2001 Ford Windstar

1,686 complaints on file, page 1 of 85.

1. Filed Nov 13, 2023Failure Nov 10, 2023105,000 milesHastings, PASpindle

   The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH, the rear axle fractured. There was no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed back to the residence. The vehicle had been diagnosed by an independent mechanic. The contact was informed that the failure was due to a stress crack caused by excessive corrosion. The vehicle had not been repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and determined that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

   NHTSA complaint 11554891
2. Filed Jul 17, 2023Failure Jun 17, 202355,000 milesRidgefield, NJStructure

   The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and depressing the brake pedal, the front end of the vehicle made abnormal sounds. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that there was a fracture due to corrosion on the front sub frame. The mechanic related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V030000 (Structure). The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.

   NHTSA complaint 11532671
3. Filed Mar 28, 2023Failure Mar 26, 2023Sartell, MNSuspension

   Rear axle cracked where bracket that was installed during previous recall. Van is not drivable and could have been a bad accident.

   NHTSA complaint 11514177
4. Filed Feb 9, 2023Failure Feb 9, 2023Sioux city, IABody, Suspension

   Rear axle cracked in multiple locations causes car to sway and tires to turn inward and bald

   NHTSA complaint 11506431
5. Filed Jan 24, 2023Failure Dec 1, 2022180,000 milesHillsboro, OHNon-powered axle assembly

   The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while his son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently came to a complete stop. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that the rear wheels were crooked and rubbing against the inner fender well. The vehicle was towed to the residence and then later to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the rear axle was fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000. The contact noted that the failure speed was 55 mph. The axle was previously repaired due to the recall while the vehicle was under warranty. When the contact took the vehicle for repair, they were told that the vehicle was no longer under warranty or the recall.

   NHTSA complaint 11503400
6. Filed Jan 20, 2023Failure Jan 18, 2023159,000 milesHalfmoon, NYSuspension

   The contact's girlfriend owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the rear axle was previously replaced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V608000 (Suspension). The contact stated that while his girlfriend was driving approximately 10 MPH and making a left turn, a loud bang was heard from the rear of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact's girlfriend was able to veer to the side of the road and became aware that both the rear driver’s and passenger’s side tires were tilted inward, and the rear axle was fractured. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the rear axle needed to be replaced. The vehicle remained with the mechanic awaiting the repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 159,000.

   NHTSA complaint 11502841
7. Filed Nov 30, 2022Failure Nov 30, 2022132,000 milesTazewell, TNSuspension

   The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH and crossing railroad tracks that were flush with the road surface, the contact heard the passenger’s side rear tire making a loud screeching noise. The contact could hear rubbing or friction and then noticed that smoke was coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled off the road safely and inspected the vehicle and saw that the wheel was tilted into the wheel well and was rubbing the top and inside of the tire against the wheel well. The contact had the vehicle towed back to his residence. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V608000 (Suspension). The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 132,000.

   NHTSA complaint 11495529
8. Filed Nov 4, 2022Failure Nov 1, 202270,000 milesLake Orion, MIStructure

   The contact's husband owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while in reverse, she heard an abnormal noise. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the control arm was cracked. The contact was then informed by the mechanic of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V03000 (Structure). The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that no recall was affiliated with the VIN. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

   NHTSA complaint 11492307
9. Filed Sep 21, 2022Failure Aug 29, 2022odessa, MOSteering, Suspension

   I pulled up to a stop sign having been traveling at less then 20 mph, and only while the vehicle is in drive but not moving, it was shaking like the motor was going to jump out of the vehicle. I assumed it was the motor mount broken and took it to the mechanic and found out it was the subframe on the front passenger had corroded and had detached from the frame .I need it repaired but I don't know where to begin. Was told that there is a active recalls on this part..

   NHTSA complaint 11485676
10. Filed Dec 27, 2021Failure Dec 9, 2021159,000 milesRewey, WISuspension

    The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH, there was an abnormal sound, and the vehicle felt as if it had a flat tire. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that the rear driver's side tire was tilted inward and the rear axle was fractured. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The mechanic related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V608000 (Suspension). The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that in 2016, per the recall, the brackets were inspected to verify their proper installation however, the recall repair was not performed. The vehicle was not repaired and remained with the independent mechanic. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 159,000.

    NHTSA complaint 11445099
11. Filed Dec 4, 2021Failure Oct 29, 2021Norfolk, VASeat belts, Suspension, Vehicle speed control

    ABS light, brake light came on. The seatbelt unhooks while I’m driving, I was told I had a cracked axle, the wheel bearing was very noisy, I’ve paid a lot of money to get things fixed. The labor was at a ridiculous amount on $25 parts. I’m wondering if I’ve paid to have parts fixed that were under recall. I fix one thing and then there’s another issue. Oil is leaking under the hood and I’m afraid it will catch fire so I’m scared to drive.

    NHTSA complaint 11442670
12. Filed Aug 27, 2021Failure Feb 12, 2020La mirada, CASteering, BodyCrash

    Car was in an single car accident. Steering and body damage. All fixed now. Need verification for salvage sticker.

    NHTSA complaint 11430793
13. Filed Jun 30, 2021Failure May 2, 2021136,397 milesWoodville, OHSuspension

    The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed when they heard a loud popping sound coming from the vehicle. The driver looked out the rear-view mirror and saw smoke coming from the vehicle. The driver pulled over to the side of the roadway. The driver called the contact to come to where the vehicle was pulled over to inspect the vehicle. The contact became aware that the driver’s side rear axle was fractured. The contact had the vehicle towed to his residence. The contact had the vehicle towed to the local dealer to be inspected. The mechanic confirmed that the driver’s side rear axle was fractured. The vehicle was not repaired because the manufacturer denied that the rear axle bracket matched the measurement for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage 136,397.

    NHTSA complaint 11422981
14. Filed Jun 2, 2021Failure May 28, 2021138,000 milesNorridge, ILNon-powered axle assemblyFire

    The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, there was a loud abnormal sound coming from the rear passenger’s side of the vehicle with black smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact parked in a parking lot and saw that the rear passenger’s side tire was leaning towards the inside of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to her residence and then the dealer. The contact stated that the dealer diagnosed the vehicle with a fractured rear axle that needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V608000 (Suspension) in April of 2011. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000.

    NHTSA complaint 11419340
15. Filed Apr 4, 2021Failure Apr 4, 2021166,185 milesKingsport, TNSuspension, Unknown or other

    REAR AXLE BROKE WHEN DRIVING SLOWLY PULLING INTO OUR DRIVEWAY ON STREET.

    NHTSA complaint 11406350
16. Filed Mar 17, 2021Failure Mar 15, 2021160,000 milesClintonville, WVElectrical system, Warnings, Power train

    REAR AXLE SNAPPED IN HALF WITH NO WARNING AS I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 40 MPH ON A BUSY ROAD. VERY DANGEROUS.

    NHTSA complaint 11403458
17. Filed Jan 15, 2021Failure Jan 5, 2021170,100 milesEvansville, INSuspension

    ON MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR FORD INSTALLED THESE BRACKETS ON REAR SUSPENSION SUBFRAME AND ALMOST 2 YEARS LATER MY AXLE HAS SPLIT FROM ONE SIDE ALL THE WAY AROUND TO THE OTHER AND ANY TINY BUMP YOU HIT THE VAN JUMPS ALL OVER THE ROADWAY. THEY WON'T REPAIR THE AXLE BECAUSE THE "BRACKETS " WERE INSTALLED "PROPERLY".

    NHTSA complaint 11388306
18. Filed Jan 3, 2021Failure Jan 1, 2021150,000 milesBovey, MNSuspension

    WHILE TRAVELING AT 60 M.P.H. , THE REAR AXLE BROKE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHERE THE AXLE IS WELDED, RECALL NUMBER 10S13 WAS COMPLETED ON THE VEHICLE, WHERE THEY INSTALLED THE SUPPORT BRACKETS SO THE AXLE WOULDN'T BREAK, THE AXLE BROKE AN INCH AWAY FROM WHERE THE SUPPORT BRACKET WAS INSTALLED, THERE WASN'T AN ACCIDENT WITH THE VEHICLE AND NO ONE WAS HURT, BUT THIS COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN AN ACCIDENT,

    NHTSA complaint 11386303
19. Filed Sep 23, 2020Failure Sep 12, 2020164,952 milesSouth Bend, INSuspension

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE REAR AXLE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT RENTED A TRUCK AND TOWED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V608000 (SUSPENSION) REGARDING THE REAR AXLE HOWEVER, THE FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. JORDAN FORD (609 E JEFFERSON BLVD, MISHAWAKA, IN 46545; (574) 259-1981) WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE REAR AXLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED HOWEVER, THE REPAIR WAS NO LONGER COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND CONFIRMED WHAT THE DEALER STATED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 164,952.

    NHTSA complaint 11360699
20. Filed Jul 29, 2020Failure Jul 29, 2020126,000 milesTayllor, MISuspension, Unknown or other

    THE REAR AXLE SPLIT/BROKE WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH TURNING ONTO A STREET. BOTH WHEELS ARE NOW RUBBING AGAINST THE FRAME.

    NHTSA complaint 11342044