The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The main sub frame was separated and covered with rust on the front passenger side door. While driving 35 mph he heard a noise coming on the front passenger side of the vehicle. A local mechanic discovered that the frame was covered with rust and separating from the side of the vehicle. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that there was no program or warranty to cover the failure. Claim#0355841870 was filed with the manufacturer regarding the failure. The failure and current mileages were 69,000.

- Downers Grove, IL, USA

2001 Windstar rear axle broke in half causing the rear tire to smoke and burn the rubber off the tire and the undercoating on the wheel well. Driving on highway at 55 mph. Started to feel a sway just before it broke, nearly causing an accident. Tire was very hot and smoking, we were told she was lucky the tire did not blow.

- Agawam, MA, USA

I own a 2001 Ford Windstar limited and while driving the car the rear axel snapped in half. I was stuck but thankfully was able to have a tow truck bring it to my house. Both back tires and totally bent in as the axel is literally broken in half. I now have no means of transportation which kills me as we always kept this car up to date on all maintenance. We just had the front aligned, tie rods replaced as well as many other repairs recently. As I said we always have the oil changed and all other scheduled maintenance on time. This is a real blow as right now we don't have the money to fix it or replace it. I cannot believe Ford does not have to have a recall on this and their error is our loss and the loss of many others. I am disgusted and although a Ford costumer for many, many years will no longer consider Ford in the future. Shame on you Ford, lives are at stake her; have a conscience.

- Wantagh, NY, USA

Rear axle cracked in half causing further damage to the van.

- Boscawen, NH, USA

Brake light was on in my 2001 Ford, Windstar. Brought the vehicle to our mechanic to check it out and make necessary repairs. Our mechanic called me and informed me that the frame of the vehicle was rotted out and that in his opinion it was unsafe to drive and the cost to repair it were not worth it. We bought this vehicle new in October of 2001 and it only has about 28,000 miles on it. We do not live any where near the ocean, but live in Massachusetts, where salt and sand are used on the roads in the winter. But as you can tell with the low mileage on the vehicle it was not driven much any way. I am forced to buy a new vehicle to replace this one.

- Franklin, MA, USA

I am the original owner of a 2001 Ford Windstar. While driving at highway speed, the rear axle snapped, which resulted in the loss of control of the vehicle. As a result, I was involved in a collision with a vehicle in the next lane.

- Northport, NY, USA

The rear axle collapsed, just as my family was heading to the highway for a road trip. We were able to have the car towed to the dealership where they repaired the vehicle to the cost of $900. We had no choice but to authorize the repair as it was the only car we had that could Transport my family of six to a christmas vacation. I had read about rear axle failures in these mini vans two years ago from this website when I researched and filed a complaint after the brakes failed while traveling at 65mph on the highway in this same vehicle.

- West Hyannisport, MA, USA

2001 Ford Windstar minivan rear axel break. Went on-line and have read hundreds of complaints about rear axles breaking in half. No other cars axles are breaking.

- Sterling Heights, MI, USA

Rear axle on my son's 2001 Ford Windstar cracked almost all the way through on the drivers side. About 14 inches from the wheel. Both rear tires were wrecked because of rubbing inside of wheel well.

- Pound, WI, USA

Vehicle: 2001 Ford Windstar LX; mileage approx. 113K today, I had a scheduled appt. For my local garage to inspect a noise/vibration issue with the family minivan. This is the vehicle which my wife and kids use routinely. While backing out of my driveway to get to the garage, I heard a large snap and the rear-end of the van slumped onto the driver's rear tire. The rear axle beam had snapped in half. In reviewing online forums with other Ford drivers, this is failure is a frequent occurance with Ford Windstar after 100K miles. That is not a large number of miles, considering the "investment" typical middle class families need to make in order to have a vehicle for commuting. I shudder what could have happened if my family was traveling at higher speeds on an expressway. It is to a point that one can not find replacement rear axle beams for repairs because of the great number of repairs required in the market. Please investigate this trend with the Ford Windstar... this can be another Toyota lying in wait.

- Sutton, MA, USA

I own a 2001 Ford Windstar. We are the original owners and have performed all routine maintenance on the vehicle. It began making a grinding noise in the back when turning into our driveway which has a slight ridge at the end of it. We had our mechanic check it and he found that the rear axle is cracked half way through. Fortunately we found this before it broke while traveling on the highway. I don't know what we are going to do to fix it yet because we can't afford an $1100 repair bill.

- Pomfret, CT, USA

2001 Ford Windstar sel, passenger side lower control arm broke off frame because of rusted, corroded cradle.

- Charlton, MA, USA

Front wheel on passenger side disconnected from frame while moving. Frame rusted.

- Blaine, MN, USA

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. While driving approximately 10 mph, the front ball joint broke and the driver lost control of the steering wheel; however, he was able to avoid a crash. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop where the contact was informed that the engine cradle rusted and caused the failure. The vehicle was repaired when the complaint was filed. There were no prior warnings. The current and failure mileages were approximately 91,000.

- Chesterfield Township, MI, USA

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. He stated that while driving at 55 mph, the right front subframe broke and the right wheel made a left turn and caused the vehicle to slow down and stop. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop where they replaced the front sub frame at the owners expense. The dealer was contacted and they stated that there were no open recalls and that there was nothing they can do for him. The failure mileage was 105000 and current mileage is 107000. Updated 5/6/10 the consumer stated the right front control arm and frame mount broke. Updated 06/18/10

- Bliss, NY, USA

I was driving my car and heard noise in back, car was steering erratic, went to repair shop and was told the rear axel on my 2001 Ford Windstar broke. I was told this is a ongoing problem with Windstar and Ford won't do anything about it. It will cost me $1200 to fix. Ford is lucky no one was killed in a accident with this problem. Look on the internet I found over 60!!!! complaints on different sites regarding this problem. Do something please. Luckily I was going slow !!

- Ny, NY, USA

During a rear tire check on our 2001 Ford Windstar it was discovered that there is a crack in the rear axle beam. Friends of ours have the same year vehicle and last year their Windstar rear axle beam broke in two and locked up the rear wheels, luckily there was no accident. I have been monitoring our axle beam since then and now it is cracking. I don't dare have my wife drive it, especially on the highway. Why has Ford not recalled this"?" this could be catastrophic at highway speeds if it snapped. I need to get this fixed immediately and have heard it is at least $1,000 !!

- Hudson, MA, USA

201 Ford Windstar. Engine/transmission subframe/cradle rusts through leaving vehicle uncontrollable. It is reported to be caused by ac drain dripping directly on subframe assembly.

- Quakertown, PA, USA

Traveling along a major highway approx. 70 mph, the engine cradle assembly became detached from the frame due to corrosion and subsequently the cv axel became detached from the wheel and the control arm also became detached. The vehicle became un controllable and luckily we didn't flip or hit someone else. This is a very serious condition and a sub frame assembly shouldn't come apart on a vehicle with only 70K miles on it. I have called Ford Motor Co. With no help or even an apology as there is no recall for any issues like this. Again, this is very serious issue and we were luck we weren't killed.

- N. Syracuse , NY, USA

Driven down the road the front passenger axle pops out lose of alignment vehicle wont run both front tires are looking the opposite way.... how can I find out how to fix this. Vehicle is not drivable.

- Erie, PA, USA