9.4
really awfulTypical Repair Cost:
$934.00
Average Mileage:
116,804 miles
Total Complaints:
82 complaints
Most common solutions:
- not sure (54 reports)
- rear axle was replaced (27 reports)
- as of 8/27/2010 Ford has recalled this rear axle (1 reports)
drivetrain problem
Search for Problems, Recalls & Defects
Find a good Ford mechanic
A free service from MechanicAdvisor.comHelpful websites
- Windstar Corrosion Prompts Lawsuit - News article explaining the Ford Windstar axle class action lawsuit. Windstar owners may call 610-444-2001 to join.
- Ford Windstar Recall Information - Ford Windstar axle recall information including photos of what to look for.
2010Aug 27
Windstar LX 3.8L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 182,000 miles
click to see larger images
FORD-enough said. it took them almost 10 years for them to fix a problem they have known about. They are lucky they recalled the axle before people started getting hurt.
2010Sep 17
Windstar SEL 3.8L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 105,436 miles
The rear axle on my 2001 Ford Windstar broke today and I found this site. Also found this site http://www.insideline.com/ford/windstar/ford-recalls-1998-2003-windstar-over-rear-axle-cracking.html stating that Ford has issued a recall for this problem. Called Ford and sure enough it has been officially recalled. Not sure what happens for people who have already had this happen to them.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2010Sep 04
Windstar
- Automatic transmission
- 95,000 miles
I am writing you because yesterday on my way home from Ohio after attending my aun'ts funeral my rear axle on my 2001 Ford Windstar snapped in 2 going down the interstate @65 mph in the middle of heavy traffic in front of Adventure Land Theme Park in Des Moines Iowa. I had my two young children, my brother and his young son in the van as passengers. There was a horrendous loud sound like I can't explain and heavy black smoke pouring out all over from behind. Everything went in slow motion as we mirraculously landed on the shoulder of the Interstate 80. Trafffic seemed to just flow all around us like something was holding them back as we cut through 3 lanes of heavy traffic to the shoulder. After we came to a stop and saw that we were not hurt. We were so shaken, my brother started to have a panic attack and the kids were crying. My life flashed before my eyes. I truly thought this was the end of our lives.
A whole family may have lost their lives due to this recall not being sent to us before we left for Cleveland Ohio for the funeral. Ford Knew about this problem published August 27, 2010 and neglected to warn my family of this. I had my van checked out the day before we left by a mechanic and gave us the all clear to go. I had absulutely no warning of the potential life threatening problem of Ford Windstar rear axle breaking. My axle broke in 2 on the interstate at 65 mph in heavy traffic. Ford is not going to send out recall notices until SEPTEMBER 27??? This is a life threatening situation and it can happend to anyone driving these vans with no warning. We had no warning. Next time it might be death to the next victim.
Please warn your friends that drive a Ford Windstar. This situation is not alleged and it can happend and it is more serious than Ford is letting us know. They are saying nobody got hurt yet, Key Word YET!!! I am afraid for anyone that drives a Ford Windstar. God took the wheel this time. I will never drive that van again, even if fixed by the recall, there can be underlying issues not noticed by Ford after it is fixed since the axle broke on me at 65 mph on Interstate. Ford is cheap and negligent. Ford should have started warning people with the first incident. My family and I sat on the side of the busy interstate for an hour before help came. Traffic and semis passed us crossing over the white line of the shoulder. It was hot and we were afraid we would get hit by a vehicle. We were stranded for 6 hours before our ride came to pick us up. We were over 2 hours from home when this happened. We were on our way home from Ohio.
2010Aug 13
Windstar Limted 3.2L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 120,000 miles
This really makes me pissed off! It about killed me and my wife and 3 kids one night headed home from a football game , we were doing 70 mph when we all the sudden we started spinning and going off in to the ditch this S!@# makes me pissed off at FORD! I think this should be a recall!!!!! well it did total our Windstar out BTW the air bags did not go off so I'm thinking ford messed up on that too. Also the steering in our van was not good when we bought it. It was not doing well after about 4 months. We bought this piss of Sh!@# for $15000. It only had 60k miles on it when we did buy it , so if you have a Ford windstar GET RID OF IT before it really does kill someone!!!!!!!!
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
2010Aug 23
Windstar LX
- Automatic transmission
- 72,000 miles
Two days ago (on August 23), my wife and 8-year old son were going out. On the way to their destination, the rear axle broke on our 2001 Ford Windstar...it literally split near the left side. Thankfully, despite the incredible potential for harm, neither of them were hurt. I'm so grateful they didn't make it to the highway as planned. The car, however, is another story. It was a complete mess that cost me $1,100 to fix.
My hope is that Ford wakes up to this growing problem and does right by its customers. It probably doesn't hurt that the government just launched an investigation. This is interested, too. My mechanic told me that Ford recently changed the rear axle to make it heavier/stronger. Makes me think they knew something was wrong.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2010Jul 11
Windstar V6
- Automatic transmission
- 100,000 miles
My husband and I were going to see my daughter in Rochester. We had just entered the interstate Hwy 90 traveling at about 65 mph when we merged into the passing lane to allow other cars onto the highway. There was a loud bang and the van began to swerve wildly from one lane to the other. It almost felt as if we had a flat tire but the van was more difficult to control. After we had swerved several times the back of the van "fell down" and was dragging on the pavement. Once my husband finally got control of the van he was able to pull over into the median and stop. He got out of the van and went to the back where he saw that the axle was broken. While he was checking our van another car that had been behind us stopped in front of the van. My husband asked if we had hit him when we were swerving, he stated that we hadn't but he saw that our axle had broken. We called a tow truck from a local repair shop. They were able to find a used axle and they had the repairs completed in just a few days. We were extremely lucky that no one was hurt in this incident, especially considering that we were traveling at 65 mph on an interstate highway. If any other cars had been close to us the accident probably would have been much worse. When I found this web site I looked back to find the date of the first complaint; I could not believe that it was dated November 2007! There is finally a recall on this but it took almost three years and many accidents. Most of the complaints that I read occurred at a slower speed than our accident but it really shouldn't take someone being killed before a recall occurs.
Update from Nov 18, 2010: We finally received the recall information from Ford; it stated that if the axle had already been broken and fixed you should still take your vehicle in to your local Ford dealership to have them check it. The letter also stated that you should take in your receipt for the repairs and they would review it for a possible refund. When I called our local dealer it didn't sound like they knew what to do but I scheduled an appointment and had my husband take in the receipt for the repair that had been done. They said the axle was ok but I have a feeling they didn't check it out very carefully. I did get a surprise this week though, Ford sent us a check for the entire amount of our repair bill. I'm still upset that it took them so long to start to take care of this problem when there is such a great possibility for someone to get hurt or killed because of this defect.
2010Jul 05
Windstar LX
- Automatic transmission
- 80,000 miles
I own a 2001 Ford Windstar and my rear axle broke at 20 miles per hour. Tires bowed in and car was not drivable. I think it is a shame that Ford has not recalled this problem. I have never towed a boat or anything on this vehicle and keep it in good running condition. This piece of crap car was never involved in any kind of accident. I have had problems with this car since I bought it brand new. First the side doors wouldn't open, fixed that, then they would close. My keypads don't work. If it is not one thing its another with this vehicle. I will NEVER buy another Ford again. For safety reasons I think that Ford should take a good look at this axle problem before someone gets killed. Its a shame that Ford will not live up to its reputation or maybe it does.
Fix
Or
Repair
Daily Yep that spells FORD.
2010Jul 26
Windstar LX 3.8L
- Automatic transmission
- 101,600 miles
I see that I have joined the legions of Windstar owners that have encountered the problem of the rear axle splitting in two. I am very thankful that i was alone in the car when it happens and was able to bring to a safe stop. Minivans are family cars and I could have had 8 people in the car and with the additional weight , there might have been a different outcome. It is time for Ford Motor Company to bite the bullet and recall these cars and repair them. My local Ford dealer wants $775,00 to repair the vehicle and says he has the axle in stock. Why would any dealer have such an item in stock.....unless they are repairing these cars on a regular basis. Brakes, shocks, tires are things we have to replace on our own...but a rear axle, I don't think so and certainly a factory defective one.
2010May 22
Windstar LX 3.2L
- Automatic transmission
- 135,000 miles
My rear axle broke by one of the welds. I had it replaced with a used one from a junk yard. That one lasted about six months and it broke in the same spot. this time i got a new one from the dealer. My mechanic said this was the third Windstar he saw with this proplem. The cost was about $1000.00 to fix.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2010Feb 10
Windstar LX 3.8L
- Automatic transmission
- 160,000 miles
@ 1st I noticed a swaying it seemed @ higher rates of spped 55+, after complaining to my spouse he noticed upon inspection of my van, the driver's side rear tire was tilting inward @ the top.......We stopped driving it and took it to local garage....where they replaced it with a used axle from the same year windstar (2001) that had been in a front end crash @ low speeds but it popped the airbag and was totalled......with confidence I drove my van for less than 2 months.......when my Dad was driving behind me, he saw my driver's side rear tire bend in, ready to snap @ any moment.....I was also hearing a squeaking sound ( I thought it was my brakes...so that's what it sounds like).....So TWO damn rear axles latter......FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THIS MODEL NOW BEFORE A FAMILY DIES!!!!!
2010Aug 03
Windstar Limited 3.8L
- Automatic transmission
- 198,000 miles
i was driving down the street at approx 35 mph with a freind. i heard a snap looked in the morror saw smoke comming out stopped and looked under car and my rear axel was broken in two
2010Jul 30
Windstar LX
- Automatic transmission
- 165,000 miles
Driving to St.louis with a packed car full of nieces and nephews on our way to six flags. Going 65 miles an hour I feel the back of the van slide...weird I thought , and it scared me. I pulled over to have my husband check the tire, we had had it fixed recently, he said it was fine, I said I would feel better if we pulled over where he could really check it . I got back on the highway and made it to the next exit ...about a mile. Pulled into a tow truck shop ironically. He was checking the tire and my brother happened to look under the car and said ...here's your problem..... the axel is broke. Closest to the drivers side tire. WOW, I am so thankful we did not get into a bad accident. Although it cost us $200.00 to have it towed back home, (we were already 2 hours from home.)
Today is Sunday , so we have not got to call anyone about this, I just typed in , broken rear axel, and this site popped up. Makes me really mad to see that Ford has known about this problem and failed to even mentinon to people to have it checked on atleast. We have always taken it to the dealership for repairs and I can't believe no one noticed it. Really Ford who do you think id driving these vehicles? Families is the answer!
2010Apr 12
Windstar 3.8L
- Automatic transmission
- 100,000 miles
While driving the 2001 Windstar the vehicle began to feel as if it was swaying side to side. Upon feeling this we stopped driving the vehicle at once. I thought it might be a suspension problem. Not so. After taking the vehicle to the shop we were informed that our axle was 3/4 cracked and needed a replacement. We found one used and had it installed. I can't imagine what would happen if this broke driving down the highway. We have 3 kids with us all the time and can't be driving around with problems like this. I think FORD needs to recall this vehicle and fix the problem. How does this get put into motion to have a recall started.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2010Jun 12
Windstar 3.8L
- Automatic transmission
- 81,000 miles
We bought this windstar new and have babied it since the first mile. I had been noticing something going on with the van it felt like a flat tire at first or bumpy road ,then it started pulling to the side when you hit a bump. I was out with my husband and had almost lost all control of the back ,like driving on ice.I was lucky my husband was there and we didn't get on the highway yet. I was shocked to hear the axle was broken in half.How could this happen to a car that was treated so well .I think Ford should pay to fix this and have it recalled before someone gets hurt. I had planned to keep driving this for many miles to come,now I'm afraid to drive it and I'm afraid to buy another Ford.
2010Jul 05
Windstar LX 3.8L
- Automatic transmission
- 130,000 miles
The only thing that I can say is that God is watching over all the owners of this Van, who experience the axle cracking in half. To me this seems like a problem that should be addressed to all the van owners, not just the ones who experience the problem, IMMEDIATELY!!!!! I experienced this issue tonight, when my son and I noticed a rubber burning smell. There were no other cars on the road, so i knew it was my van. I pulled into the local gas station, and noticed that both my rear tires were tilted in on the top. I looked below, and gasped. The axle was cracked in half!! I consider myself very lucky, because I took my kids and their friend to the beach today and was travelling highway speeds. This could have been a serious accident, that could have killed my family. NOW I'M PISSED!!! They must have known about this problem, since there are sooo many complaints on this site. We all need to contact the NHTSA - (1-888-327-4236) and COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. This is your familys life at stake. This is obviously a manufacturers defect and needs to be addressed, similarly like the Toyota recall with the speed issue. DO NOT WAIT FOR SOMEONE ELSE TO CALL, YOU NEED TO DO IT TOO. Seems like everyone on this site is waiting for someone else to do something. THEN DO SOMETHING!!!
email me @ PaulDonovan30@Comcast.net to get help with this.
2010Jul 05
Windstar LX 3.8L
- Automatic transmission
- 105,000 miles
Unbelievable! Heard a funny noise a few weeks ago, kind of a creaking. Looked it over, thought maybe the E-brake had hung up or something. Only really made a noise when you turned. It quit after a couple of days. Oh well, its just getting old. Just came out of the grocery store and noticed my rear passenger tire was cambered in at the top. Got home and pulled out my jack to see what the problem was and noticed the drivers side was tilted too. Crawled under and saw rear axle broke in two!!! Googled "Ford Windstar rear axle" and this website came up. Cant believe this isn't a design flaw that Ford will fix. Ive been a Ford fan forever, but this might be it if they don't stand behind it. Obviously not an isolated incident!
2010Jun 29
Windstar 3.2L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 103,000 miles
I was glad that the rear axle snapped in two while I was driving was slow. After finding this website, it's amazing to me how Ford engineers can keep their jobs designing crap like this. I worked in engineering for many years and if I designed this drivetrain I would have been fired. Thank God no one has been injured from this obvious defect that Ford is failing to recognize. I have a novel idea-why don't Ford be proactive and do something about this problem before something serious happens and they find they butts in court.
2010Jun 16
Windstar 3.0L
- Automatic transmission
- 101,000 miles
I am a AAA tow operator, former inspection mechanic, I have towed 3 windstars in the past week with broken rear axle beams, They are all broken in the same spot. drivers side at weld. All with aprox. 100,000 miles. All broke at low speeds, thank god because this could kill many people at highway speed. FORD..Please do the right thing before lives are lost.
2010Jun 06
Windstar SEL 3.8L
- Automatic transmission
- 68,000 miles
While taking off from a red light with 2 young children in the rear, heard a loud snap. Car fishtailed with lots of smoke. Thankfully no one was hurt, my rear axle cracked right in half! Waiting for AAA was horrible, being without a car for days, horrible. Repairs cost slightly over $1000. Why hasnt there been a recall! So many similar complaints. God love our government!
2010May 25
Windstar LX V6
- Automatic transmission
- 112,000 miles
i was out of town for work when my wife called to tell me the rear axle snapped in our van. i called my brother to look at it for me. he called around to see what a used axle was going for. the average was around $350. i bought one at a u-pull for $50 and installed it in about 2 hours. when it snapped it took out my shocks and brakes. the problem for me wasn't the fixing, it was the fact that it snapped while my wife and kids were in the van. i didn't realize how big the problem was till i found this site. i'm with everyone on this should be recalled before someone isn't as lucky.after fixing that i change my front brakes and realized that the front suspension were the body mounts are , are rotting through also.
2010Jan 26
Windstar
- Automatic transmission
- 61,400 miles
We discovered that the rear axle was cracked on our 2001 Ford Windstar. This axle might have cracked over 2 years ago based on the length and amount of rust. We had our vehicle serviced at Ford at least twice a year while it was under warranty for 7 years or 70,000. Our vehicle is at 61,400 miles now. If there was a crack we were not told. If this was discovered under warranty that would have been much safer and less expensive. The bill was $961.30 and only $252. was labor. We have maintained our vehicles pristinely with proper servicing this should not have happened. We believe that our family's lives were endangered as a result of this fracture/crack of the rear axle.
FORD SHOULD RECALL THIS VEHICLE BEFORE PEOPLE LOSE THEIR LIVES>
I talked to Ford and they DO NOT CARE!!!
2010Jun 02
Windstar SE 3.8L
- Automatic transmission
- 133,000 miles
Can't believe that after all the previous complaints Ford has not put out a recall to fix the problem or reimburse those who have spent money,or have yet to hear anything form Ford to make at least a statement that they will look into this major defect .
2010May 18
Windstar LX 6.0L
- Automatic transmission
- 110,000 miles
I never had any problems with this car since I first bought it. After 110000 miles, the cracked rear axle is "replaceable" however, I don't think I would ever feel comfortable driving my children around in the car. I know I did not hit or run into anything and was fortunate to have found it by error before any catastrophic event.
2010May 04
Windstar LS V6
- Automatic transmission
- 130,000 miles
I was shocked to see the tires of my van bent inward when the flat bed drop it off at our home. All I could think of was wow it's a good thing that didn't happen while we were driving it down the interstate. The rear axle had broke almost in two. It looked as if someone cut it. My husband was leaving work that evening, while he was backing up he realize something wasn't right. That's when he realized what had happened to the van. The day before I had driven it all over the area that we live with our three children in it along with 1-2 of their friends. About a month ago our family went on vacation with our Windstar packed to the max, traveling over 1,ooo miles going high speeds down the interstate.
We were very lucky that nobody was hurt or killed! We were shocked that this has been an on going problem that Ford has not took any steps into fixing. We had no clue about the problem nor that their were others that had the same problem. You would think with so many having this happen to their van that Ford would take steps in fixing this for the safety of people. Let's face it most people who have a mini van have a family, which means there are many people being transported back and forth. why would they not take action to insure the safety of these people?
2010May 15
Windstar SE
- Automatic transmission
- 64,500 miles
The axle completely snapped in half as my son and a friend were coming to a stop at a traffic light. He was able to pull in a parking lot next to the traffic light. When the tow truck driver arrived, he said he has seen several of these and they all had snapped towards the driver's side. He stated that he began seeing this issue about two years ago. He can't believe that a recall hasn't been issued. It is very fortunate that this didn't happen at a high rate of speed. I have not spoken to the Ford dealer yet, as this happened only hours ago in the early morning..
2010May 08
Windstar LX V6
- Automatic transmission
- 109,582 miles
Ford needs to have a recall on this axle breakage. This is going to kill somone! Maybe then someone at the Ford Company might begin to care!!
2010May 07
Windstar 110000 3-6
- Automatic transmission
- 110,000 miles
click to see larger images
It was May 7,2010 I went to pick up my kids from school with was 3kid and plus my16 mouth old son My sister call me to pick up her 4 kids also with means the was 8 kid and me in the ford windstar. As I was coming home the same way i take everyday but this day the axle wanted to go out on me. I hit one bump in the road my back end started to fishtail then i hit the second bump I hear something broke and my back end started to fishtail ones again the brakes wouldn't work it was a truck on my right side and grass on the left side my car started to spin then flip over two times when it stop the kids in the back got out the air bag didn't work. I and my oldest child who was in passage was stuck in the seat belt upside down we got out the car with the rest of the passenger and waited for the police the officer ask how did the tire end up on top of the car like someone put it there I stated no when the car stop flipping thats where it landed. Now i have to go to court and be charge with driving and unsecured car.
2010Apr 10
Windstar
- Automatic transmission
- 121,000 miles
The broken rear axle on the ford windstar seems to be a common problem. I drove my family 1000 highway miles last week, without being aware of the problem. How many people will need to be injured before this becomes a recall? The symptoms can be mild or unnoticed- how many cars are on the road on the verge of failing catastrophically.
2010Mar 17
Windstar SE 3.8L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 80,000 miles
i think if ford windstars have this type of problem with most then the auto maker should have a recall to fix the problem before someone really gets hurt or death happens i result. some needs to report this to the manufaturer.
2010May 02
Windstar ES 3.6L
- Automatic transmission
- 120,000 miles
today my wife and i drove separately to a sporting event for are older son,she had some other things to do first.as she arrived at the game she told me she was hearing a strange noise the car was making and she smelled a smell like burning rubber. after the game i decided to take a look and noticed right away that the rear drivers side wheel was crooked. at first i thought the lugs were loose but after looking closer i saw the rear axle was broken in half . i thought this was very unusual since this is one of the most important pieces of the car.as i did some research i found out this has been happening to many of the Windstar vans .i am very mad that this problem i not being addressed.my wife drove to this game with my younger son in the back at times doing 55 mph they were very lucky they were not hurt or worse . i hope there is a way everyone who has had this problem can get together and look into some kind of action
2010Apr 25
Windstar Limited 3.8L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 120,000 miles
Geez, 120,000 miles and the rear axle breaks in two! Ford, where are you? Why is the government not forcing a recall? Loook how many time this has happened! Are they waiting for people to die? FORD, TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM NOW!
2010Apr 11
Windstar LX V6
- Automatic transmission
- 125,000 miles
Rear axle snapped while driving in Ashburnham, MA about 1 1/2 hours from my home. We were lucky to be on a back road and not on a major highway when it happened. After reading all the similar complaints on this website and others like it, I wonder now why this part has not been recalled. Obviously it is a serious safety issue.
2010Mar 29
Windstar
- Automatic transmission
- 140,000 miles
OK, this may be my last problem w/ this car because I don't know if it's worth fixing. Started driving my son to school, it just handled weird. Got out looked at front tires and they looked ok. Quick glance at back looked ok. 7.4 miles to school, get my son there safely, coming back, it feels like it's swaying from side to side with bumps. Last bend in the road before I turn on to my street, it makes a weird sound like feels like the car skipped. I turn sharp onto my street to see if I can recreate it, making a mental note that I'm making an appt w/ my mechanic. Nothing, turn into my driveway...a cluck...a couple of bangs and the car jolts to a stop. I get out of my car and the wheels are bent like looking like the axle broke. / / . I come in and google broken rear axle and it auto fills in windstar...I'm like this can't be good. I've already had the problem w/ the ABS switch leaking fluid and starting a fire. I fixed that one myself, Ford recalled it years later. I couldn't find my receipt. I've already replaced a coil pack or whatever it's called for the spark plug, another major problem with this car. I've replaced the ABS circuit board. Another common problem. The ABS has been so bad on this car I eventually pulled the fuse. (contact me of you'd like a link on the ABS problems!). I can't believe the major problems with this vehicle that have have gone without any fixes by Ford.
2010Mar 15
Windstar
- Automatic transmission
- 99,520 miles
I am a sports mom and run a car pool most days. On the day that this occurred I had my children, the most precious things in my life with me, and another child that I was bringing home from football practice. I noticed that the van swayed or fished tailed every time I went around a curve or hit a bump, not being car savvy I thought maybe it was the tires. I pulled to the side of the road several times to see if I could see anything, but didn't see anything wrong so I continued on my way. When I finally made it home I jacked up the van and saw the problem right off the bat. The axle is snapped into. I got on-line and thought I would see approximately how much it would cost to fix it and ran into this site. The funny thing is I just typed, rear axle for a ford windstar, into my search engine and at the time 16 complaints came up and described the same problems I had bringing the van home. Why isn't ford doing anything about this? I could have killed my family!! Are they going to let a tragedy happen (like toyota) before something is done. I am angry, my family was put into harms way. I am going to contact Ford in the morning and see what is said to me. If they have no answers for me I am going to the media and let them know about this site and the other complaints. We need to stand up for our families rights and safety. How dare this company put my family into danger.
2010Mar 15
Windstar LX V6
- Automatic transmission
- 127,000 miles
I was driving down the road and my rear axle split in two. I'm glad I was on a road with a speed limit of 35 mph and there were a lot of pot holes to miss or this could have happened after I got on the highway and was going 70 mph. It's in the garage now after a $94 tow bill and right now the mechanic is guessing the price to fix will be $800 - 900.
I can't believe this is not a recall. I will certainly make my complaint to Ford and the NHTSA. Other than this I love the van and really haven't had much wrong with it. I've put close to 100,000 miles on it myself and would like to try to get another 30,000 - 50,000 miles out of it.
2010Mar 06
Windstar LX 3.8L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 235,000 miles
click to see larger images
After driving over two hours at highway speeds, and stopping to see a sporting event, we came back to the car and backed out of the parking space only to get ten feet and a very loud noise. The picture shows the main part of the axle after removal. We were very, very blessed to have this occur like it did. After doing a simple web search on this problem, I chose to look at this website. Hopefully someone will see this as a problem to be corrected.
2010Feb 04
Windstar 3.8L
- Automatic transmission
- 120,000 miles
backing up from a parking spot it just broke in two.
had noticed some tracking problems in snow but seemed fine on dry pavement.
2010Mar 07
Windstar SEL V6 3.8L
- Automatic transmission
- 234,750 miles
Inner rear tires were wearing, notice rear axel is cracked ~ 12" in on the left side.
Car has been maintain using Ford dealership throughout history purchased new.
Car is in excellant shape, No rust very clean. Axel is not rusty, still has orginal factory paint and white paint part number marking on it. Can this be welded?
2010Feb 21
Windstar LX 6 cyl
- Automatic transmission
- 122,000 miles
At least mine didn't snap while driving. Found out by accident it was cracked all the way through. I called Ford company rep to no avail. He only suggested contacting NHTSA.gov online which I did. The rep also said it's up to the government to investigate, then decide about recalls. I suppose they are waiting til people get killed before issuing a recall. It boggles my mind knowing how little they care about the consumer. The problem is so bad that one of the junk-yards we contacted said they are getting 2 or 3 requests per week for that axle. How long will it take Ford to smarten up? In the meantime I'm stuck without transportation.
2010Mar 02
Windstar XL V6
- Automatic transmission
- 120,000 miles
My rear axle broke while driving. I see many other complaints for the same thing. We need to make Ford recall those and reimburse use for repair costs before someone gets killed. ANY ATTORNEYS OUT THERE?
2010Feb 01
Windstar LX
- Automatic transmission
- 87,000 miles
click to see larger images
I was researching the cost of a rear axle and stumbled on this site and can't believe how many people had this problem!
2010Feb 20
Windstar
- Automatic transmission
- 155,000 miles
Hit a pothole and started noticing the rear of the van swerving. Drove it 60 miles from Boston to New Hampshire at the speed limit. The next day, my mechanic told me an angle had carried my family on his wings to my home! The look on his face was truly scary. I never off roaded this van and drove carefully for 8 1/2 years.
2010Feb 01
Windstar
- Automatic transmission
- 125,000 miles
This is a Ford problem. Rear axle began to fail and caused tires to rub on the inside of the wheel-well. I pulled into driveway, and when I wen to back out the axle snapped 12-18 inched in from the left side (driver's side.) That goodness I was not at hi-way speed or with kids in the car.
2010Jan 14
Windstar SEL
- Manual transmission
- 166,000 miles
I loved my wordstar, but looking for a newer vehicle. I gave it to my daughter and bought the ford taurus XL crossover. Yesterday she called extremely upset, she had just gotten off the interstate AND pulled in the gas station. Kla-plunk!! The rear end fell out, and axle on the left hand side broke off!!!
Unbelievable.
THe van runs well, and other than maintenance was a good vehicle.
While searching for possible repair I found all the other people who had the same problem. FORD is so lucky my daughter was not injured, but what a close call. Please send information where I can let FORD know.
2009Dec 09
Windstar LX
- Automatic transmission
- 119,000 miles
Overall, I've been satisfied w/ my 2001 Ford Windstar LX. Outside of routine electrical and mechanical repairs, it has held up pretty well; that's why I was shocked when my rear axle literally snapped in half as I was backing out of my driveway yesterday. For the past few weeks the car's rear end had been making loud noises similar to the noise you hear when your shocks are worn out especially when I would hit any kind of a bump or a pothole. I even made an appointment w/ my mechanic to get new shocks on 12/12 because it was getting so bad but, alas, I never had the chance to have it looked at.
The people at Ford need to do somethng about this right away. There are literally thousands and thousands of Ford Windstars on America's roads and highways. I feel fortunate that my axle snapped in my driveway and not on Route 22 (which is filled w/ Christmas shoppers these days) or the Garden State Parkway, which I drive on daily to get to work. Until Ford takes this seriously and does something, it's Russian Roulette out there!!! If you see a Ford Windstar out ther on the roads or highways---keep a safe distance, you never know.
2009Nov 03
Windstar
- Automatic transmission
- 111,000 miles
click to see larger images
Noticed handling problems and took it into the shop, which replaced the front struts and rear shocks. They reported that the rear end was so far out of alignment they had to install $40 worth of shims to bring it back in line.
A week later, on the highway, the vaq started to vibrate uncontrollably so I slowed down but as I got to 50 mph the rear end suddenly began to swing violently from side to side. I was able to stop on the shoulder without killing anyone else on the highway or myself, but it was pretty much a miracle that I didn't end up in the ditch or trees. After getting it towed to the dealership, they reported that the rear axle had snapped. They described the problem as old, possibly as old as the car based on the rust inside the crack.
I ended up replacing the rear axle assembly and the two rear tires, which had rubbed against the wheel wells. Parts and labor came to about $1100.
2009Oct 31
Windstar 3.8L
- Automatic transmission
- 142,915 miles
Going to the camp and the rear axle on my 2001 ford windstar broke in half, for a 2001 its a bad name to give to the way it was built it should of been built stronger than that especially that i had just put $2000 of new parts in the last 6 months. for should take responsibility for putting a so weak piece axle on a van that size its a bummer>
2009Oct 22
Windstar V6
- Automatic transmission
- 170,000 miles
I have a 2001 Ford Windstar and started to notice shifting while driving and the brake lights were always on even though I had new brakes. One night when driving home I felt the car go into a fish tail. I was on a gravel road and was not speeding so my husband looked under the car to find that the axle was crack and hanging by the thread. I drove slowly to the shop to have it looked at cause I have never wreaked or had any problems other than this..it just didn't add up. Sure enough the guy told me it was broke and dangling barely...his exact words was I can't let you drive this car out of here you and your kids could be killed. FORD WAKE UP BEFORE SOMEONE DIES THIS CAR IS UNSAFE......MY AXLE BROKE TWO FEET FROM THE DRIVER"S REAR WHEEL JUST LIKE ALL THE OTHER VANS. MY KIDS COULD HAVE BEEN IN A VERY BAD ACCIDENT!!! PLEASE TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY!!!!!!!!!! IF YOU ARE DRIVING THIS KIND OF VAN PLEASE HAVE IT CHECKED......IT IS LIFE OR DEATH!!!!!!!!!!
2009Oct 22
Windstar 3.2L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 78,000 miles
my son was driving the van about 20 mi per hour when rear axle snapped. noticed that this seems to be a common occurrence on the 2001 windstar. I believe that this is a safety issue, but ford doesn't seem to think so. I have filed a complaint with them, also with the NHTSA, and their board of directors. I guess ford is going to wait for someone to get killed before they issue a recall
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2010Aug 27
Windstar
I have been traveling back and forth with my two young grandchildren in my van with the rear axle breaking more and more every time I drive it. My mechanic came to my place of employment and kept my car keys so that I could not drive it, He said i had about one inch of metal holding the rear axle together and then the results could be HORRIBLE! So now I hear that FORD has recalled the vans but only in certain states. What the HELL!!!! We could all have been killed the many numerous times we have been going 65 mph down the highway, or my 17 year old daughter who drove my van the day before so she could go to the doctor. She could have been seriously hurt or killed if the axle broke on her. What are you going to do about this FORD?
Kimberly W.
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
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