1999 Ford Windstar Complaint Log

I TOOK THE WINDSTAR TO HAVE THE TWO RECALLS REPAIRED AND WHEN THE BASIL FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAS DONE WITH THAT THEY INFORMED ME THAT MY VAN WAS UNDRIVEABLE BECAUSE THE RIGHT FRONT SUB FRAME WAS CRACKED. THEY SAID IT WOULD COST $1600. TO REPAIR IT. WITH ALL THE RUST ON THE DOORS AND DOOR SILL I FIND IT RIDICULOUS TO SPEND THAT AMOUNT WHEN THE RUST WOULD BRING DOWN THE VALUE OF THE VAN TO ALMOST NOTHING. THIS IS THE FIFTH FORD I HAVE HAD AND YOU WOULD THINK I WOULD HAVE LEARNED ABOUT THE RUST FACTOR. GETTING BACK TO THE SUB FRAME I PHONED THE NUMBER LISTED ON THE FORD WEB PAGE BUT AFTER ABOUT FIVE PHONE CALLS I DECIDED TO CALL THE CORPORATE OFFICE. I WAS DIRECTED TO A VOICE MAIL...GAVE MY INFORMATION AND WAS TOLD WE WOULD HEAR FROM THEM IN SO MANY BUSINESS DAYS. IT DIDN'T HAPPEN. THEN WE RECEIVED A FORM TO FILL OUT ABOUT HOW WELL WE THOUGHT OUR PHONE INQUIRY WENT. WE HAD A LETTER ABOUT THE AXEL RECALL AND THIS WEB SITE IS LISTED SO I THOUGHT IT WAS TIME. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE PULLED INTO THE RIGHT DIRECTION AND WANDERED OUT OF THE LANE CAUSING DIFFICULTY IN MAINTAINING THE STEERING. WHEN THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE PULLED TOWARD THE LEFT DIRECTION WITH A METAL SCREECHING NOISE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED THREE TIMES. A CERTIFIED TECHNICIAN INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE AND LOWER CONTROL ARM WERE COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

THE FRONT SUBFRAME OF MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR CRACKED IN TWO WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA RECALL 10V385000, SUSPENSION REAR AXLE NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY SHOULD INCLUDE THE STATE OF NEBRASKA. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED ANY FAILURES AT THIS TIME; HOWEVER, HE WAS CONCERNED SINCE NEBRASKA ALSO HAD SNOW AND SALT ON THE ROADS WHICH COULD EVENTUALLY CRACK THE AXLE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

FRONT SUB-FRAME CORROSION ON PASSENGER SIDE NEAR MOUNT RESULTING IN COMPLETE BREAK. THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF RUST ANYWHERE ELSE ON THE SUB-FRAME, THE FRAME OR UNDERBODY. SYMPTOM WAS LOUD CLANKING FROM FRONT-RIGHT AND "JERKING" SENSATION ON SOME TURNS, ACCELERATION. DID NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING, SO BROUGHT TO NTB FOR EXAMINATION (THINKING IT WAS A BALLJOINT, ETC.) TECHNICIANS INVITED ME TO INVESTIGATE UNDER THE LIFT AS THEY WERE INCREDULOUS OF SUCH A SEVERE BREAK AMIDST AN OTHERWISE RUST-FREE SUB-FRAME.*TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR A REAR AXLE INSPECTION FOR RECALL 10V385000 (SUSPENSION: REAR: AXLE: NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY), THE DEALER DETECTED THAT THE FRONT UNDERCARRIAGE WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED AND WOULD RESULT IN THE DETACHMENT OF THE ENGINE. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS BEYOND REPAIR AND RECOMMENDED THAT THE VEHICLE NOT BE DRIVEN DUE TO A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000. UPDATED 02/23/11 *BF UPDATED 03/09/11

WHILE DRIVING MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR I STARTED TO HEAR A GRINDING SCRAPPING NOISE WHEN MAKING RIGHT TURNS THE NOISE PROGRESSIVELY STARTED TO GET EVEN WORSE I STARTED TO HEAR A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE BROUGHT CAR TO MECHANIC INSPECTED AND FOUND THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS COMPLETED RUSTED OUT AND THE ENGINE COULD DROP AT ANY TIME WAS ADVISED NOT TO DRIVE VEHICLE ,LUCKILY NOTHING HAPPENED WHEN I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY DAUGHTER DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I CONTACTED FORD AND THEY HAVE TOLD ME THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON THIS PARTICULAR SITUATION, AFTER CHECKING ONLINE I HAVE SEEN SO MANY COMPLAINTS I AM NOW OUT A CAR AND NO MONEY TO BUY NEW ONE, THANK GOD MY DAUGHTER WAS NOT HURT OR ANYONE ELSE I WISH FORD WOULD REALIZE THIS VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND NOT WAIT FOR SOMEONE TO GET KILLED!!! *TR

GETTING THE RUN-A-ROUND WITH LOCAL DEALER OVER THIS RECALL BUSINESS (RECALLS 10S13, 11S16, 09S09). FIRST THREE TIMES THEY "LOST" OUR APPOINTMENT, THEN I JUST SHOWED UP WITH THE VAN SO THEY TOOK IT. DIDN'T HEAR FROM THEM FOR TWO WEEKS. THEN I CALLED AND ASKED FOR VAN BACK- HAD ONLY ONE VEHICLE. THEY OFFERED A RENTAL. NOW THEY SAY THEY NEED TO CHARGE US $300 FOR BROKEN COIL SPRINGS. I CALLED ANOTHER SUSPENSION SPECIALIST COMPANY, THEY SAID THE DEALERSHIP WAS DOUBLE-DIPPING, CHARGING FORD AND US FOR THE SAME WORK. I NEED HELP WITH THIS DEALERSHIP! UPDATED IVOQ 06/14/11 *TR

WHILE PULLING ONTO A BUSY ROAD THERE WAS LOUD NOISE AND THE VEHICLE LOST ALL CONTROL AND SKIDDED ACROSS THE ROAD AND INTO A DRIVEWAY. FORTUNATELY NO PROPERTY DAMAGE OR PERSONAL INJURY OCCURED. THE VAN WAS TOWED TO MY MECHANIC AND HE INFORMED ME THAT SUBFRAME ON THE RIGHT SIDE HAD JUST BROKEN OFF. CLEARLY THIS MUST BE SOME SORT OF A DEFECTION THE MANUFACTURER. *TR

FRONT SUB FRAME CORROSION. *TR

THE SUB-FRAME OF MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR HAS RUSTED AWAY AT CRITICAL SPOTS AROUND AND NEAR THE MOUNTING BOLTS AND AS A RESULT FAILED TO PASS PA STATE ANNUAL INSPECTION ON DEC. 12, 2010. I WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC (A NON-FORD MECHANIC) THAT THE CONDITION WAS VERY UNSAFE AND THAT THERE WAS NO WAY IT WOULD PASS PA STATE INSPECTION UNLESS THIS DANGEROUS CONDITION WAS FIXED. TO PASS IT WOULD HAD TO HAVE THE ENTIRE SUB-FRAME REPLACED WHICH WAS GOING TO BE EXPENSIVE OR ELSE THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE TO BE SCRAPED (THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS ABOUT 189,000 MILES). THE MECHANIC'S FINDING WAS VERY SURPRISING TO ME BECAUSE ON OCT. 30, 2010, THE SAME WINDSTAR WAS INSPECTED BY A LOCAL FORD DEALER BASED ON A REAR AXLE CORROSION RECALL NOTICE FROM FORD. FOLLOWING THE RECALL INSPECTION (BY A DIFFERENT MECHANIC) I WAS INFORMED THAT EVERYTHING WAS OKAY AND NO WORK WAS NECESSARY PER TO THE RECALL NOTICE. IN HINDSIGHT IT WOULD APPEAR THAT NOTHING ELSE BUT THE REAR AXLE WAS INSPECTED AND I WAS THUS SENT BACK ON THE ROAD OPERATING A VERY UNSAFE VEHICLE DUE TO CORROSION ISSUES. THANK GOODNESS THE PA STATE INSPECTION MECHANIC NOTICED THE SUB-FRAME DANGER SOME 6 WEEKS LATER BEFORE A POTENTIALLY DEADLY ACCIDENT OCCURRED. I'M WRITING TO HIGHLIGHT THIS SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM WITH WINDSTAR MODELS MADE BETWEEN 1999-2003 FOR THE NHTSA. I UNDERSTAND THAT MANY OTHERS HAVE COMPLAINED OF SIMILAR SUB-FRAME CORROSION PROBLEMS ON THEIR WINDSTARS BUT, TO DATE, FORD HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL EVEN THOUGH THEY DID FOR SIMILAR REAR AXLE CORROSION PROBLEMS. SINCE THE PROBLEMS BOTH STEM FROM CORROSION ISSUES IT SEEMS LOGICAL THAT FORD SHOULD ALSO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR CORRECTING THIS SAFETY ISSUE. EXCEPT FOR THE SUB-FRAME CORROSION PROBLEM, MY WINDSTAR IS RUNNING WELL AND I'D LIKE TO KEEP DRIVING IT FOR SEVERAL MORE YEARS. I AM HOPEFUL THAT FORD WILL QUICKLY TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR FIXING THESE SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEMS.

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY TURNING LEFT . THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN LEFT UNTIL MORE THAN USUAL FORCE WAS APPLIED TO TURN THE WHEEL ,WHICH AT THE TIME THE WHEEL DID TURN A DULL THUD WAS AUDIBLE. THIS ACTION OCCURRED TWICE WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE IN CITY TRAFFIC. THE VISUAL INVESTIGATION REVEALED A LARGE AREA OF THE INSIDE OF THE FRONT SUBFRAME ON THE DRIVERS SIDE HAD COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. APPROXIMATELY AN AREA 4' X 8' WAS GONE WITH SOME EVIDENCE OF METAL TEARING/FATIGUE. *LN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY WANDERED OUT OF THE LANE TOWARDS ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL AND AVOID CRASHING INTO A VEHICLE. SUDDENLY, THE FRONT END DRIVER SIDE COLLAPSED TO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. A MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME HAD COMPLETELY FRACTURED AS A RESULT TO EXCESSIVE RUST AND WAS BEYOND REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TRYING TO INSERT THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION, IT FAILED TO START. THE SECURITY WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL WHILE TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT SHE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE CHIP IN HER KEY AND TO CONTACT FORD. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 144,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN THE REAR AXLE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V385000 (SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY) AND REFERRED TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE REAR AXLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE LEAVING THE DEALER, THE BRAKES LOCKED ABNORMALLY AND THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT WITH THE DEALER FOR FURTHER REPAIRS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND NO LONGER WANTED OWNERSHIP OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

COMPLETE FRACTURE OF PASSENGER SIDE ENGINE CRADLE CAUSING STEERING ISSUES. FRACTURE 1 TO 2 INCHES FROM FRAME BOLT. NO OTHER RUST OR FRACTURES ON FRAME OR SUB CHASSIS, REPAIRS BY FORD AND GOODYEAR OF RACK REPLACEMENT AND TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT DID NOT SEEM TO WARRANT NOTIFICATION TO ME OF PENDING ISSUE WITH FRAME WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED MAJOR INJURY TO MYSELF OR SOMEONE ELSE. NOTE THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN FLORIDA WITH 1 OWNER NOT IN SALT BELT STATES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL, SPEEDOMETER, ODOMETER, TACOMETER AND THE FUEL GAUGE WERE INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE ANTI LOCK BRAKING LIGHT WAS CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKE FLUID NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURES DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

1999 FORD WINDSTAR LX BROKEN SUB-FRAME I BEGAN TO HEAR A SCRAPING NOISE WHILE DRIVING, ESPECIALLY ON RIGHT TURNS. I HAD RECENTLY PURCHASED 4 NEW TIRES FROM FIRESTONE, SO TOOK IT BACK THERE THINKING THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE. INSTEAD I WAS TOLD THAT THE SUB FRAME IS BUSTED (ALSO CALLED ENGINE CRADLE), AND THAT REPAIR WOULD BE EXTENSIVE IN LABOR TO THE TUNE OF AT LEAST $1500! ...AND THAT WOULD BE FOR A REPLACEMENT PART FROM A JUNK YARD (WITH SAME POTENTIAL PROBLEM) RATHER THAN A NEW PART. RIGHT NOW I CANNOT AFFORD EITHER ONE. I ASKED A WELDER ABOUT IT, HOPING TO HAVE IT WELDED RATHER THAN REPLACED FOR MUCH LESS MONEY, BUT HE SAYS THAT WOULD NOT BE WISE GIVEN THE HEAVY LOAD PLACED ON THE SUBFRAME. PLEASE CONSIDER A RECALL ON THIS DANGEROUS DEFECT TO PREVENT TRAGEDY. THANKS. FIRESTONE STAFF WARNED ME NOT TO DRIVE VEHICLE, VERY UNSAFE. AN ONLINE SEARCH REVEALS MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS OF BUSTED SUBFRAMES ON FORD WINDSTARS, YET NO RECALLS FOR THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM AS YET. ARE WE WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO BE KILLED? I JUST DROVE ON THE HIGHWAY YESTERDAY NOT KNOWING HOW SERIOUS THIS PROBLEM IS. *TR

TL. STEERING PROBLEM 1999 FORD WINDSTAR COMMENTS: DEAR NHTSA, I HAVE A VECHICLE SAFTY CONCERN PROBABLE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL ON FORD WINDSTARS 1999-200? BELOW IS A RESPONCE I RECIEVED FROM FORD, CONCERNING THE PROBELM AT THE BOTTOM IS THE DETAILED CONCERN WITH A MOTOR MOUNT SUPPORT PLATE THAT IS RUSTING OUT ON THESES VECHICLE. THE MOTOR AND FRONT END SUSPENSION AND STEERING IS INVOLVED. THIS IS A TIME BOMB, THE ENGINE WILL DROP DOWN AND YOU WILL LOOSE STEERING CONTROL, MOST LIKLY CAUSING AFATAL ACCIDENT. THE REPAIR COST IN MOST CASES WILL BE AN AMOUNT MORE THAN THE VALUE OF THE VECHICLE RUST IS AN ACCEPTABLE PROBABILITY, BUT IT SHOULD NOT OCCUR IN AREAS CONCERNING STEERING. CONTACT WANTED TO USE THE COMPLAINT HE SENT IN AS A EMAIL. JO

AT THE END OF NOVEMBER I NOTICE A LOOSENESS IN THE STEERING OF MY 99 FORD WINDSTAR. I WAS ABLE TO GET IT HOME AND IN THE DRIVEWAY. I LOOKED AT THE FRONT -END AND NOTICED A RUSTED AND CRACKED FRONT FRAME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. I HAD REPLACED THE CRACKED AXLE MY SELF IT COST ME $874.27 I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANYTHING FROM FORD ON THIS YET. I CAN NOT DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE IT IS A NOT IN GOOD SHAPE AT ALL. IT ONLY HAS JUST UNDER 90,000 MILES. AND HAS HAD A NEW INTAKE PUT ON WHICH IS PLASTIC AND NOW THE ENGINE RUNS VERY ROUGH. ALSO IT HAS TROUBLE WITH THE SIGNAL LIGHTS. THIS CAR HAS TURNED OUT TO BE A LOUSY CAR. *TR

TOOK CAR IN FOR INSPECTION AND WAS TOLD THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS ROTTING AWAY AT THE POINT WHERE THE SWAY BAR CONNECTS TO THE CRADLE. AND THAT IT WILL COST OVER 800.00 TO FIX. THIS SHORTLY AFTER HAVING THE REAR AXLE REPAIRED DUE TO A RECALL FORM FORD. BY THE WAY FORD DID NOT SAY ANYTHING TO ME ABOUT THE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT WHERE THE RUST WAS ROTTING AWAY THE CRADLE. *TR

1999 FORD WINDSTAR. CONSUMER STATES HE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WHICH HE BELIEVES WAS DUE TO A FRACTURE IN THE REAR AXLE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE FRONT END COLLISION RESULTED IN A GREAT DEAL OF DAMAGE TO HIS VEHICLE. AFTER INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THE REAR AXLE OF THE VEHICLE WAS FRACTURED WHICH CAUSED HIM TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASH. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER HAVING HIS VEHICLE IN FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE, THE MECHANIC INFORMED HIM THAT HE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE CRADLE DUE TO RUST AND BEING FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A CERTIFIED DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE ENGINE CRADLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 64,000. UPDATED 12/14/2011 *CN THE ENGINE CRADLE WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED ON THE RIGHT SIDE. UPDATED 08/05/11

1999 FORD WINDSTAR LX FRONT SUB-FRAME RUSTED OUT ON PASSENGER SIDE. THIS SECTION OF THE SUB-FRAME IS ALWAYS WET WHEN THE AIR-CONDITIONER IS TURNED ON IN THE SUMMER AND THE CONDENSATION FROM THE AIR-CONDITIONER LEAKS ONTO THE SUBFRAME AT THIS SPECIFIC AREA, AND IN THE WINTER SALT IS CAUSING SUB-FRAME TO RUST OUT AND BREAK AT THIS SPECIFIC AREA. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW. *TR

TOOK MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR TO HAVE FRONT TIRES REPLACED AND MECHANIC NOTICED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SUBFRAME MOUNTING BOLT IS SEVERELY RUSTED. WHEN I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE RECALL WORK DONE FOR THE REAR AXLE, I TOLD THEM ABOUT THE RUSTING OF THE SUBFRAME MOUNTING BOLT AND THEY SAID I WOULD HAVE TO MAKE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT AND PAY FOR THIS MYSELF BECAUSE THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. MY VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE, I AM SCARED TO DRIVE IT, AND I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX IT!!! *TR

I HAVE A 99 FORD WINDSTAR WITH SUB-FRAME RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL FORD DEALER AND PUT UP ON A LIFT AND INSPECTED AFTER I NOTICED A NOISE AND PULLING TO THE RIGHT. THE SUB-FRAME HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE WHERE IT MOUNTS TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE ITSELF HAS LITTLE TO NO RUST UNDERNEATH EXCEPT TO THE SUBFRAME IN TWO SPOTS. THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE DRIVEN NOW AND I WAS TOLD THE SUBFRAME WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. DUE TO THE VEHICLE NOT BEING RUSTED UNDERNEATH AND NOT BEING DRIVEN IN SALTED ROAD CONDITIONS, I WOULD HAVE TO CONCLUDE THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT? THE WINDSTAR IS CLEAN ENOUGH UNDERNEATH TO ALMOST EAT OFF. AGAIN THERE IS LITTLE TO NO RUST UNDERNEATH EXCEPT TO THE SUBFRAME. THANK YOU FOR LOOKING INTO THIS MATTER. *TR

VEHICLE "SUBFRAME ASSEMBLY" WAS FOUND TO BE HEAVILY CORRODED (RUSTED) AND REQUIRED TO BE REPLACED. THIS SUBASSEMBLY SUPPORTS ENTIRE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, INCLUDING THE BODY, ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION( TRANS AXLE ), FRONT SUSPENSION, STEERING, BRAKES, AND RADIATOR.

WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY THE REAR AXLE BROKE ON 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. ALMOST LOST CONTROL BUT MANAGED TO GET TO SIDE OF ROAD SAFELY. THIS IS A LIFE AND DEATH PROBLEM WHERE ALL OF THESE AXLES NEED TO BE REPLACED ! *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 10 MPH THE CONTACT WAS TURNING A CORNER WHEN SHE FIRST EXPERIENCED A CRACKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE STATED THE SUB-FRAME OR THE ENGINE CRADLE WAS COVERED WITH RUST. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.

I OWN A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH AGO 15 NOV,2010, I NOTICED THAT THE ALIGNMENT OF THE FRONT TIRES WAS OFF. AND THE STEERING SEEMED LOOSE AND A LITTLE UNRESPONSIVE. I IMMEDIATELY DROVE HOME AND REMOVED THE PASSENGER FRONT TIRE AND COULD NOT BELIEVE WHAT I SAW. THE FRONT SUB-FRAME / ENGINE CRADLE WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED WHERE THE SUB-FRAME ATTACHES TO THE UNI-BODY. THE AREA WHERE THE MOUNTING BUSHING THAT ATTACHES THE SUB-FRAME TO THE UNI-BODY ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS TOTALLY CORRODED / RUSTED / ROTTED AWAY. THE BUSHING WAS COMPLETELY PUSHED THROUGH THE SUB-FRAME AND HAD NOTHING TO SUPPORT IT ANY MORE. I BROUGHT IT TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER WITH THE PRINT OUT OF THE CURRENT INVESTIGATION OF THIS ISSUE. THEY TOLD ME IT IS NOT A RECALL YET AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR OUT OF MY OWN POCKET. *TR

CRACKED & CORRODED "K" FRAME WHICH SUPPORTS ENGINE& TRANS. IN FRONT END OF 1999 FORD WINDSTAR VAN. REPLACED K FRAME TO REMEDY PROBLEM. *LN

I WAS DRIVING MY VAN AND I TRIED TO STOP AND COULD NOT STOP AND HIT THE BACK OF ANOTHER CAR HAD FEET ALL THE WAY DOWN ON BRAKE AND VAN WOULD NOT STOP!! I WAS TERRIFIED AND MY 10 YEAR OLD LIL GIRL IS TRAUMATIZED!!!! *TR

1999 FORD WINDSTAR FWD PASSENGER SIDE SUB FRAME MOTOR MOUNT BROKEN IN HALF DUE TO CORROSION. *TR

OUR 1999 FORD WINDSTAR WAS FOUND TO HAVE SERIOUS RUST ON SUB FRAME ON PASSENGER SIDE DURING A MASSACHUSETTS STATE VEHICLE INSPECTION TODAY. I UNDERSTAND THIS MAKE AND MODEL IS SUBJECT TO A RECALL INVESTIGATION AND I WANT MY COMPLAINT ADDED TO THAT INVESTIGATION AND REQUEST A RECALL NOTICE BE ISSUED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN, SHE SUDDENLY HEARD A LOUD CRACKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FRONT SUBFRAME HAD CORRODED AND FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 136,000. UPDATED 02/23/11 *BF UPDATED 07/01/11

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON NOVEMBER 10, 2010 FOR A RECALL REPAIR ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V385000 (SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY); HOWEVER, THE PART WAS NOT IN STOCK, AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE REMAINED AT THE DEALER FOR FIVE MONTHS; UNTIL RECENTLY WHEN THE PART BECAME AVAILABLE. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START DUE TO THE COOLANT LEAKING WITHIN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT STRONGLY BELIEVED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START BECAUSE OF THE EXTENSIVE PERIOD OF TIME THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE COLD WEATHER. THERE WAS NO FAILURE MILEAGE.

NOTICED VEHICLE UNSTABLE WHILE DRIVING. DIVING LEFT OR RIGHT DURING ACCELERATION AND BRAKING. UPON INVESTIGATION FOUND COMPLETE RUST-THROUGH SEPARATION OF SUB-FRAME AT REAR BODY MOUNT ON PASSENGERS SIDE. RIGHT CONTROL ARM MOUNT ON SUB-FRAME IS ALSO BADLY RUSTED. ENTIRE SUBFRAME IS ABLE TO MOVE FRONT AND BACK ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE RESULTING IN ERRATIC VEHICLE MOVEMENT WHILE DRIVING. FORTUNATELY WE CAUGHT IT BEFORE SOMETHING REALLY BAD HAPPENED, BUT THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY DEFECT, AND COULD HAVE HAD DISASTROUS RESULTS.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. AFTER ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WHILE CHANGING THE TIRES ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS CORRODED AND COVERED WITH RUST. HE WAS TOLD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND THE REPAIR COST WAS $1200. THERE ARE NO RELATED RECALLS OR WARRANTIES FOR THIS FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.

1999 WINDSTAR VAN WHEN CHANGING THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE OUR MECHANIC SAW THE RIGHT FRONT DRIVE AXLE COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. NHTSA DEFECT INVESTIGATION #PE 10016 IS CONSISTENT WITH THIS PROBLEM.I WANT TO BE ADDED TO THIS INVESTIGATION. THERE ARE NO WARNING SIGNS FOR THIS PROBLEM. WE WERE LUCKY WE HAVE A GOOD MECHANIC WHO SPOTTED THE PROBLEM. THIS CAR IS AT A FORD DEALERSHIP IN MISSOURI. . I WISH SOMEONE WOULD GO AND SEE THIS PROBLEM FIRST HAND. ALL OTHER CARS WITH THIS PROBLEM WERE NOT DETECTED AND WERE IN A CRASH. THIS WOULD BE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO ACTUALLY SEE THE PROBLEM BEFORE THE CAR IS WRECKED. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR ANYONE WHO HAS A FORD WINDSTAR VAN 1999 THRU 2003. THERE IS NO WARNING AND WHEN THAT FRONT AXLE BREAKS THERE IS NO CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. ANYONE WHO DRIVES ONE OF THESE VEHICLES SHOULD IMMEDIATELY TAKE TO A MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THIS IS NOT LIKE THE REAR AXLE PROBLEM, BECAUSE YOU CAN AT LEAST STEER THE VEHICLE IF IT BREAKS. WHEN THE FRONT GOES YOU HAVE NO CONTROL. I AM TOLD THE REPAIR WILL COST $1200.00 DOLLARS. FORD MOTOR COMPANY WILL NOT HELP WITH THE COST OF REPAIR. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR LX. THE PARTIAL HAVOC BOSCH WHICH WAS A PART OF THE HEAT IN THE VEHICLE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A RADIATOR MECHANIC WHO INFORMED HIM THE PARTIAL HAVOC BOSCH FAIL AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED HIM THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS RELATED TO THE FAILURES AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000. UPDATED 03/03/11 *BF UPDATED 04/28/11

1999 FORD WINDSTAR : ENGINE CRADLE CRACKING AND HAS FRACTURED AWAY FROM MOTOR MOUNT. *LN

FRACTURED SUBFRAME PASSENGER SIDE. HARD TO TURN RIGHT. STEERING WHEEL OFF SET. *TR

NOTHING APPEARED WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE AND THEN I HEARD A LOUD CLUNK AND GRINDING IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING THROUGH RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC IN THE CITY, I FELT VERY UNSAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AS I COULD TELL SOMETHING WAS SERIOUSLY WRONG BUT SLOWLY DROVE IT HOME. I FOUND OUT THAT THE SUBFRAME IS BROKEN DUE TO RUSTING. *TR

THIS COMPLAINT IS REGARDING FRONT SUBFRAME CORROSION. BOTH PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE CORROSION IS SO SEVERE THAT YOU CAN STICK YOUR FINGER THROUGH THE FRAME. THIS WAS DISCOVERED WHEN A WHEEL ALIGNMENT WAS BEING PERFORMED FOLLOWING THE PURCHASE OF NEW FRONT TIRES. IT WAS CONFIRMED BY THE LOCAL BILL MCCOY FORD DEALERSHIP. THEY WERE UNAWARE OF THE PENDING NHSTA INQUIRE BUT DID CONFIRM PRE-MATURE REAR AXLE CORROSION PER PRESENT RECALL. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF FURTHER INFORMATION IS REQUIRED.

RECALL ID# 09V399000 WAS COMPLETED FEW MONTHS AGO, NOW ABS ON DASH IS ON FEW MINUTES AFTER THE VEHICLE IS PUT IN MOTION. DEALER PINPOINTED TROUBLE TO ABS CONTROL MODULE. OVERHEATING OF THE BOARD COULD BE THE RESULT OF THE LEAKING SCDS ON THE MODULE CONNECTOR. DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE ME $ 1,000 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

AFTER RECEIVING INFORMATION ABOUT A RECALL FOR THE REAR AXLE ON MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR I DECIDED TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT. AFTER LOOKING UNDER THE ENTIRE VEHICLE I FOUND THAT THE FRONT SUBFRAME IS RUSTED THROUGH ALSO, AND IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AS IT WILL BREAK OFF AT ANY POINT IN TIME. I THINK THAT FORD OBVIOUSLY HAS CORROSION ISSUES WITH THESE VEHICLES, AND SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT IT. I WILL BE TOWING MY VAN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE REAR AXLE INSPECTED TODAY. I HOPE SOMETHING IS DONE ABOUT THE FRONT SUBFRAME, BECAUSE THIS COULD REALLY HURT SOMEONE. *TR

AROUND OCTOBER 20TH, 2010, MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR WAS MAKING A WEIRD NOISE WHEN I A MAKE A RIGHT TURN AND ALSO WHEN I STEP ON THE GAS PEDAL. THE NOISE CAME FROM THE FRONT RIGHT OF THE VEHICLE, AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS A BRAKE PROBLEM. I TOOK IT RIGHT A WAY TO MY MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. WHEN THE TECHNICIAN LIFTED THE VAN, HE NOTICED RIGHT A WAY THE SUB FRAME ALL RUSTED AND BROKEN. MY MECHANIC DID NOT LET ME DRIVE IT BECAUSE IT'S A HIGH RISK, HE SAID THE ENGINE CAN FALL ANY MOMENT. DUE TO THE HIGH COST OF REPLACING A NEW SUB FRAME, THE TECHNICIAN SUGGESTED A USED ONE BUT IN GOOD CONDITION. IT COST ME $723.00 TO REPLACE IT. I WENT TO THE NEAREST FORD DEALER TO COMPLAINT BUT I WAS TOLD THAT SPECIFIC PART OF THE VEHICLE WAS NOT RECALLED AND IT'S DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE. I AM STILL AFRAID TO DRIVE MY FORD WINDSTAR EVEN AFTER I REPLACED IT. CURRENTLY MY VAN IS SITTING AT FORD DEALER PARKING LOT, IT'S UNDER RECALL FOR THE REAR AXLE. *TR

I HAD MY CAR IN TO A FORD DEALER IN MASSACHUSETTS FOR THE RECALL OF THE REAR AXLE. WHEN THEY WERE DONE CHECKING THE REAR THE MECHANIC TOLD US NOT TO DRIVE VEHICLE DUE TO FAILURE OF THE SUB FRAME ON THE RIGHT FRONT. THE FRAME HAD RUSTED AND BROKE AROUND THE BOLT. LUCKILY IT DIDN'T BREAK WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY. *TR

ENGINE SUB-FRAME ROTTING AWAY. *TR

1999 FORD WINDSTAR RIGHT PASSENGER FRONT SUB FRAME RUSTED THRU AND BROKE APART CAUSING STEERING WHEEL TO BE THROWN OFF CENTER AND DIRECTIONAL NOT TO WORK. IT WAS FOUND WHEN AL OF A SUDDEN WE HERD AN EXHAUST NOISE AND LOOKED UNDER THE FRONT OF VEHICLE. IT HAS SEPARATED AT LEAST 1" 1/2 AND WE WERE TOLD BY A FORD MASTER MECH WHO LOOKED AT THE VAN SAID IT CAN NOT BE DRIVEN AS IT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT WITH POSSIBLE INJURIES OR DEATH. *TR