This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
The contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. The contact stated while having the inspected by the state, the inspector noticed the subframe was broken in two places. The contact took the vehicle to a mechanic to have the sub frame replaced. The contact called the manufacturer regarding the sub frame and at the time the manufacturer stated there is nothing they can do since there was no recall. The contact was unaware of the recent structure: Frame and members: Underbody shields (11V030000) recall and stated the manufacturer should have released this recall long ago. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 38,000.
The right lower control arm pulled loose from the subframe crossmember due to excessive rust. The leadup to the incident was completely unexpected. The control arm pulled loose at 70 mph and caused the Windstar to veer back and forth using 4 lanes of traffic to come to a stop. Lucky for me was that there was no traffic in my immediate area and no other cars were involved.
Fleet owned 1999 Ford Windstar. Vehicle has been located in the Chicago area since new. Complaint was that the exhaust was loud and looked to be hanging low. The exhaust flange on the flex-pipe section rusted thin and broke off from the Y-pipe. I then noticed that the passenger side rear of the subframe was completely rusted out and the subframe was hanging down about 1.5" from where it is supposed to be. The exhaust Y-pipe flange is much lower than it should normally be, which tells me that the engine/trans assembly is leaning towards the rear of the vehicle. The drivers side rear mount of the subframe is cracked where it meets the body. Also noted that on the passenger side subframe where the engine mount attaches and the subframe rear crossmember meet, the subframe is almost completely rusted through. I can foresee this problem eventually causing the axles to remove themselves from the trans, wire harnesses getting damaged, lower control arms becoming detached from the subframe, exhaust damage, steering rack damage, wheel alignment issues, etc. The only repair that I can see making this vehicle safe to drive again would be subframe replacement.
My suspension broke on my 1999 Ford Windstar leaving me with no steering. I ran off the road and thankfully went into a field. Very scary. This is a 1400. Repair. I found out that this has caused accidents for others as well. I am just wondering why this part was never a recall? apparently rear axles have been recalled due to similar circumstances. The Ford company did tell me this may be a future recall but is not as of yet. I do not know if they are waiting for someone to die or what but this is a serious matter.
I have 1999 Ford Windstar 3.8 liter with 123,297 miles, I own this car since 2000. The passenger side rear subfame end at the mount is roded out, split and came off the bushing. I had taken it to sears on 01/21/11 and had advised that it is unsafe to drive the vehicle. I had contacted Ford dealer and explained that there was a recall on the rear axle for rusting. This is similar situation and should do reparis at no cost to the owner. The dealer gave me Ford toll free number. When contacted Ford they advised that they are not responsible for the repairs as the warranty is over. I explained it is a bad product and failure due to rusting is similar situation as an axle rusting. If an axle rusting is honored by Ford why not frame rusting. They said I will be responsible for the expences as there is no warranty. I went to well known body shop macco they advised that the frame will cost 1000 plus 950 labor to put the accessories back. I can not efford to spend this kind of expense. I had already put 2500 in transmission after I purchase the vehicle. The rear electronic module has failed which will cost 800 dollars. I have to keep pouring money in this car. Any help is appreciated.
- North Brunswick, NJ, USA
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In August of 2010 I was driving my Windstar when I heard a loud bang during a turn. I knew I had not hit anything and as I straightened out my wheel I noticed that it would not return to the normal position. I made an appointment with my local Ford dealership to get it looked at. As soon as the man put the van up in the air he knew what was wrong. The subframe on the front passenger side was almost rusted through. The man took it down and told me never to drive the car again in this shape. He said that he had never seen so much rust under a car that was still running. My Windstar only has 86000 miles on it. I don't understand how something like that can happen to a car that has such low miles, I thought it should hold up better.
The contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. While the contact was driving approximately 45 mph, the vehicle unexpectedly wandered out of the lane towards oncoming traffic. The contact was able to gain control and avoid crashing into a vehicle. Suddenly, the front end driver side collapsed to the ground. The vehicle was coasted to the side of the road and towed to the residence. A mechanic inspected the vehicle and stated that the subframe had completely fractured as a result to excessive rust and was beyond repair. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.
The contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. The vehicle was being state inspected when the mechanic informed the contact that the subframe was severely rusted and should not be driven. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for recall 10V385000 (suspension: Rear: Axle: Non-powered axle assembly). The contact had not received a recall notice regarding the problem. The failure mileage was 125,109.
The contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. While driving approximately 30 mph the contact stated that the vehicle began to feel unstable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was told that the subframe was severely corroded. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 160,000 and the current mileage was 170,000.
Around October 20th, 2010, my 1999 Ford Windstar was making a weird noise when I a make a right turn and also when I step on the gas pedal. The noise came from the front right of the vehicle, at first I thought it was a brake problem. I took it right a way to my mechanic to be diagnosed. When the technician lifted the van, he noticed right a way the sub frame all rusted and broken. My mechanic did not let me drive it because it's a high risk, he said the engine can fall any moment. Due to the high cost of replacing a new sub frame, the technician suggested a used one but in good condition. It cost me $723 to replace it. I went to the nearest Ford dealer to complaint but I was told that specific part of the vehicle was not recalled and it's due to the age of the vehicle. I am still afraid to drive my Ford Windstar even after I replaced it. Currently my van is sitting at Ford dealer parking lot, it's under recall for the rear axle.
The contact owns a 1999 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that after having his vehicle in for regular maintenance, the mechanic informed him that he needed to replace the engine cradle due to rust and being fractured. The vehicle was then taken to a certified dealer who informed the contact that there was nothing wrong with the engine cradle. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 64,000. Updated 12/14/2011 the engine cradle was completely rusted on the right side. Updated 08/05/11
The vehicle experienced difficulty turning left. The steering wheel would not turn left until more than usual force was applied to turn the wheel, which at the time the wheel did turn a dull thud was audible. This action occurred twice while driving vehicle in city traffic. The visual investigation revealed a large area of the inside of the front subframe on the drivers side had completely rusted through. Approximately an area 4' X 8' was gone with some evidence of metal tearing/fatigue.
At the end of November I notice a looseness in the steering of my 99 Ford Windstar. I was able to get it home and in the driveway. I looked at the front -end and noticed a rusted and cracked front frame on the passenger side. I had replaced the cracked axle my self it cost me $874.27 I have not received anything from Ford on this yet. I can not drive the car because it is a not in good shape at all. It only has just under 90,000 miles. And has had a new intake put on which is plastic and now the engine runs very rough. Also it has trouble with the signal lights. This car has turned out to be a lousy car.
Hi I just saw that you were investigating Windstar rust issues. Two years ago, in 2008, our 1999 Windstar starting making weird noises when I went over curbs or turned the wheel. I took it into the dealer and they said the front frame and axle had rusted. It was a couple thousand dollars to fix. They said it was no longer under warranty. I did not wish to fix it (since it would cost as much to fix as the van was worth) and they said it was unsafe to drive and did not recommend I leave without fixing it. So we traded it in (explaining fully what was wrong with it) when we purchased a van from the Honda dealership down the road. I just saw that you were investigating rust issues associated with Windstar and thought I would pass this info along. Thanks
Front sub-frame corrosion on passenger side near mount resulting in complete break. There is no evidence of rust anywhere else on the sub-frame, the frame or underbody. Symptom was loud clanking from front-right and "jerking" sensation on some turns, acceleration. Did not feel safe driving, so brought to ntb for examination (thinking it was a balljoint, etc.) technicians invited me to investigate under the lift as they were incredulous of such a severe break amidst an otherwise rust-free sub-frame.
1999 Ford Windstar LX front sub-frame rusted out on passenger side. This section of the sub-frame is always wet when the air-conditioner is turned on in the summer and the condensation from the air-conditioner leaks onto the subframe at this specific area, and in the winter salt is causing sub-frame to rust out and break at this specific area. This is a design flaw.
I own a 1999 Ford Windstar. Approximately one month ago 15 Nov,2010, I noticed that the alignment of the front tires was off. And the steering seemed loose and a little unresponsive. I immediately drove home and removed the passenger front tire and could not believe what I saw. The front sub-frame / engine cradle was completely corroded where the sub-frame attaches to the uni-body. The area where the mounting bushing that attaches the sub-frame to the uni-body on the passenger side was totally corroded / rusted / rotted away. The bushing was completely pushed through the sub-frame and had nothing to support it any more. I brought it to my local Ford dealer with the print out of the current investigation of this issue. They told me it is not a recall yet and I would have to pay for the repair out of my own pocket.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Aliquippa, PA, USA