Passenger side tire seemed to have a mind of it's own. We went to two different mechanics - the second said the subframe was rusted and we should not drive the van because the engine will fall out.

- Ridley Park, PA, USA

Corrosion related failure front right sub-frame. Loss of steering control, right front wheel shaking, right front brake locked up. Also ABS brake lights on in dash, ABS no longer works, traction control light on, works no more.

- Battle Creek, MI, USA

Ford Windstar 1999: My mechanic said the front sub-frame is rusted to the point that it is unsafe to drive. I am taking it to my local Ford dealer for evaluation. Ford will also perform the rear axle recall.

- West Chester, PA, USA

Took my van into midas for an oil change, the mechanic called me out and showed me the K frame is rotted and hanging off the vehicle on passenger side of vehicle. This is also caused additional front end damage. Mechanic told us do not drive this vehicle. It has been sitting in the front of our house since.

- Toms River, NJ, USA

Irregular braking, experienced as an odd, slipping lurch at the completion of a stop occasioned investigation of a supposed braking problem by our mechanic. Previously noted was the misalignment of the steering wheel about a quarter turn from vertical during straight-ahead driving. After checking the brakes the mechanic was puzzled by a rubbing noise he had heard on his test drive. While repositioning the car to investigate, the engine cradle suddenly separated from the sub-frame and dropped to the ground, wrenching the steering wheel forward and disconnecting the steering mechanism from the wheels. Ancillary damage is as yet unassesed. The cause of separation was massive, evident corrosion where the engine cradle attaches to the sub-frame. This vehicle is located in a "salt-belt" state.

- Evansville, WI, USA

The contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the under carriage was covered with rust from front to back. The spare tire under the vehicle was barely being held in place. The front passenger side wheel was no longer supported by the frame and the front driver side wheel was almost covered with rust and failing. The vehicle had not been inspected at the time of the complaint. The failure and current mileages were 50000. Updated 12/02/10 updated 12/07/10

- Brockton, MA, USA

1999 Ford Windstar subframe cracked less than a $100,000 miles mechanic confused and surprised says should not have happened on such a young car.

- Netcong, NJ, USA

After a couple of inspections and lots of clunking noises and alignment issues, my mechanic (and a mechanic from another shop) suggested strongly that I replace the vehicle's subframe/engine cradle. The frame was rusting/rotting from the inside out at both front ends near and around the motor mounts and the subframe bolts (attaching to the unibody frame). There was also some rot occurring below the area that A/C water condensation drips. The frame was replaced soon after... avoiding driving the vehicle until repair was made. Unfortunately, the old part was tossed before I could ask the mechanic to save it for me.

- Worcester, MA, USA

Our 99 Ford Windstar that we purchased, broke its rear bar yesterday. However, we purchased it used from luther family Ford in North Dakota, they told us that our Windstar had spent most of its life up North in Ohio, Minnesota etc. I looked at the Ford Windstar under body yesterday and you can easily tell that it has been corroded all along the underbody from the salt. Where the rear bar broke you can see rust and salt corrosion very easily, not to mention that the spare tire is completely rusted over from the salt. My wife and I have taken very good care of our vehicle, and have never driven anywhere it is not supposed to and yesterday she pulled out a parking spot and she heard a thud, and then a scraping sound. She called me and I came out and looked at it. I noticed that all across the rear bar area there is a large quantity of rust and where it broke you can see a build up of rust from salt. Mainly due to it spending most of its life up North. We did speak to Ford, and they mentioned that our rear bar snapped in two, and it was from rust and salt that weakened it to the point of breaking. They however state its not on the list so they will not do anything. We even double checked with luther family Ford, and they told us ours was manufactured in one of the plants that did have problems. So even though Ford states that it is not one of the vehicles with the problem, I believe there may be a larger underlying amount that they would rather not have to deal with. We had our vehicle towed to our house where are waiting to hear more about this recall to see if any other ones are among them.

- Olive Branch, MS, USA

Front frame (shop called it a K-member or engine cradle) was rusted thru & broke off where it attached to the body of the vehicle. This happened while my daughter was driving locally, luckily not on the freeway. Steering wheel went out of alignment a full 90 to 120 degrees while she was driving. Most shops would not fix it, but found a shop who put in a salvage yard part. Ford dealer was ludicrously high dollar & very unsympathetic.

- Westerville, OH, USA

Front sub-frame corrosion has caused frame to break on passenger side. Break likely occurred while making a hard right turn to join traffic on a 40mph road as a noise was heard at that time. Not realizing that some structural failure had occurred the car was driven on two more occasions on the following day and at highway speed. One day later strange noise occurred again when turning, so car was brought in for service. Repair shop has indicated sub-frame is severed in area noted above and car is unsafe to drive.

- Wappingers Falls, NY, USA

The rear axle cracked on my 1999 Ford Windstar while driving 20 mph on a city street. The axle had to be replaced. The car is being picked up tomorrow (Thursday August 19, 2010) and I will see if the broken axle is available.

- Jersey City, NJ, USA

Noise heard in front end. Suspected problem possibly with joints....turns out to be a rusted and cracked frame. This is the second time within the last two weeks the salvage co who took our car witnessed this same problem. Dangerous!

- Hamden, CT, USA

1999 Windstar, front subframe broke off due to excessive corrosion.

- Sterling, VA, USA

Rusted out sub frame. It cost me $1,150 dollars to repair with a used one. Not happy. Tranny slams from 1st to 2nd gear; it started about 6 months after I bought it in 2001, they fixed it. Then it started again in 2006 when it hit about 80,000 miles. I stopped driving it for awhile after fighting over it with the miller Ford dealer then finally got the money to repair the sub frame. Now I just drive it and use 2nd and 3rd gear. The od light keeps coming on.

- Southampton, NJ, USA

I would like to formally submit a complaint along with the other Ford Windstar owners for rear axle breaking. My 1999 Windstar broke last night while traveling on I90 in boston. The car began to wander excessively, then noises, tire smoke, and dangerous controllability. My daughter was in the car, and it was a dangerous situation for me, my daughter and the other motorists.

- Glastonbury, CT, USA

The contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. The contact stated while driving at 65 mph, the front wheel began to wobble abnormally. The dealer discovered that the frame was rusted and partially separated on the front passenger side where the wheel was mounted to the frame. The vehicle was repaired by the dealer. The failure mileage was 105,000 and the current mileage was 106,000. Updated 11/17/10

- N. Andover, MA, USA

I was servicing the brakes and notice the right side of the sub-frame (engine cradle) was rusting away. I was telling my father about the frame rusting and he had thought there was a recall on that. I started searching the internet and found alot of people with the same problem. But no recall info. I am not sure if the van is safe to drive. I also own a 2000 Windstar and it showing the same signs of heavy rust in the same area.

- Rockton , IL, USA

The contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. While traveling at 10 mph, the contact heard an unusual clunking from the rear of the vehicle. The contact discovered that the rear frame was cracked. The vehicle was not diagnosed for the failure and there were no prior warnings of the failure. The current and failure mileages were 130,000.

- Norristown, PA, USA

Rear axle beam has crack and some rot. I now have van parked for fear for safety for my family. We do not have a second vehicle to use.so it will be a burden until a recall is in order. I am a Ford guy and always bought a Ford vehicle and now im having doubt about their lacking for this recall. Shame on them. Having to now start borrowing a car until something is done.

- E. Wareham, MA, USA