10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 2 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 1 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 112,378 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
Had to pay to replace subframe on my 2000 Ford Windstar. Could not drive til replaced.
- Westland, MI, USA
The contact owns a 2000 Ford Windstar. The contact stated while having a routine oil change performed on the vehicle, he was advised by the technician that the chassis that held the engine in place on the front of the vehicle was rusted. The technician stated that the rust had begun in the H frame. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 140,000.
- Staten Island, NY, USA
Cracked rear axle, confirmed by dealer. Dealer has seized vehicle with recovery only possible if liability release is signed.
- Kendall Park, NJ, USA
2000 Ford Windstar, the control arm front passenger side detached from the frame while my wife was driving to work on 11/19/10. Luckily there were no other cars coming or she would have hit them head on. All vehicle controls were lost; no steering, no transmission drive train. The vehicle swerved out of control until luckily, the vehicle stopped partly on the side of the road. The vehicle had to be towed. I also noticed a hole in the rear axle which there is a recall for. The vehicle obviously cannot be driven and I am unsure if the transmission is damaged due to the drive axle being pulled out of it.
- Hillsdale, NJ, USA
2000 Ford Windstar LX 95,000 miles. Rear axle is cracked. Right rear subframe is completely rusted through where it mounts to the frame. Both parts are ready to fail and could have resulted in injury or death. Please recall the Windstar for the rusted subframes before people start getting hurt. It is a real problem and you will receive many more complaints. That nonsense Ford is spouting about rust is normal on vehicles of this age is not going to fly. Body rust is normal in the "salt belt", frames and axles rusting to the point of breaking is not. I bought a Windstar for it's five star crash rating. I thought it would keep my family safe!
- Swanton, VT, USA
2000 Ford Windstar detected front end subframe corrosion and needs to be replaced. How long will the investigation take" will I be reimbursed for repair if there is a recall"
- New York, NY, USA
I own a 2000 Ford Windstar, and had the water pump break recently. When the mechanic put the vehicle on the hoist he noticed a large degree of rusting and separation on the subframe connecting to the control arm. This issue needs to be repaired before the vehicle can be driven again as it is a major safety concern - as per the mechanic.
- Stoney Point, Ontario, Canada, 00, USA
The contact owns a 2000 Ford Windstar. While having the vehicle repaired at an authorized dealer for an unrelated failure, the contact was informed that the front sub frame was fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 154,439.
- West Monroe, NY, USA
2000 Ford Windstar engine cradle rotting out on these vans. Once rotted through, and it breaks you lose control of van! as it is tied into the steering! at 70mph this could be fatal to everyone in the van along with loss of control and smashing into cars in the other lanes of traffic! shouldn't be rotting out on a ten year vehicle cheap metal !
- Fairless Hills, PA, USA
I took my 2000 Ford Windstar VIN [xxx] for the current recall on the rear axle. The mechanic told me the right passenger side sub frame was corroded and disintegrating to the extent that is crumbling and the engine would fall to the ground potential killing me, passengers and some one else. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
- Crystal Lake, IL, USA
2000 Ford Windstar has a defective rear axle. It has a hole resulting from rusting from the inside out.
- Palatine, IL, USA
The contact owns a 2000 Ford Windstar. While the vehicle was examined by a local mechanic the contact was informed that the front sub frame was beginning to rust. Prior to the examination the contact had the rear axle repaired due to rust. The sub frame was not repaired. The current and failure mileages were 53000.
- Arlington, MA, USA
I was driving down the road doing 90km when I heard a large bang and lost all control of my van. I vehicle came to rest at the edge of a steep ditch. Apparently the subframe on it had rotted causing the right control arm to break, which in turn tore the axel from the transmission causing the transmission fluid to leak everywhere. As well very likely causing transmission issues.
- Clinton, 00, USA
The subframe, located at the front underside of the 2000 Windstar, is supposed to help keep the engine and other integral parts of the Windstar in place and stable. It has been compromised on this vehicle with 185,000 miles, and broke during a turn into a park after church on the aforementioned date (10-10-10). Fortunately the results were not deadly but could have been if we were driving on the interstate which we frequently do. What happened was a detachment of the drive axle (half shaft) from the transmission, which occurred when the lower control arm mount separated and caused the wheel to pull free from the drive axle. Furthermore there were no warnings prior to any of the aforementioned failures. The area of the subframe affected by this corrosion is located on the passenger side where it attaches to the lower control arm. This is the first time it has occurred. This vehicle was towed to tps transmission in toledo oh and is being repaired. The sub frame is being replaced and I will ask that the old part be returned. In the meantime what is going to be done with this obvious growing problem?
- Millbury, OH, USA
Reversing vehicle front subframe failure, lower suspension arm brokeaway drive shaft disconnected subframe & driveshaft replaced old parts not available.
- Alvinston, 00, USA
While driving down the road my rear axle snapped in half causing me to slide suddenly. I phoned a local Ford dealership and was informed that Ford has a recall on the Windstar (mine is a 2000). Why is Ford not sending out word to people, my family could have been injured or killed.
- Marion, IA, USA
While replacing the steering gear, we were removing subframe mounting bolt when we found the top of the subframe on the passenger side to be completed rusted through with a large hole. There were also cracks down the side of the subframe with very little holding it together. It was determined to be undrivable and unable to pass vehicle inspection required by the state.
- Parkersburg, WV, USA
Recently had my 2000 Ford Windstar LX examined by my mechanic. He told me the frame is cracked in two places, one in front, the other in rear. Cost of repair $2000+. car has 175K miles. Needs repairs to prevent further corrosion. Since new car located in ri. Still need to have rear axle recall inspection.
- Barrington, RI, USA
Subframe at right connection rusted through. See NHTSA action number: PE10026, vehicle in Michigan (salt belt state). Its terrible that I need to pay to have this repaired when they may be forced to fix this for free soon!
- Macomb, MI, USA
- Lexington, KY, USA