Rear axle of 2001 Windstar broke in half.

- Evergreen Park, IL, USA

I heard a squeaking noise in my vehicle, I took it to local garage for inspection of problem they found my rear axel is about one inch from snapping in half. I then called a few other local places that fix these type of problems and found out that this is a recurring problem with this vehicle and that it has been reported many times. I then checked to see if there was a recall on the rear axel and found that Ford has done nothing about this. I did a search on the web on this vehicle and found several stories just like mine only some more severe where accidents have been caused from this same break in the rear axel. I am still in the process of getting this fixed.I will need to replace my rear axel it can't be welded for safety purposes. This problem is very serious and needs immediate attention. My family and I have escaped serious injury but how many more complaints need to be made before something is done.

- Berwick, PA, USA

While driving 2001 Ford Windstar on a 1-hour trip toward home, I noticed the back wheels fish tailing that occurred in every rough spot in the road. I immediately thought the tire was going flat and pulled over to check it. Since the tires visually looked fine, I drove to the next exit to a gas station and checked the tire air pressure and found it was at proper levels. I was still unsure what could cause the "fish tailing" or "hydroplaning" feeling, yet I was able to make it the rest of the way home without a major accident; although my car kept "fishtailing".. the next morning, my husband took the Windstar to a service mechanic to inspect the tires. What he found was a rear axle that was "rusted from the inside out" about 3/4 of the way. The mechanic's initial estimate is $1000 (for replacement of new axle and labor). We are relieved that the rear axle didn't break while we were driving as the car could have flipped and killed all of us. What could cause corrosion on the inside? the rear axle should be made to never corrode or break under normal road driving conditions. After researching on the internet, I have found other 8 year old, same make/model Windstar owners reporting the same conditions. This is an unsafe part especially noting that people are keeping their cars longer due to economy. Ford should own up to this part failure and recall and replace this part at no charge to the owners immediately!

- Marysville, OH, USA