While driving 2001 Ford Windstar on a 1-hour trip toward home, I noticed the back wheels fish tailing that occurred in every rough spot in the road. I immediately thought the tire was going flat and pulled over to check it. Since the tires visually looked fine, I drove to the next exit to a gas station and checked the tire air pressure and found it was at proper levels. I was still unsure what could cause the "fish tailing" or "hydroplaning" feeling, yet I was able to make it the rest of the way home without a major accident; although my car kept "fishtailing".. the next morning, my husband took the Windstar to a service mechanic to inspect the tires. What he found was a rear axle that was "rusted from the inside out" about 3/4 of the way. The mechanic's initial estimate is $1000 (for replacement of new axle and labor). We are relieved that the rear axle didn't break while we were driving as the car could have flipped and killed all of us. What could cause corrosion on the inside? the rear axle should be made to never corrode or break under normal road driving conditions. After researching on the internet, I have found other 8 year old, same make/model Windstar owners reporting the same conditions. This is an unsafe part especially noting that people are keeping their cars longer due to economy. Ford should own up to this part failure and recall and replace this part at no charge to the owners immediately!

- Marysville, OH, USA

While pulling out of my driveway, the rear axle on my Ford Windstar snapped in half. Clean break with both rear tires holding up the rear of the car.

- Fairfield, CT, USA

The lower control A-arm on the passenger side broke loose from the frame causing the van to dropto the ground. This luckly happened when I just pulled into a parking spot in front of a wendy's.

- Riouna, PA, USA

I have a 2001 Ford Windstar. The vehicle currently has 100,205 miles on it. I have had to replace the front strut bearings and struts at 75,000 miles and again at 100,000. I have also had to replace the inner and outer tie rods at 69,000 miles. And the left outer tie rod again at 100,000. I have had over $2,500 in repairs in the time frame of one year, not including 4-wheel brake job. I brought the vehicle in for service at 82,000 miles and told the Ford dealership that I was again hearing the "bad strut noise". at this time the 1 yr, 12,000 mile warranty would have picked up the cost of the repair. I was told that there was not anything wrong with the struts. I would be interested to know if anyone else has had ongoing strut and tie rod problems.

- Enfield, CT, USA

The vehicle pulled to the left, the vehicle was in the repair shop for suspension problems on 3 occasions.

- Rockingham, NC, USA

While driving there is a loud grinding noise when making a sharp turn or when there is cold weather.

- Rodchester Hills, MI, USA

Consumer stated arm rest on the passenger side of the vehicle is broken, cause unknown. Clunk noise in front end while turning or accelerating from a stop, can also be felt with vibration, passenger side dash area hanging. Both sliding door rubber stops missing, driverside sliding door stop replaced. Grinding noise in rear when applying brakes. When heat is on vent smells like something is burning. Wipers will not clear windshield, washer solvent sprays in one spot. Normal operation.

- Armada, MI, USA

I am very concerned for the safety of my family, because of an undiagnosed humming noise in my 2001 Ford Windstar. The noise is a high pitched, humming sound that occurs sporadically, and intermitently, every time we drive the vehicle. The noise can occur while the vehicle is in park, and when the vehicle is in motion, but the noise never fails to occur, intermitently, while the vehicle is on. The noise is loud enough to be heard above the radio at normal volume. It occurs frequently, usually in 30 second spurts, and 3 to 5 minute intervals. We just purchased the vehicle a month ago. I have noticed the sound ever since. At first, I thought it was the sound of the wind howling. I have taken it back to the dealership twice (ed schmid Ford). The dealership also detected the noise, but failed to diagnose and solve the problem. It sounds like a faulty mechanical/operational noise, rather than a squeak and rattle noise.

- Detroit, MI, USA