10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 1 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 1 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 62,298 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.
2000 Ford Windstar: Cracked rear axle and corrosion and related failures of the front sub-frame. We are writing to report a rear cracked axle and failed, damaged and corroded front sub-frame assembly of our 2000 Ford van. Ford recalled: "certain 1998-2003 model year Windstar vehicles operated in corrosion states" for cracked or broken rear axles (safety recall 10513- supplement #10); and for failed and corroded "subframe front lower control arm rear attaching flanges and rear body mount attachments. Our Ford van has both these failures and is unsafe to drive. The vehicle failed the state safety inspection due to its cracked axle. The inspector advised us the van was unsafe to drive. The koons Ford service department has inspected the van and concluded that the rear axle and front sub-frame have failed because of corrosion and both need to be replaced. The vehicle was "operated" regularly in Maryland and the District of Columbia, as well as driven in the winter in snow and ice conditions in high corrosion states. We were told by koons that an extension of the recall was denied by Ford because while the vehicle was operated in high corrosion states, it was not registered in a high corrosion state. Northern Virginia weather is similar to official adjacent high corrosion states. The national weather service groups northern Virginia with areas of Maryland and DC with regard to snow fall. "sodium chloride (salt) is Virginia's primary snow removal and ice control chemical". the "registration" requirement is erroneous. Consideration should be given to whether a vehicle was operated in high corrosion areas, where salt is used. Ford's letter of 1/ 26/2011 to NHTSA, states that " we are taking the action to confirm our commitment to safety and to address any potential vehicle owner concerns." Request that the recalls be extended to our vehicle. The sway bar links were replaced. Updated IVOQ 12/20/11
- Arlington, VA, USA
The contact owns a 2000 Ford Windstar. The contact stated after having the vehicle repaired for recall NHTSA campaign id number: 10V385000 (suspension:rear:axle:non-powered axle assembly) and recall NHTSA campaign id number: 11V030000 (structure: Frame and members:under body shields), she was unable to drive the vehicle since the brackets and bolts hang so low which caused it to get stuck when driving over a pot hole or on train tracks. The contact stated that the repairs only serve as a band aid and failed to remedy the problem. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who stated the vehicle was unsafe to drive since the sub frame was extremely compromised and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 158,013. Rvk
- Bangor , ME, USA
The rear axle twisted so bad that it destroyed my right rear brakes. The new drum will not go on it is so badly twisted. The consumer also stated there is rust under the vehicle. Updated portable 08/30/11
- Fife, WA, USA
2000 Ford Windstar. Consumer writes in regards to a recall notice for a faulty rear axle the dealer informed the consumer the axle was in need of repair due to deterioration. The consumer then received a call from the dealer stating a buy back offer of $2,400 was being offered. The consumer turned down the offer and decided to have the vehicle repaired. The consumer was informed the repairs would not be complete until Feb 2011. While the vehicle was still at the dealer, the consumer received another recall regarding the subframe lower control arm. The vehicle was inspected and it was determined the vehicle met the requirement for the repair. The consumer then received a second buy back offer from Ford and decided to take the offer. The consumer stated he received the run-around regarding the buy back offer and in the end, the buy back offer had expired and the dealer repaired the vehicle.
- Eau Claire, WI, USA
2000 Ford Windstar. Consumer writes to express discontent regarding vehicles recalls the consumer stated she received four recalls for the vehicle. The consumer stated when she took the vehicle to the dealer for the recall regarding the replacement of the brake harness, the odometer and speedometer were damaged. The dealer informed her they were not responsible for damage caused by the defective part. When the consumer went to the dealer for another recall, they kept the vehicle for a week, only to be told the parts were not available to replace the rear axle.
- Newport, MI, USA
The contact owns a 2000 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the rear passenger side bracket was corroded. The vehicle was taken to the dealer January 2011 for repairs under NHTSA campaign id number: 10V385000 (suspension: Rear: Axle: Non-powered axle assembly). The contact stated that the dealer replaced the rear axle but did not replace the bracket and the rear passenger side of the vehicle was sitting abnormally low to the ground. The dealer advised the contact that the bracket was not included in the recall therefore, they were not responsible for replacing the bracket. The manufacturer was contacted and filed a claim for the failure but provided no additional assistance. The vehicle was not further repaired. The failure and the current miles was 113,027. Updated 06/01/11 updated 08/19/11
- Harrisburg , PA, USA
2000 Ford Windstar. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle recall and safe driving conditions the consumer received another recall in the mail. Upon inspection, it was determined the vehicle was not safe to drive. Ford offered to buy the vehicle back from the consumer. The consumer stated the 6,218 he was offered as a buy back was unreasonably low. The formula used for valuation was for a car driven 12,000 miles per year. The consumers vehicle was driven less than 5,000 miles per year. The consumer believed the value of the vehicle was 10,000. Updated 05/04/11 updated 06/02/11
- Linthicum Heights, MD, USA
The contact owns a 2000 Ford Windstar. The vehicle was included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 10V385000 (suspension:rear:axle:non-powered axle assembly). The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer; however, approximately four months later the vehicle was still in possession of the authorized dealer awaiting repairs. The contact was told that the repair parts were unavailable. The failure and current mileage was 126,000.
- Elizabeth, WV, USA
2000 Ford Windstar. Consumer writes in regards to the recall on the vehicle is a rear axle fracture due to corrosion build up the dealer inspected the vehicle and determined there was a crack in the rear axle. The consumer stated the dealer has not made any repairs as the part(s) were not available. The consumer has been without her vehicle since November 5, 2010. The consumer was given a time frame of March 21, 2011 for the repair.
- Muskegon, MI, USA
2000 Ford Windstar. Consumer states broken/cracked axle the consumer stated the dealer has had his vehicle since October 2010 and nothing has been done to repair/fix the problem.
- Cary, NC, USA
2000 Ford Windstar. Consumer states rear axle broke while driving the consumer stated his wife was driving on the highway, when suddenly the van began to shake. The van could no longer be driven due to the axle breaking.
- Manchester, NH, USA
The contact owns a 2000 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that he took his vehicle into the dealer for NHTSA recall 10V385000, suspension:rear:axle:non-powered axle assembly and the mechanic advised him that the corrosion of the front sub frame was much worse than the recall. He also heard a popping noise previously and asked the mechanic to determine the cause of failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 116,000. Updated 12/14/2011 updated 02/23/11
- Wilmington, IL, USA
2000 Ford Windstar. Consumer writes regarding the potential operating problem with the rear axle recall. The consumer stated the vehicle was totaled after she had an accident due to the failure of the rear axle. The consumer lost control of the vehicle and slammed into an ice bank. When the consumer exited the vehicle, the rear wheels were embedded into the side of the van at a bizarre angle. The consumer was slightly injured as she tried to control the vehicle.
- Pearl River, NY, USA
2000 Ford Windstar. Consumer would like reimbursement for rear axle assembly repairs due to the recall that was issued. On June 16, 2010, the rear axle assembly snapped in two while the consumer was backing out of the driveway.
- Mansfield, MA, USA
The contact owns a 2000 Ford Windstar. The contact was driving 5 mph over a road bump. There was an abnormal noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where it was discovered that the rear axle was severely corroded. The dealer replaced the axle at the contacts expense. The manufacturer advised that they were not aware of the failure and would not provide any further assistance. The failure mileage was 81,430 and the current mileage was 82,000. Updated 12/15/10. The consumer stated the repairs were completed. Updated 12/27/10
- Bethelpark , PA, USA
The contact owns a 2000 Ford Windstar. While driving 20 mph, he lost control of the vehicle and was able to drive onto the emergency lane. The contact noticed that the back rear tire was tilted inward and the axle was cracked. The vehicle was towed to an auto body shop where to weld the axle together. The axle was replaced three times. The axle was not repaired three times. The dealer was not notified. The failure mileage was 80,000 and the current mileage was 116,000. Updated 10/13/10 the consumer stated the rear axle was broken due to a crack. The consumer paid for the repairs. Updated 10/14/10
- Parma, OH, USA
We experienced fish tailing in the rear of our 2000 Ford Windstar while traveling in heavy holiday traffic during a torrential rain storm on NJ garden state parkway - we thought it was the rain on a very cold day. Ten miles after 400 miles of parkway travel over the holidays with my entire family in the van, the rear axle broke in half, off center to left. My investigation shows me that this has happened to many other Windstar owners around the 100,000 mile mark. We, like many others who posted it here and other complaint sites, thank god that it did not happen while going 65 mph in heavy traffic. There have been many near accidents sited and Ford claims they know nothing about this issue. As many more Windstar approach this milestone - word needs to get about to have them and their mechanics watch for this. I was without transportation for a week and it cost us $1,000 to replace it and our mechanic could not find anywhere where it is advised to check this out on routine maintenance ? he was horrified. In the broken rear axle category for 2000 Windstar's reported on this site, there are only six less number of complaints (57 vs. 51) as there is the speed control issue that Ford just sent out a recall for and in 2001 there were eight more complaints ? 45 broken axles vs. 38 speed control! Ford customer service was less than concerned when I called to report it. This is a fatality looking to happen - if it hasn't already! updated 10/22/10 the consumer stated she is being reimbursed, since Ford recalled her vehicle. Updated IVOQ 10/26/10
- Oceanport, NJ, USA
The contact owns a 2000 Ford Windstar. While entering the driveway from a six hour trip, the rear side of the vehicle malfunctioned. A local mechanic advised her that the rear axle fractured in half. The vehicle was being repaired.. the current and failure mileages were 112,000. Updated 11/12/09 updated 11/16/09
- Bellefontaine, OH, USA
My 2000 Ford Windstar with appx 79500 miles had the rear axle nearly severed (appx 80 %) on Apr 24, 2007 while pulling out of my driveway. My local Ford dealer service mgr states that he has seen at least 5 of these malfunctions. My vehicle has been highly maintained, garage stored, and under body flushed twice a year since I purchased it in the spring of 2000. Upon inspection of the axle, it was apparent that corrosion was present in an appx 1/2 inch area, and the roadside curb caused the crack from this weakened spot. Obviously, if a less observant driver had not noticed the instability and had taken it on a high speed highway, a catastrophic accident would likely have occurred. Kenny ross Ford South replaced the axle (for $1135.74), and I have retained the old one for my next course of action.
- Bethel Park, PA, USA
- Baltimore , MD, USA