2001 Windstar [xxx] sel sub frame snapped while driving almost causing a serious accident. Tow company said this was very rare that the subframe had rusted through. Repaired at a cost of $1058.03 total parts (used subframe) and labor. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Northville, MI, USA

2001 Ford Windstar 280,000 miles ne oh 10-11-10. Right side lower control arm separated from frame. 65 mph from left lane crossed 3 lanes rush hour traffic. No warning signs somehow no collision. Axle pulled from transmission. Replaced: Tire, axle, boots. Frame shop reinforced and straight frame, aligned front end. Repair damaged transmission cooling lines and required replacement.

- Warren, OH, USA

While driving on a local road at approximately 35 mph, my 2001 Ford Windstar broke down and was immobile. After being towed and inspected by a repair service, the cause was determined to be the front subframe. The front passenger side tire was facing right while all others were forward facing. This easily could have resulted in serious injury or a crash if other vehicles had been near or had the vehicle been traveling at higher speed.

- South Park, PA, USA

2001 Ford Windstar confiscated by dealer during recall inspection on 11/10/2010 due to crack in rear axle. As of 01/04/2011, no parts are available or expected to be available in the next few weeks. I am concerned about the mounting costs of this confiscation including loss of use of vehicle, reduced vehicle value even after possible repair, cost of interim rental vehicle, lack of communication by Ford and the dealership.

- Califon, NJ, USA

I had to replace the subframe on my 2001 Ford Windstar.

- Wells, VT, USA

I would like to report a recurring problem that I have had with my Ford Windstar 2 years ago while pulling out of a parking space the front right control arm pulled free from the sub-frame on my Windstar. Fortunately no one was hurt. I had the sub-frame replaced with another used frame by a local mechanic. Last Friday I took the van to the local Ford dealer to take care of the most recent recall on the rear axles. The dealership called me at home and told me the front sub-frame was severely rotted and the right control arm was barley holding on to the frame. They deemed the vehicle unsafe to drive. I have pulled the vehicle from the road until I can get it fixed. I feel fortunate that it did not break at highway speed with my wife and three kids in the van.

- Whitesboro, NY, USA

On December 27th, my wife had her Ford Windstar LX recall on the rear axle fixed at jim kiem Ford in hilliard, Ohio. She also wanted Ford to look into a really bad noise that she was hearing in front when she was turning. It was a loud banging noise. Jim kiem Ford told us that the sound that we heard was the sub-frame. They said the sub-frame was rusted and that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. They said that the engine might fall out of the car! my wife and children have been using this van everyday. I have read many Windstar owners comments online about the same problem. What does it take to get a recall? do children have to die!

- Galloway, OH, USA

We observed clunking in the front end prior to the failure. While turning the wheel to the right to park, a loud noise was heard in the front end. After that, the steering wheel was turned right while the car was going straight down the road. After inspection, the passenger side attachment point for the sub-frame was rotted off and separated from the mount. Substantial corrosion was also noted on the drive and passenger side control arm attachment points.

- Tolland, CT, USA

I have a Ford Windstar 2001 mini van and I live in New York state. On December 7th, 2010, as I was pulling left into a parking space I heard a loud cracking sound. (at first I thought I had rolled over a very large piece of ice) I again proceeded to pull in, but my car would not move. (engine was still on) I got out and found 3 of my tires facing left and 1 facing right. I called aaa and was preparing to have it towed to a mechanic. When the driver/mechanic from aaa, informed me that the lower control arm (drive arm) had tore away from the main frame (front axel) at the front of the car, and had tore away all of the driving mechanisms and would need a welder first, not a mechanic. So I had him take it to a local welder. He was able to find some clean metal to weld it back on and then recommended I take it to a mechanic to finish up with everything else that was needed. The mechanic told me that it would need a cv joint and the linkage for the transmission in order to have it working again. I have never had any issues with the engine, or transmission prior to this day. And the car has very little rust on it's body. So I would have never thought to look underneath for any. And because it was always maintained well, a mechanic was hardly ever under her to see if there was any possible damage either. She has less than 75,000 miles on her so I never expected this to occur. I have filed a report with Ford after the incident but all they could say was thank you and they'll make a not of it. And that the rear axel was on recall....but if that was the case, why not the front axel too"?"

- Depw, NY, USA

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. While driving approximately 55 mph, the vehicle pulled to the right and the check engine light illuminated. The dealer stated that the frame on the front driver side was severely rusted beyond repair. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was approximately 126,000.

- Colonial Beach, VA, USA

The front end of my 2001 Ford Windstar makes a lot of noise like it is going to fall apart. I'm afraid because my rear axle broke in 2 pieces going 65 mph on the interstate. I'm sure something is going on with my front subframe. How do we get this investigated?

- Red Oak, IA, USA

While on a family trip today in my 2001 Ford Windstar I noticed an extremely loud grinding /rubbing noise coming from the front psgr. Side, when I returned home I took it to the shop immediately where I was told that the subframe had completely rusted through on the passenger side and was nearly through the other side as well and was told that my entire family had been at risk of injury or death had the otherside failed as well, and to stop driving it immediately and that it would cost in excess of $2000 to fix. My anger and horror multiplied when while trying to locate affordable used replacement part online I discovered that Ford has received many complaints about this safety issue, how dare they put my loved ones and countless thousands other at risk because they used defective or substandard parts. I will be contacting Ford directly to find out what they intend to do to correct this issue and appreciate anything the NHTSA can do to help expedite the recall of said parts.

- Clearwater, FL, USA

2001 Ford Windstar right lower control arm mount failure. Just driving down the road when I notice my steering wheel was not centered, slowed down until I got into parking lot. Went to turn and lost drive, looked at front end and right tire was pointing to right and left tire was straight, looked under van and saw that mount had come off frame and axle pulled out of transmission. Had van towed back to my house. Went right to my computer to see if there was any complaints about front end failure and their is. Was going to have van rear axle checked per recall but can't even get it to Ford dealership for that. Called Ford and their is no help. I am a mechanic and have never seen a mount come off a frame like this. This van has always been parked in a garage and washed at a high pressure wash with under car rinse. I think this is poor metal or a poor design.

- Boardman, OH, USA

After making a right hand turn heard a thump noise. When trying to complete the turn and straighten out the wheel, the car jumped to the left and ended up in the middle of a two laned road. After having vehicle towed to shop was informed that front subframe had rusted out, causing axle to disengage from front right tire rendering vehicle inoperable. Could not push vehicle to side of road. Had to wait for police vehicle to push to side of road.

- Cliffwood, NJ, USA

We had just left the expressway. We pulled into a parking lot and went to turn into a parking space and the shaft which was attached to the wheel connecting it from the frame to the wheel, broke at the point of the factory weld causing the wheels to do the "splits"and pulling out the driveshaft from the transmission. The dealer called the car "totalled".this car is in great condition except for the metal socket holding the tie rod from the wheel to the frame allowing the drive shaft to be yanked out. This is a factory weld that broke and if it had broken while on the freeway, we could have been killed. Ford motor refused to do anything to remedy the situation.

- Southfield, MI, USA

I own a 2001 Ford Windstar. A little over a year ago I was driving with my family southbound on the henry hudson bridge, driving to manhattan from the bronx in nyc. I was proceeding at approximately 50 mph, the speed limit for that road. I was driving along when all of a sudden the entire front end of the vehicle collapsed. The front-end sub-assembly completely failed! I lost complete control of steering for the vehicle. The vehicle began to swerve, but I was able to apply the brakes and eventually stop the vehicle before a collision with other vehicles occurred. The entire front-end sub-assembly had to be replaced. The repair work, including parts and labor, cost me approximately $2,000 out of pocket. I contacted the Ford dealer where I bought the vehicle, but they refused to compensate me for the damages. I just read an article in the wall street journal that the NHTSA is investigating Ford Motor Company for this very problem.

- Waldwick, NJ, USA

My Windstar is at dealers for broken rear axle and I was told front subframe is rusted.

- New Bedford, MA, USA

The right control arm broke off of the sub frame while backing out of our drive way. The van is not drivable (contacting Ford to find out what can be done).

- Albion, NY, USA

Vehicle front subframe structure corroded and caused the passenger side lower control arm to break off where the mounting tabs connect into the frame and the passenger side sway bar mount also corroded causing it to fail at the same time. Occurred while driving causing the car to skid as the passengerside axle came right out of the transmission when the frame failed.

- Wilson, NY, USA

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. While driving approximately 5 mph and attempting to make a turn, the contact heard a clicking noise coming from the outside of the vehicle. The vehicle exhibited a slight vibration for a couple of seconds and continued in operation. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where a diagnostic test was performed and they informed that the engine cradle completely rusted due to corrosion. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired. The failure mileage was 142,000. Updated 12/01/2011

- Groveport , OH, USA