10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 5
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
142,414 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #46

Dec 202012

Windstar

  • 178,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 mph, the steering seized. The failure was recurring. The vehicle also shook violently and became unstable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rear axle needed to be replaced however, the part was not available to make the repairs. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 12V195000 (suspension). The approximate failure mileage was 178,000.

- Youngstown, OH, USA

problem #45

Feb 132014

Windstar

  • 92,000 miles
The contact owns 2002 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the odor of burning rubber was present. The contact discovered that the rear axle had fractured through the reinforcement bracket and damaged the rear driver's side tire. The vehicle was diagnosed by the dealer but not repaired. The contact stated that in October 2010 a reinforcement bracket was installed on the rear axle of the vehicle in response to NHTSA campaign number 12V195000(suspension) but the defect still occurred. The manufacturer was notified and no solution was offered. The failure mileage was 92,000.

- Worthington, PA, USA

problem #44

Mar 052014

Windstar

  • miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the while traveling various speeds, the rear axle failed. The contact also mentioned that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign number 10V385000 (suspension). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage and VIN was not available.

- Burlington, MA, USA

problem #43

Dec 272013

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 113,249 miles
The rear axle beam cracked completely and fell to the ground causing me to lose control. I then moved it out of the flow of traffic and noticed the left rear tire was rubbing up against the inner well. Unfortunately I was 60 miles from home and had to have it towed back to my house. In lost a days work due to the damage. I have owned the vehicle since 11/2011 and I purchased it with 79006 miles.

- Hawthorne, NJ, USA

problem #42

Oct 062013

Windstar

  • 140,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. The vehicle was included in and repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 12V195000 (suspension). The contact was driving approximately 65 mph when the rear driver's side tire blew shortly after the recall repair. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for diagnosis, who stated that the axle was fractured. The mechanic replaced the axle shaft, break hose lock clips, the wheel, rear brake hose and the rear shocks. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.

- Chagrin Falls, OH, USA

problem #41

Nov 292013

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 123,000 miles
Driven heard a snap stop and look it was rear axel cracked.

- New Haven, CT, USA

problem #40

Nov 062013

Windstar

  • 140,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving at 50 mph, the rear or the vehicle collapsed. The contact also mentioned that the ABS warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who informed the contact that the rear axle had fractured due to rust and the ABS master relay sensor had malfunctioned. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 140,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Camdenton , MO, USA

problem #39

Sep 152013

Windstar

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 mph, she was alerted that both rear wheels were slightly turned inward. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer, who informed the contact that the rear axle was fractured. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign id number:12V195000 (suspension) in 2012. The remedy repair failed to correct the problem. The vehicle was not repaired for the recent failure. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Stoneham , MA, USA

problem #38

Sep 032013

Windstar

  • 161,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving 35 mph, she heard a loud noise as the vehicle began to bounce and roll. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for diagnosis and the contact was informed that the axle would need to be replaced. Two years prior, the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 10V385000 (suspension). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle had not been recently repaired. The VIN was unavailable. The failure and current mileage was 161,000.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #37

Sep 032013

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 130,000 miles
My parents had recall 11S16 performed on their Windstar on March 20th 2012. A vibration had been felt since Jan of 2013. They had new tires installed and balanced. Problem persisted. I removed both front rims and inspected suspension. Passenger side lower control arm nut missing from bolt. Grade 10.9 metric bolt loose and partially backed out, unbelievably, washer still sitting on frame. Inspected drivers side of vehicle and problem becomes apparent. Multiple washers are stacked under head of bolt and under nut making full thread engagement impossible. Multiple phone calls to Ford and dealership. The dealership is adamant that instructions stipulate "multiple shims" must be used, "up to six depending". a "gauge" is used during the install process. I request a copy of installation instructions but dealership says they don't have any. I request the same from corporate Ford but they don't have any"?!!?? how does Ford perform the repairs from "instructions stipulating" and use "up to six shims" and then "gauge" if they do not possess instructions??!!?? possible fixes: Remove washer from under the head of the bolt but still use the one under the nut, use a lower height nut, use a longer bolt. All possible fixes make the repair much safer. Ford refuses all suggestions and puts my family back on the road and at risk. Multiple photos of properly repaired control arm kits are on the internet and all show proper thread engagement of the nut on the bolt. To keep my family safe should I do the repairs myself or do I put myself at legal risk"

- Gosport, IN, USA

problem #36

Aug 172013

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 184,741 miles
We were slowing to pull up to our home. We were driving about 10 mph. About 70 feet from our home. It sounded like there was a flat tire with rubbing and bumping noises. We parked on the street in front of our home. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the tires were intact. The tires are bowing in. We looked under the rear of the car. We saw a large crack of the rear axle closer to the driver's side of the car. Ford recalled the rear axle for this very reason 3 years ago due to corrosion caused by years of exposure to salted roads. Ford performed the recall work by placing a bracket on the axle. The brake on our axle occurred under the bracket. Ford is not assuming responsibility even though the supports they placed on the axle failed to do their job. There are other complaints this year for this same problem. The big difference between all the broken axles this year were the speed of the vehicles and type roads they were traveling on. I believe that there more out there that have had this same problem that have not been reported to this website yet. I also believe that more axles that have already received the recall fix are going to find their axles breaking in the near future as well. As for now the recall of these axles, Ford has closed the case until forced to reopen the recall. Ford should replace the entire axle on all the Windstar that were under the original recall.

- Chesterfield, MO, USA

problem #35

Jul 272013

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 200,000 miles
Rear axle broke in half as I was turning a corner at very low speed, causing to loose control of vehicle and run off road.

- Mason City, IL, USA

problem #34

Jul 132013

Windstar

  • miles
2002 Ford Windstar axle repair failed. Golf mill Ford in niles, il repaired my Ford Windstar in late 2010 after inspecting it. Golf mill decided to patch and not replace the axle. On July 6 the tire kicked out and started to slide in patch bracket. I called Ford and they instructed me to take to original dealer who done repaired and to keep all receipts for work done for possible reimbursement. Dealer looked at axle and said they have had similar field problems and Ford has been replacing the axle and repaired had internal code stating they axle repair did not "expire". when the repair request was submitted to Ford for authorization, Ford declined. The service manager was shocked and I was told that Ford said the program was declined for the program met its obligation and I was told to keep the receipt for it would be necessary for future reimbursements. Golf mill Ford in niles, il made the repair and "good deal" labor rate to assist in the bill and for this I thank them. However, I am shocked the Ford is aware of field failures in a poorly designed field fix and has chosen not to properly remedy the first attempt at a fix. I have pictures if necessary!

- Des Plaines, IL, USA

problem #33

Jun 132013

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 167,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving 10 mph, the vehicle squeaked while completing a turn. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 167,000.

- Kansas City , KS, USA

problem #32

May 032013

Windstar

  • 204,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving 70 mph, the rear axle fractured. The contact was able to move the vehicle onto the road shoulder and drove the vehicle into a ditch for safety. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, who replaced the rear axle. The contact also stated that the fractured axle caused damage to the air conditioning line, speedometer and cruise control system. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure and current mileage was 204,000. Kmj

- Pawpaw , MI, USA

problem #31

May 132013

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 223,080 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. The contact stated his vehicle was included in the recall under NHTSA campaign number: 12V195000 (suspension). After the recall repair was performed, the rear driver's side tire was banging against the frame. Additionally, the steering wheel was difficult to control. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic. The mechanic noticed a crack in the bracket that was installed under the recall and the axle had shifted out of the bracket. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 223,080.

- Binghampton, NY, USA

problem #30

May 052013

Windstar

  • 133,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving 20 mph, he heard a loud bang. The contact exited the vehicle and noticed that both rear tires were tilted inward. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection and they stated that the axle had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 133,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- South Lion, MI, USA

problem #29

May 052013

Windstar

  • 133,100 miles
Driving 20mph down a road and noticed a load noise. Got out of the car and saw the tire inward, looked underneath and saw the rear axle was cracked. Took it in for the recall in 11-10 and the dealership coated it.

- South Lyon, MI, USA

problem #28

Apr 102013

Windstar 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 138,800 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, he heard several popping noises and then the rear wheels wobbled. After parking the vehicle at his home, he noticed that the rear axle had fractured. The contact was informed of a recall for NHTSA campaign number: 10V385000 (suspension). The manufacturer was notified but stated the VIN was not part of a recall. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure and current mileage was 138,800. Updated 5/15/13 the consumer stated this vehicle can not be driven. It should have been included in the recall. Updated 05/28/2013

- Spruce Pine, NC, USA

problem #27

Feb 252013

Windstar 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 74,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving 5 mph, the front passenger side wheel became detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for diagnosis and the contact was informed that the bolt that connects the lower control arm to the front end cradle had become rusted. The contact was informed of NHTSA campaign number: 12V194000 (suspension). The dealer was notified and stated that the recall repair had already been done two years prior. The manufacturer was notified but offered no assistance. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure and current mileage was 74,000. Updated 04/09/13 the consumer stated Ford Motor Company, did not repair the vehicle the correct way. The consumer stated the vehicle fixed the vehicle in a cheap and quick manner. The consumer believed the front end and lower control arm should have been replaced, instead of adding brackets. The left front wheel was not connected to the vehicle. The consumer was informed the front end cradle was completely rusted through and should have been replaced.

- Ft Thomas, KY, USA

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