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 2001 Ford Windstar. While driving approximately 60 mph she noticed that she could turn the steering wheel but the vehicle would not change directions. The vehicle was stopped and shut off. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where she was informed that the frame under the vehicle was severely corroded and that the tie rods failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 150,000. The VIN was unavailable.
The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. While driving approximately 5 mph, the contact stated that the sub frame on her vehicle was covered with rusted and damaged. The dealer was notified and stated that the sub frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle will be repaired by an authorized dealer. The manufacturer had not been contacted. The current and failure mileage was approximately 114,000.
Our 2001 Ford Windstar started making a popping noise a couple of months ago, usually at slow speeds and while turning. When we had it checked out, we were told the subframe has rusted through at one place. This could potentially pose a significant safety risk, as the motor mounts, steering control arms, etc., are attached to this subframe.
The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the passenger side subframe had rusted; the vehicle made a thumping sound as if the wheel would fall off. The contact also noticed that the bolts near the wheel were also rusted. The vehicle had not been inspected or repaired. The VIN was unavailable. The current and failure mileages were approximately 120,000.
My wife and I own a 2001 Ford Windstar. The other day as we were driving down the road we heard a loud pop from the front passenger side of the car. We pulled over to find that the subframe had broken.
- Louisville, KY, USA
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Whilst turning a corner the front subframe mount sheared at the lower control arm connection. I lost steering and power. My car ended in a ditch at the side of the road. Myself and my one year old son were in the car at the time, we were both shaken but not injured. When the subframe failed the half axle left the transmission, thus losing power and the two front wheel were left pointing in opposite directions. We have not had this repaired yet but have been told that's parts will be in excess of $1800 plus labor. This could cost $2500. Worse still if this had have happened on the motorway, it does bear to consider the consequences! I have seen thousands of similar cases posted on various internet sites, this needs to be remedied before someone gets seriously hurt!
Front sub frame rusted out on the right passenger side. After going to a transmission shop to have my trans rebuilt I went to a mechanic to see why I kept hearing strange noise from the passenger side of the van. When the mechanic lifted the van he showed me the rusted subframe and stated that eventually it will fail and that it needs to be replaced. The only way to resolve this problem is to replace the sub frame, because it is too thin to weld in their opinion.
The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. While the vehicle was being serviced the mechanic noticed that the K frame was covered with rust. The local mechanic replaced the K frame. The failure mileage was 96,000 and the current mileage was 99,000.
The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. While driving 35 mph the contact lost control of the vehicle after a hearing a loud noise. When the vehicle stopped the contact noticed that the front end of the vehicle had broken off. The vehicle was towed to a local repair shop and the front sub frame was replaced. The contact called the manufacturer regarding the sub frame and they stated that there was nothing they could do. The contact was concerned about numerous complaints regarding the front sub frame. If the vehicle was traveling any faster than it was it could have caused a major crash. The failure mileage was 247,000.
My family (7 members) was returning home from a vacation day. We were 2 1/2 hours from home when suddenly our van jerked to the right very hard and I lost all control of the steering. Our vehicle was heading straight for a guardrail and concrete bridge wall. Somehow we managed to miss both and ended up in the ditch over 500 yds from where we first lost control. Imagine my surprise when I got out expecting to see maybe a flat tire, but instead saw the passenger front tire sideways. Not knowing alot about cars, I called my neighbor to possibly help me. He drove the large distance with his trailer to come pick us up. When he got there he looked and saw the front subframe had completely rusted away from the body mount and had caused the lower control arm to sheer off the frame. This in turn caused the axle to pull out of the transmission rendering the vehicle completely inoperable. When I got home the next morning I found out through the newspaper that the rear axle had just been recalled for similar corrosion problems. I was astonished. What more amazed me was given the fact that serious injury or death could have easily occurred that more was not done to resolve the situation. When we contacted the manufacturer we were told that they wouldn't help us, but we could take the vehicle to their dealer and they would be happy to repair it at our cost, but it would come with a 1 yr./12,000 mile warranty. This repair could cost upwards of $5,000. I nor my neighbor, who has been a mechanic for years, have never seen a vehicle less than 10 years old rust apart like that when there is barely any rust on the body of the vehicle. This situation needs serious action because the problem is not one that is easily detected by anyone who doesn't know what they are looking for. Unfortunately ours was not detected ahead of time, and thankfully my family was able to make it through with only some bad dreams and scared kids.
I took my 2001 Ford Windstar SE to bull valley Ford dealership for rear axle recall and was informed of severe rusting of the front passenger side subframe from one of the service desk representatives after the inspection. After more research I have found several internet postings regarding this same problem on the Ford Windstar. Is there an investigation regarding this inferior product that Ford manufacturing has used on these subframes? it is a severe safety issue not only for the vehicle owner/operator but everyone else on the roadways!!!
Occurrence: 12 October 2010. Traveling I-95 Washington, DC/suitland, md. Vehicle: Ford Windstar, 2001. Speed : 60-65 mph. Traffic : dense. Failure of defective part : rear axle snapped in two parts while traveling on smooth highway, northbound. Explosive sound, lots of smoke, extreme consternation/fear of heart attack experienced by my wife and I ( my wife has a dangerous heart condition "ihss") at occurrence. I immediately turned on hazard flashers. Managed to maneuver across several lanes of traffic to get to highway shoulder safely!! thank god for the alert fellow travelers behind us!!! if we were hit by any 18-wheelers on the highway, I wouldn't be writing this complaint now!!! concern for our safety was shown to us by fellow travelers; particularly, md traffic safety person, who should be commended by his superiors for his professional and understanding actions!! he looked at the damage and said that he had never seen anything like it before; and he said that we were lucky to be alive!!! van was transported by professionals to the nearest Ford dealership where I first became aware that a recall notice was in force for my vehicle!!! at this point, I became greatly disturbed that I had no previous notification of this dangerous condition and that my wife, grand children, etal were traveling in potential rolling coffin! in my opinion, this seems to be criminal; particularly if greater profit motives might be involved! I certainly hope that inferior materials were not used in this regard!! I was informed that my van would have to remain at the Ford dealership until Ford Motor Company decides how I will be provided with a safe vehicle, since no replacement axles were available. (nb ; I have no idea whatever other damage exists as a result of this awful failure! I certainly don't want a duplicate axle replacement to replay this horrific catastrophe! in my wife's delicate condition, I cannot expect her to travel in this unsafe vehicle! justice!!!
We heard a noise when vehicle turned and then while pulling away from a stop light the subframe fell off of the car landing on the road. It had completely rusted through. The bolt was still attached. The mechanic confirmed that it had rusted through. This is a dangerous problem.
My 2001 Ford Windstar was brought to my mechanic for potential problem with front stabilization. Upon lifting to vehicle on the lift, it was obvious to the mechanic that the rear mount on the passenger side of the subframe was completely rusted to the point that it was hanging down. I was instructed not to drive this vehicle.. the issue at hand appears to be as identified in the NHTSA action number: PE10026.
On a Sunday evening, October 10, around 9:00 P.M., while making a turn into my street, , I heard a loud noise, the van abruptly stopped leaving most of the vehicle in between two roads. The van could not be pushed out of the way. The police responded to redirect traffic and called for a flat bed tow which cost $180! they needed to be extremely careful so that the tires or other parts would not be damaged. Without knowing what was wrong with the vehicle, it was towed to my repair shop. The next day I was informed they could not do the repair. Then it was towed to a repair shop that could do the repair (another $40). I understand the frame cracked. The repair shop removed axel shaft, seal rebuilt frame at rear of lower control arm and undercoat. Installed new seal, axel assembly and fluid for the cost of $546. I can't imagine the outcome if this happened while driving home from work on the thruway doing 65 mph.
Clunking noise from R/F of vehicle when turning left, and severe pull when accelerating. Found front subframe rusted thru and cracked at passenger side rear mount. Had to replace front subframe.
The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. While having the vehicle examined by an independent mechanic for steering issues, the contact was informed that the sub frame was corroded. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were approximately 116,000.
The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact inspected the vehicle and detected that the subframe exhibited substantial rust corrosion. The vehicle had not been diagnosed. The contact had concern of the potential safety hazard. The failure mileage was 90,000. The VIN was unavailable.
After hearing some noise when turning I inspected my 2001 Ford Windstar LX and found the subframe/cradle rusted out on right side rear mount. I have not done anything yet to fix it (looking for prices) but I know the subframe/cradle is bad and needs to be replaced.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Columbus, OH, USA