2000 Ford Windstar rear axel split in half. Just driving home from work and heard crunch and felt sway. Got home and found rear wheels tilted.

- Poughkeepsie, NY, USA

While driving the Ford Windstar Sunday 7/17/2010 my wife noticed that car shaking badly. I took the car for a drive and it started to shake badly and I also smelled rubber. I looked at the rear wheels and noticed that rear axle was broken.

- Redford, MI, USA

I was driving to pick up my son from a friends house when I heard a loud crack. The van began to sway from side to side. I got out to see what had happen and the rear axle had broken about two feet the driver side tire. Luckily no one was injured or killed. I don't have the money to replace it with a new axle so there it sits in my driveway undriveable. I'm not sure if I want to replace with a used axle it might just happen again.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

I was driving my 2000 Ford Windstar with my two children in the car when my rear axle cracked in half on the northern state parkway in New York, at exit 42.

- Commack, NY, USA

Real axle cracked at 107000 miles. Vehicle disposed of before complete failure.

- Belleville, MI, USA

2000 Ford Windstar with 131,800 miles on it came to a halt after going over a rough piece of road that it navigates on a weekly basis. The back axle broke in half causing the tires to point inward and rubbed on the fender wells. Had to have it towed. Can't wait to see what this repair will cost us!!!

- Manville, NJ, USA

2000 Ford Windstar rear axle failure -

- Miton, MA, USA

The contact owns a 2000 Ford Windstar. While driving at approximately 25 mph over a road bump, there was a loud, abnormal noise and the vehicle immediately became difficult to control, veering from side to side. The contact was able to drive to his residence and found that the rear axle was fractured. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for repairs. The failure and current mileage was 78,000.

- Johnstown, PA, USA

The contact owns a 2000 Ford Windstar. While driving at approximately 60 mph, there was a loud bang from the rear and the vehicle began to vibrate excessively. The contact moved the vehicle from the roadway and found that the rear axle had fractured in half. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the rear axle was replaced at the contact's expense. The failure and current mileages were 135,000.

- Staten Island, NY, USA

Our Ford Windstar mini-van begun driving strangely yesterday as we were on vacation at martha's vineyard. The van is a 2000 with 130,000 miles, and we have been considering replacing it for 6 months or so. After feeling the rear of the vehicle shimmying, we returned to our rental cottage and examined the rear of the vehicle and discovered that the axel was broken near the driver's side just below the welding point. We are very thankful that we made it back safely with our 3 children.

- Plantsville, CT, USA

Vehicle rear end started to sway at low speeds (<20 mph) clicking sound heard from the rear end when driving in reverse. Upon examination the rear axle beam was cracked through about 3/4 clean through on the drivers side directly behind the gas tank. Currently attempting to get repaired. Old part is available at this time.

- Madison, OH, USA

I was traveling at 70 mph on the high way when the rear beam axle snapped. I was able to retain control of the vehicle. The vehicle did fishtail and almost rolled. There is an axle available for this vehicle from Ford.

- Wilmington, MA, USA

While driving back on a trip from depere wi started hearing a strange sound from the rear end of the van when hitting bumps in the road. After looking at the rear end of the vehicle found a large crack in the rear axle beam about half way through the "C" channel and a broken coil spring. I started looking online for replacement parts and found that there has been other failures of this type on 1999 - 2003 Windstar. The NHTSA has an investigation going on this type of failure - PE10016. Just wanted to log the failure before getting the repair done.

- Waukesha, WI, USA

The rear axle on my 2000 Ford Windstar broke apart while traveling on I-96 at about 60 mph, I was able to come to a safe stop on the median. This could have endangered me as well as others. I have done some research on line and found this to be a problem with this car. This is a serious defect that needs to be addressed by the NHTSA and the Ford Motor Company.

- Riverview, MI, USA

On June 13, 2010 my wife was driving Ford Windstar at approximately 25mph speed down a paved road near our home when the rear suspension axle broke. The axle cracked and completely separated at approximately 1 1/2 feet from drivers side rear wheel. Both halves of axle dropped to the ground and one side was dragging on pavement. Both rear tires were rubbing on wheel housing. The vehicle experienced loss of control in rear end and did not stay inline with the front end of vehicle. There was a smell of burning rubber after vehicle was stopped. The vehicle has not been repaired yet and we are awaiting new part (axle) purchased from Ford dealership before repairs may begin. Vehicle had been used on daily basis and was used for a family vacation trip the week prior to failure. Vehicle has under 111,000 miles on the odometer. Failure should have not occurred in such a critical area and at such a low mileage. Although there were no injuries or collision, the failure is a safety concern because the rear end of the vehicle had lost control and the rear tires were rubbing against the wheel housing and could have blown.

- Trivoli, IL, USA

The car was fishtailing and I assumed the alignment needed fixing. I was going down a dirt road, the traction control came on and the car wasn't driving normally. I pulled over and noticed the back drivers side wheel was leaning in. Under the car I found the rear axle broken a quarter from the drivers side. The car was towed and a new rear axle was installed. An old part was available, but I learned that the failure rate on the used parts was high so I chose to use a new part.

- Allegan, MI, USA

Driving straight on road approx. 35 mph in town normal stop and go traffic, and rear axle broke completely in half. Had vehicle towed to my mechanic. Need to replace the axle. Will cost around $1000. No one was hurt but it could of been tragic if I had been on the highway or going around a curve. Van has approx. 142,000 miles on it.

- Winthrop Harbor, IL, USA

Rear axle broke on my 2000 Ford Windstar. We got new tires and noticed the car was driving funny. Looked underneath to find a crack almost all the way through the rear axle. Exactly what is described in NHTSA act number PE10016.

- Erie, PA, USA

I was driving my 2000 Ford Windstar down the road with my children and my tires started to squeal and the back end started to lose control. I was able to get off the road safely. When I got out to see what was wrong my back tires were bowed in. When looking under I saw my axle was split in half. I had no other warning signs. I called Ford and they said there is no recall or any problems reported on the rear axles.

- Ellwood City, PA, USA

While driving on an interstate highway at 55 mph, my 2000 Ford Windstar LX made a loud noise and black smoke and the smell of burning rubber filled the vehicle. It was with great difficulty that my husband was able to maintain control of the vehicle and get it over to the side of the road. My self and our 3 children were very fortunate to escape injury. The rear tire axle had snapped in two. I have since read of numerous complaints regarding this same defect. Why hasn't anything been done about this serious issue" the vehicle is currently in auto shop and I am waiting to hear if it can be repaired. I am extremely apprehensive about driving this car ever again. Will the same situation happen again if I replace it with another Ford part" why hasn't there been a safety recall on this issue. I am the original owner and this car has been properly maintained. There are approximately 110,000 miles on the vehicle.

- Springfield, MA, USA