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.
I was under the rear of my 2000 Ford Windstar checking the condition of my spare tire when I looked at the axle and noticed a crack forming on the axle closes to the left rear wheel. Now after doing some research I found that this is a command failure but nothing has been done to correct this hazardous and deadly defect which could end up into a crash.
Took car for routine oil/grease...car was on lift and being inspected...I was told the rear axle was cracked and needed to be replaced...repair (replacement) was made today ("replaced rear shock absorber and axle asy")...old part may be yet with tom's Ford, hazlet, NJ.
Rear axle nearly severed at two location both ~ 17 inches in from the driver and passenger side rear tires on September 14, 2007. ~75 -80 % of circumference of axle was cracked through wall and axle material was beginning to yield. Very similar to a NHTSA complaint # 10190132. Had 74, 440 miles at time of discovery of this significant safety issue. Car was never used for trailing or carries any heavy loads just our young family. Car has been well cared for and garaged kept. Had been hearing a faint metal grinding sound that I heard and kept inspecting under carriage. Also, had notice several months before that rear end felt spongy. Had replace rear shocks and was surprised that this still did not correct sponginess feel. Metal grinding sound was noticeable when backing out driveway with slight driveway incline. When I would apply brakes at end of driveway would hear a metal click sound. Finally with high power light inspection cracks were discovered. I have full powerpoint presentation on this issue with digital pictures if NHTSA would like this detailed information. Had brought documentation to my Ford dealer and spent two week going through their Ford rep. Before they agreed to cover the $1700 replacement of rear axle. Once again they have a know quality defect and they try not to deal with this even thou this could be a significant safety issue causing potential death. Had I not discover this and axle fracture at highways speeds I hate to think what would have happened. This needs serious attention and action to save lives...
Driving to church this morning and noticed the back end of the car swaying. I inspected the tires and all appeared to be in order. I drove home and noticed the same thing. At home inspected the vehicle to find the rear axle completely severed (except about 1 inch of metal) about 1.5 feet from the left wheel. Nothing done about this yet as we just discovered this tonight. I searched on autobeef.com and found 8-9 other complaints of the very same failure.
- Pennsville, NJ, USA
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I took vehicle in for checkup before going for dmv inspection and was told by my auto repair shop that the rare axel was broken, my first response are you joking!? I told him not to do any thing until I arrived because I could not believe what I was hearing. When I arrived I could not believe my eyes since I never did anything to cause this type of failure, it was only a matter of time before everything came apart. I was told by my repair shop that this was the 5th time they saw this in the past 2 months. This car is used on the parkway on a daily basis, this could have broken while traveling over 60mph, god only knows what serious accident was waiting to happen if this was not discovered. Ford company should take full responsibility for the replacement part and labor cost. This is a very serious failure on a very important part of this car.
Failure of 2000 model year Ford Windstar rear axle. Component is cracked along it's circumference at a place not near any weld or attachment. Vehicle has never been involved in an accident, and currently is at 98K miles. There is no obvious cause of the failure, which was noticed during normal operation, vehicle was parked and towed to a garage for diagnosis and repair. Owing to the age and mileage, vehicle was not taken to a Ford dealership. VIN is not close at hand, but available.
2000 Ford Windstar van broken rear axle, had to completely install new rear axle dealer part only ale broke completely in half! van creaked like it was broken for a little while then had rear shocks replaced and axle broke. I have pictures and the original part.
The contact owns a 2000 Ford Windstar. While driving at an unknown speed, the contact noticed a clunking noise especially when driving over a bump in the road. Her sister had the same vehicle with the identical failure several months prior. The contact described the issue to her and was advised to visit her mechanic. The mechanic stated that he had never seen a crack in the rear axle beam, which should never occur. He further stated that it was due to either a defect in the design of the vehicle or the steel. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was out of warranty and would not be covered. The current and failure mileages were approximately 79,000.
Windstar broken rear axle strikes again. We were on our way to dinner with retired Ford employee and his lovely wife. We were in dearborn on Michigan avenue when bad noises, and smells came from the rear of the van. We pulled over and discovered a totally broken axle cover. My husband works in steel. If we had been on the southfield as we had planned and this happened there would have been disastrous results not only for us but we could have placed other families in danger as well. Both men. The police who stopped to help and the tow truck driver agreed that axles don't just break.
2000 Ford Windstar sel. Discovered a crack in rear axle. It was located near the center of span between rear wheels. The crack ran from top to bottom of the axle about 3" and was spread apart approximately 1/8" on bottom. There was only 50% of the axle remaining. Fortunately I discovered it just prior to a vacation trip with our family of 5. there has been no known event to explain the cause.
I was driving at 3:00pm with my children in the van when my back drivers side tire blew out and the rear axle spit into two. This happened without warring. I drive a 2000 Ford Windstar sel with approx. 100K miles.
The contact owns a 2000 Ford Windstar. On June 12, 2008, the handling in the vehicle malfunctioned. The contact took the vehicle to a local mechanic for routine maintenance and was informed of a 4-inch crack in the rear axle on the driver's side of the vehicle. The mechanic stated that he does not have the tools to repair the vehicle; therefore, he will reassemble the vehicle so it can be taken to the dealer for repair. The failure and current mileages were 137,000.
While making a left turn onto the intersection and without prior warning a loud noise was coming from the rear. Consumer was able to pull over and noticed that the bracket holding the sway bar on the passenger side had detached from the frame.
The sliding doors would unlatch on their own without warning while driving. The electrical doors were control by remote. The took the vehicle to the dealership at least 7 times for the problem before having the sliding door repaired. Now the driver side sliding door is having the same unlatching problem. A child sits on the outboard position where the sliding doors are unlatching. The rear suspension was readjusted, the vehicle had various electrical problems such as the ABS light, the theft flashing light, and the speedometer.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Metuchen, NJ, USA