10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 102,386 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. The contact stated the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign id numbers: 10V385000 (suspension:rear:axle:non-powered axle assembly) and 11V030000 (structure: Frame and members:underbody shields). Upon receiving the vehicle from the authorized dealer, the vehicle began to shake violently when driving at various speeds. The contact would also hear rattling and banging noises. The vehicle was taken back to the authorized dealer where the contact was informed that a bracket on the frame was hanging off and the piping was still corroded. The vehicle was not further repaired. The failure mileage was 140,000. The VIN was unavailable.
- Medfield, MA, USA
2002 Ford Windstar: While driving on henry hudson pkwy in nyc, northbound, South of dykman street, there were several loud banging sounds from the rear on the ran, followed a few seconds later by a wailing sound, and the rear of the car would fishtail whenever the steering was turned. When the car was wrestled to the side of the road and I exited, there was the smell of burning rubber. Closer inspection revealed both rear wheels toed-out, and an obvious break in the rear axle. The break occurred on the left side, about 1/3 of the way across the length of the axle. Car was towed off the highway and remains parked pending repairs.
- Eastchester, NY, USA
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer on November 2010 for recall repairs under NHTSA campaign id number: 10V385000 (suspension: Rear:axle: Non-powered axle assembly) however, the contact was advised that the part needed for repairs was unavailable. The vehicle continued to remain at the dealer and they were unable to provide an estimate of when the part would become available. The contact had not experienced a failure.
- Newburg, MD, USA
The rear axle of my 2002 Windstar cracked while driving.
- Hicksville, NY, USA
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 mph, the rear axle fractured causing the rear wheels to cave in. The vehicle was towed to a dealer who informed the contact that they would need to replace the rear axle. The vehicle was not repaired due to the part being on a back order. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.
- Indianapolis, IN, USA
Rear axle recall on 2002 Ford Windstar, we returned our car in September for a recall notice, they advised us that they would keep our Windstar until approximately March 2011. The van is sitting outside in a field parking area and is exposed to all weather conditions. We feel that there will be damage done to the van by sitting in this field. Over this time period.
- Fremont, OH, USA
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. While the contact was driving approximately 15 mph, the transmission failed without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the transmission was replaced under the service warranty. The transmission failure reoccurred six months later and was replaced with a new transmission. The transmission and radiator were replaced on two different occasions. The contact paid the cost for the repair expense for the one radiator replacements. In addition, the vehicle experienced a failure with the front brakes and front rotors, which had required annual replacement. Also, while driving the rear axle fractured. The failure mileage was unknown.
- Pittsburgh, PA, USA
The rear axle of my 2002 Ford Windstar broke yesterday. I was traveling about 15 mph when I hear a not too loud bang and when I exited my car and saw the wheel, I knew right away what had happened. I contacted Ford this morning and I was told that it would take minimum 3-6 months to fix.
- Bayonne, NJ, USA
I have a 2002 Ford Windstar & was driving on a country road when an animal ran out in front of me, I swerved to miss it and bang...!!! I nearly lost control because the rear end started bouncing around. I pulled over at a buddies house & found the rear axle broken. I had it towed to the Ford dealer & there were 2 other broken Windstar there ahead of mine & I had to pay for the tow!!! the Ford dealer rented me a vehicle for $30 per day but they wont pick up the tax which is $2.67/day. Ford says it may be February before it's fixed so that's $80/month it's gonna cost me for Ford crap van!!!! I want to know if there could be legal action taken against Ford for full compensation including the taxes on the rental, had I not been a good driver, I may have rolled the van. This could cost me $300 plus and I'm not too happy about this.
- Dixon, IL, USA
The rear axle on our 2002 Ford Windstar limited broke when backing out of a drive way leaving the vehicle inoperable.
- Rockford, IL, USA
2002 Ford Windstar rear axle snapped - 112,000 miles. No injuries or accident. Driving 25 mph when it snapped.
- Glenside, PA, USA
Friday night my wife told me she had heard a rolling thumping sound from the rear of our 2002 Ford Windstar, we thought it might be something rolling around in the storage area behind the rear seat. Saturday the 29th I was driving the vehicle with my wife in the passenger seat in our neighborhood, heading to the store to shop for groceries. Speed limit 25mph when I was making a right turn from a stop I heard a thumping sound. I new right away it wasn't something rolling around in the van. It sounded like it came from outside under the rear of the van. We were very busy this day and didn't have time to investigate. Later that evening my wife took my daughter's boyfriend home when it happened again, but she said it was even louder. My daughter called me to tell me that she was afraid they may get stranded. This morning I went online to research the sound and found many other people having the same issue and gave descriptions and photos and some had completely cracked in half. I went under my van and found that the rear axle is rusted and cracked.
- West Chicago, IL, USA
Regarding the Ford Windstar recall of the rear axel: I own a 2002 Ford Windstar and live in Minnesota, a corrosion state. I called a Ford dealership nearby and was told that my VIN number does not qualify for the recall. I then called the Ford customer service and was told the reason that my van does not qualify is because it was manufactured in California; however, it has been in South Dakota and Minnesota for its entire life. I want the NHTSA to be aware that Ford is doing only a partial recall and one must be real proactive to make sure the safety of their family, as Ford will not be sending a letter to Ford Windstar owners if one's vehicle was not manufactured in a salt-belt state. Ford is not ensuring the safety of all their Ford Windstar owners. The Ford customer service personal that I spoke to said I could call the Ford dealership again and explain my concerns that the real axel on my 2002 Ford Windstar is corroded, that I live in a corrosion state, and that the only reason that we don't qualify for the recall is because it was manufactured in California. The Ford dealership will then have to try to get an allowance for my vehicle to qualify for the recall. But again, I will not be notified by Ford, the only way I knew about the recall is because I heard about it on the news. I am concerned about driving my van and the rear axel breaking while I am driving with my 3 children.
- Bloomington, MN, USA
2002 Ford Windstar rear axle cracked. Crack is in the rear leg of the U at the approx. Center of the axle. Crack extends from the bottom to the top of the axle. Car is driven driver only occupied 95% of the time with no load. Max. Load throughout car life time has been 7 passengers or less.
- Bedminster, NJ, USA
I currently own a 2002 Ford Windstar, my rear axle has broken in half all the way now, I tried taking it to a Ford dealership regarding this problem because I have a warranty but I was advised that they could not fix the problem because it has rusted out and broke. I am learning that this is a big issue and this problem is too expensive to fix on my own. I am still making payments on this vehicle. What should I do? after researching this issue, I am finding that I am not the only one with this rear axle issue. We need something done.
- Peoria, IL, USA
To whom it may concern. My name is [xxx], we have a 2002 Ford Windstar. Last week the rear axle snapped while my wife was driving with my 10 year old son. But for the grace of god, she didn't crash and was killed. Axle actually snapped in two. Since this incident, we have gone on line and found over 200 incidents of this same problem. Evidently, rear axle is "U" design, and salt and road debris gets caught up in axle and causes corrosion. Ford better address this problem before someone is killed. Please note that most of these vans are used by families, with small children. I would hate to see a fatality without Ford doing something about it. Is there any recourse with Ford. My contact info is: [xxx] please review and advise a.S.a.P. information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
- Logan Township , NJ, USA
I have a 2002 Ford Windstar van, with 65,000 miles. A squeak started in the back underside of the van. Looked underneath and saw a large crack in rear axle. There was no rust at all on the axle it just cracked about 18 inches form the left rear tire.
- East Brunswick, NJ, USA
2002 Ford Windstar rear axle snapped in half.
- Bronx, NY, USA
We were driving our 2002 Ford Windstar at approximately 30 mph and started hearing noise. The vehicle became difficult to drive and the noise was getting louder, we pulled over because it felt like a flat tire, but knew it was more serious. The rear tires were tilting in toward the van and the rear axle was broken. The vehicle was not drivable and we had it towed.
- Endwell, NY, USA
- Sioux Falls, SD, USA