10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 1 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 104,729 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.
Ford Windstar van, which was already subject to rear axle recall, and the rear axle did break on it in may, and was replaced and I received reimbursement for the replacement from Ford. However, another incident happened in December. My 21 year old son was in an accident driving this van on Thursday, Dec. 16. the van lost traction and pulled to the right, pulling him into a ditch and down a steep embankment. The front of the van was ripped off, tires slashed, van almost flipped over, and the airbags never deployed. He hit a dirt embankment head on going about 30-35 mph. The roads were icy that day, and he was on a curve... the van would not respond to steering to correct the direction the van was going. I experienced something similar last winter; the van seemed to pull to the right, going off the road without allowing the driver to control the vehicle. However, when I went off the road, it was in a shallow ditch and it caused no damage to the van. My son was not as fortunate, and he could have been severely injured. I feel that this may have something to do with the current investigation into the front suspension... the van could not be controlled, and pulled to the right. Our insurance co. Is taking care of this, and I don't know the current location of the van. It is totaled, I know that. I asked state farm to check out the front suspension for weakness or rust, but don't know if they'll know what to look for, especially since the front is so damaged from the wreck that the tires are turned sideways, and I believe the front axle is broken. Please send someone to look at my van, and see what caused this wreck; my son could have been killed. Thank you for the work you've done so far.... your organization is so valuable to consumers.
- Denton, NC, USA
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. While having the vehicle repaired for recall 10V385000 (suspension: Rear: Axle: Non-powered axle assembly), he was informed that both front struts were rusted and cracked. The vehicle had not been repaired. The current and failure mileages were approximately 89,600.
- Scarborough, ME, USA
Drove car and parked along street. When I returned around 4 hours later I opened car door and sat down in driver seat. A loud bag was heard and I thought someone threw something or shot my van. Got out and could not find anything. When I drove away my left front tire exploded. The next morning I found the coil spring had broken and cut the tire when I tried to drive away. Had I been driving down the road this would have caused me to lose control of the van. After researching the internet this seems to be an ongoing issue with Ford coil springs and I believe there was a recall for model years 1999-2001.
- Hamilton, OH, USA
Drove car and parked along street. When I returned around 4 hours later I opened car door and sat down in driver seat. A loud bag was heard and I thought someone threw something or shot my van. Got out and could not find anything. When I started to drive away my left front tire exploded. The next morning I found the coil spring had broken and cut the tire when I tried to drive away. Had I been driving down the road this would have caused me to lose control of the van. After researching the internet this seems to be an ongoing issue with Ford coil springs and I believe there was a recall for model years 1999-2001.
- Hamilton, OH, USA
There are three failures on my car that have happened within the last three months. The 2002 Ford Windstar only has 57,000 miles. 1. intake manifold gaskets leaking: Gaskets are sucking air in and not sealing properly 2. broken strut, this is the second time this has been replaced. The first time was within 10,000 miles. 3. ABS control module: The control module has been diagnosed and faulty by the dealership. About a $1,200 to replace. All these things should not be happening to a car that is maintained well, garage kept, and only has 57K miles on it.
- Dexter, MI, USA
- Clearfield, PA, USA