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 driving down the road on a city street at 35 mph and the rear axle broke on the driver side underneath the recall bracket installed by Ford. Recall 10S13 was performed on this vehicle in 2008 or 2009. The brackets were installed as specified by Ford and obviously were inadequate to fix or prevent the problem from the original recall. Ford should never have been allowed to get away with this poorly designed and executed repair to the axle. The vehicle was recently at a Ford dealer that verified that the brackets were installed correctly per 15S27 and Ford denied covering any of the repair cost. I have background study as a structural engineer (I'm a licensed civil engineer) and I used to work in an automotive parts and machine shop. Given my experience, if you refer to 10S13 there is a location on the axle referred to as a "tooling hole" on page 18 that should have been used if Ford ever intended these repair brackets to do anything useful. I cant imagine any engineer designed these things and disregarded the obvious, tying the load to this hole. I have the vehicle back and I've used this hole on both sides to pull the axle back together and make it at least movable until the new part arrives, so not only does it make sense structurally, but it works physically as well. Why the NHTSA would allow Ford to call this a fix and make these vehicles acceptable to drive is beyond me. The axle also has a horizontal crack in the middle, its been there since the brackets were installed. I do not believe Ford has been honest or useful in taking care of this problem on these vehicles, and it appears the NHTSA is backing them on it. Curious how a recall for a cracking problem is not resolved but its not their responsibility? I would say at this point in time, there was no point in any of the recall work as nothing was fixed. Failure is identical to pre-recall.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated the vehicle was previously included in a recall regarding the cradle sub frame assembly, for which the vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that shortly after the recall repair, while idle and during acceleration that the vehicle would vibrate. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic and after examining the vehicle, the mechanic became aware that the rear axle and sub frame was rusted which caused the traction contrail to fail. The contact contacted other certified mechanics who confirmed the sub frame and rear axel housing assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000.
The rear axle has cracked in the middle and I cannot drive it now. This was inspected twice under Ford recall. The first time they put brackets on the front lower control arms, and the rear axle. The second time they recalled it back to reinspect the work that had been done since they had many that were not properly inspected the first time. So, this is twice they had it inspected, and failed to see it was defective. Thus putting my life and that if my family at risk for death. Thanks Ford! after the 2nd inspection, they said it was safe, but offered to replace the axle if I wanted to pay about $500 on my own. That was suspicious in itself.
I was driving on the interstate at about 60 mph changing lanes to the right I could hear tires squealing and the van felt like it was going to roll over to the left. I regained control, then I heard some creaking metal noise, then I heard a rubbing noise and saw a lot of smoke coming from the rear. I was able to pull over and inspect, what I found was the rear axle was broken and driver side tire rubbing inside the wheel well. I was very fortunate to have somewhere to pull over, otherwise to continue driving could rupture the tire and/or I would be left stranded in highway speed traffic.
- Los Angeles, CA, USA
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The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. While driving at an unknown speed, the contact heard a pop sound and the rear driver's side tire went flat. The vehicle was towed back to the contact's home. An independent mechanic diagnosed that the rear axle was bending inwards due to rust or corrosion, which caused the tire to shred and deflate. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V608000 (suspension). The vehicle was taken to germain Ford of beavercreek (2356 heller dr, beavercreek, oh 45434, (937) 429-1300) where they stated that the rear axle was installed correctly; however, the recall stated otherwise. The dealer refused to honor the recall with a free repair. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 178,000.
Vehicle in motion with family 70-75mph on interstate. Rear left tire began rubbing the inside wheel well. Pulled off from interstate to a nearby exit. Jacked van in a parking lot to see rear left subframe (axle) had fractured. Bracket installed by Ford per rear subframe/axle recall had failed - missing fasteners - rusted away. Luckily family is alive, but vehicle was towed and presently in garage. Will Ford repair it or buy it back?
While driving experienced loss of control and rear wheel canted inward and rubbing on wheel well. Rear axle was completely cracked in half on one side and 3/4 on the other side. This is 2 yrs after the Ford recall that was supposed to prevent this from happening.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. While the vehicle was undergoing routine maintenance, the mechanic discovered that the rear axle was cracked and needed to be replaced. The failure occurred due to corrosion. The vehicle was taken to olathe Ford(205 S fir St, olathe, ks) where it was confirmed that the rear axle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 138,000.
My 2003 Ford Windstar rear axle had reinforcement brackets installed for the recall 10S13. My rear axle beam still fractured under the bracket while I was driving. After paying over $300 in towing and service fees Ford told me there is nothing they can do. I was driving with my husband and 4 children in the van. We are lucky it happened on a back road and going slow.
Rear axle broke under bracket that was put on by Ford for the axle recall. I was pulling out of a parking lot with my husband and 4 kids in the van when all of a sudden there was a load noise and the tire was rubbing the wheel well. I immediately pulled over, looked under the rear end and could see the brake. Had my van towed to my house. Called Ford on Monday morning and towed van to dealership. $300 between tow bill's and a Ford service charge just to have Ford tell me they won't do anything to fix my van and make this right.
Axle broke under bracket that was put on by Ford for the axle recall. I was pulling out of a parking lot with my husband and 4 kids in the van when all of a sudden there was a load noise and the tire was rubbing the wheel well. I immediately pulled over, looked under the rear end and could see the brake. Had my van towed to my house. Called Ford on Monday morning and towed van to dealership. $300 between tow bill's and a Ford service charge just to have Ford tell me they won't do anything to fix my van and make this right.
Rear axle broke under bracket that was put on by Ford for the axle recall. I was pulling out of a parking lot with my husband and 4 kids in the van when all of a sudden there was a load noise and the tire was rubbing the wheel well. I immediately pulled over, looked under the rear end and could see the brake. Had my van towed to my house. Called Ford on Monday morning and towed van to dealership. $300 between tow bill's and a Ford service charge just to have Ford tell me they won't do anything to fix my van and make this right.
Rear axle broke under the bracket Ford put on the axle for the axle recall. I was pulling out of a parking lot with my husband, 4 kids and myself when all of a sudden I heard a loud noise and my tire rubbing the wheel well. Pulled over immediately and looked under the rear end of my van and I could see the brake. Had it towed home. Called Ford and towed my van to the dealership. Paid $300 between towing bill's and a service charge just to hear Ford tell me they won't do anything to help me and make this right.
Rear axle broke under bracket that was put on by Ford for the axle recall. I was pulling out of a parking lot with my husband and 4 kids in the van when all of a sudden there was a load noise and the tire was rubbing the wheel well. I immediately pulled over, looked under the rear end and could see the brake. Had my van towed to my house. Called Ford on Monday morning and towed van to dealership. $300 between tow bill's and a Ford service charge just to have Ford tell me they won't do anything to fix my van and make this right.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 10V385000 (suspension) by gordie boucher Ford of thiensville (121 N main St, thiensville, wi 53092), but the failure recurred. While driving various speeds, the wheels bent and rubbed against the frame. Consumer stated vehicle's rear axle was recalled to the rear axle failure. Ford added brackets to axle to prevent failure. After brackets were added another recall was initiated to check repair was done properly. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle, but did not find a failure. The contact received another recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 15V608000 (suspension), but the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000. Consumer stated within 2 years rear axle rusted thru and broke, this caused lack of control after the tire bent in rubbing on the vehicles body causing it to go flat, ruining the tire which needed to be replaced.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact took the vehicle to a aaa repair facility for inspection. The mechanic placed the vehicle on a lift and found rust and corrosion on the axles and subframe. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and found the same rust and corrosion. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not made aware of the failure. NHTSA campaign number: 15V608000 (suspension) was referenced. The failure mileage was 147,131.
While driving my vehicle I noticed a rubbing sound. I inspected the tires and saw that the right reartop of tire was leaning in towards the van. I took the van to the shop and was told that the cradle was defective and I would need a new one.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Tustin, CA, USA