10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 111,535 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
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« Read the previous 20 complaints
The contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. While driving approximately 5 mph a loud noise was heard and the vehicle would no longer move. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop where she was informed that the frame in front of the vehicle snapped. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 91,000.
- Buffalo, NY, USA
My 1999 Ford Windstar le seemed to be swaying on turns. I looked under and the rear axle was snapped in two about 12" off of center on the drivers side. I was only on local roads, going no more than 35 or 40 at most. It is now parked in a public lot. I took pictures. I researched to find out how much the repair might be and found a bunch of other people in the same boat I am in. I hope Ford will recall this problem. I noticed my ABS light issue is not mine alone either!
- Huntington, NY, USA
My 99 Windstar with 144,000 R/F sub frame snapped due to rust from the A/C drain tube located above the sub frame. Poor design on the part of Ford. This van is in very good running condition, but now it will cost more than it's blue book worth to repair it. Please find below a link to a forum where many people have had the same problem. This should be a recall !! there is no excuse for the frame to rust out before the body or 20 years of driving. www.carsurvey.org/reviews/Ford/Windstar/R114296/comments/ someone could get killed.
- Randolph, NJ, USA
1999 Ford Windstar w/ 103,500 mi. Traveling 57mph on highway. While traveling over a rough section the van started to shimmy, then the rear started swaying side to side rapidly then the rearend of the van dropped. The fact that the rearend dropped, w/ the tops of both tires riding against the inner wheel wells ( / \ = rear view of van), is what stabilized the van till I was able to stop safely on the side of the highway. The rear axle beam was fractured, surface rust is noticeable but there is no rot in this area, I have a photo. The fracture occurred on the driver side of the van about 6" to the right of the welds, (the axle beam is torn in half). This is a stress fracture! I've seen things like this over the years on some of our equipment at work. I first noticed some sway in the rearend the day before while going around sharp curves in the rain, I assumed it was due to traction. A week prior to the sway I started having a shimmy which emanated from the front, or so I assumed. The van has been taken by flat bed to a local Ford dealer. I am waiting to hear from them concerning costs on repair work. The van is not drivable in any way!
- Allentown, PA, USA
My 1999 Ford Windstar rear axle broke in half good thing nobody hurt. I called Ford they are doing nothing about this $900 to fix problem this happened 7/8/2010 73,000, miles.
- Lynbrook, NY, USA
I have a 1999 Ford Windstar that I purchased used approximately 9 years ago. On Friday, July 9th, I was on my way to the beach with two of my sons and had just crossed the Delaware memorial bridge and had turned onto route 40 when I heard a loud noise. At first I thought I had a flat tire but then saw smoke coming from the back of the car and immediately pulled over. I was very alarmed to see that the rear axle of my car had completely broken in half and my tires were turned inward. Had this happened while crossing the bridge this could have resulted in a serious accident. I was very lucky that this happened where it did, even though I had to be towed from New Jersey to pa. This is not an isolated incident with these vans as I have found out since Friday. Something has to be done about this before a life is lost due to this defect.
- Conestoga, PA, USA
The contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. While driving 35 mph there was a loud noise in the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who stated that the rear end was covered with rust and replaced it for $700. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure and current mileages were 187,000.
- Cincinnati, OH, USA
I was backing my 1999 Ford Windstar van out of the driveway at 3:45 P.M. on a clear day, Sunday June 20, 2010, when, without warning, the rear "axle" broke in half and collapsed. The wheels tilted in. Results on a highway would have been disastrous or deadly. Ford shows no recall for this issue, but numerous reports are online of the same problem for the same vehicle models of several model years. No repair report yet, as this just happened a day before this report. I haven't
- Broomall, PA, USA
Increased vibration in rear end. Felt like wheel balance was way off. Days leading up to axle break. Lots of rear-end shimmy when going over any bumps especially if in turns. Clicking noises when backing up. Sliding rear end with wet road.. erratic steering. Felt wobbly like very strong gusts of wind buffeting sides of vehicle. When axle split, rear end totally unstable. Fortunately was on city street (and not on highway) and was able to maintain some control. Was at night. Deserted street and city speed of 40mph. Swerved over double yellow lines. If had been earlier in day, would have probably collided with oncoming traffic. Was able to overcome loss of control and steer back into lane and then over to side of road. No curb stones or I would have definitely blown a tire or two and damaged undercarriage. Very scary. Thankfully no family onboard. Have ordered replacement axle. May need to replace coil springs and shocks if they have been bent/distorted/damaged. Mechanic says will know when replacing with new axle. I have asked to retain old parts for future inspection and proof of defect. Cannot believe Ford has allowed this known problem to go on without recall! hundreds have reported same problems online. How many thousands have not reported it?! this is going to cost me over a thousand dollars to repair. Also, had a major issue with totally rotted sub-frame last year --- also a major issue with other owners! another safety issue!! that cost me nearly $1500! Ford should be embarrassed and sorry and help their loyal customers -- not just ignore it and them! please do something to help us and other owners before someone gets killed!
- Worcester, MA, USA
Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) 1999 Ford Windstar- broken rear axle beam steering arm at driver side while driving. Also found another crack on the bar arm. VIN # [xxx].
- Simpsonville, SC, USA
We were making the normal turn into our community and heard a loud pop sound coming from under the front of the vehicle. When I got home I looked underneath and saw that the subframe had broken.
- Gainesville, VA, USA
Recent news reports have lead me to believe that I am not alone with the following problem: The rear axel of my 1999 Ford Windstar broke in half while I was driving onto I-93, North of boston, on December 5, 2009. Fortunately the vehicle skidded to a stop on the on ramp just before merging with fast moving traffic. The Windstar was towed to a garage, then donated to charity on December 7, 2009. Two people were in the van, however, there were no injuries as a result of the structural failure.
- Marblehead, MA, USA
Subframe on 1999 Ford Windstar snap saw reviews on other Windstar. Found out this a ongoing problem with this model.
- Philadelphia , PA, USA
Engine sub-frame/cradle failure at right side rear body mount resulting in loss of vehicle control. Replace sub-frame. Yes old sub-frame is available for inspection.
- Hammonton, NJ, USA
The rear axle cracked on the left side last year. I had it welded. This year it cracked in the same spot on the right side.
- Lincoln Park, NJ, USA
Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) we have recently experienced a broken axle beam on a 1999 Ford Windstar. Thank god nothing happened and no one was hurt. The car was swaying and knocking from the rear end and when we got home the rear wheels were cantered out. I looked under the car to find the broken axle beam and the only thing left holding it all together was a the torsion bar. I am very glad that we were not on a highway or too far from home, since we use the car to travel to Ohio and Florida. We then looked on the internet to find that many other people were experiencing the same problem and no recalls. Although our car has 150,000 miles on it others had under 100,000. Our main concern is the safety issue with our family. We travel a lot with our Windstar as do so many other families with children do and it seems as if Ford does not recognize the danger. I hope that Ford does not wait for a death to deal with this problem as the part that failed should not have failed. This part is a main structure of our vehicle and seems to be poorly designed. I can't imagine how many other Windstar are out there with an axle beam ready to break and how many families are unaware of this potential danger. The years of Windstar that I saw on comlpaints.com varied from 1999 to 2003 and its only a matter of time before someone gets injured or killed. I ask you to please look into this matter as soon as possible. [xxx]
- Barnegat, NJ, USA
Our 1999 Ford Windstar experienced a crack in the subframe on the right side due to rust. To replace with a used subframe, it will cost apprx $1,000, a new one is more then the car is worth. This is a dangerous defect and I had my three children in the car. This is one of several recurring problems we have had with the vehicle and from reading other posts, this is a common issue with the subframe due to a design problem on Ford's part.
- Valley Stream, NY, USA
1999 Ford Windstar right front stabilizer bracket rusted off frame. Noticed lower control arm bracket rusted bad and ready to come loose.
- Groveport, OH, USA
1999 Ford Windstar. Without warning the front subframe broke loose from the main chassis when the car was moving forward at a stop light. The engine and transmission dropped, disconnecting the steering wheel from the steering rack and resulted in a complete loss of steering and control. Subframe completely rusted out at the point of failure. I know of another person whose 1999 Windstar did the exact same thing one week earlier. Car ended up being scrapped as repair costs far out weighed the car's value. This could result in injuries or fatalities if the car were moving at higher speeds. Ford is aware this is happening but is not advising owners to have their cars inspected. Lots of potential for accidents, there are plenty of older Windstar on the road.
- Baraboo, WI, USA
- Hatboro, PA, USA