1998 Ford Windstar wheel problems

WHEELS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND VIBRATIONS COMING FROM THE REAR DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WHEEL TURNED INWARDS AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200,000.

NHTSA complaint #10781592 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS

WAS TAKING KIDS TO SCHOOL REAR END STARTED TO WIGGLE OVER BUMP & LEFT REAR TIRE WENT INTO BODY. FOUND WHERE FORD DID RE-CALL SNAPPED UNDER THEIR CLAMPS.

NHTSA complaint #10712730 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS

MY WIFE WAS TAKING MY YOUNGEST TWO CHILDREN TO SCHOOL IN OUR VEHICLE WHEN SMOKE STARTED POURING IN THROUGH THE VENTS OF THE VEHICLE AND AT THE SAME TIME SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING SLIDING OFF ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. ONCE MY WIFE MADE SURE EVERYONE WAS OUT OF THE SMOKE FILLED VEHICLE SHE NOTICED THE TIRE WAS COMPLETELY SHREDDED ON THE PASSENGER FRONT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. SHE NOTIFIED ME AND WE HAD THE VAN TOWED TO A MECHANICS SHOP WHERE WE FOUND OUT THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SPRING HAD BUSTED CAUSING THE TIRE TO BE SHREDDED. THE MECHANIC ADVISED BUYING TWO NEW TIRES FOR THE FRONT OF VEHICLE, HE ALSO ADVISED BUYING TWO NEW SPRINGS AND REPLACING BOTH OF THEM ON THE FRONT. THE VAN WAS FIXED AND WE PAID FOR THE BILL AND TIRE COST OUT OF OUR OWN POCKET. THE MANUFACTURER OF THE VEHICLE INFORMED ME TODAY THAT THEY WILL NOT COMPENSATE FOR ANY OF THESE COSTS EVEN WHEN A RECALL LETTER 01S19/01M03 STATES "WE WILL INSTALL PROTECTIVE SHIELDS AROUND THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS OF YOUR VEHICLE. THESE SHIELDS WILL PREVENT THE POSSIBILITY OF TIRE PUNCTURE SHOULD THE SPRING FRACTURE. ---- MOTOR COMPANY WILL ALSO PAY FOR ANY REPAIRS DIRECTLY RELATING TO THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS OF YOUR VEHICLE FREE OF CHARGE ( PARTS AND LABOR) SO TO ME THIS IS A FAILURE OF THE RESPECTED COMPANY FROM FULL FILLING WHAT I SEE IN MY EYES AS A OBLIGATION TO THE CONSUMER. I ALSO FEEL THE RECALL SHOULD HAVE BEEN TO REPLACE THE SPRINGS..NOT INSTALL SHIELDS WHICH I AM SURE WAS A MUCH CHEAPER ROUTE.I HAVE ALL RECEIPTS THAT CONCERN THIS MATTER. THANKS!

NHTSA complaint #10548468 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS

WHILE DRIVING MY MINI VAN THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL (THE COMPLETE WHEEL) FELL OFF! UPON SAFELY PARKING THE VAN, I CAME TO REALIZE THE ENTIRE REAR AXEL HAD SHEARED IN HALF! BY A STROKE OF LUCK I FOUND OUT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS AND ALSO FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL. I AM HAVING IT REPLACED/FIXED AT DEALERS COST. SINCE THIS VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT USED OFF A USED DEALERS LOT, I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THE FOLLOWING SUGGESTION...THERE SHOULD BE SOME TYPE OF MANDATORY LAW THAT ALL DEALERS, NEW AND USED, SHOULD HAVE ACCESS TO THIS WEBSITE AND BE LEGALLY FORCED TO CHECK EACH AND EVERY VEHICLE PRIOR TO BEING SOLD.

NHTSA complaint #10532370 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS

I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND MY TIRE CAME OFF OF MY CAR. ALL OF THE LUGS TO MY DRIVER SIDE FRONT WHEEL BROKE. I CALLED A MECHANICAL SHOP THAT OWNS THEIR OWN WRECKER. THEY REPAIRED THE WHEEL, WHICH INCLUDED ROTOR, LUG WORK. MY VEHICLE WAS ALSO DAMAGED IN THE BODY. THE FENDER , THE DOOR,THE PARTS ALL AROUND THE AREA WHERE THE TIRE FLUNG OFF. I HAVE DISCOVERED ON THE INTERNET THAT THERE EXISTS A RECALL ON VEHICLES THE SAME YEAR MAKE AND MODEL AS MY VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10276050 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL CAME OFF THE CAR.

NHTSA complaint #10231905 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS

1998 FORD WINDSTAR VAN. FRONT PASSENGER LUG BOLTS. ALL FIVE LUG BOLT FAILED WITH NO WARNING. VEHICLE MILEAGE 33300. NO NOTICE BEFORE FAILURE. NO SHAKING OR VIBRATIONS. 60 MPH AT TIME OF INCIDENT. ALL PARTS SAVED. REPLACED 5 LUG BOLTS, 5 LUG NUTS, ROTOR.

NHTSA complaint #10188301 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS

1998 WINDSTAR LUG NUTS SHEARED OFF. *TS THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL CAME OFF THE VEHICLE AS A RESULT OF THE LUG NUT SHEARING OFF. THE VEHICLE LANDED ON IT'S WHEEL.

NHTSA complaint #10163701 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS

ON 4/16/06 I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND FELT SOMETHING STRANGE IN THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. I CHECKED TO SEE IF THE TIRE WAS FLAT AND FOUND NOTHING NOTICEABLE. I CONTINUED ON MY WAY DROVE ABOUT ONE MORE MILE WHEN ALL FIVE LUGS OF THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE BROKE CAUSING THE TIRE TO FALL OFF. THE TIRE DAMAGED THE FENDER AND DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC INSPECTED AND REPLACED THE LUGS. HE COULD NOT FIND ANY REASON FOR THE LUGS TO BREAK. 1998 FORD WINDSTAR.

NHTSA complaint #10155623 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS

1998 FORD WINDSTAR. 2 DRIVER SIDE WHEEL LUG BOLTS BROKE OFF WHILE DRIVING. BOTH STUDS SHEARED COMPLETELY OFF. REPLACED BOTH STUDS FROM FORD PARTS AND 3 WEEKS LATER 1 OF THE NEW REPLACEMENT LUG BOLTS BROKE OFF.

NHTSA complaint #10150869 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS

THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL DEPARTED (I.E. FELL OFF) THE VEHICLE WHILE TRAVELING 40 MPH ON A PAVED ROAD. THE VEHICLE STOPPED ON A SOFT SHOULDER AT THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. ALL FIVE STUDS HOLDING THE WHEEL ON WERE SHEERED OFF. THE WHEEL ITSELF WAS NOT DAMAGED, HOWEVER MAJOR BODY DAMAGE WAS MADE TO THE WHEEL WELL AND FRONT DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED (EXCEPT FOR THE BODY DAMAGE) AT THE COST OF $1300, REPLACING THE ROTOR, BRAKE, SPINDLE AND STRUT.

NHTSA complaint #10145741 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS

1998 FORD WINDSTAR. PASSENGER SIDE TIRE FELL OFF WHILE SLOWING TO ALMOST 1 KM/H (LUCKILY). ALL 5 STUDS SHEARED COMPLETELY OFF. REPLACED ALL STUDS FROM FORD PARTS AND 3 WEEKS LATER 2 STUDS SHOWING. VERY SCARY, STILL WORKING ON PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10143865 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WIND STAR. IN 8-03 HIS WIFE WAS MAKING A SLOW LEFT HAND ASCENDING TURN AT 15-20 MPH AND THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL SHEARED OFF. ALL FIVE LUGS:BOLTS BROKE OFF. IT HAPPENED AGAIN ON 9-13-05 AFTER IT HAD BEEN REPAIRED BY FORD. SHE WAS MAKING A SLOW ASCENDING TURN WHEN ALL OF THE FIVE LUGS:BOLTS BROKE OFF AGAIN.*AK

NHTSA complaint #10136556 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS

WE WERE ABOUT 30 MILES FROM HOME ON OUR RETURN TRIP FROM OHIO TO IOWA WHEN, WHILE ACCELERATING OUT OF A REST AREA, STEERING COLUMN BEGAN SHAKING VIGOROUSLY. WE BEGAN TO SLOW FROM 60-65MPH AND MERGED INTO THE RIGHT LANE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS GOING AROUND 50MPH THE RIGHT FRONT END DROPPED AND THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE BOUNCED OFF INTO A FIELD. WE RETAINED CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND PULLED OVER WITHOUT INJURY. UPON EXAMINATION, THE TIRE STUDS HAD ALL BROKEN CLEAN OFF. ALL EXCEPT TWO WERE LOST. THE TWO HAD A LOCKING MECHANISM. THE DAMAGE DUE TO THE COLLISION WITH THE ROAD AFTER THE WHEEL FELL OFF WAS COVERED BY OUR INSURANCE, THOUGH TECHNICALLY THE INITAIL MECHANICAL FAILURE DID WAS NOT, THOUGH SINCE THE STUDS WERE PART OF THE ROTOR WHICH WAS DAMAGED THEY WERE REPLACED WITH THE ROTOR. THE PARTS DAMAGED AND REPLACED INCLUDE THE ROTOR, FRONT BRAKES, CONTROL/STABILIZING ARM, RIGHT FENDER AND PASSENGER DOOR.

NHTSA complaint #10128739 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS:RIM

MY FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL WAS MAKING A CLUNKING NOISE. THOUGHT IT WAS SOMETHING INSIDE. I TOOK IT TO A LES SWABB TIRE DEALER TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. THE REASON FOR THE NOISE WAS A CRACKED RIM, ABOUT 6 INCHES LONG. THEY SAID THIS IS NOT SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN, VERY DANGEROUS. IT COSTED ME $45.00 TO REPLACE THE RIM. THEY SUGGESTED TO LOOK INTO OTHER REPORTS. ON YOUR WEB SITE I FOUND SEVERAL REPORTS OF OTHERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, SOME HAD TO REPLACE ALL 4 RIMS. THEY SAID IF THIS CRACKED ALL AROUND MY TIRE WOULD OF FELL OFF. SCARY THOUGHT FOR MY FAMILY AND OTHER DRIVERS ON THE HIGHWAYS,ETC. I CALLED FORD TO REPORT THIS AND REQUESTED THEM TO REPLACE ALL 4 RIMS. THEY REFUSED TO TAKE RESPONCIBILITY FOR THIS. TRIED TO BLAME IT ON MY TIRES AND MY DRIVING. TIRES ARE ALL NEW AND DRIVING SHOULDN'T CRACK THE RIM LIKE IT DID. I THINK IT IS SAD THEY ARE NOT CONCERNED NOR CARE THIS COULD CAUSE A FATAL CRASH. I AM GOING TO CALL KING 5 NEWS. I AM NOT COMFORTABLE DRIVING MY VAN NOW. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL, DANGEROUS. PLEASE MAKE FORD TAKE RESPONCIBILITY FOR THIS, BEFORE A FATAL CRASH IF HAS NOT HAPPENED ALREADY.

NHTSA complaint #10126501 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS

FOUR OF FIVE LUGS:NUTS DETACHED FROM THE WHEEL UNEXPECTEDLY CAUSING THE WHEEL TO VIBRATE AND ALMOST DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE. TAKEN TO DEALER FOR CHECKUP AND REPAIRS.

NHTSA complaint #10103637 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS

IN THE PAST FOUR YEARS WE HAVE HAD THE WHEEL BOLTS ON THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BREAK OFF SIX TIMES. THE LAST TIME, THE FIX WAS TO REPLACE THE WHEEL. THAT WAS DONE IN MAY 2003 AND NO PROBLEM SINCE WITH THAT WHEEL BUT ITS ONLY BEEN TWO MONTHS. NOW IN JULY 2003 WE HAVE HAD THE BOLTS BREAK ON THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL TWICE! ON JULY 22 2003, WE HAD A NEW WHEEL AND ALL FIVE BOLTS REPLACED ON THE LEFT FRONT. ONE WEEK LATER THE VAN IS AGAIN AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THREE BOLTS HAVE BROKEN ON THE NEWLY REPLACED LEFT FRONT AGAIN.

NHTSA complaint #10070620 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL SEPERATED FROM THE VEHICLE DUE TO ALL FIVE STUDS SNAPPING OFF.

NHTSA complaint #10066647 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS

A VIBRATION BEGAN SUDDENLY IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE DRIVING. AFTER GETTING RAPIDLY WORSE, THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL CAME OFF OF MY 1998 FORD WINDSTAR AT 45 MPH WHEN THE LUG BOLTS BROKE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO THE GROUND. I RETRIEVED THE WHEEL AND FOUND ALL FIVE LUGS, WITH THEIR LUG NUTS STILL ATTACHED, CAPTURED BETWEEN THE HUBCAP AND THE WHEEL. THE POLICE OFFICER WHO RESPONDED REPEATEDLY STATED THAT HE WAS AMAZED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT ROLL OVER AND THAT I WAS LUCKY THERE WERE NO INJURIES.

NHTSA complaint #10060296 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED LUGS AND NUTS POPPED OFF. DEALER STATED THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO.

NHTSA complaint #10061017 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS

LUGS NUTS KEEP BREAKING OFF. HAPPENS ABOUT EVERY 2 TO 3 THOUSAND MILES. USUALLY 2 TO 3 LUGNUTS BREAK OFF EACH TIME. I'M SCARED TO DRIVE THE CAR. WAS TOLD TO MENTION MENTION THAT THERE IS AN ONGING INVESTIGATION GOING ON WITH THIS. THE INVESTIGATION # IS 3983673 - ACTION # EA03004.

NHTSA complaint #10059982 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS

WHILE DRIVING LEFT FRONT TIRE CAME OFF THE VEHICLE AND ROLLED INTO THE PATH OF ANOTHER VEHICLE WHICH STRUCK THE TIRE (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). *MR

NHTSA complaint #10052215 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS

CONSUMER OWNED A 1998 WINDSTAR THAT LOST LUGS IN THREE INSTANCES SINCE VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT. THIS ALWAYS HAPPENED TO THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE. CONSUMER MAINTAINED THAT REPLACING THE LUGS WAS NOT A SOLUTION SINCE THE LUGS ON THAT TIRE WERE REPLACED TWICE. THE LUGS WON'T REMAIN TIGHT. OVER TIGHTEN THEM AND THEY WOULD BREAK. UNDER TIGHTEN THEM ,AND THE LUGS NUTS WOULD LOOSEN, AND THEN LUGS WOULD BREAK. THERE WAS NO MIDDLE GROUND EXCEPT TO CONSTANTLY CHECK THEM FOR TIGHTNESS.

NHTSA complaint #10053335 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS

SINCE APRIL 2001 I HAVE HAD MY 1998 FORD WINDSTAR IN THE SHOP NINE TIMES TO REPLACE FRONT WHEEL STUDS THAT HAD SHEARED OFF. MY HOMETOWN MECHANIC AFTER REPLACING STUDS ON THE RIGHT FRONT FIVE TIMES FINALLY SUGGESTED WE REPLACE THE WHEEL BECAUSE SEVERAL OF THE HOLES APPEARED OVAL INSTEAD OF ROUND. THIS SEEMED TO HAVE ELIMINATED THE PROBLEM ON THE RIGHT BUT SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD THREE INCIDENTS OF STUDS SHEARING OFF ON THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL. AT A FORD DEALERSHIP IN CINCINNATI, OH, I HAD TO REPLACE (IN THE LEFT FRONT) 3 STUDS AND AT THAT TIME HAD A NEW WHEEL PUT ON. AFTER DRIVING FROM CINCINNATI TO ATLANTA GEORGIA I AGAIN WAS AT A FORD DEALERSHIP IN CONYERS GEORGIA WITH THREE MORE BROKEN STUDS (ON THE LEFT FRONT) AND THIS TIME THEY ALSO REPLACED THE HUB ASSEMBLY. NOW AFTER OVER $1300.00 IN REPAIRS MY WINDSTAR IS AGAIN IN THE SHOP HAVING BROKEN STUDS REPLACED ON THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL. BY THE WAY NONE OF THE FORD DEALERSHIPS WOULD ADMIT EVER HEARING OF THIS PROBLEM BEFORE.

NHTSA complaint #10049744 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS:RIM

WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE RIM ON OUR 1998 WINDSTAR'S RIGHT FRONT WHEEL THREE TIMES DUE TO RIM BREAKAGE AND SUBSEQUENT TIRE DEFLATION. TWO DIFFERENT TIRE REPAIR SHOPS REPORTED SEEING THIS PROBLEM FREQUENTLY IN FORD WINDSTARS. THE FORD DEALER WHERE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED DENIED ANY PROBLEM OR RESPONSIBILITY.

NHTSA complaint #10049549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS

I WAS DRIVING AT 65 MPH AND FELT A VIBRATION AS THOUGH I MAY HAVE A FLAT TIRE,CHECKED AND THE TIRES WERE FINE SO I PROCEEDED FORWARD ONLY TO HAVE THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL COLLAPSE INWARD, ALL 5 LUGS WERE SHEARED COMPLETELY OFF, THE SERVICE CENTER HAD NO EXPLANATION FOR THIS OCCURRENCE, ONE MONTH TO THE DAY THE SAME THING OCCURRED AGAIN AND I WAS AGAIN CHARGED THE REPAIR COST AND NEW BOLTS AND LUGS WERE INSTALLED ALONG WITH THE TIRE BEING ROTATED TO THE BACK,THIS LASTED FOR 6 MONTHS AND THE LUGS BROKE AGAIN, I AM JUST NOW LEARNING THAT THERE ARE OTHER CONSUMERS WITH THIS PROBLEM. LUG NUTS SHOULD NOT BE SHEARED OFF AS THOUGH A HOT KNIFE CUT THROUGH BUTTER. I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE WHEN IT WAS 2 YEARS OLD AND THOUGH I HAVE HAD NO OTHER MAJOR PROBLEMS BUT THIS IS ONE THAT COULD COST ME OR MY CHILDREN OUR LIVES.

NHTSA complaint #10047563 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS

IN JULY OF 2002 TWO LUGNUT STUDS FROM MY LEFT FRONT WHEEL BROKE WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE. IN MARCH OF 2003 THREE LUGNUT STUDS FROM MY RIGHT FROM WHEEL BROKE WHILE I WAS DRIVING. A FORTH LUGNUT STUD BROKE ON MY RIGHT FRONT WHEEL WHEN I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR MAINTENANCE.

NHTSA complaint #10039473 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS

1998 WINDSTAR'S FRONT RIGHT WHEELS LUG BOLTS SHEERED OFF CAUSING WHEEL TO FLY OFF WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10033521 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.