TAKE THIS CHANCE WITH HUMANS. I BOUGHT THE VAN IN MARCH OF 2009. 2 DAYS LATER ABS/ BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. AT THE TIME I WAS TOLD THAT I HAVE AN EAGLE WARRANTY ..THAT MIGHT I ADD NOT EVEN THE FORD DEALER SHIP WOULD EXCEPT. I DON'T TAKE CHANCES WHERE MY CHILDREN ARE INVOLVED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER FAILED, THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYED A READING OF ZERO AND THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

LEAKING OF THE BRAKE PRESSURE DEACTIVATION SWITCH ON MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR CAUSING MY CRUISE CONTROL TO MALFUNCTION AND POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD. *TR

I HAVE A 2001 FORD WIND STAR SEL THAT HAD A CRACKED REAR AXLE TODAY. I WAS PULLING OUT OF MY CHURCH PARKING LOT AND HEARD A LITTLE STRANGE NOISE FROM THE BACK. AS I WAS DRIVING THE CAR STARTED SWAYING IN THE BACK AND WHEN I PULLED OVER I NOTICED THAT THE REAR AXLE HAD A CRACK IN THE MIDDLE AND THE TIRES WERE ANGLED IN BECAUSE OF IT. THANK GOD MY FAMILY WAS NOT WITH ME WHEN I PULLED OUT OF THE PARKING AS THE ADDITIONAL WEIGHT MIGHT HAVE AGGRAVATED THE PROBLEM AND THERE HAVE BEEN A ACCIDENT. I WAS QUOTED ANYWHERE FROM 700-1000 DOLLARS FOR THE REPAIR WHICH WILL BE DONE THIS WEEK. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY A REAR AXLE WOULD BREAK SINCE I HAVE A FAMILY OF 3 KIDS AND THEY ARE SMALL SO WEIGHT IS NOT A PROBLEM AND I ALSO HAD MY SHOCKS REPLACED 1 YEAR AGO. THIS PUTS SERIOUS DOUBT IN FORD CRAFTSMANSHIP AND WONT BE BUYING ANOTHER FORD AGAIN. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ABS FAILED AND THE BRAKE INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP, BUT A TECHNICIAN COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND STATED THAT NO COMPENSATION WOULD BE PROVIDED BECAUSE THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,847 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,884.

ON MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR I NOTICED ALL AT ONCE MY ABS, BRAKE, AND O/D LIGHTS ARE ON ALONG WITH MY ODOMETER HAS NO NUMBERS IN IT JUST ------ DASHES, AND MY SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING, IT IS STUCK ON 0 MILES/HOUR... *TR

MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR HAS BROKEN THROUGH 2 REAR AXLES! ALSO THE INTERIOR LIGHTS BLINK ON AND OFF AS I AM DRIVING AND SOMETIMES COME ON AND STAY ON AND WHILE TURNED OFF WILL SOMETIMES DRAIN THE BATTERY AND THE HEADLIGHTS AND HAZARD LIGHTS WILL BLINK ON AND OFF AND THE HORN WILL BEEP. ALSO AT TIMES MY POWER WINDOWS WILL NOT FUNCTION. *TR

I AM WRITING THIS TO WHOM THIS MAY CONCERN SPEED CONTROL ON WINDSTAR 2001 IS THE IDLING PROBLEM WHEN PUTTING DRIVE THE IDLE GOES UP TO 35 THE 40 MILE AN HOUR RUNNING MAKING IT HARD TO STOP UNTIL IT DROPS IF IT DROPS VEHICLE LIKES TO LUNGE FORWARD WHEN LEAVING A STOPLIGHT OR STOP SIGN OR SITTING STILL IN LINE AT TRAFFIC THIS IS A REAL PROBLEM I HAVE HAD THE SENSORS CHANGED TWICE THIS PROBLEM STILL EXISTS SOON AS YOU TOUCH THE GAS PEDAL THE VEHICLE JUMPS TO 35 TO 40 MILE AN HOUR. IF THERE'S A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM I SURE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW ABOUT IT THANK YOU VERY MUCH. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR *JS

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, AND ENGAGED THE CRUISE CONTROL. UPON APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION, I HIT THE OFF BUTTON AND THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT DIS-ENGAGE. *TR

FORD WINDSTAR 2001 REAR AXLE CRACKED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED BY FORD DEALERSHIP AT OUR EXPENSE. THE DEALER IS THE PERSON WHO NOTICED THE PROBLEM UPON DOING ROUTINE WORK ON OUR VAN. WE WENT IN TO SEE AND TAKE PICTURES AS WE THOUGHT THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL AND WERE VERY THANKFUL THAT IT DID NOT BREAK WHILE WE WERE IN THE VAN WITH OUR CHILDREN. THEY STATED THAT THEY WERE SEEING IT MORE OFTEN AND WERE CHECKING CARS AS THEY WORKED ON THEM. *TR

BRAKE PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL DEACTIVATION SWITCH LEAKED BRAKE FLUID DOWN WIRES TO THE ABS MODULE, SHORTING THE MODULE AND CAUSING A BRIEF BUT NON-SUSTAINED FIRE WITH RESULTING SMOKE AND MELTING OF ABS MODULE AND WIRING HARNESS COMPONENTS. THIS DISABLED THE SPEEDOMETER, ODOMETER, ABS SYSTEM, CRUISE CONTROL, AND ACTIVATED ABS LIGHTS AND BRAKE SYSTEM LIGHTS. APPEARS TO HAVE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING AND SMOKE AND SMELL WAS PRESENT WHEN PARKED IN GARAGE AFTER OCCURRENCE. *TR

2001 FORD WINDSTAR: BRAKE PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (2B264) DEVELOPS A LEAK CAUSING BRAKE FLUID TO WORK DOWN TWO WIRES TO THE ABS BRAKE MODULE, THE FLUID ACCUMULATES ON THE POWER CONNECTORS FOR THE ABS SYSTEM WHICH ARE POWERED BY FUSES AND THE FLUID ATTRACTS MOISTURE AND LEADS TO FIRE; THEREFORE NO SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER-CRUISE CONTROL ABS BRAKE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS FAILURE. TAKING THE VAN TO THE DEALER TO BE FIXED BECAUSE OF MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEMS@ OUR COST. *TR

THE CRADLE ON MY 2001 FORD WINSTAR BROKE OFF ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DUE TO RUST. OTHER SIDE IS FINE. BUT IN THE PASSENGER IS TOTALLY BROKEN OFF, MAKING POPPING AND CRACKING NOISES. VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SWAY RIGHT TO LEFT WHEN DRIVING AT 40 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THEY WERE UNAWARE OF SUCH A FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,822. UPDATED 11/03/10 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE ISSUE HAS BEEN RESOLVED. FORD ISSUED A RECALL. UPDATED 11/04/10

ON JANUARY 18, 2009, I WAS DRIVING ON THE LONG ISLAND EXPRESSWAY WEST, NEAR EXIT 40, IN THE LEFT LANE, WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. I CALLED THE HIGHWAY PATROL, THE OFFICER THAT RESPONDED ADVISED ME THAT NO REPORT WAS REQUIRED SINCE NO OTHER VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED, AND THAT I SHOULD TAKE THE VEHICLE, A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR, TO A FORD DEALERSHIP SINCE AIRBAGS ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO DEPLOY WITHOUT CAUSE AND THAT THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE TESTED EVERY 10 YEARS. *TR

ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ON AND SYSTEM NOT WORKING. *TR

I OWN A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR AND WHILE DRIVING THE REAR AXLE BEAM SNAPPED IN HALF THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN THIS IS NOT A ISOLATED EVENT FORD SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS. *TR

ABS LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COME ON AT ONCE.

SPEED CONTROL PRESSURE SWITCH UP UNDER THE MASTER CYLINDER IS LINKING AND CAUSED FUSE #10 TO SHORT OUT, I HAD TO DISCONNECT SPEED CONTROL AMP IN ORDER TO DRIVE MY CAR. *TR

INTERMITTENT BRAKE AND ABS LIGHTS. BOTH LIGHTS COME ON WITH GREAT FREQUENCY. REPLACED LEAKING BRAKE SWITCH ON MASTER CYLINDER BUT STILL HAVE PROBLEM. FORD DEALER SAYS I NEED A NEW ABS CONTROLLER $1,0000. *TR

THE ABS AND BRAKE INDICATOR LIGHTS RANDOMLY COME ON, STAY ON FOR DIFFERENT LENGTHS OF TIME, THEN SHUT OFF AGAIN FOR A WHILE. THERE IS NO TELLING WHAT CAUSES THIS TO HAPPEN. THIS ISSUE WAS PRESENT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE PREVIOUS OWNERS HAD IT CHECKED OUT NUMEROUS TIMES, COULD NEVER FIND THE CAUSE. I HAVE HAD THEM CHECKED, SAME RESULTS.

ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT COME ON INTERMITTENTLY. PRESSURE SWITCH UNDER MASTER CYLINDER WAS LEAKING CAUSING FLUID LOSS AND POTENTIAL BRAKE FAILURE.THE SWITCH WAS REPLACED WITH AN OEM PART FROM A RESELLER. THE ABS LIGHT IS CONSTANTLY ON NOW AND A CODE READER INDICATES A BAD RELAY AND NO ABS MOTOR FUNCTION. THIS HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED DUE TO COST OF PARTS AND LABOR INVOLVED. *TR

WHILE PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, THE REAR AXLE ON MY FORD WINDSTAR SNAPPED IN HALF. CLEAN BREAK WITH BOTH REAR TIRES HOLDING UP THE REAR OF THE CAR. *TR

2001 FORD WINDSTAR BRAKE,ABS BRAKE,CRUISE CONTROL, AND SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER ELECTRICAL PROBLEM-CAUSING MY BRAKES TO ALMOST FAIL WITH MY TWO 2 YEAR OLD TWINS IN MY VAN. *TR

REAR AXLE BROKE INTO TWO PIECES ABOUT ONE-THIRD OF THE WAY FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. REAR TIRES ARE RUNNING ON THE INSIDE EDGE WITH THE TOP INSIDE EDGE OF THE TIRE BEING TORN UP BY THE BODY OF THE CAR. *TR HANDLING WAS DIFFICULT FOR ABOUT A WEEK INCLUDING DRIVING ON HARD PACKED AND SLIPPERY SNOW. VERY HARD TO KEEP CAR TRAVELING STRAIGHT. BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND APPLYING THE BRAKES THERE WAS A SHARP CRACK SOUND. ABOUT 10 MILES LATER THE AXLE SNAPPED, THE TIRES INTERFERED WITH THE WHEEL WELLS AND THE CAR STOPPED. HAD WE BEEN TRAVELING FASTER OR IN MORE CONGESTED CONDITIONS THIS COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS. *TR

IN 2008, I EXPERIENCED A FAILURE OF THE SUBFRAME ON MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR CARGO VAN. I DO MOSTLY SMALL-TOWN DRIVING - I.E. NOT OVER 45 MPH, WITH OCCASIONAL TRIPS ON THE NYS THRUWAY. I PURCHASED THE VAN USED AT 57,000 MILES FROM JOHNSON FORD, KINGSTON, NY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT 85,419 MILES. I DROVE MY VAN TO A LOCAL BUSINESS AT ABOUT 45 MPH, A DISTANCE OF 4-5 MILES. THAT DAY OR THE DAY PREVIOUS I HAD HEARD A FUNNY NOISE AS I TURNED THE WHEEL, BUT IT WAS NOT REPEATED. (I REALIZED AFTERWARD THAT THIS WAS THE SOUND OF THE SUBFRAME CRACKING, BUT IT WAS NOT LOUD ENOUGH TO REALLY RAISE ANY CONCERN WHEN I HEARD IT.) ON THE DAY OF THE FAILURE, I ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION, PARKED MY CAR, AND A FEW MINUTES LATER, WHEN I CAME OUT OF THE STORE, I DISCOVERED THAT MY TIRES HAD APPARENTLY BROKEN OFF AND WERE LEANING INWARD , THE CAR WAS UNDRIVABLE. I HAD IT TOWED TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE WAS ABLE TO FIND ME A USED SUBFRAME TO REPLACE THE ONE THAT BROKE. THERE WAS. OF COURSE, NO INFORMATION FROM FORD AT THAT TIME REGARDING THIS DEFECT. I HAVE NOW (FEB. 2011) RECEIVED A RECALL AND HAD MY SUBFRAME CHECKED BY THE DEALER AND AM WAITING FOR THE CALL ABOUT A "REINFORCEMENT KIT", WHILE STILL BEING EXPECTED TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE. I DO NOT CONSIDER THIS A SAFE VEHICLE, WITH OR WITHOUT THE "REINFORCEMENT" . I BELIEVE THAT FORD SHOULD BE COMPELLED TO BUY BACK ALL WINDSTARS STILL ON THE ROAD AS THEY WERE IMPROPERLY ENGINEERED AND THEREFORE VIOLATED NHTSA LAW AS TO MERCHANTABILITY. I WANT A VEHICLE WHOSE PARTS ARE ALL SAFE, NOT A VEHICLE PATCHED TOGETHER WITH EPOXY AND BALING WIRE. MY LIFE AND EVERYBODY ELSE'S LIVES ARE AT RISK FROM ANY OF THESE VEHICLES THAT ARE LEFT ON THE ROADS. I AM UNWILLING TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE ANYMORE, AND I AM NOW COMPELLED TO PURCHASE A NEW VEHICLE, WHICH I CANNOT AFFORD. FOR THE PRESENT I AM BORROWING A VEHICLE FROM A FAMILY MEMBER, WHICH IS OK IN THE SHORT-TERM, BUT IT DOESN'T ADDRESS MY LONG-TERM NEEDS. *TR

NORMAL DRIVING OF 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. REAR AXLE BROKE AND CAR WAS NON DRIVE ABLE. REAR AXLE DESIGN IS OBVIOUSLY BAD AND CAN CREATE A LIFE THREATENING CONDITION AS THE REAR WHEEL ASSEMBLIES WOULD FALL OFF. AT HIGHWAY CONDITIONS THIS WOULD BE CATASTROPHIC AND WOULD BE LIFE THREATENING. VERY POOR DESIGN THAT DOES NOT ALLOW ROAD CONDITIONS FOR A FACTORY AUTO WITH 8 SEATS. VERY BAD ESTIMATES OF PASSENGER WEIGHT AND SAFETY FACTORS. VEHICLE NEVER IN A HARD CRASH OR HARD DAMAGE. NEVER USED TO CARRY HEAVY EQUIPMENT OR NON ORDINARY FAMILY TRAVEL. DESIGN OF BACK WHEEL ASSEMBLY IS A FORMED METAL AND NOT A SOLID STRUCTURE TO MEET NORMAL HIGHWAY CONDITIONS. METAL SHEARED MOST OF THE WAY THROUGH. OBVIOUS DESIGN LIMITATIONS THAT WILL NOT MEET MULTIPLE PASSENGER OPERATIONS ON LOCAL ROADS AND HIGHWAYS. VERY-VERY DANGEROUS DESIGN AND FABRICATION SPECIFICATIONS. AXLE WAS WELDED TO MAKE IT SLOW ROAD WORTHY TO GET IT TO CAR REPAIR SHOPS. REPLACEMENT OF BAD AXLE IS NECESSARY FOR COMPLETE OPERATION. CALLS TO FORD DEALERS RESULTED IN CONVERSATIONS THAT FORD WOULD NOT FIX OBVIOUS FLAWS AT THEIR EXPENSE. LIFE THREATENING DESIGN, ENGINEERING, AND FABRICATION MUST BE CORRECTED BY FORD. CRITICAL FAILURE WOULD CAUSE MAJOR PROBLEMS. CAR SHOPS CLAIM THAT MATERIAL AND DESIGN CAUSED PROBLEM AS NO DAMAGE OR COLLISION WAS MADE. *TR

MY BRAKES STARTED GETTING SOFT AND WE REALIZED THERE WAS A LEAK WE REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE PROBLEM CONTINUED WE REALIZED THAT THE LEAK IS COMING FROM THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. *TR

REAR AXLE FAILURE . AXLE ROTTED THROUGH AND DISABLED VEHICLE. *TR

THE LOWER CONTROL A-ARM ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BROKE LOOSE FROM THE FRAME CAUSING THE VAN TO DROPTO THE GROUND. THIS LUCKLY HAPPENED WHEN I JUST PULLED INTO A PARKING SPOT IN FRONT OF A WENDY'S. *TR

I HAVE A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR AND THE PLUG THAT PLUGS INTO THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER IS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. THROUGH RESEARCH TO APPEARS THAT THIS IS A FREQUENT PROBLEM WITH THE WINDSTAR. *TR

COIL SPRING ON PASSENGER SIDE STRUT BROKE, HAS DRIVER'S SIDE BREAK THE YEAR BEFORE, HAD TO REPLACE WHOLE STRUT / SPRING ASSEMBLY, COULD'VE CAUSED ACCIDENT IF THE PIECES WOULD HAVE HIT THE TIRES INSTEAD OF WRAPPING AROUND REST OF SPRING. *TR

MID 2008 OUR FAMILY MINIVAN ABS (ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM) LIGHT STARTED COMING ON WHICH MEANT THIS FEATURE WAS DISABLED. THE OWNERS MANUAL STATES THIS NOT TO BE A PROBLEM UNLESS THE BRAKE! LIGHT ALSO COMES ON AND STAYS ON. FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS NOW THE BRAKE! LIGHT HAS COME ON AND IT IS USUALLY JUST THAT WE'D HIT A BUMP AND THE E-BRAKE HANDLE HAD MOVED SLIGHTLY AND WOULD GO OFF WHEN HANDLE WAS RESET. RECENTLY AFTER DRIVING 25 MILES TO WORK WITH NO PROBLEM THE REAR BRAKE SEEMED TO FREEZE WHEN IT WAS TIME TO GO HOME. THE MINIVAN HAD TO BE TOWED TO OUR DEALER. WE WERE TOLD THERE WERE A NUMBER OF FAILURES WHEN THE CAR WAS HOOKED UP TO THE COMPUTER BUT THAT THE ONLY NOTICEABLE PROBLEM WAS THERE WAS A CRACKED HALF-SHAFT AND TONE RING BROKE WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED FALSE COMPUTER READINGS. THESE TWO ITEMS WERE FIXED AND WE WERE SENT ON OUR WAY KNOWING THAT IF THE LIGHTS WERE TO COME BACK ON THERE WAS A POSSIBILITY THE ABS MODULE MIGHT HAVE TO BE REPLACED - WITH NOTHING BEING SAID OF ANY POSSIBLE PROBLEMS WITH THIS SYSTEM, OR ANY EXPLANATION OF WHY OUR REAR TIRE BRAKES FROZE. AFTER SOME INTERNET INVESTIGATING IS APPEARS THIS PROBLEM IS MORE FREQUENT THAN STATED AND CAN RESULT IN A FIRE WHICH IS WHY THIS AGENCY IS BEING REPORTED TO. ASIDE FROM THE VERY EXPENSIVE AUTO BILLS WHICH WE HAVE ALREADY AND WILL HAVE TO PAY TO GET THESE PROBLEMS FIXED WE DON'T WANT OUR FAMILY TO BURN UP AS WE'RE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND WE HOPE THIS INPUT AND OTHERS INPUT WILL HELP RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM. *TR

BRAKE LIGHT ON AFTER BRAKE SERVICE SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER STOPPED WORKING ABS BRAKE LIGHT STAYS ON DEFECTIVE CRUISE CONTROL. *TR

REAR SUBFRAME AXLE ASSEMBLY PART #2F2Z 4B435 AA BROKE IN HALF CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE & LOSS OF BRAKES. *TR