9.0
really awfulTypical Repair Cost:
$3,392.00
Average Mileage:
87,000 miles
Total Complaints:
2 complaints
Most common solutions:
- had the axle replaced (1 reports)
- rusting inside the rear axle (1 reports)
suspension problem
Helpful Websites About 2002 Ford Windstar rear axle beam broken
2009Aug 19
Windstar LX 3.8L
- Automatic transmission
- 61,000 miles
After having another problem fixed on my Windstar, I did a generaL search on the web looking for recalls etc. I came across Autobeef and read about the other unfortunate owners of Windstars that had the rear axle break on them. I figured it was probably a rare problem so I really didn't pay too much attention to it. The next day I started hearing a metallic cracking sound each time I took a sharp right hand turn in the Windstar. I parked the car, crawled under and found a 2 inch crack in my axle!! $785 dollars later I have a new axle in the car and the car is safe...for now. Also register a complaint with Ford. Not expecting to get much of a response from them. Thank you Autobeef. If It wasn't for this website, I would have never thought to check the axle for problems
We have partnered with JustAnswer to offer online auto repair help and advice from expert professional automotive technicians. You describe your suspension problem or ask your question and they try to help you figure it out. The fee is typically $9 to $15, but you can offer to pay more for really tough questions. You will usually receive an answer in 10 minutes or less, and you do not have to pay anything unless you accept the answer.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009Oct 25
Windstar V6
I am in the process of filing a formal complaint with the NHTSA and thought this may be something you would want to look into. Here is the story…..
Yesterday my wife, my best friend and my two twin daughters were driving back from Iola, WI. My best friend’s parents live there and we make a yearly trek out there to enjoy the fall festivities. On our way back home we had just come across the Wakota bridge at exit 65 (494 West) when the rear axle of our Ford Windstar instantly snapped sending our van into a power slide at 70 miles and hour and facing us into oncoming traffic. I fought for control and was able to keep the van from rolling over and steered it onto exit 66. It was nothing shy of a miracle that my family, friend and I were not killed nor did we kill anyone else.
Shortly after a man in a black Chevy SUV stopped to help us. Shortly after that a state trooper and a man who works at a local Auto body shop stopped as well. Upon inspection of the minivan we noticed the rear axle was cleanly broken. Neither the auto body guy, the state trooper or the tow truck driver from Dick’s towing service had ever seen anything like it. I had the van towed to Z-Tech on Old Shakopee road where my brother in-law works as a mechanic. Him and the crew at Z-Tech again said that this was something they have never seen. They said “rear axles don’t break!” My insurance adjuster today also reviewed the mini van and had the same reaction.
I looked this up on the internet and see that many others have experienced this same situation (i.e. the rear axle just giving out). I have pictures and I am currently in the process of filing a formal complaint with the NHTSA (http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/). Please make the effort to file your complaints someone else and their family may not be so lucky.
Our minivan has been regularly serviced, has never been in a crash or a fender bender and has never gone off-road where something could have damaged the rear axle. Very, very scary!
Update from Oct 29, 2009: After filing a formal complaint with NHTSB I also filed a formal complaint with Ford. Our insurance company "totaled" our vehicle as the damages due to the rear axle snapping exceeded $6000.00.
I contacted our local media and our story was picked up by Channel 5 Eyewitness News (KSTP) in Minneapolis. After much investigation by our insurance company and our auto mechanic it appears that there is a design flaw in the rear axle of the vehicle. If you inspect the axle cloosley you will see that there are two large holes on the underside of the axle. These holes are in the design, bbut alllow moisture, salt, sand, etc. to get into the axle and rust it from the inside out. This weakens the structure internally and causes the axle to snap without warning.
I highly recommend that you have a regular inspection of your rear axle to determine how much it has deteriorated. This is not normal "wear and tear" and even if you get a replacement axle with the same design iit is subject to happen again.
derickw
Lakeville, MN, USA
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