2001 Ford Windstar Body & Structure Problems

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and depressing the brake pedal, the front end of the vehicle made abnormal sounds. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that there was a fracture due to corrosion on the front sub frame. The mechanic related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V030000 (Structure). The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.

The contact's husband owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while in reverse, she heard an abnormal noise. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the control arm was cracked. The contact was then informed by the mechanic of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V03000 (Structure). The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that no recall was affiliated with the VIN. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

WHEN I RECEIVED THE RECALL ABOUT THE POSSIBLE AXLE CRACKING DUE RUST I TOOK MY CAR IN AND HAD THE BRACKETS PUT ON AND THEN I RECEIVED A RECALL THE HAVE THE BRACKETS CHECKED WHICH I DID AND THEY WERE CORRECT. TODAY I TOOK MY VAN IN FOR PA INSPECTION AND WAS TOLD MY REAR AXLE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE HAD A CRACK IN IT WHICH YOU COULD SEE THROUGH THE OPENING OF THE BRACKET THEY INSTALLED. WHEN I ASKED THE MECHANIC IF FORD WAS GOING TO PAY TO REPLACE IT NOW SINCE THE BRACKET DIDN'T KEEP IT FROM CRACKING HE SAID NO. THEN I ASKED IF THE BRACKET WAS STRONG ENOUGH TO HOLD IT SO I CAN KEEP DRIVING, HE SAID HE WOULDN'T TRUST IT. I ONLY HAVE A 115,500 MILES ON IT, SO WHAT I'M BASICALLY BEING TOLD IS THE MINUTE THE RECALL WENT OUT I SHOULD HAVE HAD THEM REPLACE THE AXLE, INSTEAD OF THE STUPID BRACKETS WHICH WERE JUST BAND AIDS TO PLACATE UPSET OWNERS. I ONLY HAVE ONE CAR SO I HAVE TO DRIVE IT UNTIL I CAN AFFORD TO GET IT FIXED OR BUY ANOTHER CAR. I'M JUST ONE PERSON, HOW MANY MORE ARE FACED WITH THE SAME SITUATION. I ONLY HAVE UNTIL OCTOBER WHEN MY INSPECTION EXPIRES AND I'M PANICKING TRYING TO FIGURE WHAT I CAN DO. FORD KNEW THOSE BRACKET S AT BEST JUST BOUGHT THE OWNERS A COUPLE OF MORE YEARS BEFORE THEIR CARS COULD AGAIN BE A HIGHWAY HAZARD. IT'S STILL RUSSIAN ROULETTE IN MY OPINION THE AXLE AT A MINIMUM SHOULD BE REPLACE WITH A DISCOUNT TO THE ORIGINAL OWNERS.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DURING A ROUTINE CHECK-UP, AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUB-FRAME WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE COLONIAL FORD, INC DEALER (508-746-3400, 147 SAMOSET ST, PLYMOUTH, MA 02360) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS ROTTED OUT. THE TECHNICIAN, HOWEVER, STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,031.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL DELAYED IN RESPONDING. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR BOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED TO BE TOWED TO ANOTHER SHOP IN REGARDS TO IT BEING A MODIFIED VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AND THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000. *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING A ROUTINE CHECK-UP AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC SHOP, THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BENNA FORD SUPERIOR (715-394-8669, LOCATED AT 3022 TOWER AVE, SUPERIOR, WI 54880) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED OUT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE MILEAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 250,000.

THIS VAN LOOKS FINE ON THE OUTSIDE,BUT THE FRAME AND FLOOR ARE RUSTED OUT. I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET WHEN THE BRAKES WENT OUT AND WHEN I TOOK IT TO BE REPAIRED THE MECHANIC AT CARLS BODY SHOP , WHERE IT WAS TI BE REPAIRED TOLD ME IT WAS BEYOND REPAIR AND UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE VAN IS MADE TO TRANSPORT A WHEELCHAIR AND THE AREA WHERE THE WHEELCHAIR IS RUSTED THE WORST. THE MECHANIC ALSO TOOK PICTURES OF THE UNDER BODY TO SHOW ME HOW BAD IT REALLY WAS.

THIS VAN WAS RECALLED FOR KNOWN ISSUES WITH THE REAR AXLE CORRODING. THIS RECALL INVOLVED INSTALLING SUPPORT BRACKETS ON THE AXLE. THE AXLE HAS NOW CRACKED ALMOST ALL THE WAY THROUGH NEXT TO THE BRACKET. THIS HAPPENED WHILE GOING OVER A SPEED BUMP SLOWLY. FROM MY RESEARCH ONLINE, THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE REPAIR THAT WAS ISSUED IN THIS RECALL.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE STATIONARY, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT ENGINE CRADLE OF THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE HOLES IN THE ENGINE CRADLE. MATTHEWS FORD OREGON IN OREGON, OHIO WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE SUBFRAME COMPLETELY FRACTURED AND FELL APART WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC (SPIELMANN SERVICE CENTER MN; 952-546-0508) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT FORD WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER (LUTHER NORTH COUNTRY FORD, LOCATED AT 10401 WOODCREST DR NW, COON RAPIDS, MN 55433; (612) 424-7648) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, AND DRIVE TRAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT 800-392-3673 AND STATED THAT ONLY THE SUBFRAME COULD BE REPAIRED FOR FREE, BUT THE DAMAGE FOR THE ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, AND DRIVE TRAIN WOULD HAVE TO BE PAID FOR BY THE CONTACT. A CASE NUMBER WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 184,500.

I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL IN 2012 ABOUT THE SUBFRAME SUPPORTING THE MOTOR AND TRANSMISSION. FORD PUT TWO BRACKETS ON MY VEHICLE OVER THE RUST SPOTS. NOW THE FRAME HAS ALMOST RUSTED AWAY. MY MECHANIC SAID I SHOULD NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE IN THAT CONDITION, IT IS NOT SAFE. INSTEAD OF REPLACING THE RUSTY COMPONENT FORD PATCHED IT. I STILL DRIVE THE VAN, IT HAS 138,000 MILES ON IT. I LIVE IN MINNESOTA WHERE RUST IS A PROBLEM. THE FIX WAS INAPPROPRIATE FOR THE AREA. UPDATED 07/20/2017*JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE FRAME FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V608000 (SUSPENSION), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,302.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE A RACK AND PINION WAS BEING INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V030000 (STRUCTURE), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE PREVIOUS REPAIR WAS NOT ADEQUATE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V608000 (STRUCTURE). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT THE BRACKETS WERE INSTALLED PROPERLY, BUT FAILED TO PROVIDE A CORRECT DIAGNOSIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRE RUBBED AGAINST THE FRAME IN THE REAR AND FRACTURED THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE BRACKET. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, A CLUNKING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRADLE MOUNT FRACTURED DUE TO CORROSION AND RUSTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE ON THE FLOORBOARD AND THE CHECK ENGINE AND BRAKE INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED BEYOND REPAIR. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE OPTION WAS A COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF THE FRAME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE RECALL EXPIRED AFTER THREE YEARS. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REMEDIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 95,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT SUBFRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND WAS PREVIOUSLY INSPECTED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V030000 (STRUCTURE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 146,000.

HOPING THEY HAVE A REPAIR FOR THE SUBFRAME PASSENGER REAR MINE IS BADLY ROTTED AND AFRAID TO DRIVE IT AS IT CAN CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT OR BE POSSIBLY HAZARDOUS FORD PLEASE CURE THIS.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, AN UNUSUAL NOISE WAS HEARD UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME UNDERNEATH THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS BADLY RUSTED AND WAS CONSIDERED UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM PARTS OF THE FRAME THAT WERE FRACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,759. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE DEALER (RUSS MILNE FORD, 24777 HALL RD, MACOMB, MI 48042, (877) 821-8648) INDICATED THAT A RECALL REMEDY WAS PROVIDED FOR THE REPLACEMENT BRACKETS BEFORE THE CONTACT OWNED THE VEHICLE. WITHIN A YEAR OF OWNING THE VEHICLE, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT A RECALL HAD ALREADY BEEN PROVIDED. ALTHOUGH THE CONTACT INFORMED THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE RECALL REMEDY FAILED TO CORRECT THE FAILURE, THEY STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD NEED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE CRADLE WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED TO THE POINT OF FRACTURING, CAUSING SHAKING AND A STRONG VIBRATION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.