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.
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. While pulling out of a residential driveway, the contact noticed that the rear passenger wheel was leaning outward. After inspecting the vehicle, the contact determined that the rear axle had rusted and fractured. The contact was made aware of NHTSA campaign number: 10V385000 (suspension); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 100,000.
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 12V195000 (suspension); however, the contact stated that the rear axle was fractured and the tire was resting against the frame of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed that the rear driver side axle was fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 178,000. The VIN was unavailable. Updated 4/6/15 updated 04/09/15
When bringing my Windstar in for an alignment it was found that the subframe had rotted and cracked near the control arm. Ford had "completed" the necessary repairs to address this issue and has stated that they are not responsible for the damage to the vehicle even though it was the original reason for the recall. According to the information from the original recall Ford was supposed to replace the subframe however small brackets were added to the van instead. I do not feel that the recall was properly done by Ford.
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving at 70 mph, there was an abnormal noise and odor coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the trailing arm needed to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 156,000.
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the rear axle failed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the axle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 177,000.
- Manesha , WI, USA
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The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while traveling approximately 35 mph, the suspension was unstable, causing a strong vibration and noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact indicated that burning plastic fumes emitted into the vehicle. In addition, the contact mentioned went over a bump and the vehicle was not riding steady. The contact was able to pull the vehicle over and upon further inspection, it was noticed that the rear frame, rear axle and the coil spring fractured. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop who diagnosed that the rear frame, rear brake drums and coil springs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.
Since I purchased this van from steuben/yates county pro-action in nys wheels to work program, I have had numerous problems with my Ford Windstar. 1st problem was with emission code stating it needed a map censor; 2nd issue was the sway bar broke (was repaired under recall at Ford dealership in elmira, NY Jan 2012). After numerous complaints to the car dealer ship I purchased the Windstar from the garage, their mechanic replaced O-rings in the engine to fix the map censor in Jan 2012 as well. In February 2014 I invested a little over $1,800 in repairs to my mechanic for; tune up, struts and shocks, brakes all around, wheel bushings, and a wheel alignment. I keep the van well maintained with oil changes and lately my radiator is loosing fluid. I always stop in where I maintain it and the business is always topping off the radiator fluid and when scheduled oil changes are due, I am always a quart low on oil. Most recent incident: I will be driving along and the van turns off and turns back on while driving. At night when this would happen I have no headlights for a brief moment but that is still an unsafe van. Also, I get an electric shocked every time I touch the van as I get in to go somewhere. ****this is my first and last Ford!!****
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. The contact stated the brackets on the rear axle were beginning to crack causing the rear tires to lean inward. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was previously repaired under recall NHTSA campaign number: 12V195000 (suspension).the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 200,000.
We were driving around town and we heard a clunking sound in the back of the van. We took the van into the shop where they discovered a crack in the rear axle. Luckily this did not happen the week before, as we were driving many highway miles or it could have been worse. This was a recalled part and it was taken in at the time of the recall. Two different mechanics in town assured us that it was not our fault but that it was a faulty part. We take good care of our cars. We called Ford directly thinking that they would honor their vehicle and fix a part they knew would break down. They gave us the run around and then never returned our phone calls. This van would had many good years left in it, now it can not be driven!
While driving my van I heard a very loud noise and my driver's side tire immediately went flat. I was able to pull the vehicle safely to a stop along the side of the road. I called a tow truck and had my vehicle looked at by the mechanic who informed me that a coil spring around my strut broke which caused my tire to be sliced open from the inside of the tire. I was very lucky I was not going any faster when the spring broke and sliced my tire open. I reviewed issues online that other people were having relating to my issue regarding the make and model of my vehicle. Apparently Ford had a recall on the Windstar coil springs from a different year of the Ford Windstar vans due to the very same problem with the coil springs breaking and causing the tire to be punctured or sliced open from the inside. I am also very concerned after reading that the part had to fail before it would be addressed. It seems that if there is a safety recall it should be completed before a failure occurs and not after. This could have caused a very serious accident had I been on an interstate or even if I were going 55 miles per hour on the highway. I did contact Ford Motor Company regarding this issue and was told that Ford would not assist with the repairs because my vehicle was not recalled for this issue. I own two Ford vehicles and I could not believe that my issue was not of a concern to Ford. I probably will not buy another Ford because of this. My family's safety has to come first and I am not convinced we will be safe if the company won't address these types of safety issues.
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while reversing, a loud abnormal noise was coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact discovered that the rear axle was fractured. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who confirmed that the axle was fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the NHTSA campaign number: 10V385000 (suspension). The failure mileage was 155,000.
The sub frame mounts broke disconnecting the steering losing control. We drifted across the intersection and stopped the vehicle as far off the road as possible with the back end still in a lane.
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving 30 mph, the rear axle fractured. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician diagnosed the rear axle assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 113,722 and the current mileage was 113,762.
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the rear axle fractured. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the rear axle needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign id number: 10V385000 (suspension) but the dealer only had placed a sealant as a remedy. The contact felt that the dealer should had installed rear axle reinforcement brackets to support the rear axle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.
Ford found that the rear axle had a hole in it causing the axle to shift to the right. Recall work was done a few years ago. They said it was my fault and would not pay. ABS and traction control light come on however reset when restarted. As of today they don't go off.
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 mph, a loud squeaking noise was emitted outside the vehicle and immediately after there was a strong smell of burning rubber released. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who stated that the rear axle fractured. The manufacturer was notified of this defect. The approximate failure mileage was 118,000.
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. The contact was included in NHTSA campaign id number: 10V385000 (suspension) and received the recall repair. The contact was driving and the left rear axle fractured and broke. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer for further inspection and to be repaired. The contact had been waiting for longer than two weeks for the dealer to schedule an appointment and repair the vehicle. The vehicle was to be repaired by an authorized dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.
Rear axel broke. There has been a recall on this part of the model van. I did take my van in to the "fix" 10/2011. The "fix" did not work. Luckily, I was in town doing errands by myself when this happened.
I lost control on the highway I was driving I hit a pothole and my car when its own way I was coming home from the hospital from just giving birth two day earlier and I kept hearing a weird noise so I took my car to the shop and they said it was the lower control arm.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Bridgeport, CT, USA