The contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. While driving approximately 50 mph the vehicle began to smoke in the rear with no warning signs from the dashboard. She smelled something burning and drove onto the emergency lane. Everyone was able to safely get out of the vehicle and a tow truck was called. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic and then to the dealer. The dealer advised her that there was a total fracture in the rear axle. She was advised by the dealer that it would take 4 weeks to get the parts. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileages were 104,000.

- Huntington Woods, MI, USA

The contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. While driving approximately 10 mph, the contact heard a loud scraping noise coming from the outside of the vehicle. Suddenly, the rear suspension collapsed. The contact inspected the vehicle and detected that the rear axle fractured in half. There were no prior warnings of the failure. The vehicle was towed to a safe location. The dealer was notified of the failure yet the vehicle was neither diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was 113,000.

- Jackson, MI, USA

The contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 mph, there was an abnormally loud pop. The contact discovered that both rear tires were flat. The rear axle was also fractured in half and hanging from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a local repair facility where both rear tires and the axle were replaced at the owners expense. The manufacturer was not been contacted. The failure and current mileages are unknown.

- Hatfield , PA, USA

The contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar sel. The contact stated that the rear axle fractured in half while driving at approximately 25 mph. The vehicle was towed to a local repair facility where the contact was awaiting repairs. The manufacturer was not contacted. The current and failure mileages were approximately 150,400.

- Bristol, PA, USA

The contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. The contact stated the vehicle would wobble abnormally when driving at various speeds. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where he was advised that the rear axle was cracked. The failure and current mileage was 114,952.

- Springfield, OH, USA

The contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. The contact was driving at 55 mph when he traveled over a road bump. The contact was unable to maintain control of the vehicle. The vehicle spun at 360 degrees five times before crashing into a guardrail. The vehicle was towed to a local repair facility where the contact was informed that the rear axle had fractured from the vehicle. The vehicle was destroyed. The approximate current and failure mileage was 105,000

- East Rutherford, NJ, USA

The contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. The contact noticed that the rear axle on the vehicle was cracked on the bottom. The contact had not driven the vehicle since locating the crack in the axle. The vehicle had not been inspected by a dealer when the complaint was filed. The failure and current mileages were 170,000.

- Cleveland, OH, USA

The contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. While driving at approximately 25 mph, the rear end suspension collapsed. The contact noticed the rear axle was fractured. The vehicle towed to an authorized dealer where the rear axle and rear shocks were replaced. The failure and current mileages were 152,565.

- Elkton, MD, USA

The contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. While the contact was driving approximately between 60-65 mph, the rear end of the vehicle began to sway uncontrollably. The contact was able to gain control and the vehicle was driven to the side of the road. The rear tires were tilted inwardly. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for diagnosis. The technician stated the rear axle support fractured. The vehicle had not been repaired at the time of the complaint. The failure mileage was 127,000.

- Highland Heights , KY, USA

The contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. The contact was driving at approximately 35 mph when he heard a loud popping noise; he immediately pulled over. He then drove the vehicle to a local repair shop where he was informed that the rear axle support bar was cracked. The contact called an authorized dealership who told him that he would be responsible for the repair costs. The vehicle had not been repaired when the complaint was filed. The current and failure mileages were approximately 102,000.

- Berwyn, IL, USA

The contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. The contact was advised by a mechanic that the rear axle was rusted and was almost entirely cracked. The mechanic stated he observed the failure often in this type of vehicle. The failure mileage was 132,000 miles and the current was 132,000.

- Lancaster, PA, USA

The contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. When the contact attempted to drive 5 mph in reverse into a parking space he suddenly noticed a large popping sound in the rear of the vehicle. The contact examined the vehicle and noticed that both rear tires were bent inward. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where the contact was informed that the rear axle needed to be replaced due to rust. There were no prior warnings and the current and failure mileages were 118000. Updated 06/29/10 updated 07/06/10.

- Canton, OH, USA

The contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. While driving approximately 15 mph, he heard a bang noise, and then he experienced difficult steering. He noticed that the tires were bent inward. He took the vehicle to a repair shop. The technician stated that the rear axle assembly had cracked. He was waiting for the parts to be shipped for repairs. He had not contacted the dealership nor the manufacturer to-date. The current and failure mileages were approximately 148,000.

- Bronx, NY, USA

The contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. During routine inspection a mechanic stated that the rear axle had fractured. Prior to the inspection no symptoms were present. He was in the process of having the vehicle repaired at an of expense $1500. He contacted the manufacturer, but no assistance was provided. He still has possession of the failed component. The failure and current mileages were 116,000.

- Port Washington, NY, USA

The contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. While inspecting his vehicle, the contact noticed a crack in the rear axle. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. The current and failure mileages were 90,405.

- Wantagh, NY, USA

The contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the rear axle on his vehicle cracked completely. The vehicle was unable to be driven. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that the repair would cost $1,641. The contact cannot afford to repair the vehicle. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 45,000.

- Staten Island , NY, USA

The contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. While driving at an unknown speed, the contact heard a strange noise. He inspected the vehicle and noticed that the rear axle was cracked in half and the rear tires were bent. The manufacturer stated that there was no recall available and the vehicle was over the warranty mileage; therefore, they would not assist with the repair. The vehicle has not been repaired. The current and failure mileages were 87,000. Updated 04/13/09.

- Lyndhurst, NJ, USA

The rear axle beam on A1999 Ford Windstar (87,032 miles) cracked and snapped into, causing both wheels to pitch the bottom of wheels outward resulting in unstable vehicle control (at highway speeds could cause an accident). Ater inspection of failed parts, I believe Ford has a manufacturing process that creates stress risers in the part that lead to premature failure. I have the parts and can email a ppd file that shows the failure surfaces. The dealership talked to Ford customer relations and did pay for half of the repair. Ford customer relations do not want to put me in contact with their engineering department to discuss this issue. I conduct failure analysis for a fortune 100 company and have concerns with the safety of this product. The replace part is manufatured exactly like the original failed part.I did find a report on the internet that describes an accident caused by the same failure.

- Peoria, IL, USA

Consumer was driving through an intersection and while making a left turn passenger's side front wheel came off, pulling the axle out of the transmission. Vehicle has front wheel drive. Consumer contacted the dealer, and was told that the sub frame had to be replaced.......according to a few dealerships the subframe has ha dnumerous problems causing the manufacturer to alter the manner in which the tie rod is mounted on the Windstar subframe when the tie rod failed rusting completely off. Vehicle was pulling out from a stop sign making aleft turn when the wheel shifted and brought vehicle to a complete stop. If it happened earlier it would have happened at 55 which would have been much worse. Cost by Ford was $1155.

- Allegan, MI, USA

We know of no incident that could have caused this failure. See photo in email. No safety defect listed.

- Stamford, CT, USA