This morning, my husband and I got into our 2000 Ford Windstar, put it in reverse and only backed out 5-6 inches and we hear this bang and whooshing sound as the front passenger tire deflated completely down to the rim and the front end just crashed to the ground. We thought because we had older tires that they finally decided to give up the ghost, so we went to replace the flat with our donut tire and found that the front coil spring had broken in the middle and had left a sharp point that rubbed up against the tire and left approximately a foot long slash in it! We checked with our Ford dealership for recalls on this and there were none.

We took it in to have the repair done out of pocket which stinks when you know that this is a mechanical failure! We also called Ford Corp. and they said there was no financial assistance for this problem and was advised to keep our repair bills in case there was a formal recall in the future so we can get reimbursed, which would be nice! We also filed a formal complaint with the NHTSA and will know more in about 4-6weeks when the investigation will be complete. I hope the NHTSA does launch a recall on this because from doing research, they did recalls on Windstars up through 1998.

The million dollar question is why did they stop there when later models are having the same problem!?! We count our lucky stars that this blowout happened in our own driveway and not on the highway because with the way that the van lurched to the ground when the tire blew, I can't imagine what it would be like at any speed. This is a VERY dangerous failure that needs to be remedied NOW before someone gets killed!

To me this is a very dangerous situation. I was only driving about 60 kmph in an 80 due to bad road conditions. What if I was driving on the highway? I've read other complaints of this matter, only the 1997 and 1998 ford windstars have been recalled. The recall was in 2001 are the coil springs the same on the 2000 as on the 1998? I've called a Ford dealership , I'm waiting on a reply as to whether there going to fix it at no charge. I was driving along as I said, not to fast and all of a sudden I hear a big bang, the road I was on is very busy in the morning so I had to keep driving to the next side street to pull over. I can see smoke on the front passenger side of the car. Once I pulled over, by then I'm shaking like a leaf, I get out to see what the problem is and the tire is flat and smoking. I call my hubby to come and change the tire, as he proceeds to pull the tire off, he, being very mechanically inclined, see's the coil spring has broken and it had caused the tire to blow out. To me this could have been a worse situation.

I think Ford should step up and do the right thing, we'll see come Monday. Judging from what I've read, that's not going to happen. I guess we'll just wait till some one gets hurt or killed before there's a recall on these vans.

Update from Mar 5, 2010: Just to let everyone know Ford of course did not pay for anything. I was told that if a recall was done in the future then I would get a cheque in the mail, What a joke. Gee what is ford waiting for someone to loose their life? The only thing I can say Ford stands for is FIX OR REPAIR DAILY. This is my last Ford I will ever buy!!!

I regrettably own a 2000 ford Windstar that has had a dozen malfunctions ranging from numerous electrical problems to now crappy engineered suspension parts. My wife and I was walking toward our Windstar to leave the house when all at once the front of the van came crashing down to the ground making a hell of a bang!!!!! Thank God we weren't on the freeway yet. The driver side front spring broke while sitting still, puncturing the tire and ruining the strut!!! This is the first and the very last Ford for me!!!The dealer told me there hasn't been a recall for this problem. There has been for prev. years but not a 2000 I can't believe that Ford has stayed in business all these years putting this kind of inferior cars on the road endangering the lives of people!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My wife and I were walking out of the house toward our van parked in the driveway when all of a sudden the van let out a hell of a bang!! The left front tire went flat instantly and the front of the van hit the ground!! The damn spring broke puncturing the tire!!If this would have happened 15 minutes later we would have been on the freeway!!! We called our local Ford dealer, he said there wasn't a recall on this problem and I would have have to pay for repairs. I can't believe Ford has stayed in business as long as they have!! I have convinced two people that were going to buy new Fords to purchase another make of car, and I'm sure I can sway other people to do the same!! I will make this a life long mission to cost Ford as many sales as I possibly can!!!!!!!!!!!!! The half a dozen other problems(electrical, heater, instruments, door latches) I've had with this piece of junk seem minuscule compared to this one!!! Oh, by the way, the replacement parts were aftermarket parts because I refuse to give any more money to Ford Motor Company!! They produce inferior parts and cars!!!!!!!!!

TO HELL WITH FORD!!!!!!!!!!!!