10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 8 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 3 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 112,018 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.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
Rear axle broke while I was taking my grand daughter home..I am on a fixed income...now I have no transportation until I can get enough money to pay to have it fixed...my grand daughter could have been killed..luckily I was just pulling away from a stop sign when it happened...
- Sunman, IN, USA
Rear axle broke while I was taking my grand daughter home..I am on a fixed income...now I have no transportation until I can get enough money to pay to have it fixed...my grand daughter could have been killed..luckily I was just pulling away from a stop sign when it happened...
- Sunman, IN, USA
For 2-3 weeks, at times, we noticed a popping noise from the back end when turning into driveways/parking lots. Then one Tuesday we noticed the back end of the van would sway after hitting a bump in the road. On Thursday of that week while driving to work I noticed the van would "vibrate" after hitting a bump. I liken it to riding on an old fashioned washboard. I slowed to a stop and then decided it would be best to get off the road. The van would not move. Upon examination the rear axle was broken through on the drivers side and the tops of the rear wheels where turned in toward the van. The vehicle was towed to a shop where repairs were done - a new rear axle, 2 rear shocks (both were bent as a result of the broken axle), a new tire (damaged from rubbing on the wheel well) with its associated items and alignment.
- Livonia, MI, USA
2001 Ford Windstar...driving on July 3rd, hit pothole and didn't realize till later that the rear axle beam cracked....the vehicle is at the mechanic shop and we are having trouble locating a used part that is not cracked...the new one is too expensive..please help.
- Hillsdale, NJ, USA
Ford Windstar rear axle U failure - split/crack joints.
- Eagle River, WI, USA
I have a 2001 Windstar. My rear axle snapped in half after exiting the freeway. The mileage is about 152,000. My wife was driving at the time it occurred with our 3 children in the vehicle. She heard a nap while driving, but the vehicle made no noticeable change in the manner in which it drove. When I drove the car I heard the tire rubbing the fender while taking a sharp left and pulled over immediately. I inspected the rear and found the axle split in two but was held together by friction. I had it taken the repair shop immediately and left my family on the curb. Ford is lucky this didn't kill anyone. With all the complaints I have recently seen while investigating this issue on the internet they obviously know about the problem. It is only a matter of time before someone is seriously hurt. Given the nature of the vehicle, a minivan, the odds of having children in the car at the time of failure are high. Regardless if there is a recall, notices should be sent to at least warn the current owners to have the vehicle's rear axle inspected. In my opinion, because of the numerous complaints filed, Ford is now responsible for any and all injuries that come as a result of a failed rear axle until they notify the owners.
- Louisville, KY, USA
1. rear axle completely cracked at 50 mph driving on the highway. Able to control vehicle and got off the highway since exit was very closed. 2. once 3. N/a.
- San Ramon, CA, USA
While operating the vehicle I heard the rear tires screeching followed by a loud crack, along with difficult steering and frightening fish-tailing. There was smoke and an odor of burning rubber. I stopped the vehicle, with my three young children inside the car, and immediately noticed that both of the rear tires were coming-in at the top. I inspected under the vehicle and observed that the rear axle had a large crack located on the drivers side. This vehicle has never been in an accident and currently is not at all drivable. I have spoken with my local Ford dealership and have been quoted a repair estimate of $1100-$1500. The mileage at the time of occurrence is 155,000.
- Pittsfield, ME, USA
Noise coming from rear of car. Further investigation reveals large crack in rear axle. The axle is cracked three quarters of the way thru just to the drivers side of centerline. This could be a serious safety issue if it broke at highway speed. The car has never been in an accident and has had normal maintenance and good care. Rust does not appear to be a cause for this failure.
- Titusville, FL, USA
I own two 2001 Windstar and on both vehicles the rear axle cracked causing severe swerving, it happened last year about 3 weeks apart, because I used to be a mechanic I replaced both axles myself. My sister also owns a 2001 fordstar and because of what happened to me I inspected her car earlier this year and did not see any cracks but today while she and her kids were driving down the highway her rear axle snapped in half and she stated she almost lost control. They could have been killed!! the car has not been fixed and I still have the old axles for my cars.
- Marlboro, MA, USA
I own a 2001 Ford Windstar with 80,000 miles on it, never had an accident and the rear axle broke in half today. Car is not drivable, I had it towed to my mechanic. I maintain my vehicle all the time but I have had such problems with the 2001 Windstar. I have a file on all that I have had done on the car. This vehicle was not abused by us. It is a defective car. In may, I had the fuel injection fixed cause the car just died. The Windstar is not a very safe car.
- Schaumburg, IL, USA
On June 18th my wife and son returned from a trip to youngstown, we live in cleveland. My wife ask me to take a look at the car she said it was driving funny. While driving at 70 to 80 mph, she said she was all over the road and at one point almost lost control of the car, when she pulled in I noticed the rear tire was low so I put air in it and took it for a test drive around the block. I kept hearing the wheels making a chirping noise as if I was in a skid. When I got back I had her drive it and I followed in our other car to see what I might notice, it was obvious there was a problem with the rear end. I made her return home and looked under the car to find a huge crack in the axle. I don't understand how Ford could let this happen to a major part of the van. I was going on a vacation the next day and was planning on using this van! I can't imagine traveling down to myrtle beach with my family with a loaded van doing 70 mph. Someone is going to die from this defect and I am very lucky my wife didn't when she was driving it. Please make Ford do a recall or I am sure we will be reading the in the news of someone's death when it does happen and you did nothing!
- Brunswick , OH, USA
I was driving about 55 mph on a highway when the back end started to sway side to side. I slowed down, heard a loud noise, smoke and burning rubber was noticed and I pulled over. As I got out I noticed the drivers rear tire tilted in. I walked behind the van and noticed the axel was snapped in two. I called my mechanic and he stated this seams to be a common occurrence with this vehicle. Miles are 118,000.
- Volo, IL, USA
After reading of numerous occurrences of rear axle cracking, I examined my 2001 Ford Windstar on 6/27/2010 and found a 2 inch crack in the rear axle on the drivers side. Contacted Ford dealer for repair cost and was quoted approximately $1300. I am having axle replaced with new axle by reliable independent shop for $1000. Car was taken to Ford dealer early March 2010 for oil change and to be checked over for expected extensive travel this summer. Repairs performed at Ford dealer came to over $2000 and included replacing driver side rear axle seal. No mention was made of the crack at that time, however the amount of rust on the crack appears to indicate the crack started quite some time ago. Vehicle has never been in an accident and has always been registered in the New York area. Mileage is 113,854 at time of repair.
- Ridge, NY, USA
While driving the van (2001 Ford Windstar) it began to handle erratically. This was an intermittent experience, but at times quite sever. After arriving home, I inspected under the vehicle for any odd drips, hanging parts, etc. When pushing on each wheel I noticed the right rear was canted inward. Upon further look under the van, I could see a large crack under the right side axle. I have stopped driving as it is unsafe at this point. There is no rust, and was no warning of trouble, it simply appears to have failed. The crack is nearly complete with only about 1 inch near the front of the axle holding it together.
- Wellsboro, PA, USA
I was driving my 2001 Ford Windstar when I noticed that the rear of my car seemed to be swerving. I was having difficulty being able to control the car. The tire pressure indicator came on so I assumed that I needed to inflate the tires. Fortunately I made it home and after inspecting the tires came to find that my rear axle was almost completely broken apart. You can almost completely see through the axle and there is rust around the break. The tires were leaning inward toward the wheel well. I had to have a flat bed tow truck tow it to our mechanic. Ford told us that this is not a known issue however I have found hundreds of complaints for the exact same issue for this vehicle. Ford has told us that it will cost $497 for a new axle. Our mechanic called around looking for a used part at junkyards and was told that they have been selling a lot of these for this same issue and an old part would run $400. So obviously this is a known issue that Ford is not acknowledging. I can't believe that a recall has not occurred. I really hope that it doesn't have to take serious accidents possibly causing death for them to acknowledge it.
- Eagleville, PA, USA
I heard a clunking noise for about a month my husband looked under vehicle and seen rear axle was broken in half. The van was towed and a used rear axle was put on. We do have old axle.
- Spencer, MA, USA
The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. He stated that while driving over a bump at unknown speeds, the rear end of the vehicle swerved and produced an abnormal noise. Upon further investigation, the contact found that the rear suspension had fractured. The dealer advised the repairs would be at the contact's expense. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure and current mileages were 106,000. Updated 10/27/10.
- Medford, MA, USA
I had been hearing a clunking noise after my wife reported it to me when she was backing up. It took a few days before I heard it as well. I couldn't figure out if it was the exhaust or suspension. A few weeks goes by and it got worse. Managed to look under it at a gas station and saw a crack on the back side of the axle from bottom to almost the top. Normal driving, no towing. I haven't fixed it yet because I don't want to spend $1000 on a repair using another failure prone part, same reason I haven't attempted the ABS repairs on the van.
- Nanjemoy, MD, USA
- Rittman, OH, USA