1999 Ford Windstar Complaint Log

I WOULD LIKE TO FORMALLY SUBMIT A COMPLAINT ALONG WITH THE OTHER FORD WINDSTAR OWNERS FOR REAR AXLE BREAKING. MY 1999 WINDSTAR BROKE LAST NIGHT WHILE TRAVELING ON I90 IN BOSTON. THE CAR BEGAN TO WANDER EXCESSIVELY, THEN NOISES, TIRE SMOKE, AND DANGEROUS CONTROLLABILITY. MY DAUGHTER WAS IN THE CAR, AND IT WAS A DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR ME, MY DAUGHTER AND THE OTHER MOTORISTS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR SEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR AXLE FRACTURED IN HALF WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 150,400.

I WAS SERVICING THE BRAKES AND NOTICE THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE SUB-FRAME (ENGINE CRADLE) WAS RUSTING AWAY. I WAS TELLING MY FATHER ABOUT THE FRAME RUSTING AND HE HAD THOUGHT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THAT. I STARTED SEARCHING THE INTERNET AND FOUND ALOT OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. BUT NO RECALL INFO. I AM NOT SURE IF THE VAN IS SAFE TO DRIVE. I ALSO OWN A 2000 WINDSTAR AND IT SHOWING THE SAME SIGNS OF HEAVY RUST IN THE SAME AREA. *TR

CORROSION RELATED FAILURE FRONT RIGHT SUB-FRAME. LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, RIGHT FRONT WHEEL SHAKING, RIGHT FRONT BRAKE LOCKED UP. ALSO ABS BRAKE LIGHTS ON IN DASH, ABS NO LONGER WORKS, TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ON, WORKS NO MORE. *TR

99 FORD WINDSTAR HAS BEEN HAVING NUMEROUS BATTERY PROBLEMS IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS. WENT THROUGH 3 BATTERIES AND 1 ALTERNATOR. TOOK TO FORD DEALERSHIP WHO COULDN'T FIND A PROBLEM. TOLD ME THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH. MY 99 WINDSTAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. TURNS OUT CAR DIED TODAY ON MAJOR HIGHWAY WITH ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. BURNING SMELL UNDER HOOD. I AM COMPLAINING BECAUSE I DELIBERATELY ASKED ABOUT THE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH RECALL 2 WEEKS AGO AT FORD DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD BY DOMINICK THAT MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THAT RECALL. ON OCT. 13 2009 MY CAR WAS INCLUDED IN THAT RECALL. MY ABS LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR AGES... MY CAR HAS NOT BEEN AT FORD DEALERSHIP SINCE OCT 13 2009 SO I KNOW THE RECALL WAS NOT PREVIOUSLY PERFORMED. THE DEALER IS COURTESY FORD IN SANFORD FLORIDA... THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THAT LOCATION. IT IS SUNDAY SO THE DEALERSHIP IS CLOSED.... *TR

FORD WINDSTAR AFTER RECALL, LINK HAS BEEN INSTALLED. ABS LIGHT STILL TURNED ON AND LEAKING BRAKE FLUID UNDER LINK THAT WAS INSTALLED BY FORD DEALER. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMALLY LOUD POP. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT BOTH REAR TIRES WERE FLAT. THE REAR AXLE WAS ALSO FRACTURED IN HALF AND HANGING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE BOTH REAR TIRES AND THE AXLE WERE REPLACED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES ARE UNKNOWN.

NOISE HEARD IN FRONT END. SUSPECTED PROBLEM POSSIBLY WITH JOINTS....TURNS OUT TO BE A RUSTED AND CRACKED FRAME. *TR THIS IS THE SECOND TIME WITHIN THE LAST TWO WEEKS THE SALVAGE CO WHO TOOK OUR CAR WITNESSED THIS SAME PROBLEM. DANGEROUS!

THE ENGINE CRADLE ON A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR HAS CRACKED COMPLETELY THROUGH DUE TO CORROSION. THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT 55 MPH WHEN HE TRAVELED OVER A ROAD BUMP. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE SPUN AT 360 DEGREES FIVE TIMES BEFORE CRASHING INTO A GUARDRAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR AXLE HAD FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000

THE REAR AXEL OR REAR CASING ON MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR BROKE IN HALF. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND SEE THERE ARE MANY OTHER PEOPLE THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO. IT IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED BECAUSE OF THIS. THANK GOD MY KIDS WERE NOT IN THE CAR WHEN THIS HAPPENED. FORD NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THIS AND DO A RECALL AS THIS IS NOT A ONE OFF THING. *TR

I OWN A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR SE - I HAVE HAD MAJOR ONGOING ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH IT FOR THE PAST 6 MONTHS. I HAVE SEEN 2 DIFFERENT FORD DEALERSHIPS AND 3 DIFFERENT MECHANICS AND NO ONE CAN RELIEVE THE ISSUE. MY ABS BREAK LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND OFF. WHEN THIS BEGAN, I ALSO BEGAN TO LOOSE OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS ONE BY ONE, MY POWER WINDOWS WENT OUT, MY POWER MIRRORS NO LONGER WORK, AND MY DASH BOARD NEEDLES JUMP ALL OVER THE PLACE. I'VE SPENT 1,700 IN REPAIRS AND STILL THIS PROBLEM REMAINS UNSOLVED. JUST LAST MONTH IT SAT AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP FOR 2 WEEKS FOR THEM TO STILL TELL ME THEY HAVE NO IDEA HOW TO FIX IT OR WHAT IS CAUSING THE ISSUE. PLEASE HELP! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD WOBBLE ABNORMALLY WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS CRACKED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 114,952.

MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR STILL HAS A ABS LIGHT ON AFTER TAKING IT TO THE DEALER (DON SELLY KALAMAZOO MI) AND POINTING OUT THE ABS LIGHT, THE RECALL AND THAT WE ARE NOTICING IT TAKES MUCH LONGER TO STOP THIS VEHICLE THEN IT USED TO. *TR

MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR LE SEEMED TO BE SWAYING ON TURNS. I LOOKED UNDER AND THE REAR AXLE WAS SNAPPED IN TWO ABOUT 12" OFF OF CENTER ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. I WAS ONLY ON LOCAL ROADS, GOING NO MORE THAN 35 OR 40 AT MOST. IT IS NOW PARKED IN A PUBLIC LOT. I TOOK PICTURES. I RESEARCHED TO FIND OUT HOW MUCH THE REPAIR MIGHT BE AND FOUND A BUNCH OF OTHER PEOPLE IN THE SAME BOAT I AM IN. I HOPE FORD WILL RECALL THIS PROBLEM. I NOTICED MY ABS LIGHT ISSUE IS NOT MINE ALONE EITHER! *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRAME IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE SNAPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 91,000.

REAR AXLE BEAM HAS CRACK AND SOME ROT. I NOW HAVE VAN PARKED FOR FEAR FOR SAFETY FOR MY FAMILY. WE DO NOT HAVE A SECOND VEHICLE TO USE .SO IT WILL BE A BURDEN UNTIL A RECALL IS IN ORDER. I AM A FORD GUY AND ALWAYS BOUGHT A FORD VEHICLE AND NOW IM HAVING DOUBT ABOUT THEIR LACKING FOR THIS RECALL. SHAME ON THEM. HAVING TO NOW START BORROWING A CAR UNTIL SOMETHING IS DONE. *TR

1999 FORD WINDSTAR MINIVAN - WHILE DRIVING VAN JUST DROPPED IN THE BACK DRAGGING AND SMOKING UNTIL WE COULD PULL OVER. VERY SCARY. CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND FURTHER INSPECTION REVEALED THE REAR AXEL JUST CRACKED IN TWO. REAR TIRES WERE BOWED IN AND VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. TOW TRUCK OWNER SAID IT COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE...CRACKED MORE TO THE LEFT OR TO THE RIGHT AND THE WHOLE VAN MIGHT HAVE FLIPPED. WHO DRIVES MINI VANS? THOSE WITH 3 PLUS CHILDREN. SAFETY SHOULD BE MORE OF A PRIORITY FOR THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE. *TR

1999 FORD WINDSTAR W/ 103,500 MI. TRAVELING 57MPH ON HIGHWAY. WHILE TRAVELING OVER A ROUGH SECTION THE VAN STARTED TO SHIMMY, THEN THE REAR STARTED SWAYING SIDE TO SIDE RAPIDLY THEN THE REAREND OF THE VAN DROPPED. THE FACT THAT THE REAREND DROPPED, W/ THE TOPS OF BOTH TIRES RIDING AGAINST THE INNER WHEEL WELLS ( / \ = REAR VIEW OF VAN), IS WHAT STABILIZED THE VAN TILL I WAS ABLE TO STOP SAFELY ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE REAR AXLE BEAM WAS FRACTURED, SURFACE RUST IS NOTICEABLE BUT THERE IS NO ROT IN THIS AREA, I HAVE A PHOTO. THE FRACTURE OCCURRED ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE VAN ABOUT 6" TO THE RIGHT OF THE WELDS, (THE AXLE BEAM IS TORN IN HALF). THIS IS A STRESS FRACTURE! I'VE SEEN THINGS LIKE THIS OVER THE YEARS ON SOME OF OUR EQUIPMENT AT WORK. I FIRST NOTICED SOME SWAY IN THE REAREND THE DAY BEFORE WHILE GOING AROUND SHARP CURVES IN THE RAIN, I ASSUMED IT WAS DUE TO TRACTION. A WEEK PRIOR TO THE SWAY I STARTED HAVING A SHIMMY WHICH EMANATED FROM THE FRONT, OR SO I ASSUMED. THE VAN HAS BEEN TAKEN BY FLAT BED TO A LOCAL FORD DEALER. I AM WAITING TO HEAR FROM THEM CONCERNING COSTS ON REPAIR WORK. THE VAN IS NOT DRIVABLE IN ANY WAY! *TR

WHILE DRIVING DOWN I95 IN PHILADELPHIA MY 99 FORD WINDSTAR STARTED TO SWERVE AND MAKE STRANGE NOISES. I PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY AND NOTICED MY REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE ON A 45 DEGREE SLANT AND MY OTHER TIRE ON A SLANT TOO. I HAD THE CAR TOWED BACK TO A MECHANIC SHOP. WHEN THE PUT IT UP ON THE LIFT WE NOTICED THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS CRACKED ABOUT 75 PERCENT OF THE WAY. *TR

PASSENGER SIDE TIRE SEEMED TO HAVE A MIND OF IT'S OWN. WE WENT TO TWO DIFFERENT MECHANICS - THE SECOND SAID THE SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED AND WE SHOULD NOT DRIVE THE VAN BECAUSE THE ENGINE WILL FALL OUT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH WHEN THE INTERIOR DOME LIGHTS REMAINED IN THE ON POSITION. THE CONTACT MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO TURN THEM OFF; HOWEVER, THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS ALSO FAILED TO LOCK IMMEDIATELY UPON ACTIVATION OF THE IGNITION. THE BRAKE AND ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. IN ADDITION, THE RADIO WOULD NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES FOR THE SAME FAILURE, AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETECT THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNAVAILABLE.

MY 99 WINDSTAR WITH 144,000 R/F SUB FRAME SNAPPED DUE TO RUST FROM THE A/C DRAIN TUBE LOCATED ABOVE THE SUB FRAME. POOR DESIGN ON THE PART OF FORD. THIS VAN IS IN VERY GOOD RUNNING CONDITION, BUT NOW IT WILL COST MORE THAN IT'S BLUE BOOK WORTH TO REPAIR IT. PLEASE FIND BELOW A LINK TO A FORUM WHERE MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL !! THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR THE FRAME TO RUST OUT BEFORE THE BODY OR 20 YEARS OF DRIVING. HTTP://WWW.CARSURVEY.ORG/REVIEWS/FORD/WINDSTAR/R114296/COMMENTS/ SOMEONE COULD GET KILLED . *TR

I HAVE A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR THAT I PURCHASED USED APPROXIMATELY 9 YEARS AGO. ON FRIDAY, JULY 9TH, I WAS ON MY WAY TO THE BEACH WITH TWO OF MY SONS AND HAD JUST CROSSED THE DELAWARE MEMORIAL BRIDGE AND HAD TURNED ONTO ROUTE 40 WHEN I HEARD A LOUD NOISE. AT FIRST I THOUGHT I HAD A FLAT TIRE BUT THEN SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE BACK OF THE CAR AND IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER. I WAS VERY ALARMED TO SEE THAT THE REAR AXLE OF MY CAR HAD COMPLETELY BROKEN IN HALF AND MY TIRES WERE TURNED INWARD. HAD THIS HAPPENED WHILE CROSSING THE BRIDGE THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I WAS VERY LUCKY THAT THIS HAPPENED WHERE IT DID, EVEN THOUGH I HAD TO BE TOWED FROM NEW JERSEY TO PA. THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT WITH THESE VANS AS I HAVE FOUND OUT SINCE FRIDAY. SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS BEFORE A LIFE IS LOST DUE TO THIS DEFECT. *TR

MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR REAR AXLE BROKE IN HALF GOOD THING NOBODY HURT. I CALLED FORD THEY ARE DOING NOTHING ABOUT THIS 900.00 TO FIX PROBLEM THIS HAPPENED 7/8/2010 73,000, MILES. *TR

ABS DASH LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON AND THERE IS NO ABS FUNCTION ON ICE. BRAKES FUNCTION OKAY OTHERWISE. THE LOSS OF THE ABS FEATURE IS TROUBLING AS I HAVE TO DRIVE ON THE INTERSTATE AS WELL AS RURAL ROADS WHICH DON'T GET CLEARED QUICKLY IN THE WINTER. LOCAL FORD SERVICE WRITER INDICATED APPROXIMATELY $99.00 TO HOOK UP TO TESTER WITH NO GUARANTEE OF REPAIR, JUST CANCELLATION OF THE CODE!!! I HAVE RUN INTO NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH FAULTY FORD CONNECTORS, (CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTION, FUEL GAUGE GIVING INCORRECT READING, RUNNING OUT OF GAS WITH GAUGE SHOWING 1/4 TANK, REQUIRING A TOW!). *TR

1999 FORD WINDSTAR ABS FAILURE, BRAKING DISTANCE SUDDENLY INCREASED. *TR

SUB FRAME ON MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR IS ROTTED, THE ENGINE IS ROCKING, THE STEERING IS LOOSE, WHEN MAKING RIGHT HAND TURNS THERE IS GRINDING FROM THE FRAME RUBBING, WHEN DRIVING THERE IS A VERY LOUD BANGING FROM THE ENGINE ROCKING BACK AND FORTH ON THE ROTTED FRAME. IT HAS NOT BEEN FIXED, AND THE CAR IS NOT DRIVABLE AS IT OCCURS ALL THE TIME. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE FRONT WHEEL BEGAN TO WOBBLE ABNORMALLY. THE DEALER DISCOVERED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND PARTIALLY SEPARATED ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHERE THE WHEEL WAS MOUNTED TO THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 106,000. UPDATED 11/17/10

FRONT SUB-FRAME CORROSION COMPLETE SEPARATION OF LOWER CONTROL ARMS . LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. *TR

AFTER THE INITIAL RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED ON MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR MINI VAN THE ABS LIGHT IS STILL LIT. ACCORDING TO THE PAPERWORK I RECEIVED FROM THE DEALERSHIP THEY INSTALLED A JUMPER HARNESS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM FOR RECALL 09S09 BUT IT HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED SINCE THE LIGHT IS STILL ON. *TR

ABS LIGHT IS ON, CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING SUDDENLY, THREE OF THE WINDOWS STOPPED WORKING SUDDENLY. POWER LOCKS STOPPED WORKING ALSO. *TR

INCREASED BRAKING DISTANCE. THE ABS DASH LIGHT IS ON AT THIS TIME. IT IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. SOMETIMES IT IS ON AND AT OTHER TIMES IT IS OFF. IT IS ON MORE THAN IT IS OFF. MY MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ABS ECM IS BAD AND NEEDS REPLACED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 TO 10 MPH, THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL FELL OFF OF THE VEHICLE. HE OBSERVED THAT THE STUDS ON THE WHEEL BROKE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. HE STATED THAT THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE DRUM, HUB AND ROTOR ASSEMBLY. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A VIN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,100.

DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 81 IN VA. APPROX 65 MPH NOTICED THE REAR END BEGIN TO SWAY AS WE WERE GOING AROUND A BEND IN THE ROAD. AFTER REGAINING CONTROL WE EXITED THE HIGHWAY. I NOTICED THAT THE TWO REAR TIRES WERE LEANING INWARD AT THE TOP. I THEN LOOKED UNDER THE REAR END AND SAW A CRACK IN THE REAR AXLE ABOUT 18" FROM THE DRIVER SIDE AND 2 INCHES LONG FROM BOTTOM TO TOP. *TR

NOTICED A BUMPING NOISE COMING FROM BACK PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL AREA ON '99 FORD WINDSTAR (3.8L) LX. TOOK TO FORD DEALER TODAY AND THEY SAID REAR AXLE HAS A HOLE IN IT, IS CRACKED AND BROKEN. HAVE READ THAT THIS MAYBE A DEFECT? *TR

CRACKED REAR AXLE - 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. *TR

REAR AXLE OF FORD WINDSTAR VAN JUST BROKE. IT IS AT A SHOP NOW TO ACCESS THE DAMAGE. *TR

WEEK OF JUNE 21ST,2010 ON WEST KIMBERLY ROAD VAN BEGAN TO WAVER ON DRY PAVEMENT AND I GOT IT HOME SAFETY. INSPECTION REVEALED RIGHT REAR WHEEL AT A EXTREME ANGLE LEFT REAR WHEEL ALSO IS AT A SLANTED ANGLE. RUST HAS DAMAGED REAR AXLE BENDS WHERE REAR WHEEL ARE SECURED. LEFT IN GARAGE AS I CAN'T DRIVE IT SAFETY AND DO NOT HAVE AVAILABLE MONEY TO GET IT REPAIRED. RIGHT REAR WHEEL IS RUBBING THE UNDERNEATH OF VAN. OLD PART IS STILL ON THE VAN. *TR

I WAS BACKING MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR VAN OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AT 3:45 P.M. ON A CLEAR DAY, SUNDAY JUNE 20, 2010, WHEN, WITHOUT WARNING, THE REAR "AXLE" BROKE IN HALF AND COLLAPSED. THE WHEELS TILTED IN. RESULTS ON A HIGHWAY WOULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS OR DEADLY. FORD SHOWS NO RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE, BUT NUMEROUS REPORTS ARE ONLINE OF THE SAME PROBLEM FOR THE SAME VEHICLE MODELS OF SEVERAL MODEL YEARS. NO REPAIR REPORT YET, AS THIS JUST HAPPENED A DAY BEFORE THIS REPORT. I HAVEN'T *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE REAR END SUSPENSION COLLAPSED. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE REAR AXLE WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE REAR AXLE AND REAR SHOCKS WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 152,565.

ABS LIGHT STILL COMING ON AFTER REPAIR MADE AT DEALER. *TR

ON JUNE 17,2010 MY BOYFRIEND AND I HAD JUST ARRIVED HOME FROM WORK AND GOTTEN INTO BED. MAYBE 10-15MIN WENT BY WHEN THE NEIGHBOR WAS BANGING ON DOOR SCREAMING "YOUR CAR IS ON FIRE" GOING OUTSIDE WE FOUND THE VAN ENGULFED IN FLAMES ..IT HAD DRIVEN BEAUTIFULLY UP TIL THIS POINT. THE VAN IS TOTAL LOSS. *TR

1999 FORD WINDSTAR REAR AXLE SNAPPED IN HALF WHILE OPERATING AT 35 MPH. *TR

WE OWN A 1990 FORD WINDSTAR AND MY FATHER AND I WERE JUST PULLING OUT A PARKING SPOT WHEN WE FELT A "JOLT" SORT OF LIKE A TIRE POPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER MOVING WHEN ACCELERATOR WAS PRESSED WE GOT OUT TO CHECK WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS AND OUR REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE LOOKED INVERTED AND WE FOUND OUT OUR REAR AXLE HAD BROKEN. WE ARE NOW OUT OF A CAR. I GOT ONLINE RIGHT AWAY TO SEE HOW MUCH REPAIRS WOULD COST AND SOON FOUND MANY RELATED STORIES FROM OTHER FORD WINDSTAR OWNERS WHO WERE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS VERY FRUSTRATING AS IT IS OUR ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION AND WE MIGHT NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO REPAIR IT, IF IT EVEN IS REPAIRABLE. *TR

REAR AXLE ALMOST BROKE COMPLETELY THROUGH....IF I (OR MY WIFE) HAD BEEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND IT BROKE IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT. *TR AXLES ON VEHICLES SHOULD NOT BREAK/CRACK IN 11 OR LESS YEARS OF USE. THERE HAS TO BE A MAJOR DEFECT IN THE REAR AXLE ON THIS VEHICLE AND THE LONGER IT TAKES BEFORE A RECALL NOTICE THE HIGHER THE RISK THAT SOMEONE IS GOING TO LOSE THEIR LIFE DUE TO THIS DEFECT.

MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR REAR AXLE BROKE IN HALF. *TR

BRAKING DISTANCE SUDDENLY INCREASED WITH YELLOW ABS BRAKE LIGHT COMING ON. THIS IS CRITICAL IN THAT THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM DOES NOT FUNCTION AS DESIGNED BY FORD. THE ISSUE IS CAUSED BY HEAT IN THE ABS (ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM) ECM (ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE) (2C219) MODULE CAUSING EXPANSION OF A LARGE ALUMINUM PLATE (HEAT SINK) IN THE ECM WHICH IS ATTACHED TO THE ECM MAIN CIRCUIT BOARD AT ALL POINTS. THE EXPANSION OCCURS WHEN THE UNIT GETS WARM ESPECIALLY IN THE SUMMER MONTHS AND CAUSES INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL CONNECTION IN THE UNIT BECAUSE THE FRAGILE BOARD IS BEING STRETCHED AND MALFORMED RESULTING IN CODE C1185. *TR

WE TRAVELED FROM AGAWAM MA TO SCARBOROUGH ME FOR A FAMILY PARTY. 20 MINUTES AFTER WE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, WE STARTED TO BACK UP OUR MINIVAN BECAUSE SOMEONE NEEDED TO MOVE THEIR CAR OUT. WE THEN HEARD A LOUD CRACK WHILE BACKING UP IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE VAN BEGAN LEANING TO THE LEFT. WE FOUND THE REAR AXLE BROKEN INTO TWO PIECES. THE BREAK IS LOCATED ABOUT A FOOT AWAY FROM THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL. WE HAD TO HAVE THE VAN TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER, PRIME FORD IN SACO ME AND HAD TO LEAVE IT THERE FOR REPAIRS. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAYS THE REAR AXLE WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT WHERE THE BREAK OCCURRED. WE NEED TO REPLACE THE REAR AXLE, THE LEFT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE, AND SHOCK ABSORBER THAT WERE DAMAGED DUE TO THE AXLE BREAK. WE WILL LET THE SERVICE DEPT. KNOW THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO KEEP THE OLD PART IF POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF THIS PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION GOING ON NOW. WE WILL ALSO HAVE TO TAKE TIME OFF FROM WORK TO RETURN TO MAINE TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE ONCE IT IS REPAIRED. *TR

INCREASED VIBRATION IN REAR END. FELT LIKE WHEEL BALANCE WAS WAY OFF. DAYS LEADING UP TO AXLE BREAK. LOTS OF REAR-END SHIMMY WHEN GOING OVER ANY BUMPS ESPECIALLY IF IN TURNS. CLICKING NOISES WHEN BACKING UP. SLIDING REAR END WITH WET ROAD.. ERRATIC STEERING. FELT WOBBLY LIKE VERY STRONG GUSTS OF WIND BUFFETING SIDES OF VEHICLE. WHEN AXLE SPLIT, REAR END TOTALLY UNSTABLE. FORTUNATELY WAS ON CITY STREET (AND NOT ON HIGHWAY) AND WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN SOME CONTROL. WAS AT NIGHT. DESERTED STREET AND CITY SPEED OF 40MPH. SWERVED OVER DOUBLE YELLOW LINES. IF HAD BEEN EARLIER IN DAY, WOULD HAVE PROBABLY COLLIDED WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC. WAS ABLE TO OVERCOME LOSS OF CONTROL AND STEER BACK INTO LANE AND THEN OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD. NO CURB STONES OR I WOULD HAVE DEFINITELY BLOWN A TIRE OR TWO AND DAMAGED UNDERCARRIAGE. VERY SCARY. THANKFULLY NO FAMILY ONBOARD. HAVE ORDERED REPLACEMENT AXLE. MAY NEED TO REPLACE COIL SPRINGS AND SHOCKS IF THEY HAVE BEEN BENT/DISTORTED/DAMAGED. MECHANIC SAYS WILL KNOW WHEN REPLACING WITH NEW AXLE. I HAVE ASKED TO RETAIN OLD PARTS FOR FUTURE INSPECTION AND PROOF OF DEFECT. CANNOT BELIEVE FORD HAS ALLOWED THIS KNOWN PROBLEM TO GO ON WITHOUT RECALL! HUNDREDS HAVE REPORTED SAME PROBLEMS ONLINE. HOW MANY THOUSANDS HAVE NOT REPORTED IT?! THIS IS GOING TO COST ME OVER A THOUSAND DOLLARS TO REPAIR. ALSO, HAD A MAJOR ISSUE WITH TOTALLY ROTTED SUB-FRAME LAST YEAR --- ALSO A MAJOR ISSUE WITH OTHER OWNERS! ANOTHER SAFETY ISSUE!! THAT COST ME NEARLY $1500! FORD SHOULD BE EMBARRASSED AND SORRY AND HELP THEIR LOYAL CUSTOMERS -- NOT JUST IGNORE IT AND THEM! PLEASE DO SOMETHING TO HELP US AND OTHER OWNERS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED! *TR