2001 Ford Windstar rear axle failure.

- Wallingford, NN, USA

As I was driving home from work, the vehicle began to wobble from the rear, resembling a flat. I immediately pulled over to the side of the road. After having the vehicle towed to my home a few days later, I looked underneath and saw a deep fracture in the rear axle. I called a Ford dealer and was told that there is no recall regarding this defect and if I had the vehicle brought in for repair that I will be charged.

- Erie, PA, USA

The rear axle of my 2001 Ford Windstar has snapped in two pieces while riding at 45 mph. The van swayed violently but I was able to bring it to a safe stop. Prior to axle snapping I heard and felt cracking metallic sound from the rear of the vehicle. I investigated this on the internet and found that have been numerous incidents involving Ford Windstar and broken rear axles. I could not imagine what would happened if my family was in this vehicle at the time the rear axle snapped in two. The extra weight in the car may have caused the vehicle to go completely out of control and cause serious injury or death to my passengers and myself. I am wondering why the 2001 Ford Windstar has not been recalled to fix this very serious defect. This is a very expensive repair and is a result of poor design and defects in manufacturing. Please don't wait for a family to be killed in one of these vans before you recalled them. This a very real problem and the consequences could be deadly.

- Warren, CT, USA

Been driving my 2001 Ford Windstar. And the back started making noises and shifting. Everytime I apply the brake or back up it makes the loudest sound. Well after putting it up on the jack to look underneath the car. We noticed a crack about 8 inches long and continues around the bottom of the axel. Estimate to repair is going to be over a $1000. There needs to be something done about this.

- Lancaster, OH, USA

This is on a 2001 Ford Windstar with less than 100,000 miles. It started when my wife was complaining about a rubbing noise in the rear that seemed to be worse on corners. I was driving the car during a light rain shower on a right curve at about 35 mph. The back of the car felt like it was about spin out on me. I backed off the gas and it felt better. The next day while driving it again I notice that there was tire squeal mostly on right turns. When I got home I could see that the top of the left rear tire was leaning in. I could also see where the tire was rubbing on the inner wheel well. After removing both rear wheels and looking around I found the axle beam cracked almost all the way around. I have since found out that this is not uncommon in 2001 Ford Windstar, and probably other years of this model. We were planning on taking this vehicle on vacation duringthe July 4th weekend. I can't imagine what would have happen if this broke all the way through at highway speeds with a load of luggage and my family at highway speeds. I will not even drive this vehicle to turn it around in my driveway let alone take it on the road. I have not started to see what can be done to fix this because nothing is open today, but atleast I can fix it myself if I can find the parts.

- Suffield, CT, USA

2001 my Ford Windstar limited rear axle (non-driving) broke in half and the rear wheels were rubbing the wheel well. Luckily while the vehicle was not driving well, I did not get in an accident. However, 5 miles earlier I was on the highway at highway speeds. The vehicle had to be towed and the part was available at the closest Ford dealership to my location"?" this was a $975 repair at the Firestone dealer in canton, mi. I have the paperwork if you need the documentation.

- Canton, MI, USA

2001 Ford Windstar SE sport rear axle broke in half with no warning. Fortunately, the car was coming to a stop at a traffic light, not at highway speeds, when a loud clunk was heard. Managed to pull into a parking lot nearby, and the rear tires were tilted inward. The axle was snapped in half towards the driver's side. Tow truck driver said he has seen several of these the past two years and doesn't know why a recall hasn't occurred. My Ford dealer said this was the third one they saw.

- Swoyersville, PA, USA

We had our 2001 Ford Windstar being checked by a garage before a long trip and were told our rear axle is cracked almost in half.

- Laceyville, PA, USA

Rear axle on 2001 Ford Windstar ltd. Broke in 2 pieces. Vehicle is at mechanic who stated never saw anything like that before.

- Mokena, IL, USA

My 2001 Ford Windstar minivan was in for air conditioning service and a tune-up on June 1, 2010 and the vehicle was diagnosed with multiple cracks in the rear axle. The mechanic issued a stern warning about driving the vehicle, especially at highway speeds because the axle was in danger of splitting and could cause loss of control. He indicated that it looked like the U-shaped axle design collected water and road salt and caused rust, which led to the cracks.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

On May 29, 2010, my wife was driving her 2001 Ford Windstar van at 55 mph on the highway when the rear axle suddenly cracked in two pieces. The broken end of the axle then began digging into the highway and caused a loss of control. Luckily she was able to avoid concrete barriers and other vehicles of the construction area that she was in and ended up in the ditch. The rear tires went out of alignment and the tops of the tires were angled in causing them to rub against the wheel wells. We are still in the process of assessing the total damage caused by the rear axle failure.

- Oakdale, MN, USA

2001 Ford Windstar rear axle broke about 18" in from drivers side tire. My wife was pulling out of a parking lot when it happened.

- Danvers, MA, USA

My 2001 Ford Windstar was making an abnormal sound and 'swaying'. when I looked underneath, I saw a large crack in the rear axel. Further inspection by my mechanic revealed approximately a 70-75% crack through the axel. I was told it could be replaced with either a new axel (on backorder from Ford) or with one from the junkyard. I chose neither as I was concerned over the safety of my children.

- Tinley Park, IL, USA

2001 Ford Windstar mini van with about 80,000 miles. Rear axel snapped in half while driving my kids to soccer. We were lucky that we were in a residential area close to home. It cost us close to $900 to fix. We have the old part which showed rust. Mechanic said he had never seen anything like it and recommended we report it. We would like a recall and reimbursement for the repair.

- Coon Rapids, MN, USA

Rear axle cracked.

- Middlesex, NJ, 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

2/26/2010: We discovered that the rear axle was cracked on our 2001 Ford Windstar. This axle might have cracked over 2 years ago based on the length and amount of rust. We had our vehicle serviced at Ford at least twice a year while it was under warranty for 7 years or 70,000. Our vehicle is at 61,400 miles now. If there was a crack we were not told. If this was discovered under warranty that would have been much safer and less expensive. The bill was $961.30 and only $252. Was labor. We have maintained our vehicles pristinely with proper servicing this should not have happened. We believe that our family's lives were endangered as a result of this fracture/crack of the rear axle.

- West Lafayette, IN, USA

I have a 2001 Ford Windstar that has the rear axle cracked almost completely through. I cannot drive the van because it's making a lot of creaking sounds as if the axle will break. I've contacted Ford and have not gotten any response.

- Reading, PA, USA

My van Windstar 2001 rear axle broke during driving. Ford asked what did we do to drive so poorly to cause this? gave us a price of $1,500 at least to repair.

- Port Jefferson, NY, USA

2001 Ford Windstar rear axle broke in half.

- Dunellen, NJ, USA