The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. While driving over a bridge at 70 mph, the rear axle fractured without warning. The contact lost control of the vehicle. The contact was able to regain control of the vehicle as smoke bellowed from under the rear of the vehicle. Upon pulling over and inspecting the vehicle, the contact discovered that the axle was fractured in half and both rear tires were turned inward. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it currently remained. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 10V385000 (suspension). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. No further assistance was offered and the contact was transferred to NHTSA. The failure mileage was 98,600.

- Godfrey, IL, USA

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. While the contact's husband was driving 20 mph, the contact heard an abnormal noise. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The driver was able to park the vehicle on the side of the road and noticed smoke rising from the rear driver's side tire. The contact exited the vehicle and noticed that the rear driver's side axle detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The contact called fred beans Ford of newtown (located at 10 N sycamore St, newtown, pa 18940, (215) 968-3806) and informed them of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number: 10V385000 (suspension). The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 130,000.

- Feasterville, PA, USA

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 15V608000 (suspension). While driving 45 mph over a bump in the road, the rear passenger side wheel folded and the axle fractured. The vehicle was towed to raceway Ford of hartsville (1504 S 5th St, hartsville, SC 29550, (843) 332-0185) where it was diagnosed that the axle was fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and provided case number: Cas-24147438. The contact was informed that the failure was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V608000 (suspension). The failure mileage was 145,000.

- Bishopville, SC, USA

I was driving and all of a sudden I heard a loud bang and lost control. I found out that the rear axle gave and there is a recall #15S27. I called Ford and they said the recall has been taken care of already and there is nothing they can do. The real problem is the part was defective from the start, the metal axle was not treated correctly for rust-proof. They put 2 small brackets on the axle 1 1/2 in. From the outside end of the axle,1 on each side and thought that was going to solve the problem. My cracked axle happened in that 1 1/2 in. Spot. It just amazes me that nothing has been done about this and how Ford is not responsible anymore once the brackets were put on. This didn't solve the problem. I guess the only way something might happen is if there is a serious incident. How many more complaints do there need to be, until someone realizes how bad this is.

- River Grove, IL, USA

Rotted rear axle beam, 2002 Ford Windstar, this vehicle was taken to a near by town Ford dealership : ace motors in woodbury NJ, for the rear axle recall in 2015 not sure if anything has been repaired or not I was just told by the dealership that the vehicle was inspected and passed and ok to drive but when the axle broke on the driver side I took pitchers and it looks like someone has put on some kind of slave clamps on both sides of the axle that I don't see on other Ford Windstar mini vans ( see pitchers ) called up the dealership ace motors and they said to bring it up to them and they will have a look at it and maybe it can be put in a claim ticket but again maybe not, it's hard enough to put on a flatbed tow truck with the damage that it has and if some reason they don't put a claim ticket in I can't afford to keep towing this vehicle all over the place so dealership gave me the Ford I.N.C company phone number : 800-392-3673, so I called them and more less they told me there is nothing they can do, one thing I'm happy about is we was going slow in my home town pulling off the main road onto a side road heading to the house when it happened and nobody got heart when it happened even though it was so loud and nosy think it broke a shook and brake lines. 8 / 8 / 2019

- Thorofare, NJ, USA

This 2002 Ford Windstar had a defective rear sub-frame (drive-axle) that was part of the recall by Ford dealerships throughout the U.S. the recall was by a Ford dealership in Ohio, but was repaired insufficiently (ineffectively) and did not maintain the defect/repair. The car was returned to another local Ford dealership to which the service director for the Ford dealership 'agreed' that this particular Windstar was in "very good shape" and the recall should be performed not only based on the "ineffective repair", but also based on the overall good condition of the vehicle. The service director further reached-out to Ford corporation identifying his 'credentials' as an ase technician and his title as director while requesting the 'green light' from Ford to reopen the recall and fix the vehicle. Ford Motor Corporation actually declined!!! the bigger issue is, many local auto service centers declined to perform the repair for liability issues that should be 'redirected' to Ford Motor Corporation while also expressing concerns with other vehicles on the streets and highways that could cause major accidents attributing to major injuries or even death should the result of an accident occur on public highways! the tires and rear axle are bending inwardly to the vehicle and has a massive rub on the real suspension and is not safe to be driven on the road. The real axle is just a few inches from the ground.

- Maple Heights, OH, USA

2002 Ford Windstar. Consumer writes in regards to rear axle safety recall. The consumer stated the vehicle was included in the recall but, the recall expired. The requested to be reimbursed for the repairs.

- Georgetown, KY, USA

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the suspension warning light illuminated. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 12V194000 (suspension). The vehicle was repaired at smith cairns Ford (900 central park ave, yonkers, NY 10704 (914) 377-8100) but the remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The contact mentioned that the suspension warning light illuminated after the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 125,875.

- Bronx, NY, USA

Driving vehicle on cross bronx expressway in New York at about 5O mph rear axle carrier suffered catatrosphic failure at the location where supposedly Ford repaired the axle carrier with brackets that were welded on at the Ford dealer contacted Ford about the problem and was told there was no recalls for this problem there was but because they known about the problem when they came up the repair brackets that were installed earlier very dangerous problem that Ford has chosen to ignore

- Cherry Hill, NJ, USA

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. While driving 40 mph, the rear of the vehicle began veering to the right and left. The contact temporarily lost control of the vehicle, but managed to pull over to the side of the road. The contact drove to an independent mechanic who quickly diagnosed that the rear axle was rusted and fractured in half. The contact took the vehicle to dorian Ford (35900 gratiot ave, clinton twp, mi 48035, (586) 792-4100) in 2016 for an unknown recall repair regarding the brackets for the rear axle. The dealer confirmed that they inspected the vehicle and passed it on February 9, 2016. The dealer referred the contact to the manufacturer, but they were only concerned that the vehicle was no longer covered by a warranty and did not assist. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 113,643. Consumer stated dorian Ford did a recall inspection on Feb 9 2016 and certified that the vehicle was safe concerning the axel. The mileage at time of replacement is 113,643. 'parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'

- Clinton Township, MI, USA

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. While driving 15-20 mph, the contact heard an abnormal rubbing noise coming from the vehicle. The contact stopped the vehicle, looked underneath, and stated that the axle was fractured. The contact stated that the anti-lock braking system and brake lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer (fette Ford, 1137 U S 46, clifton, NJ 07013, (973) 779-7000) where it was diagnosed that the axle fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the local dealer that the axle would not be covered. The failure mileage was 123,500. The VIN was not available.

- Newark, NJ, USA

Rear axle broke while driving in city traffic. Causing damage to rear tires and vehicle structure.

- Jefferson City, MO, USA

Rear axle broke while in motion on rural road

- So Haven, MN, USA

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. While driving at an unknown speed, the rear driver's side wheel turned inward and the contact heard a loud grinding sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. There were no warning indicators illuminated during the failure. Ford & Lincoln of smithtown (440 jericho turnpike, smithtown, NY 11787) was contacted and informed the contact to tow the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by the dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 189,000. The VIN was not available.

- Lake Drove, NY, USA

Ford rear axle recall. Received a recall letter for an inspection of the rear axle, which failed. The dealer found another recall about a front control arm, which they fixed. The rear axle was at my expense. The axle had the brackets installed, but improperly. I was told that the car was unsafe to drive, that the axle could break at any time. I'm on disability and can't afford to replace an axle that should be replaced by Ford. I also can't afford to buy another vehicle! I have to drive regardless of this issue!

- Leitchfield, KY, USA

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. While driving 35 mph, the contact heard a crunching sound and noticed smoke coming from under the vehicle. An odor of burning rubber was also present. The contact pulled off the highway and called aaa roadside assistance. The vehicle was towed to the dealer (bob gillingham Ford, 8383 brookpark rd, parma, oh 44129) where the technician informed the contact that the VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V608000 (suspension). The dealer stated that the brackets were installed correctly. The contact was unaware of the cause of the crunching noise and smoke. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 112,000.

- Cleveland, OH, USA

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 15V608000 (suspension), but it did not correct the failure. The contact found that the rear driver's side tire was slanted at an angle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.

- Jacksonville, IL, USA

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. While driving at an unknown speed, the rear axle fractured without warning. The vehicle was unable to be driven and was towed to beau townsend Ford Lincoln (1020 w national rd, vandalia, oh 45377, (937) 898-5841). The dealer diagnosed that the brackets failed to secure the rear axle, which then caused the rear axle to prematurely fracture. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V608000 (suspension). The dealer did not repair the vehicle because the statute to receive the recall repair was expired. The dealer and the manufacturer refused to cover the recall repair. The contact was informed to replace the rear axle due to the mis-installation of the brackets. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 10V385000 (suspension), and NHTSA action numbers: EA10007 (suspension and structure) and PE10006 (suspension). The failure mileage was not available.

- Dayton, OH, USA

Rear axel cracked causing wheels to tilt and hit inside wheel opening. Noticed while driving the car started to shimmey and shake. Made noise when turning. Van is now parked vehicle was involved in recall and dealer said the repair was not needed.

- Swansea, MA, USA

Rh back side of subframe, is rotted/corroded so bad that the metal tore all around the subframe bushing. To where it is not being held up by the bushing on the right hand lower/back is not holding up the front subframe... now, the vehicle is making a very loud popping noise when driving and turning... and when turning fast enough (more turning left then right) can feel whole front end jerk like its about to go the opposite way the van...replaced the left front strut assembly and control arm to find out that did not solve the problem. Then after repairs and looking deeper.. noticed right front side, sagging almost 2-4 inches lower then left front... that's when we noticed the subframe completely broken/rusted off from the body bushing (on the front right lower/rear bushing)

- Milwaukee, WI, USA