Both of front coil springs are broken. I have been hearing a noise in front end, driver's side. I took the Windstar to a mechanic and he showed me T broken spring. We looked at the right-side spring, and that one was broken also. I went to a local Ford dealer, the rochester auto collection. They said they don't have many problems with the springs on the Windstar. But my mechanic said that he has been doing a lot of spring jobs on 1996 Windstar. My search on the internet turned up many incidents of problems with these springs. I also saw that the NHTSA is also investigating this safety problem. It looks like Ford doesn't think this is a safety issue. Are they waiting for people to die before they issue a recall? the metal is obviously inferior and defective. Please let me know of any updates. Thank you.........sante dicarlo.

- Farmington, NY, USA

Front-left suspension coil spring broken, poked into tire, vehicle loss control immediately!!!!!!!

- Farmington Hills, MI, USA

This is the second report for this vehicle. The right front spring broke on 4/15/2001. Now on 6/05/2001 the left spring broke. The cause of failure is as follows. The original spring is plastic coated, any type of imperfection in this plastic coating is a site for corrosion, the corrosion"pit" becomes a stress riser which starts the fatique failire. Bothe springs have the same type of failure.

- Spring Lake, MI, USA

While driving 35 mph heard a loud clunking noise. Had vehicle towed to dealer, replaced passenger front coil spring. There was no prior warning. The consumer pointed out to a defect story an internet (1-30-2001) that said the us government was investigating 926,000 Ford Windstar minivans about spring breaking and puncturing tires.

- Canton, OH, USA

While backing into a parking space, left front coil spring broke and punctured tire. Manufacturer was notified. Provide any further information.

- Farmington Hills, MI, USA

While driving 65 mph coil spring on passenger's side broke and punctured tire, no collision or injuries occurred.

- Carbondale, PA, USA

The front right coil spring broke while backing out of the driveway. Due to the low mileage and reported problems with spring coils on other Ford models I am bringing it to your attention.

- Wadsworth, OH, USA

Driver heard bang, then rubbing noise. Smelled and saw smoke and pulled over thinking car was on fire. After coming to a stop, driver and passenger heard explosion. Front left coil spring broke and rubbed inner tire side wall causing blowout.

- Fairport, NY, USA

The coil spring around the drivers side strut broke. The vehicle was parked at the time the spring broke. The repair shop I called about repair said this is the third Windstar in a few weeks he has repaired with the same problem. The other two were 1995 Windstar. I am grateful that I was not driving when this happened. The repair shop informed me that when these springs break they usually also puncture the tire. My concern is that if someone is not as lucky as I to have this happen in thier driveway, that this could cause a serious if not fatal accident. If this is a common occurance I feel that other Windstar owners should be notified. Thank you.

- Cuba, NY, USA

When drivers side coil spring (of the strut) broke I asked the dealer if they should replace the pass. Side. They said the warrenty would not cover it. Luckly when the coil spring went, both times the car was parked. The spring could have popped the tire while driving thus causing an accident. The coil springs should not have failed with less than 60,000 miles, their must be something wrong in the metal of the spring.

- Clinton, MI, USA

While traveling and without any indication front coil spring had broken, causing front end of vehicle to drop to ground.

- Erie, PA, USA

Front suspension spring broke going over a small (1") bump. Now springs, struts and mounts need to be replaced.

- Greenfield, WI, USA

Both coil springs broke while parked; towed to dealer shop and repaired under extened warranty. Please provide any further details on this matter.

- West Seneca, NY, USA

When coil of the spring fractured, it rubbed on the tire, removing approximately 1/8 inch of sidewall material all around the top inner sidewall. The opinion of the service persons was that if it had happened at highway speed, it would have resulted in catastrphic failure of the tire with subsequent loss of control of the vehicle. Ford would not accept full resonsibility for the failure (although I have an extended warranty).

- Burnsville, MN, USA

Both front coil springs broke and one ripped up the right front tire, driver was able to stop vehicle in a safe manner, it took over 2 days to get back on road, local dealer had trouble locating coil springs, told that Ford Motor Company had 600 coil springs on back order.

- Mc Murray, PA, USA

Suspension spring broke and blew right front tire. Also, struts collapsed, and consumer lost control and came to a full stop.

- Hamilton, CD, USA

Consumer could hear a weard noise, then smelled something burning, front tire blewout because of a coil spring puncturing tire.

- Wynantskill, NY, USA

Ea oo 027/ suspension coil spring breakage; right front coil spring broke while driving at 55-60 mph and punctured tire. Repairs made at an independent repair shop. Repairs have been made.

- West Des Moines, IA, USA

Coil spring broke damaging struts and tire, which had to be replaced later, also required towing charges.

- Howell, MI, USA

Coil spring broke damaging struts and tire, which had to be replaced later, also required towing charges.

- Howell, MI, USA