This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Both of front coil springs are broken. I have been hearing a noise in front end, driver's side. I took the Windstar to a mechanic and he showed me T broken spring. We looked at the right-side spring, and that one was broken also. I went to a local Ford dealer, the rochester auto collection. They said they don't have many problems with the springs on the Windstar. But my mechanic said that he has been doing a lot of spring jobs on 1996 Windstar. My search on the internet turned up many incidents of problems with these springs. I also saw that the NHTSA is also investigating this safety problem. It looks like Ford doesn't think this is a safety issue. Are they waiting for people to die before they issue a recall? the metal is obviously inferior and defective. Please let me know of any updates. Thank you.........sante dicarlo.
This is the second report for this vehicle. The right front spring broke on 4/15/2001. Now on 6/05/2001 the left spring broke. The cause of failure is as follows. The original spring is plastic coated, any type of imperfection in this plastic coating is a site for corrosion, the corrosion"pit" becomes a stress riser which starts the fatique failire. Bothe springs have the same type of failure.
While driving 35 mph heard a loud clunking noise. Had vehicle towed to dealer, replaced passenger front coil spring. There was no prior warning. The consumer pointed out to a defect story an internet (1-30-2001) that said the us government was investigating 926,000 Ford Windstar minivans about spring breaking and puncturing tires.
The front right coil spring broke while backing out of the driveway. Due to the low mileage and reported problems with spring coils on other Ford models I am bringing it to your attention.
Driver heard bang, then rubbing noise. Smelled and saw smoke and pulled over thinking car was on fire. After coming to a stop, driver and passenger heard explosion. Front left coil spring broke and rubbed inner tire side wall causing blowout.
The coil spring around the drivers side strut broke. The vehicle was parked at the time the spring broke. The repair shop I called about repair said this is the third Windstar in a few weeks he has repaired with the same problem. The other two were 1995 Windstar. I am grateful that I was not driving when this happened. The repair shop informed me that when these springs break they usually also puncture the tire. My concern is that if someone is not as lucky as I to have this happen in thier driveway, that this could cause a serious if not fatal accident. If this is a common occurance I feel that other Windstar owners should be notified. Thank you.
When drivers side coil spring (of the strut) broke I asked the dealer if they should replace the pass. Side. They said the warrenty would not cover it. Luckly when the coil spring went, both times the car was parked. The spring could have popped the tire while driving thus causing an accident. The coil springs should not have failed with less than 60,000 miles, their must be something wrong in the metal of the spring.
When coil of the spring fractured, it rubbed on the tire, removing approximately 1/8 inch of sidewall material all around the top inner sidewall. The opinion of the service persons was that if it had happened at highway speed, it would have resulted in catastrphic failure of the tire with subsequent loss of control of the vehicle. Ford would not accept full resonsibility for the failure (although I have an extended warranty).
Both front coil springs broke and one ripped up the right front tire, driver was able to stop vehicle in a safe manner, it took over 2 days to get back on road, local dealer had trouble locating coil springs, told that Ford Motor Company had 600 coil springs on back order.
Ea oo 027/ suspension coil spring breakage; right front coil spring broke while driving at 55-60 mph and punctured tire. Repairs made at an independent repair shop. Repairs have been made.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Farmington, NY, USA