My wife lost control of vehicle, 2001 Windstar, 71,000 miles, right front lower control rod broke loose from engine cradle and she lost control of steering. I had vehicle towed to Ford dealership. Subframe rusted out at right lower control rod mounting, vehicle is not driven in winter, do not understand how this could have rusted out and caused a possible catastrophic failure. Subframe has been ordered, estimate for repairs from Ford dealer is $2,000. I have not contacted Ford Motor Company, it appears that they do not care about this failure judging from other customer complaints for the same failure. If this is caused by water dripping from the ac compressor or a defect in the subframe metal, Ford should be assisting in these repairs. I have been a loyal Ford customer for 30 years and can not believe they would not help with this type of safety issue.

- Lima, NY, USA

I own a 2001 Ford Windstar in the space of less than three weeks, both of my front coil springs have broken and gone through the front tires. Fortunately both times we were traveling at low speeds, but if this had occurred at 65 mph on the interstate, it would almost certainly have resulted in a serious accident. I check the internet for recalls on this, but didn't find any for this model year.

- Grampian, PA, USA

My 2001 Ford Windstar has a crack in the rear axle. I've read on the internet about several instances of this happening and the axle cracks in two pieces causing at least that the vehicle is not drivable. If this would happen even at moderate highway speeds there could be devastating consequences. So far I don;T see a recall for this defect from Ford. The mileage of my Ford Windstar is 71,000 miles. It seems that the axle is rusted from the inside but my vehicle has been garage kept since it was first purchased. I believe this incident should be recalled for safeties sake. I think all Windstar with this axle design should be recalled and have the axle replaced.

- Saint Marys, PA, USA

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. While driving 10 mph and proceeding to a stop sign, the contact experienced a loss of steering control and the front wheels locked. The vehicle was inoperable and there were no warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. Roadside assistance was called to the scene and the vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer. The technician stated that the failure was related to the lower control arm brackets at the subframe. The vehicle is currently being repaired. The contact was concerned of the safety risk involved. The failure and current mileages were 64,000.

- Walled Lake , MI, USA

Failure of the right lower control arm mounts at the subframe occurred with no warning or prior symptoms. My vehicle is a 2001 Ford Windstar with approximately 71K miles. My children and I were on a highway on-ramp approaching highway speed when the failure occurred, causing the wheel to swing out from the vehicle and the axle shaft to pull out of the transaxle. The van swayed and bucked with the rear end bouncing up and down off the ground nearly flipping the vehicle. I can't imagine what could have happened four or five seconds later at highway speed. The van was towed to a local service station where it remains about 100 miles from my home. My local dealer was contacted but the service writer said I would need to contact the Ford customer relations center who in turn informed me that it was not within Ford Motor Company's guidelines to offer any assistance. Linda, the department supervisor, said that there is nothing she can do, unless the NHTSA issues a recall, because the van is out of warranty and out of the 5 year range they use for making "good relations allowances". I know there has been at least 12 or 13 similar complaints on the NHTSA web sight and others on blogs (ie allworldauto.com ) so I agree with one of your complainants that "this is a severe failure that is premature, not easily detectable, potentially fatal, and will likely occur more frequently as these vehicles age". I too, strongly urge the NHTSA to conduct an engineering investigation regarding this failure.

- Fayetteville, NY, USA

We own a Ford Windstar (2000) with 68000 miles, this morning as my wife was leaving for work the right front spring broke cutting through the tire side wall. If this would have happened on the highway there would have been no way to control the van or to safely stop. The spring coil was resting on the tread and the total suspension drop was so low that I had trouble getting the jack under the frame rail.

- Mansfield, OH, USA

When driving at any speed there is vibration in front end of vehicle. Vehicle is at dealership at this time.

- West Hempsted, NY, USA

Consumer had to replace tires in fewer miles than what tire were warranted for has took vehicle to dealer, mechanic stated needed an alignment. Alignment was done, tire wear was still occurring. Consumer had taken vehicle back to dealer, mechanic indicatted there was nothing else that could be done. Consumer had notified manufacturer, and representative stated there was nothing else that could be done if alignment met specs.

- Camran, WV, USA

While driving approximately 20 mph front left side axle broke. Dealer and manufacturer were contacted. Feel free to provide any further details concerning this matter.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA