1999 Ford Windstar rear dead axle cracked. There was no accident involved. Checked internet and found numerous complaints about same problem and same location of crack. Would like to know if I have any recourse against Ford Motor Company.

- Neptune, NJ, USA

1999 Ford Windstar rear dead axle cracked. There was no accident involved. Checked internet and found numerous complaints about same problem and same location of crack. Would like to know if I have any recourse against Ford Motor Company.

- Neptune, NJ, USA

Broken rear axle on a 1999 Ford Windstar. I was driving down the road at 35 miles per hour and the axle just snapped in half. The vehicle only has around 85000 miles on it. The reason I am filing this complaint is because one mechanic told me this is a consistent problem with this particular make and model. The tow truck driver said he had towed three of these same situations in the last two weeks and tows about 12-15 a year. The mechanic who repaired it said that he has fixed 4 of them. Now this is just in my location so I can't imagine country wide that Ford is not aware of this problem. Had this happened on the highway this could have been very serious and I am also concerned that the way to repair it is to replace it with the same part that is defective.

- Canton, OH, USA

While driving thru an intersection, there was a loud clunking noise. The steering wheel turned hard itself, and the van was undrivable. The mechanic told us that the engine cradle was rusted thru an had broke off from its mounting point. He said this was a design flaw from Ford, and that he has seen several Windstar with the same problem. There are no recalls yet, and Ford will not help, yet. After searching the internet I was surprised at how many other people have had the same problem. Coincidently all the other Windstar mounts broke in the same exact place. The mechanic has quoted us $750 to replace with a used part and $1300 for a new part. So far all of the used parts are rotted (rusted thru), in the same place as mine and not worth using. If we cannot find a quality used part soon, we will have to replace with new.

- Warren, MI, USA

Chassis rusted out around mtr mounts: Car makes noise and steers crooked: I just found out why but, it's been doing it for about 6 months.

- Southampton, NJ, USA

The car started pulling really hard to the right while driving causing a loss of control and almost an accident. The frame of the vehicle rusted in one spot on the subframe where it joins the frame around the mounting bolt. This is on the front passenger side of the vehicle. This has broken loose and there is subframe/control arm and other damage. Dealer said when a job like this is done there is usually a snowball affect with the damage. Atleast $2000. The rest of the vehicle is in good condition with a new transmission just pu in last year. Car is only good for scrap now. Definite safety issue. I have two kids ages 3 and 5 that were in the vehicle at the time.

- Middletown, NY, USA

The rear axle (or rear support beam)broke in two on my 1999 Ford Windstar. We had heard some noise from the back of the car and had an appointment to have it checked the day after this incident occurred. I had thought that maybe the rear shocks were going. I was driving the car on sunrise highway in rockville center, New York when the car started bucking and there was a loud bang. Immediately the car started swerving to the right and I started T smell a burning odor. It was quite a terrifying experience and I thank god that neither I or anyone else was hurt. I was able to get the car to the side of the road as I noticed the look of horror on the faces of the few bystanders on the sidewalk. I could not believe what I saw when I got out. The rear wheels were both spread Eagle apart and the axle was broke in two and scraping on the ground. There was a distinct scrape mark in the road from the axle that traced my path to the side of the road. As I searched the internet I was disturbed to see that this is an ongoing problem and that Ford has done nothing to take responsibility for it. I just got my car back today, August 4,2009. I had to pay $870 for the repair and that is with a used rear axle support from a junk yard. This is a real safety issue and before someone is killed Ford should step up to the plate and recall these cars!!! to make things just a little worse, it just happened to be my 50th birthday on the day of the incident. What a birthday present from the Ford Motor Company. I had purchased this car new in 1999 and am the only owner. The car has not been in any accident. This is not the first major problem with this car and Ford sold me an extended service contract at a significant discount after I had the car for two years because of all the problems I had with the car from day one. The car has 97,000 miles on it and has had the transmission rebuilt, new intake manifold, master cylinder, brake booster, struts, rack and pinion, and more.

- Baldwin, NY, USA

My sisters 1999 Windstar had a rusted subframe. I took my 1999 Windstar to a mechanic, the subframe was starting to rust on the right side. Within 4 weeks, the frame split while driving with my 2 kids in the car. It is undrivable. I call Ford on 7/22/09 to let them know of a design problem (the A/C draintube drains on the subframe on the right. There is no other rust on the car, but Ford said my car was out of warranty and there is nothing they can do. Its not a warranty issue, its a design issue. I am having it fixed and I think Ford should reimburse me. They will need to replace the subframe.

- Mount Airy, MD, USA

Rear axle broke on my 1999 Ford Windstar without warning. Thought I was hydroplaning, as it was raining. At 60 mph, I started to loose control and I slowed down to 40mph. I drove 5 miles, thinking I was getting a flat tire. As I pulled off the road, rear tires were scraping the fender and I discovered the axle had broken in half.

- Greensburg, PA, USA

When having the ball joints replaced and an alignment done, our mechanic noted that the engine cradle is severely rusted and needs to be replaced. He claimed that it was far worse than it ever should be and if this was a GM, they would take care of it. However, this is a Ford and they will do nothing.

- Saint Joseph, MN, USA

1999 Ford Windstar- was hearing a lot of deep sounding squeaking from the passenger front side. Also some cracking sounds when accelerating from a stop. Had a mechanic look and found the subframe was very badly rusted. We replaced the subframe. The repair shop took pictures for us and we were horrified to see how severe the situation actually was. It was very close to rusting completely through. 1999 Windstar with 98,000 miles. Cost to repair was aprox. $1500. The car rides very smooth now that it has been repaired. Big difference in the feel. Was not aware how bouncy the car was riding. Now it feels almost like a new suspension.

- Dumont, NJ, USA

On May 22 my 1999 Ford Windstar van started to make a squealing/whining noise at approximately 10:30 in the morning during what should have been a 40 minute drive to my mothers house. Due to the weird noise I stopped and checked the air pressure in my tire (right rear) where the sound seemed to be originating from. The pressure was a little low so I topped it off and continued on my trip. The sound continued and I decided to stop at a service station about 20 more miles into the trip. The service station was little help, they checked my power steering fluid, drove the van around the parking lot a couple of times and it made no noises. The attendant told me he didn't have any idea as to what the sound might be and asked if I could return in an hour when his superior would be there. I agreed to return after dropping off my kids at my mothers. After going on down the road about another ten miles I felt the steering wheel start to float and drift and my brakes became useless and the van came to an abrupt halt and there was a huge bang as the entire rear end of the vehicle became disabled. As we all piled out to see what was wrong we found the rear wheels pointing inward under the van at a backwards angle. Some men came to help me who were nearby they informed me my axle was snapped. Looking under the vehicle I could clearly see they were right. My van will be repaired this weekend. I called Ford they basically told me to eat the repairs myself. In wv a yearly inspection is required, I passed inspection at the beginning of April which tells me there was nothing visually wrong with my axle less than two months ago. I find it hard to believe that without any outside damage or force (accidents, force ect) an axle can just snap in two. If I had been traveling any faster my 4 children and myself would have been killed or harmed as at the moment it broke I had little control over the vehicle and the brakes were failing. Only people with children buy mini-vans, this is scary.

- Parkersburg, WV, USA

We have a 99 Windstar with a broken engine cradle. My wife was driving the van along with my son to a local retailer. She was in the middle lane when she heard a loud bang under the van. My son who was sitting ton the passenger side said he felt it under his feet. She was able to get the van to the side of the road even though the steering was very difficult. She was about 5 miles from home so decided to take it back home. Surprisingly she was able to get it home. I crawled under the unit and immediately saw that the engine cradle had snapped on the passenger side rear. It was then that we stopped driving the van due to safety concerns. I did some research on the web and they were several complaints identical to ours. It seems that the ac drain hose is situated over the exact location of the break. Apparently over a period of time this causes the frame to rust out. I called Ford to complain and they said that there was nothing they could do. I called my local Ford dealer and passed on buying a new part due to the cost. I had to take a day off from work and go junkyard shopping to find a replacement part. I located one and we had the unit towed to lucas Ford in burlington, N.J. where my wife works part time. The part was delivered and the dealer did the replacement along with a bad rack and pinion unit that was discovered at the same time. The unit had 77,817 on the odometer at the time the work was done. I can understand mechanical items going bad but this was a structural item. This situation could have been so much worse say had she been on the interstate doing 65 mph instead of on a local road doing 40 mph. I could see if this was an isolated incident but it isn't. I contacted Ford one more time and complained again to no avail. I have always owned Ford and probably always will but this experience along with one I had concerning my 1985 thunderbird control module has left a bad taste in my mouth as to how they take care of their customers.

- Delanco, NJ, USA

The engine cradle has rusted out on my 1999 Windstar van. This has occurred due to a faulty design by Ford. After research I found that the air conditioner leaks on the cradle creating a common problem of the cradle rusting out. This can be and has been resulting in car accident deaths. I was lucky. I had the car at the Ford dealership in englewood Florida(bay harbor Ford) for another problem and they went to put my car on the lift and the cradle broke because of the rust. They are replacing the cradle and then continuing on the repairs. The cost to me is expected around $2,200 or more. They have ordered a used cradle. Ford inspected my car before I purchase it and never told me about this rust problem. I purchased the van in 2007- Oct based on their blessing that it was a sound, safe vehicle and would last me for at least anther 200,000 miles.

- Englewood, FL, USA

While driving in a residential area, steering wheel jerked to the right and transmission seemed to enter neutral. Upon inspection, found that the weld that anchors the control arm to the engine cradle/subframe had broken. Control arm pulled away from the cradle and dislodged the right halfshaft leaving vehicle immobile. Vehicle has not yet been repaired. A non-moving, frictionless part should not break under normal use.

- Livonia, MI, USA

The front subframe rusted through on back passenger side. The rest of the vehicle is rust free for the most part. The car has 80,300 mi. Its a 1999 Ford Windstar.

- New Lenox, IL, USA

1999 Ford Windstar SE failed Pennsylvania state inspection, due to rotting metal on front subframe, located near were connection to uni-body exist. Subframe has rotted a hole and is continuing to deteriorate. Passenger side.

- Langhorne, PA, USA

Engine cradle rusted and broke apart.

- Freeburg, IL, USA

While driving my 1999 Ford Windstar, I heard a thump coming from the passenger side front end. I then felt the steering wheel go from the 12 O'clock position to the 3 O'clock position. I stopped the minivan and got out to inspect the under carriage. I found that the subframe on the right passenger side rusted through a few inches from where it bolts to the vehicle. The vehicle S no longer safe and is currently at the repair shop being inspected. I was told by the technician that he has never seen a subframe rust through as it did. The vehicle has one owner and is well maintained. Pictures available at request.

- Sewell, NJ, USA

The contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. While driving 30 mph, the subframe suddenly failed, which caused the axle to pull out of the transmission. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic and they stated that the subframe needed to be replaced. The contact did not notice any differences beforehand. The current and failure mileages were 104,000.

- Greensburg, PA, USA