9.4
really awfulTypical Repair Cost:
$1,032.00
Average Mileage:
133,650 miles
Total Complaints:
30 complaints
Most common solutions:
- replace the rear axle (17 reports)
- not sure (12 reports)
- class action lawsuit against Ford motor company (1 reports)
drivetrain problem
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2010Jul 30
Windstar LX 3.8L
- Automatic transmission
- 115,000 miles
With my 2 kids in the car my rear axle or casing broke in half on my 1999 Ford Windstar.
Thank God my kids and I were not killed. Ford should have recalled this to fix this problem before it kills someone.
2010Jun 12
Windstar SE 3.8L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 75,000 miles
click to see larger images
If this happened 15 minutes earlier my whole family and I were on rte 95 going 65 mph. The way this snapped we would have rolled it at this speed. I was 150 miles away from home too and had to get a hotel with the family and it was my cousin's graduation day and party too. Have got no where with Ford and they actually want us to fill out information on the van and send it back to them with the complete history on the vehicle. They also want to know if we got a lawyer for this. I am sure the NHTSA will force their hand in a recall. I hope they do before someone really gets hurt or dies.. This vehicle is the worst I have ever owned for repairs. I have always bought Ford products but not again. My 99 Sable is been nothing but a nightmare too.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2010Jun 04
Windstar LX 3.2L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 189,000 miles
Very luck my wife was only doing 5mph NOT 65mph. I wonder how many other unfortunate folks lost their lives to fishtailing and rolling over because of this problem?
I kept great care of that car and it could have had another two years left in it.
Class action? Let me in on it and lets inform the public before one of our loved ones gets whacked by a ticking time bomb built by Ford.
2010Jul 17
Windstar LX 3.8L
- Automatic transmission
- 144,158 miles
All I wanted to do was put gas in the F%#Wing van before the price went up again. Gas station is less than 5 minutes away from my house. Soon as I was like a minute away in the parking plaza near the gas station I heard a crack and then it felt like I was dragging something. I just took a quick glance and didn't really see anything I checked for popped tires as I thought that must have been it. I circled the van once I came to the left rear end I notice the tire is touching the van and the axle had broken. Had to tow it to a shop but being Sunday I have to wait till Monday to get an estimate of the cost...If it's over 200 I can say I'm officially F##@$cked because not affordable at the moment. Thanks Ford next time I won't think ford First!!!!!!! More like think Ford thirst!!!!!!!!
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2010Jul 01
Windstar LX 3.8L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 170,000 miles
I love my windstar but my rear axle is almost in two pieces. A large crack has opened up on the axle closer to the drivers side of the vehicle. I called the NHTSA. There number is 1-888-327-4236. These bastards at ford must fix this before someone dies.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2010Jun 27
Windstar LX 3.0L
- Automatic transmission
- 105,000 miles
So I am sitting in Abingdon VA, right now because the rear axle on my wife's windstar just broke. Luckily the in-laws were following me and have taken our 3 kids and her home. I am now sitting with the vehicle waiting for a tow truck and trying to get home (280) miles. After asking the wife if she has hit anything or noticed anything weird with the van, I do a search and find that this is a common problem with this make and model. ( what the F*&^%) Ford needs to step up and issue a recall. I am SO SO lucky that none of the family was hurt.
2010Jun 10
Windstar SE 3.0L
- Automatic transmission
- 155,000 miles
I have researched this on Google and have found out that there have been a considerable amount of complaints on this problem.I thank God that my wife was turning off of the 4-lane highway when rear axle broke.If she had been going the 65 m.p.h. speed limit when it broke there could have been a tragedy..Five of my six kids were with her...Why hasn't a recall been issued for this problem??Is it going to take somebody getting killed ??
2010May 25
Windstar LX V6
- Automatic transmission
- 127,000 miles
Was driving my 1999 windstar and the back end started sliding around and all of a sudden it started swaying real bad and the back end didn't feel right. I thought at first i had a flat tire and the van was hard to stop as it was swinging around. Heard a Loud Noise. when i finally came to a halt i looked at the back end and my tires were bowing in. I took it to a shop and apparantly the axle beam in the back is fractured though it is not rusted at all. Scared me really bad cause I had my 3 kids in the car at the time.
I believe there needs to be some looking into on this cause my kids depend on me to get them to where we are going safely. The dealership acted like they had no idea what we were talking about and i've did research to see if there is any recalls on this problem and found it's being investigated. Instead of playing with peoples lives they need to bite the bullet and take care of this before someone gets killed due to this issue. Don't be a sell out like toyota and just take care of business and loyal customers who just want to drive a safe vehicle!! I definitely made a report to NHTSA. Something has to give
2010May 06
Windstar SE 3.8L
- Automatic transmission
- 107,000 miles
WINDSTAR REAR AXLE BROKE IN HALF?
I AM A AUTO REPAIR FACILITY OWNER IN MICHIGAN AND HAVE SEEN THE PROBLEM ALREADY 5 TIMES IN 3 YRS. ALL THE BREAKS ARE IN THE EXACT SAME SPOT!
DESIGN/MATERIAL IS TO BLAME. THE SHAPE ALLOWS WATER TO CAVITATE IN THE LOCATION OF THE BREAK/CRACK. IT WONT BE LONG SAVE YOUR RECEIPTS. FOR SAFETY REASONS ALL OTHER OWNERS INSPECT THE REAR AXLE FOR CRACKS APPROX 12" LEFT OF CENTER. (AS VIEWED FROM REAR)
SOMEONE WILL LOOSE THERE LIFE OR POSSIBLY ALREADY HAS DO TO FORDS UNWILLINGNESS TO INFORM OR TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THERE DEFECT!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2010May 13
Windstar LE 3.2L
- Automatic transmission
- 171,000 miles
Traveling from Penn State to bring my son home, just getting off the PA TPK exit ramp when I momentarily lost control. Figured my tire was going flat. After exiting and only 10 miles from home, I pulled over to see that my rear wheels were slanted outward. Called my other son to pick us up . Unloaded the van and called a tow truck. My mechanic confirmed a broken axle and replaced it with a used one. Total cost including towing $887. This could have been very dangerous and deadly traveling 70-75 on the turnpike. There was no obvious forewarning.
2009Apr 03
Windstar 3.0L
- Automatic transmission
- 140,000 miles
My 99 Windstar was making strange noises in the rear-end for a month or so last fall. I took it to a different mechanic than the guy I usually use for inspections and oil changes because I wanted someone with real experience to diagnose the problem. They called and said that the rear dummy axle was broke in half. $1400 later they had replaced it. He kept the broken part in his parking lot for me to see--he kept asking if my wife or I had hit something since "axles don't just break in half" and "..."you could have been killed if that had finally failed on the highway." The whole thing made no sense until I started reading the autobeef threads.
2010Apr 16
Windstar SEL 3.8L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 150,000 miles
My van felt a little wobbly on a Wednesday, I continued to drive it and told my husband about it. He drove it on Friday and didn't make it a block before he said, "I'm not driving this, something is wrong with the rear". We turned around came home and looked under the van to find the rear axle broke. What in the world would cause an axle just to brake? I'm so grateful that nothing bad happen with my family in the car. My van was towed to the shop today, I haven't heard how much it will cost to be replaced. My husband and I both own Ford's and like to buy American made vehicles. THIS IS RIDICULOUS!!! All these complaints and Ford isn't doing anything about it?!? I have had to put 2 transmissions, 2 alternators and now an axle. I understand normal wear and tear but come on, 13-14 complaints for the same thing? What does it take, a wreck on the interstate to make the news like Toyota? I am also writing Ford and you should too.
2010Apr 13
Windstar
- Automatic transmission
- 126,000 miles
My rear axle broke when I got to my doctors appointment after surgery. I got out of the appointment put the car in reverse and heard an obnoxious scrapping noise. Im a gear head ina half but just having the surgery done I couldn't get out and see what had happened. When my boyfriend finally got there to look at the van he was in shock. He said he has never seen anything break so clean. All the guys that have looked at it at the shop. Said thank god I was off the highway and the kids weren't in the car. When I called the dealership this morning about the recall the guy said nope there hasnt been one. You would think with all the problems Toyota is having they might want to pay attention to complaints and problems people are having!!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2010Apr 13
Windstar LX 3.8L
- Automatic transmission
- 141,000 miles
The rear axle broke. I was driving and it felt like you were on ice or something I stopped to check my tires and found this. It looks very much Like another photo I seen here listed under the same problem. Looks like Ford would do something about this with so many of them breaking at the same place. My wife to the children to school this morning she noticed that it handled a little different. All I can say God was protecting.
Update from Apr 17, 2010: The rear axle broke. I was driving and it felt like you were on ice or something I stopped to check my tires and found this. It looks very much Like another photo I seen here listed under the same problem. Looks like Ford would do something about this with so many of them breaking at the same place. My wife to the children to school this morning she noticed that it handled a little different. All I can say God was protecting.
2010Mar 21
Windstar SE 3.2L
- Automatic transmission
- 99,876 miles
on our way home from church this morning. has there not been a recall yet? this is very dangerous
2010Jan 29
Windstar Cloth 3.8L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 118,000 miles
traveled 230 mi.on interstate at speed between 66&75mph,6 adults and luggage.got to motel and unloaded van.went shopping and was parking in store lot when axle broke.could not believe this.if this would have happened on the road some body would have been killed.i worked in Ford&Lincoln mercury dealers for38years.all i can say is the lord was with us. ford should do something before somebody gets killed because this is a safety issue.
2010Jan 11
Windstar LX 3.0L
- Automatic transmission
- 83,000 miles
I noticed a clunking noise in the right rear of the van when making a right turn. Then the steering wheel was turned to the right when going straight. Finally when I pulled into my driveway I heard a loud clunk. Upon looking under the rear of the van I could not beleive what I saw. The rear axle was cracked all around about 1.5 ft inside of the rear left wheel. I called my mechanic and he never heard of such a thing happening. Then I went right to GOOGLE and found this site where others have experienced the same failure. I called the local ford dealer and they said that they have changed a few axles over the years and that the part is $585 and around $550 labor. I will NEVER buy another Ford again. I bought this van new in 2000 and have never abused it. Even if someone gets killed in an accident Ford won't recall this one because of the cost.
Jack
2010Jan 01
Windstar SEL 3.2L?
- Automatic transmission
- 165,000 miles
WOW! How does a recall get initiated because my rear axel is broken in half. Noticed it on my way home from work, best way to describe it.....it felt like I was driving on a sheet of ice! I am going to try to get Ford to fix this. I have always been very gentle with my Ford. Right now, I have a transmission light on, which apparently seems to be another common problem with Windstars, but I am prepared to fight this issue with everything I have. I should NOT have to pay for this and neither should you! It takes a lot of force to break an axle. My vehicle has never been abused or wrecked. This is a pure factory issue and I'll be damned if it's gonna come out of my pocket!
2009Apr 30
Windstar 3.8L
- Automatic transmission
- 150,000 miles
Cannot believe that a business as large as ford motor company could have a continuous problem like this and never have had a recall on the piece of sh*t, I will never ever buy another ford again and will tell everyone I know not to buy Ford either/ very disappointed, FORD IS JUNK.
2009Dec 20
Windstar LX 3.8L
- Automatic transmission
- 158,647 miles
click to see larger images
I can't believe this is even a common failure! I have seen many, many instances on Google from 1996 on with this problem. Really, an axle assembly rusting and failing? I was pulling out of the alley to go Christmas shopping and it broke, thought it was a flat, nope thought the studs broke, nope looked under the rear of the van because that was all that was left and was horrified. My wife didn't believe me when I stood up and told her, I made her look. It was the next day that shock wore off and reality set in, the day before it broke we drove to my companies Christmas party 85 miles round trip half that at highway speeds. WOW, praise God I was pulling out of the alley and parked it in front of the house.
Update from Jan 4, 2010: Turns out my tires were ok, and the total cost was $765.00. It would have been more without my AAA!! I am going to take pictures and prsue Ford for the cost.
Update from Jan 29, 2011: Ford did come back with a recall and I got reimbursed.
2009Dec 28
Windstar LX 3.8L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 185,000 miles
Our van was fish tailing all over the road. It felt like we were driving on ice. I told my wife the steel belts must have broken in the passenger rear tire. The next day, when driving to the tire store, every turn we could hear what sounded like metal grinding. Got to the store to have the tire changed. We were shown how the rear axle was almost completely broken in half. Looking at the axle from the rear of the van, the break was just to the right of center. Closer to the passenger side back tire. We feel this should be a Ford recall. Especially since our other vehicle is also a Ford Windstar. This axle break caused the tire to rub against the inside of the wheel well.
2009Nov 15
Windstar SEL 3.8L
- Automatic transmission
- 150,000 miles
i took my van to a ford dealership to make sure it was safe to drive to Mexico and sure enough when i got to mexico a week later my rear axle broke in half what the heck
2009Nov 16
Windstar SEL 3.8L
- Automatic transmission
- 150,000 miles
my wife was driving the van on her way home at 55 mph when she and my 3 kids almost flip because the rear axle broke in half i think ford needs to do something about it before somebody get killed then is going to be too late.
2009Jul 17
Windstar SEL 3.8L
- Automatic transmission
- 144,000 miles
click to see larger images
I was driving on the highway, 60MPH and I felt like I was hydroplaning, as it just began to rain. I slowed down to 45 MPH and still was feeling like I was loosing control of the vehicle. As I slowed down to 20MPH, it got worse, almost hitting the car next to me. I pulled off the road, as I thought I had a flat tire. Left rear tire was crooked and I then discovered the axle was broken. This should be a recall, as it's a severe safety issue.
2009May 22
Windstar
- Automatic transmission
- 98,000 miles
This Memorial Day weekend I was traveling about 35 miles to my moms house to have a cookout. First i stopped at Krogers to pick up some supplies for the cookout, on leaving Krogers and entering the interstate I started to hear a squealing sound when I turned the wheel to the right...mind you I had four children in the car with me! The sound seemed to depend on the speed I was going. On the Interstate I was traveling at 70 (the speed limit in WV on I-77) the instant we got off the interstate and hit Route 2 I stopped at an exxon...thinking I would be able to see the problem. Checked the air pressure in the tires, and the rear tire on the passenger side was a little low...put some air in the tire thinking that this was the culprit of the sound and continued on. After a 22 miles journey towards my mothers home the sound proceeded to continue...the best way to describe the sound is it sounded like you were peeling out...squealing tires...every time you turned the wheel to the right. I pulled into the first service station and asked the kid working there to check my power steering fluid...he did...it was fine. He said he didn't have a license therefore could not drive the van on the road but he did take it for a spin around the parking lot and the van made no noise. He said the guy who would be able to help me wouldn't be back for another hour. I told him I would take the kids to my moms and return for the other guy to check it out. So I drove on some 10 miles...up a narrow...winding...dangerous road...thinking that maybe a belt was squealing or something else minor was to blame...I took it slow (THANK GOD) as I made it almost there and headed up a small incline in the road the van started floating across the road and my brakes were failing and then there was a BOOM...everyone piled out to see our back tires at an incline tops pointing under the van...I just started crying...the thoughts of what ifs start pouring in...I had been traveling at 70 miles per hour with PRECIOUS cargo on board...now at this point...I am crying...the van is in the middle of the road...completely disabled...I have no cell phone service...four kids...it is 85 degrees...and a van full of food...LUCKILY a couple of men from a nearby house came to my assistance and let me use the phone to call my mom and my husband...but because it is Memorial Day weekend...getting anyone to actually look at the van has been a nightmare...I do carry AAA...but guess what...after two years of faithfully paying my dues to them...when I finally got to my moms house and called them...they tell me that the 70 some dollars I paid for membership entitles me to a free tow for three FREAKIN miles. every mile after that is 3.50...WHO BREAKS DOWN 3 MILES FROM HOME! Nobody!!!!!!! This who experience has been a TOTAL PAIN IN THE ARSE...right now as I type this my husband and his brother have my van on a flatbed trailer in route to drop off at the mechanic...We were supposed to be out on a friends boat cooking out and enjoying the day...but I will take the huge pain in the arse over what could have happened ANYDAY...I feel lucky to be sitting here complaining about this incident...
In closing this is what I have to say
Hey FORD...why would someone need a mini van? So they can drive around kids! So don't ya think it would be morally RIGHT to maybe make a vehicle that isn't a DEATH TRAP for those kids and their parents...I mean come on...I know you all do all this research to figure out who to market these things for...like those nifty cup holders made into the back of the seats so you can flip them down and have a nice little picnic when traveling...your research department spent alot of money to find out I would like those cupholders...hey maybe get some of those geniuses over there in marketing research to understand that the CORE safety of the kids riding in the van is MORE important than if they have a stupid indent to keep their cups from spilling...from what I see here looking on the net it looks like you guys have a potentially DEADLY defect in the design...my van has never been wrecked...I do all the required maintenance on schedule...and this axle thing...had little prior warning...its going to kill someone someday...maybe even an entire family or more if the vehicle they are traveling in causes other accidents to occur...
So DO SOMETHING...set yourself apart from all these corporate A**HOLES that think you can tabulate a pricetag to the cost of a human life...recall this thing...MAKE IT RIGHT before the person paying the price isn't you...but maybe some family just traveling to Grandma's house...not aware they are sitting on a ticking time bomb...how would you all feel if it was your baby who had to die to start the motions of a recall to happen...you don't like the thought of that...neither do we!!!!!!!!!!!!I am SO SICK of "Corporate America's Bullsh*t"
2009Mar 14
Windstar LX 3.8L V8
- Automatic transmission
- 70,100 miles
My wife let me know our 1999 Ford Winstar LX felt loose in the rear end. I took it for a ride and agreed it felt loose. I made sure the lug nuts were tight and we drove it to a meeting. When we got home she told me to look at the driver's side rear tire and that it looked like it was leaning in. I removed the tire and saw no problems and put it back on and it appeared to have straightened out. I took it around the block and when I pulled back in, it was leaning again. I looked underneath and found the rear axle was cracked 3/4 of the way through. We could have been killed driving around it like that. Our van only has 70,100 miles on it. I called my dealer service center and they claimed they were amazed a rear axle would crack like that and have never seen it, and oh, by the way, it will take $1,500 to repair it. I still haven't gotten it fixed. I've seen other complaints now about the same thing when researching it but no recall. It's the last Ford I'll ever buy.
2009Mar 11
Windstar 100000 3.8L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 100,000 miles
Incredible !,,I took my the van for a pad change to the shop and I let him know about this rare noise that I was hearing for about a week on the back wheels,, I ask him to check for that after he change the front pads.. I got the call back asking me to came over to see about the noise I have aks to look for ...I could not believe my eyes the back wheel axle was broken, almost in half, left & middle sections... My drives the van every day and he was the first that notice the noises ,, three days a week she car pulls with other families kids from school.. I can not image the tragedy that it could have happened if the rear axle brokes in the highway.. Guys from Ford , Designers, Mechanical / Automotive Eng, this is a mayor problem that should investigate, get to the root cause & take the proper action on,,,,is is a family car ,,, I really hope you act quick before people, families ge kill.....I wondering if I have this replaced,,, how long it will take to broke again ? will I have a change to notice before or it will be to late ?? I can not even sell it knowing about this,, I better give it for free to a Ford executive family...
2009Mar 06
Windstar
- Manual transmission
- 122,724 miles
I went to have my Fuel injection cleaned ,told my friend who works there about it felt like the front tires were trying to grip the road .he took it for a drive and he came back put it on the left and found the rear axle cracked I noticed this going over fifty FORD NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING I DRIVE MY KIDS EVERYDAY I didn't want the daMM WINDSTAR 10 YRS AGO but my husband at the time thought good family car. should have giving him the van
2008May 13
Windstar LX 3.8L
- Automatic transmission
- 135,000 miles
click to see larger images
Doing 50 in the 93 southbound tunnel under Boston the vehicle started to shudder and I tried to pull to side of road (there is none) and exit vehicle in a tunnel on the wrong side of a blind curve. Ford told me to pound sand. Will never buy another ford again.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2010Jul 11
Windstar LX
driving 30 mph and my axle dropped to the ground breaking bothe brake lines and almost crashing. I didnt have anough $$ to fix right away so it sat about 3 weeks or so before I could have it fixed. Costing me over $1000 to fix. Then today on the news I saw a Ford Recall for the same problem. I have been calling Ford all day and there lines are busy. I am going in there with a receipt and want to be reinbursted for it!
Elizabeth P.
Warwick, RI, USA
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