742 of the
19,460 complaints filed about the Ford Windstar
are about the steering —
4% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1999.
The rear axle on my vehicle snapped while I was driving causing me to lose control and leave the roadway. I contacted Ford who told me there was a recall for the rear axle of my vehicle and that I would have no out of pocket expenses for the repairs and the towing of the vehicle to the service center. After they set up the towing I received a message saying I had to pay $381 for the towing before they would dispatch the tow truck. I called Ford customer service and they told me that now they can't find in their notes where they told me towing was covered. After asking to speak with a supervisor and being told they're not going to transfer me because they know their supervisor can't do anything more then what they can do I was placed on hold for an hour just to be told they can't find it in their notes and then I was hung up on. I shouldn't have to pay almost $400 to have my vehicle that just had a catastrophic failure causing me to wreck towed for servic after I was lied to about the towing being covered
NHTSA complaint #11527143 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
When driving my muffler broke loose and was dragging on the ground. My axel creaks when I stop or sit idle at a light. When several miles from home my ignition cylinder came out. I couldn't start or turn the ignition on nor operate the steering. I'm now afraid to drive my vehicle. Since acquiring it. I've put a lot of money into repairs. In addition to purchasing this vehicle, I've spent well over $2,000 in repairs. Once I learned of the recall and viewed the risks (Video) of the dangers I became grossly disturbed by what I am facing at the thought of driving. I have contacted 4 Ford Service Centers and none of them contacted back regarding fixing my 'recall'. I NEED HELP!! I have a disability and now I don't have transportation besides this car. How come no one is returning my calls? I am stranded at my home knowing that my safety is at risk. I would like to get my issue remedied with a $4,999.00 Reimbursement for this vehicle ASAP so I may invest in getting a safer one. Please give me a dealership address here in Los Angeles so I can have the vehicle towed there and be done with it. I no longer want a vehicle that I can not drive nor can get my 'recalls' remedied. Your attention to this matter is greatly appreciated.
NHTSA complaint #11446673 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I OWN A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR LX. IT WAS AT THE MECHANIC FOR SOME REPAIRS AND HE POINTED OUT THE ISSUE WITH MY REAR AXLE BEING CRACKED AND CORRODED. WHICH ITS VERY DANGEROUS TO KEEP DRIVING LIKE THIS. *LN
NHTSA complaint #11387689 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE STEERING STARTED TO FAIL TO RETURN TO NORMAL POSITION. I HAD THE ORIGINAL RECALL BRACKET PUT ON MY VEHICLE AS CAN BE SEEN IN THE PHOTO BUT THIS DID NOT ACTUALLY MAKE THE STEERING ARM ANY BETTER AND PROBABLY MADE IT WORSE BY ALLOWING THE BRACKET TO COLLECT ROAD SALT. FORD AS BEEN EVASIVE TOWARD PROVIDING ANY HELP. I BELIEVE THAT FORD'S EVASIVENESS IS RESULT OF THE PREVIOUS ATTEMPTED FIX WHICH WAS UNPRODUCTIVE AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN ENGINEERED TO HAVE BEEN ACTUALLY EFFECTIVE IN TERMS OF THE STEERING ARM. I BELIEVE RECALLS EA10007 AND PE10026 MAY PROVIDE SOME GUIDANCE. I AM AWAITING ADVICE ON WHAT TO DO WITH MY VEHICLE THAT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND PROBABLY NOT COST WORTHY TO FIX.
NHTSA complaint #11286339 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAVE 3 PROBLEMS WITH MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR WHICH CURRENTLY HAS 60,000 MILES. ONE OF THEM IS THE GLASS IN FRONT WHEN I'M DRIVING IN THE RAIN I HAVE TO TURN ON THE WIPERS THE DRIVER'S SIDE IN THE MIDDLE PART OF THE WIPER STAYS WET WHILE THE PASSENGER SIDE CLEANS VERY WELL. THE OTHER PROBLEM I'VE ALWAYS HAD IS THE POWERSTEERING WHEN I'M DRIVING, I'M GOING TO TURN TO THE SIDE AND THE CAR TURNS OFF THE GUIDE GETS HARD AND I CAN'T STRAIGHTEN IT TO TURN IT ON AGAIN. THE LAST PROBLEM IS THE TRANSMISSION, ONE DAY THE FAMILY WENT ALL TOGETHER IN THE CAR AND SHORTLY AFTER WE REALIZED THAT IT WAS OVERHEATING WE PARKED IN THE GRASS WE TURNED OFF THE CAR AND THE PART OF THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE AFTER THE ACCIDENT WE REALIZED THAT THE TRANSMISSION LIQUEFIED OIL. I HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPAIRED AND BEGAN TO GIVE SOME TIRESOME EVERY TIME I CHANGED GEARS. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY PARKED WITH THE DAMAGED TRANSMISSION. I UNDERSTAND THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE TRANSMISSION
NHTSA complaint #11282498 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAVE 3 PROBLEMS WITH MY 1999 FORD WINDSTAR WHICH CURRENTLY HAS 60,000 MILES. ONE OF THEM IS THE GLASS IN FRONT WHEN I'M DRIVING IN THE RAIN I HAVE TO TURN ON THE WIPERS THE DRIVER'S SIDE IN THE MIDDLE PART OF THE WIPER STAYS WET WHILE THE PASSENGER SIDE CLEANS VERY WELL. THE OTHER PROBLEM I'VE ALWAYS HAD IS THE POWERSTEERING WHEN I'M DRIVING, I'M GOING TO TURN TO THE SIDE AND THE CAR TURNS OFF THE GUIDE GETS HARD AND I CAN'T STRAIGHTEN IT TO TURN IT ON AGAIN. THE LAST PROBLEM IS THE TRANSMISSION, ONE DAY THE FAMILY WENT ALL TOGETHER IN THE CAR AND SHORTLY AFTER WE REALIZED THAT IT WAS OVERHEATING WE PARKED IN THE GRASS WE TURNED OFF THE CAR AND THE PART OF THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE AFTER THE ACCIDENT WE REALIZED THAT THE TRANSMISSION LIQUEFIED OIL. I HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPAIRED AND BEGAN TO GIVE SOME TIRESOME EVERY TIME I CHANGED GEARS. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY PARKED WITH THE DAMAGED TRANSMISSION. I UNDERSTAND THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS TRANSMISSION
NHTSA complaint #11282494 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
REMOVED SUBFRAME TO REPLACE FAULTY TORQUE CONVERTER. FOUND SUBSTANTIAL RUSTING AT FIREWALL END OF SUBFRAME ON BOTH "ARMS", REQUIRING REPLACEMENT OF SUBFRAME. CALLED LOCAL DEALERS, NO "OPEN" RECALL (OVER 15 YEAR-OLD VAN) AND $4,900 NEW SUBFRAME QUOTE PROVIDED, WITH NO DEALER OR MANUFACTURER COVERAGE, AFTER CALLING NATIONAL AND CANADIAN MFCTR RECALL NUMBERS. MFCTR/DEALERS OF NO ASSISTANCE, WHATSOEVER. PART NOT ACTUALLY AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #11093526 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY FRONT CRADLE AT STEERING AREA HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED INTO FROM AC LEAK AND ROAD SALT VAN WAS SOLD IN VERMONT NOW IS LOCATED IN VIRGINIA UNSAFE ALMOST UNDRIVABLE TO FORD DEALER FOR A REAR AXLE RECALL FOR AXLE BRACES PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS
NHTSA complaint #11091939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
RH BACK SIDE OF SUBFRAME, IS ROTTED/CORRODED SO BAD THAT THE METAL TORE ALL AROUND THE SUBFRAME BUSHING. TO WHERE IT IS NOT BEING HELD UP BY THE BUSHING ON THE RIGHT HAND LOWER/BACK IS NOT HOLDING UP THE FRONT SUBFRAME... NOW, THE VEHICLE IS MAKING A VERY LOUD POPPING NOISE WHEN DRIVING AND TURNING... AND WHEN TURNING FAST ENOUGH (MORE TURNING LEFT THEN RIGHT) CAN FEEL WHOLE FRONT END JERK LIKE ITS ABOUT TO GO THE OPPOSITE WAY THE VAN...REPLACED THE LEFT FRONT STRUT ASSEMBLY AND CONTROL ARM TO FIND OUT THAT DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THEN AFTER REPAIRS AND LOOKING DEEPER.. NOTICED RIGHT FRONT SIDE, SAGGING ALMOST 2-4 INCHES LOWER THEN LEFT FRONT... THAT'S WHEN WE NOTICED THE SUBFRAME COMPLETELY BROKEN/RUSTED OFF FROM THE BODY BUSHING (ON THE FRONT RIGHT LOWER/REAR BUSHING)
NHTSA complaint #11076340 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH DOWN A HILL, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED, BUT WAS STIFF AND FAILED TO RESPOND. ALSO, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING PULLED TOWARDS THE LEFT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: CAS14205849. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 103,000.
NHTSA complaint #11075071 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAD THE REAR AXLE REPLACED BY THE RECALL, AND WHICH I PAID $300 FOR THE WORK. THE AXLE NOW DOES NOT ALIGN PROPERLY AND I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT SHIMS ARE REQUIRED. WITHOUT THEM THE REAR AXLE EATS MY TIRES. FORD HAS A POLICY TO MY UNDERSTANDING THAT NEW PARTS INSTALLED BY FORD HAVE A LIFETIME WARRANTY. I BELIEVE THAT FORD SHOULD FIX OR PAY FOR THIS WORK SO AS TO MAKE MY VAN SAFE, WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO REPAIR AN AXLE THAT WAS JUST REPLACED LESS THEN 10000 MILES AGO.
NHTSA complaint #11054910 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY COMPLAINT INVOLVES A RECALL THAT WAS SAID TO HAVE BEEN COMPLETED AND CLOSED BUT UPON FURTHER FINDINGS SHOW THAT THE WORK WAS NEVER DONE. THIS INVOLVES THE RECALL: NHTSA REFERENCE #11V030000. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH FORD MOTOR COMPANY THROUGH CERTIFIED MAIL ON JULY 26, 2017 AND WAS RECEIVED AND SIGNED FOR ON JULY 28, 2017. I HAVE NOT HEARD BACK FROM THE COMPANY SINCE I FILED THE COMPLAINT. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE IN OCT OF 2016 AND PUT IT IN STORAGE FOR THE WINTER. I DIDN'T DISCOVERY THE PROBLEM UNTIL I TOOK IT OUT OF STORAGE IN APRIL 2017. THAT IS WHEN I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL SERVICE GARAGE TO FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. SUBSEQUENTLY, I LEARNED THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM BACK IN 2011 AND SUPPOSEDLY, IT HAD BEEN FIXED BY A FORD MOTOR COMPANY DEALERSHIP - JACK MADDEN FORD IN NORWOOD, MASSACHUSETTS. I TOOK THE CAR TO A LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP HERE IN MICHIGAN WHERE I RESIDE. AND UPON INSPECTION THEY DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM HAD NEVER BEEN FIXED. MY BOTTOM LINE IN ALL OF THIS IS THAT I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE FIXED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RECALL. I HAVE UPLOAD AN ESTIMATE FOR THE REPAIR FROM MY LOCAL SERVICE GARAGE. I WOULD APPRECIATE A TIMELY RESPONSE WITH REGARD TO THIS COMPLAINT THANK-YOU, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'
NHTSA complaint #11051213 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS AGO I NOTICED FLUID LEAKING UNDER THE VEHICLE I LOOKED AT IT AND THOUGHT IT WAS OIL I CHECKED THE OIL IT WAS FINE, A FRIEND MENTIONED RACK AND PINION SO I LOOKED THERE AND THAT'S WHERE THE LEAKING CAME FROM. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A GARAGE FOR PROFESSIONAL OPINION WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY$1.200 TO REPAIR, HE ALSO FOUND A BAD MOTOR MOUNT. I DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY AT THIS TIME TO INVEST INTO THE NEEDED REPAIRS. PLEASE CONTACT ME ABOUT ANY RECALLS THAT RELATE TO THIS PROBLEM.THANK YOU
NHTSA complaint #11040946 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL POPPING NOISE AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO SUNSET FORD (11700 GRAVOIS RD, SAINT LOUIS, MO 63127) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER STEERING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE DUE TO THREATS MADE BY THE CONTACT AND TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED FROM THE PREMISES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
NHTSA complaint #11033832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I REPLACED THE CONTROL ARMS ABOUT 25,000 MILES AGO AND THEY ARE SHOCKED ALREADY AND I ONLY DRIVE ON THE ROAD NO OFFROAD AND THAT WILL BE THE THIRD SET WE PUT IN TO THIS VAN SINCE WE HAD IT AT 108,000 MILES BRAND NEW PARTS WERE PUT IN IF YOU GUYS DON'T DO ANYTHING OF A FREE REPLACEMENT ON IT MY WIFE AND I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD AGAIN YOU COULD HEAR THE BALL JOINT ON AT ONE IN THE GO
NHTSA complaint #11020453 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WATCHED LAST NIGHT AS MY WIFE AND KIDS WERE COMING HOME ON THE PARKWAY, THE REAR AXEL SNAPPED IN. TWO AND BOTH TIRES JUST DANGELING BASICALLY,WE HAD A BLOW OUT ALSO MANAGED TO GET THE2000 FORD WINDSTAR LX OFF OF THE MAIN ROAD WHERE I HAD TO CALL SEVERAL TO COMPANIES AND NO ONE WITH A WRECKER WAS ABLE TO HELP, SO I CALLED A TOE COMPANY WITH A ROLL BACK, TO GET OUR VAN HOME THEN I FOUND OUT ABT THE COMPLAINT HOTLINE AND THE RECALLS AFTER MY WIFE AND KIDS COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED, THE VEHICLE WAS GOING STRAIGHT,AND THE SPEEDLIMET WICH WAS 45 MPH, WHEN THE AXEL JUST SNAPPED IN TWO PIECES, AND OUT OF CONTROL SHE MANAGED TO SLOW DOWN, MY KIDS ARE 1 AND 2, WE WANT REINBURSEMENT FOR THE VAN AND THE TOW BILL AS THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT
NHTSA complaint #11002599 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.