2001 Ford Windstar

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/31/2010· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,PARKING BRAKE

  VEHICLE MAKES A GRINDING NOISE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. WHILE TURNING AS WELL AS A HISSING NOISE/CLICKING NOISE. ALSO MY ABS LIGHT AND EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT ARE ALWAYS ON AND THEY NEVER TURN OFF. *TR

• 12/31/2001· WHEELS

  AT 20-25MPH FRONT RIGHT WHEEL BOLTS AND NUTS SEPARATED, CAUSING DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. DEALER IS INSPECTING VEHICLE.*AK

• 12/30/2014· STRUCTURE

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED, AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR AND FRONT SUBFRAMES WERE SEVERELY CORRODED. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT SUBFRAME EXHIBITED A HOLE ON THE DRIVER SIDE AND THE REAR AXLE WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V030000 (STRUCTURE), BUT THE SUBFRAMES WERE NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,120. UPDATED 02/18/15*LJ UPDATED 10/2/2015*JS

• 12/30/2012· SERVICE BRAKES

  ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT TURNS ON USUALLY WHEN ITS WET OUTSIDE OR GOING OVER A BIG BUMP, MOSTLY IN THE SUMMER BUT LATELY IN WINTER TOO. SOMETIMES WHEN COMING TO A STOP IT ALSO TURNS ON. TURNS OFF AFTER ENGINE RESTART BUT USUALLY IS BACK ON AGAIN SOON AFTER. *TR

• 12/30/2010· STEERING,SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE

  I HAVE A FORD WINDSTAR 2001 MINI VAN AND I LIVE IN NEW YORK STATE. ON DECEMBER 7TH, 2010, AS I WAS PULLING LEFT INTO A PARKING SPACE I HEARD A LOUD CRACKING SOUND. (AT FIRST I THOUGHT I HAD ROLLED OVER A VERY LARGE PIECE OF ICE) I AGAIN PROCEEDED TO PULL IN, BUT MY CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. (ENGINE WAS STILL ON) I GOT OUT AND FOUND 3 OF MY TIRES FACING LEFT AND 1 FACING RIGHT. I CALLED AAA AND WAS PREPARING TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC. WHEN THE DRIVER/MECHANIC FROM AAA, INFORMED ME THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM (DRIVE ARM) HAD TORE AWAY FROM THE MAIN FRAME (FRONT AXEL) AT THE FRONT OF THE CAR, AND HAD TORE AWAY ALL OF THE DRIVING MECHANISMS AND WOULD NEED A WELDER FIRST , NOT A MECHANIC . SO I HAD HIM TAKE IT TO A LOCAL WELDER. HE WAS ABLE TO FIND SOME CLEAN METAL TO WELD IT BACK ON AND THEN RECOMMENDED I TAKE IT TO A MECHANIC TO FINISH UP WITH EVERYTHING ELSE THAT WAS NEEDED. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT IT WOULD NEED A CV JOINT AND THE LINKAGE FOR THE TRANSMISSION IN ORDER TO HAVE IT WORKING AGAIN. I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES WITH THE ENGINE, OR TRANSMISSION PRIOR TO THIS DAY. AND THE CAR HAS VERY LITTLE RUST ON IT'S BODY. SO I WOULD HAVE NEVER THOUGHT TO LOOK UNDERNEATH FOR ANY. AND BECAUSE IT WAS ALWAYS MAINTAINED WELL, A MECHANIC WAS HARDLY EVER UNDER HER TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANY POSSIBLE DAMAGE EITHER. SHE HAS LESS THAN 75,000 MILES ON HER SO I NEVER EXPECTED THIS TO OCCUR. I HAVE FILED A REPORT WITH FORD AFTER THE INCIDENT BUT ALL THEY COULD SAY WAS THANK YOU AND THEY'LL MAKE A NOT OF IT. AND THAT THE REAR AXEL WAS ON RECALL....BUT IF THAT WAS THE CASE, WHY NOT THE FRONT AXEL TOO??? *TR

• 12/30/2010· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  INTERIOR LIGHTS COME ON AT RANDOM , DRIVING AT NIGHT CAUSES PROBLEM. *TR

• 12/30/2009· STRUCTURE

  TRAVELING ALONG A MAJOR HIGHWAY APPROX. 70 MPH, THE ENGINE CRADLE ASSEMBLY BECAME DETACHED FROM THE FRAME DUE TO CORROSION AND SUBSEQUENTLY THE CV AXEL BECAME DETACHED FROM THE WHEEL AND THE CONTROL ARM ALSO BECAME DETACHED. THE VEHICLE BECAME UN CONTROLLABLE AND LUCKILY WE DIDN'T FLIP OR HIT SOMEONE ELSE. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS CONDITION AND A SUB FRAME ASSEMBLY SHOULDN'T COME APART ON A VEHICLE WITH ONLY 70K MILES ON IT. I HAVE CALLED FORD MOTOR CO. WITH NO HELP OR EVEN AN APOLOGY AS THERE IS NO RECALL FOR ANY ISSUES LIKE THIS. AGAIN, THIS IS VERY SERIOUS ISSUE AND WE WERE LUCK WE WEREN'T KILLED. *TR

• 12/30/2004· POWER TRAIN

  OUR 2001 FORD WINDSTAR'S TRANSMISSION STOPPED WORKING IN THE MIDDLE OF A ROAD. THE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON ONLY MOMENTS BEFORE AND SAID "CHECK TRANSMISSION". MY CONCERN IS TWO FOLD. FIRST, THEIR WAS NOT ADEQUATE TIME TO RESPOND WHEN THE "CHECK TRANSMISSION" LIGHT APPEARED AND THE VEHICLE BROKE DOWN. LUCKILY MY WIFE WAS JUST PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT ONTO A SIDE STREET AND WAS GOING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED. SECONDLY, THE VAN HAS ONLY 55,000 MILES AND THE TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED. THIS IS NOT THE NORM FOR A VEHICLE THAT IS REGULARLY MAINTAINED. *AK

• 12/30/2002· PARKING BRAKE

  THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WILL STAY UP WILL NOT GO DOWN. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DEARLER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.

• 12/29/2014· SUSPENSION

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO DRIVE OR REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

• 12/29/2010· SUSPENSION

  WHILE SWITCHING FROM REAR DRIVE TO FORWARD DRIVE, BIG NOISE WAS HEARD. UNABLE TO DRIVE CAR AFTER DUE TO FRONT WHEEL SUSPENSION BREAK, PASSENGER SIDE. FRONT SUSPENSION WAS REPLACED. *TR

• 12/29/2010· STRUCTURE

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FRAME ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WAS SEVERELY RUSTED BEYOND REPAIR. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 126,000.

• 12/29/2010· SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC

  ABS FAILURE - 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. *TR

• 12/28/2010· STEERING,SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE

  THE FRONT END OF MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR MAKES A LOT OF NOISE LIKE IT IS GOING TO FALL APART. I'M AFRAID BECAUSE MY REAR AXLE BROKE IN 2 PIECES GOING 65 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE. I'M SURE SOMETHING IS GOING ON WITH MY FRONT SUBFRAME. HOW DO WE GET THIS INVESTIGATED? *TR

• 12/28/2010· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  THE WARNING LIGHTS FOR THE ABS SYSTEM ON MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR ARE COMING ON MUCH MORE OFTEN NOW. OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS THEY WOULD COME ON ONLY VERY INFREQUENTLY, MAYBE ONCE A WEEK AND ONLY AFTER HAVING DRIVEN FOR AN HOUR OR SO. NOW THEY COME ON WITHIN MINUTES, THOUGH THEY STILL DO NOT COME ON IMMEDIATELY. NOW THAT IT IS WINTER I HAVE NOTICED THE BRAKES LOCKING UP AND SENDING ME INTO A SKID WHENEVER THERE IS SNOW OR ICE ON THE ROAD. THE PROBLEM IS GETTING VERY BAD AND I FEAR FOR THE DAY WHEN THE BRAKES GO OUT COMPLETELY AND I DO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. *TR

• 12/28/2010· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  BRAKING DISTANCE SUDDENLY INCREASED WE HAVE NOTICED THAT THE BRAKING SYSTEM ILLUMINATES THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY AND THERE IS A CORRESPONDING FAILURE OF THE ABS SYSTEM THAT PREVENTS IT FROM WORKING PROPERLY. FORTUNATELY, WE HAVE NOT YET HAD AN ACCIDENT AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE, BUT WE HAVE ALSO NOT YET REPLACED THE SYSTEM TO FIX IT. *TR

• 12/28/2010· STRUCTURE

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT SHE WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE SUB FRAME AND CRADLE ASSEMBLY DUE TO RUSTING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 85,958. UPDATED 03/02/11 *BF UPDATED 04/28/11

• 12/28/2007· VISIBILITY

  I AM HAVING THE EXACT PROBLEM DESCRIBED IN EA0515. THE DEALERSHIP HAS SAID IT HAS SEEN THE PROBLEM BEFORE. MY LEAK HAS RUINED THE GEM MODULE ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE TOTAL DAMAGE $980.00. MY INSURANCE COMPANY HAS THE BELIEF THIS IS A MANUFACTURES DEFECT AND IS NOT RESPONSIBLE EITHER. *TR

• 12/28/2005· AIR BAGSCrash

  I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND IT WAS SNOWING. I STARTED TO SLIDE ON ICE. I REPEATEDLY TRIED TO BRAKE BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. I SLID OFF THE ROAD ONTO THE SHOULDER AND IMPACTED WITH A DRAIN PIPE INTO A DITCH. NEITHER OF MY DUAL AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND AS A RESULT MY MOUTH HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. I RECEIVED 18 STITCHES. I WAS WEARING MY SEAT BELT. THE VEHICLE WAS CLAIMED A TOTAL LOSS. *JB

• 12/27/2021· SUSPENSION

  The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH, there was an abnormal sound, and the vehicle felt as if it had a flat tire. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that the rear driver's side tire was tilted inward and the rear axle was fractured. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The mechanic related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V608000 (Suspension). The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that in 2016, per the recall, the brackets were inspected to verify their proper installation however, the recall repair was not performed. The vehicle was not repaired and remained with the independent mechanic. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 159,000.

• 12/27/2013· SERVICE BRAKES

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE AFTER THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS DISENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.

• 12/27/2010· STRUCTURE

  2001 FORD WINDSTAR RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ARM MOUNT FAILURE. JUST DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN I NOTICE MY STEERING WHEEL WAS NOT CENTERED, SLOWED DOWN UNTIL I GOT INTO PARKING LOT. WENT TO TURN AND LOST DRIVE, LOOKED AT FRONT END AND RIGHT TIRE WAS POINTING TO RIGHT AND LEFT TIRE WAS STRAIGHT, LOOKED UNDER VAN AND SAW THAT MOUNT HAD COME OFF FRAME AND AXLE PULLED OUT OF TRANSMISSION. HAD VAN TOWED BACK TO MY HOUSE. WENT RIGHT TO MY COMPUTER TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT FRONT END FAILURE AND THEIR IS. WAS GOING TO HAVE VAN REAR AXLE CHECKED PER RECALL BUT CAN'T EVEN GET IT TO FORD DEALERSHIP FOR THAT. CALLED FORD AND THEIR IS NO HELP. I AM A MECHANIC AND HAVE NEVER SEEN A MOUNT COME OFF A FRAME LIKE THIS. THIS VAN HAS ALWAYS BEEN PARKED IN A GARAGE AND WASHED AT A HIGH PRESSURE WASH WITH UNDER CAR RINSE. I THINK THIS IS POOR METAL OR A POOR DESIGN. *TR

• 12/27/2010· STRUCTURE

  WHILE ON A FAMILY TRIP TODAY IN MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR I NOTICED AN EXTREMELY LOUD GRINDING /RUBBING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT PSGR. SIDE, WHEN I RETURNED HOME I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP IMMEDIATELY WHERE I WAS TOLD THAT THE SUBFRAME HAD COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND WAS NEARLY THROUGH THE OTHER SIDE AS WELL AND WAS TOLD THAT MY ENTIRE FAMILY HAD BEEN AT RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH HAD THE OTHERSIDE FAILED AS WELL, AND TO STOP DRIVING IT IMMEDIATELY AND THAT IT WOULD COST IN EXCESS OF $2000 TO FIX. MY ANGER AND HORROR MULTIPLIED WHEN WHILE TRYING TO LOCATE AFFORDABLE USED REPLACEMENT PART ONLINE I DISCOVERED THAT FORD HAS RECEIVED MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAFETY ISSUE, HOW DARE THEY PUT MY LOVED ONES AND COUNTLESS THOUSANDS OTHER AT RISK BECAUSE THEY USED DEFECTIVE OR SUBSTANDARD PARTS. I WILL BE CONTACTING FORD DIRECTLY TO FIND OUT WHAT THEY INTEND TO DO TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE AND APPRECIATE ANYTHING THE NHTSA CAN DO TO HELP EXPEDITE THE RECALL OF SAID PARTS. *TR

• 12/27/2006· TIRES

  TL* - WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 65 MPH ON 12/26/06 THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE. HE PROCEEDED TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER TO SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED IT HAD A FLAT TIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE GOOD AND THE EVENING WAS CLEAR. THE CONTACT SAID THAT HE THEN RETURNED HOME AND INSPECTED THE TIRE AND FOUND NO PUNCTURES IN IT, BUT DID NOTICE A BUMP IN THE TIRE. THE CONTACT STATED HE TOOK TIRE TO FIRESTONE TIRE CENTER THE NEXT MORNING , AND THE TECHNICIAN SAID THAT THE TIRE WAS PUNCTURED BY A NAIL, BUT THERE WAS NO NAIL IN THE TIRE. THE TECHNICIAN DID SHOW HIM AN IMPRINT OF THE NAIL ON THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE. THE CONTACT CALLED TO FIND OUT IF THIS TIRE HAD ANY SAFETY ISSUES. THE INFORMATION ON THE TIRE WAS: 214/65R16, MODEL # FR380 AND DOT# W26V38B2306. THE CONTACT HAS THE DAMAGED TIRE, AND FIRESTONE DID REPLACE IT WITH A NEW TIRE. THE TECHNICIAN TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THEY HAD TO SCRAP THE INSIDE OF TIRE AND CLEAN IT UP BEFORE THEY GAVE THE DAMAGED TIRE BACK. *AK UPDATED 02/06/07. *JB

• 12/27/2006· TIRES

  TIRE FAILURE

• 12/27/2004· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  I PURCHASED MY 2001 FORD FOCUS IN OCTOBER OF 2002, IT ONLY HAD 113 MILES ON IT FROM BEING TEST DRIVEN SO ESSENTIALLY IT WAS BRAND NEW WHEN PURCHASED THAT DAY. THIS IS MY ***3RD*** TIME OF HAVING TO HAVE IT SERVICED BY FORD BECAUSE THE IGNITION LOCKED UP AND MY KEY WOULD NOT TURN. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT FORD WAS AWARE THAT THERE WERE A COUPLE MAKE/MODELS OF THE FOCUS THAT HAVE THIS ISSUE. IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE SENSORS IN THE INGITION AND THE KEYS BEING WORN DOWN SO MUCH THAT IT WON'T RECOGNIZE THE KEY/SENSOR TO START THE CAR. VERY FRUSTRATING. NOW I AM DEALING WITH IT AGAIN, FORD HAS UNFORTUNATLY NOT PUT A RECALL OUT ON THIS SPECIFIC ISSUE. I AM GETTING CLOSE TO THE END OF MY EXTENDED WARRANTY AND STILL I HAVE TO PAY A 50.00 DEDUCTIBLE EVERYTIME TO GET THIS PROBLEM FIXED AND IT'S FAULTY EQUIPMENT THAT FORD KNOWS ABOUT IT. I HOPE THERE ARE ENOUGH COMPLAINTS THAT FORD ACKNOWLEDGES THIS PROBLEM AND AT THE VERY LEAST, REPLACES THIS CERTAIN IGNITION WITH ANOTHER YEAR SO US CUSTOMERS DON'T HAVE TO PAY FOR THEIR ENGINEERING MISTAKES. I AM A SINGLE MOM WITH 7 WK OLD TWINS AND THIS IS NOT IN MY BUDGET, LET ALONE ONCE I AM OUT OF MY EXTENDED WARRANTY PERIOD, IT WILL BE AROUND 300.00 A POP TO GET THIS PROBLEM FIXED. PLEASE HELP!!!*AK

• 12/26/2015· SERVICE BRAKES

  MY ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT HAVE BEEN INTERMITTENTLY COMING ON FOR SOME TIME. THERE WASN'T ANY CHANGE IN THE BRAKES SO I ASSUMED THERE WAS A SENSOR SWITCH OR OTHER COMPUTER RELATED ISSUE. I AM NOT A MECHANIC AND KEPT DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKE LIGHTS STARTED TO INTERMITTENTLY STAY ON EVENTUALLY BURNING OUT BRAKE BULBS. THEN FRYING THE PART THAT THE BULB GOES INTO. I AM NOT DRIVING THE VEHICLE NOW BECAUSE I FEEL THERE'S A POTENTIAL FOR FIRE THE VEHICLE WAS ALWAYS IN MOTION WHEN THE LIGHTS CAME ON AND BRAKE LIGHTS STAYED ON. I CAN'T GET THEM TO GO OFF EVEN WITH THE CAR STOPPED AND TURNED OFF.

• 12/26/2008· SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC

  I HAVE A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR AND THE PLUG THAT PLUGS INTO THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER IS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. THROUGH RESEARCH TO APPEARS THAT THIS IS A FREQUENT PROBLEM WITH THE WINDSTAR. *TR

• 12/25/2013· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  ALL GAUGES, INCLUDING SPEEDOMETER, SUDDENLY BECAME ERRATIC, CONFUSING DRIVER BY GIVING FALSE SENSE OF SPEED. *TR

• 12/25/2009· STRUCTURE

  DRIVEN DOWN THE ROAD THE FRONT PASSENGER AXLE POPS OUT LOSE OF ALIGNMENT VEHICLE WONT RUN BOTH FRONT TIRES ARE LOOKING THE OPPOSITE WAY.... HOW CAN I FIND OUT HOW TO FIX THIS. VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVABLE. *TR

• 12/25/2007· SUSPENSION

  ON OR ABOUT DECEMBER 15, 2007 MY HUSBAND NOTICED WHEN HE HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD THE REAR END OF OUR 2001 FORD WINDSTAR LX FELT LOOSE. WE THOUGHT THE SHOCKS WERE STARTING TO WARE. ON DECEMBER 20, 2007 MY HUSBAND STARTED ON HIS WAY HOME FROM WORK AROUND 3:30 PM HE HEADED SOUTH ON I55 OUT OF CHICAGO AND REACHED OUR DRIVEWAY IN THE SOUTHWEST SUBURBS APPROXIMATELY 5:00 PM. AT 5:30 P. OUR FAMILY WITH TWO CHILDREN GOT INTO THE VAN TO GO CHRISTMAS SHOPPING. AS WE WERE PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY THE VAN JERKED AND SCREECHED. WE THOUGHT WE HIT SOMEONE THAT HAD PARKED BEHIND US. WE JUMPED OUT TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED AND NOTICED OUR REAR TIRES LOOKED FUNNY AND THE BACK END WAS REALLY LOW. WHEN WE LOOKED UNDER IT WE SAW THAT THE AXLE WAS BROKEN IN TWO. IT HAD JUST SNAPPED. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED A HALF HOUR EARLIER THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED ON THE EXPRESSWAY IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AND I HATE TO THINK WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED, OR 15 MINUTES LATER WHEN WE WERE ON I355 GOING CHRISTMAS SHOPPING WITH OUR CHILDREN. WE WERE MORE THAN HAPPY TO HAVE THIS HAPPEN IN OUR DRIVEWAY BUT THIS IS OUR ONLY VEHICLE AND WE DON'T HAVE THE 1000.00 IT WILL COST TO REPLACE THE PART. THE VAN IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, IT HAS 72,915 MILES ON IT. HOW INCONVENIENT! *TR

• 12/23/2011· SUSPENSION

  NOTICED THAT MY FRONT TIRES ARE WORN OUT A LOT IN THE INNER EDGES. TOOK IT FOR WHEEL ALIGNMENT ON DEC 22, 2011. PEP BOYS AUTO SHOP IN ARIZONA AVENUE, CHANDLER, AZ REFUSED TO DO IT SAYING THAT REAR AXEL IS BENT. SO IT IS NOT SAFE. I ALSO TOOK IT TO FORD DEALERSHIP AT 7300 W. ORCHID LANE, AZ, 85226 (PH 480 940 4442) FOR "SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM MODIFICATION" RECALL. SERVICE ADVISOR [XXX] VISUALLY CONFIRMED THAT WHEELS ARE BENT OUTWARDLY. I AM CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY AND ME, AND WANT THIS ISSUE ADDRESSED. THANKS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

• 12/23/2010· STEERING,STRUCTURE

  AFTER MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN HEARD A THUMP NOISE. WHEN TRYING TO COMPLETE THE TURN AND STRAIGHTEN OUT THE WHEEL,THE CAR JUMPED TO THE LEFT AND ENDED UP IN THE MIDDLE OF A TWO LANED ROAD. AFTER HAVING VEHICLE TOWED TO SHOP WAS INFORMED THAT FRONT SUBFRAME HAD RUSTED OUT, CAUSING AXLE TO DISENGAGE FROM FRONT RIGHT TIRE RENDERING VEHICLE INOPERABLE. COULD NOT PUSH VEHICLE TO SIDE OF ROAD. HAD TO WAIT FOR POLICE VEHICLE TO PUSH TO SIDE OF ROAD.*LN

• 12/23/2009· SUSPENSION

  2001 FORD WINDSTAR, REAR AXLE SPLIT IN TWO. MILES 118,000. *TR UPDATED 11/16/10 *BF THE CONSUMER LEARNED A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR THE EXACT PROBLEM HE EXPERIENCED. HOWEVER, THE CONSUMER HAD ALREADY HAD THE AXLE REPLACED AT HIS EXPENSE. THE CONSUMER WAS THEN INFORMED HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE AXLE THAT IS NOW ON HIS VEHICLE CAME FROM A ANOTHER WINDSTAR THAT IS BEING RECALLED. UPDATED 11/23/10

• 12/22/2010· SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC

  2001 FORD WINDSTAR ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS KEEP COMING ON FOR NO REASON. MIGHT COME ON WHEN HITTING BUMPS AND MIGHT NOT. I HAVE HAD MECHANIC LOOK AT ISSUE. MANY FAILURES REPORT. ENDED UP BRAKE RELAY/CONTROL MODULE IS BAD AND NEEDS REPLACED. APPROX. FIX $1200 WHICH EXPLAINS WHY FORD WON'T ADMIT ISSUE.. MY NIECE HAD SAME VAN SAME ISSUE INSTEAD OF DEALING WITH IT SHE TRADED VAN IN. LIGHTS DON'T STAY ON ALL THE TIME BUT BOTH COME ON AT SAME TIME AND GO OFF AT SAME TIME. MECHANIC SAID BRAKES WILL WORK BUT NO ABS AVAILABLE WHEN LIGHT IS ON. I WOULD THINK FORD WOULD RECOGNIZE THIS AS SAFETY ISSUE. PROBLEM HAS EXISTED FOR APPROX. 2 YEARS OR MORE ON THIS VAN. WE HAVE OWNED FOR APPROX. 6-7 YEARS. *TR

• 12/22/2010· SUSPENSION

  I OWN A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR THAT I RECENTLY HAD THE SUBFRAME REPLACED AS IT HAD CORRODED THROUGH ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE SUBFRAME. I NOTICED THE FAILURE OF IT WHILE DRIVING. I HEARD A LOUD CLUNK AND THEN MY STEERING WHEEL ABRUPTLY TURNED TO THE RIGHT AND THE FRONT END STARTED VIBRATING SIMILAR TO WHEN THE FRONT END IS OUT OF ALIGNMENT. I WAS TRAVELING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED WHEN THIS OCCURRED AND ID NOT RESULT IN A CRASH, BUT MADE THE VEHICLE UNDRIVEABLE.

• 12/22/2010· STRUCTURE

  I OWN A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AGO I WAS DRIVING WITH MY FAMILY SOUTHBOUND ON THE HENRY HUDSON BRIDGE, DRIVING TO MANHATTAN FROM THE BRONX IN NYC. I WAS PROCEEDING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE SPEED LIMIT FOR THAT ROAD. I WAS DRIVING ALONG WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE COLLAPSED. THE FRONT-END SUB-ASSEMBLY COMPLETELY FAILED! I LOST COMPLETE CONTROL OF STEERING FOR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SWERVE, BUT I WAS ABLE TO APPLY THE BRAKES AND EVENTUALLY STOP THE VEHICLE BEFORE A COLLISION WITH OTHER VEHICLES OCCURRED. THE ENTIRE FRONT-END SUB-ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE REPAIR WORK, INCLUDING PARTS AND LABOR, COST ME APPROXIMATELY $2,000.00 OUT OF POCKET. I CONTACTED THE FORD DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE, BUT THEY REFUSED TO COMPENSATE ME FOR THE DAMAGES. I JUST READ AN ARTICLE IN THE WALL STREET JOURNAL THAT THE NHTSA IS INVESTIGATING FORD MOTOR COMPANY FOR THIS VERY PROBLEM. *TR

• 12/22/2010· SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE

  WE HAD JUST LEFT THE EXPRESSWAY. WE PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AND WENT TO TURN INTO A PARKING SPACE AND THE SHAFT WHICH WAS ATTACHED TO THE WHEEL CONNECTING IT FROM THE FRAME TO THE WHEEL, BROKE AT THE POINT OF THE FACTORY WELD CAUSING THE WHEELS TO DO THE "SPLITS"AND PULLING OUT THE DRIVESHAFT FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER CALLED THE CAR "TOTALLED" .THIS CAR IS IN GREAT CONDITION EXCEPT FOR THE METAL SOCKET HOLDING THE TIE ROD FROM THE WHEEL TO THE FRAME ALLOWING THE DRIVE SHAFT TO BE YANKED OUT. THIS IS A FACTORY WELD THAT BROKE AND IF IT HAD BROKEN WHILE ON THE FREEWAY, WE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. FORD MOTOR REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING TO REMEDY THE SITUATION. *TR

• 12/22/2010· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  BRAKING DISTANCE SUDDENLY INCREASED.*TR

• 12/22/2008· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  2001 FORD WINDSTAR BRAKE,ABS BRAKE,CRUISE CONTROL, AND SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER ELECTRICAL PROBLEM-CAUSING MY BRAKES TO ALMOST FAIL WITH MY TWO 2 YEAR OLD TWINS IN MY VAN. *TR

• 12/22/2004· AIR BAGS

  THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR REMAINED ON INDICATING A PROBLEM WITH THE AIR BAG AND SAFETY RESTRAINT SYSTEM. I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALER AND THEY DID A DIAGNOSTIC AND DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS A LOOSE WIRE IN THE HARNESS. THEY HAD TO REMOVE THE LEFT FRONT SEAT CONSOLE AND AIR BAG MODULE TO GET AT THE LOOSE WIRE. THEY RECONNECTED IT. THIS COST ME $256.34 WITH TAX. I DID AN INTERNET SEARCH AND FOUND ANOTHER PERSON THAT SEEMED TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AS I DID. I WONDER IF THIS PROBLEM IS COMMON AND A POSSIBLE SAFETY ISSUE WITH ALL FORD WINDSTARS?. *JB

• 12/22/2003· FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER,POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES,TIRES

  OVER THIRTY SEPARATE WARRANTY REPAIRS OVER TWO YEARS. FAULTY ELECTRICAL DOOR LOCKS (KIDS COULDN'T EXIT), TRANSMISSION LEAKAGE, TRANSMISSION FAILURE, FRONT-END DEFECTS WITH LOUD THUMPING NOISES AND SEVERAL BODY PROBLEMS. MOST NOTABLE BODY PROBLEMS ARE WIND NOISE AND WATER LEAKAGE THROUGH DOORS AND WINDOWS. MOST RECENTLY, THE FUEL PUMP FAILED (@ 37,000 MILES). FORD HAS ALL ALONG REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEMS. NOW THAT THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY, THEY HAVE AGAIN SAID THEY WILL NOT DOING ANYTHING. THE VEHICLE IS UNRELIABLE AND UNSAFE TO OPERATE.*AK

• 12/22/2003· POWER TRAIN

  I HAVE A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR WITH 45,000 MILES. OUR TRANSMISSION FAILED WITH A COMPLETE REBUILD TO BE DONE. 2,100.00. MY BIGGEST COMPLAINT IS THAT FORD'S DEALERSHIP WAS NOT WILLING TO HELP US IN GETTING A LOANER CAR AND WITH ONLY 45,000 MILES, YOU WOULD THINK THAT THESE SHOULD NOT BE FAILING SO SOON.*AK

• 12/21/2010· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  DRIVING FORD WINDSTAR VAN IN WARM WEATHER. ABS FAILURE LIGHT ILLUMINATES ON DASH ON A DAILY BASIS IN SUMMER. DOWNLOADED ERROR CODES; CLEANED ECU FOR ABS. *TR

• 12/21/2010· SUSPENSION

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN REFERENCE TO RECALL 10V385000 (SUSPENSION: REAR: AXLE: NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY). SHE HAS CONTACTED THREE DIFFERENT DEALERS IN HER AREA WHO INFORMED HER THAT THEY HAVE A WAITING LIST IN WHICH SHE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GET IN FOR A REPAIR UNTIL FEBRUARY OF 2011. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED HER TO DRIVE 200 MILES AWAY FROM HER AREA WITH A UNSAFE VEHICLE.

• 12/20/2016· SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN

  REAR AXLE THE REAR AXLE ON MY WINDSTAR BROKE YESTERDAY ON THE LEFT SIDE OUTSIDE OF THE SUPPORT BRACKET INSTALLED BY THE DEALER FOR THE 2011 RECALL. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WHEN I NOTICED THE TIRE RUBBING ON THE FRAME. I GOT THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP (BETTEN FORD IN GRAND RAPIDS, MI) WHO ADVISED THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE CAR UNLESS I PAID FOR THE REPAIR AS THE BRACKET HELD AND THE AXLE BROKE IN A DIFFERENT LOCATION. FORD CUSTOMER SUPPORT ADVISED THE SAME THING. *TR

• 12/20/2006· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  TL* -THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HE WAS DRIVING 35 MPH THE ADJUSTABLE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK TO THE FLOOR. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THIS ACCELERATION CONTINUED FOR A NUMBER OF SECONDS. THEN, THE CONTACT SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL AND APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKES IN ORDER FOR THE THROTTLE TO DISENGAGE. THE ROAD CONDITION ON THE DATE OF THE INCIDENT WAS FAIRLY DRY, SO CONTACT FEELS THAT THE WEATHER CONDITION WAS DEFINITELY NOT AN ISSUE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO COVER HIS VEHICLE UNDER THE NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 01V207000 DUE TO THE FACT THAT HIS VEHICLE WASN'T BUILT UNTIL 06-20-01.

• 12/19/2017· STRUCTURE,ENGINE

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE STATIONARY, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT ENGINE CRADLE OF THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE HOLES IN THE ENGINE CRADLE. MATTHEWS FORD OREGON IN OREGON, OHIO WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.

• 12/19/2002· POWER TRAIN

  WE HAVE LEASED A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR AND HAVE HAD IT FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 YEARS, TAKING OUT 15,000 MILES PER YEAR. SEVERAL DAYS AGO, WE COULD NOT MOVE THE CAR AFTER WE STOPPED AT A LIGHT. WE FINALLY HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED AT OUR EXPENSE AND FOUND OUT THAT THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN "BLOWN." (ONLY AFTER 40,000 MILES.) WE FELT THAT OUR SAFETY WAS AT STAKE, SINCE NO WARNING SIGNS WITHIN THE VAN, TOLD US THAT THE PROBLEM EXISTED AND WE WERE AT A MAJOR INTERSECTION, WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN SOME SERIOUS INJURIES.

• 12/18/2010· POWER TRAIN

  I HAVE WINDSTAR 2001. MY BRAKE LIGHT AND ABS LIGHT WERE ON. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE AXLE, THAT MAY HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE LIGHTS BEING ON. THIS WAS IN SEPT. 2010. I WENT TO THE DEALER,THEY TOLDME THE AXLE WAS CRACKED AND THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO HOLD MY VAN. IT IS NOW DEC.2010,I AM DRIVING A RENTAL. NO WORD AS TO WHEN I WILL BE GETTING MY VAN BACK. FORD WANTS ME TO LOOK AT NEW CARS. MONTHLY PAYMENTS OF ABOUT $400.00. I AM SR.CITIZEN AND CANNOT AFFORD THIS. MY VAN HAS 57000 MILES, HOW SAFE WILL THIS BE WHEN I GET IT BACK? DO I NEED TO LOOK FOR ANOTHER VEHICLE. MY HUSBAND IS DESABLED AND NEEDS A LARGE VAN TO GET IN AND OUT OF. PLEASE ADVISE, SINCE THEY DON'T WANT TO GIVE ME MUCH FOR MY VAN, I AM STUCK. THE DEALER SAID THAT THEY ARE GOING TO INSTALL BRACKETS,NOT A NEW AXLE. CAN THIS BE SAFE? I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE,TIL NOW. *TR