1998 Ford Windstar Suspension Problems

The contact owns a 1998 Ford Windstar. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was shuddering significantly. The vehicle was taken to a Tire Store, where it was diagnosed that the rear axle was corroded and had fractured from the upper side to the lower side. The mechanic related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V385000 (Suspension). The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11552899

Incident

Oct 24, 2023

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A HISSING SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE, BUT COULD NOT IDENTIFY WHERE THE SOUND ORIGINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO BEGAN TO SMELL A BURNING RUBBER ODOR. THE CONTACT PULLED INTO A NEARBY DRIVEWAY AND PLACED THE VEHICLE IN PARK. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO IDENTIFY ANY FAILURES WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED A CERTIFIED MECHANIC; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURES WERE SIMILAR TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V385000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

NHTSA ID

11289706

Incident

Dec 16, 2019

Mileage

125,000 mi

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 ID

11091939

Incident

Mar 23, 2018

Mileage

30,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK AND THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED DUE TO CORROSION AND THE SUBFRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED JOHN KENNEDY FORD- POTTSTOWN AT (800) 790-8132 (LOCATED AT 3189 W RIDGE PIKE, POTTSTOWN, PA 19464) WHERE THE DEALER REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V385000 (SUSPENSION), BUT NOT FOR THE SUBFRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,197.

NHTSA ID

11019161

Incident

Aug 19, 2017

Mileage

100,197 mi

LOUD CRACKIN AND POPPING FROM SWAY BAR ATTACHED FO RUSTED OUT CRADLE DRIVERS SIDE REAR CRADLE THAT HAS RUSTED OUT AND BROKEN AND HAS DROPPED DOWN 1/2 INCH AND ALSO RUSTED REAR AXLE JUST TAGGED AND REGISTERED IT IN VA THEN NOTICED ALL THE RUST TO SUBFRAME AND REAR AXLE VAN HAS MANUFACTURED IN CANADA ON DOOR AND A VERMONT CAR DEALER EMBLEM ON BACK DANGEROUS VEHICLE AM ICOVERED BY RECALLS ON THIS SAFTY HAZARDS

NHTSA ID

10992663

Incident

May 3, 2017

Mileage

100,000 mi

BROKEN AXLE WHILE DRIVING. THANKFULLY WAS NOT DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OR THIS COULD HAVE BEEN DEVASTATING. FORD WILL NO LONGER HONOR 3RD RECALL AFTER INSTALLING SAFETY PLATES AND SAYING AXLE LOOKED OK.

NHTSA ID

10927621

Incident

Nov 22, 2016

Mileage

130,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN FOR ROUTINE SERVICE, IT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRACKET SUPPORT FOR THE SUSPENSION WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V608000 (SUSPENSION). THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO REPAIR AND WAS UNSAFE TO BE DRIVEN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE WAS 158,000.

NHTSA ID

10845774

Incident

Feb 3, 2016

Mileage

158,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 57 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SUB FRAME IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE HAD CORRODED AND FRACTURED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ARM OF THE SUB FRAME BEHIND THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT TIRE HAD CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V385000 (SUSPENSION). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,000.

NHTSA ID

10695485

Incident

Apr 29, 2011

Mileage

141,000 mi

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! *TR

NHTSA ID

10548468

Incident

Feb 8, 2013

Mileage

205,760 mi

NO RECALL ON MY VIN # BUT I AM HAVING THIS ISSUE. SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS RUBBING TIRES.CAUSING TO USE UP TIRES FAST. MAKE A RUBBING NOISE WHEN TURNING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10512340

Incident

May 9, 2013

Mileage

144,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN REVERSE, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD SOUND FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR AXLE FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE REAR TIRES TO BEND OUTWARD. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN I.D. NUMBER 12V195000 (SUSPENSION). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000. UPDATED 10/22/13 *CN UPDATED 10/25/2013 *JS

NHTSA ID

10508261

Incident

Apr 8, 2013

Mileage

180,000 mi

NOVEMBER 2010 MY VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR A RECALL WHICH 2 REINFORCEMENT BRACKETS WERE PLACED ON THE REAR AXLE. THE RECALL WAS FOR REAR AXLES THAT WERE CRACKED OR BROKEN. MINE WAS NOT REPLACED JUST REINFORCED. ON 4-9-13 MY REAR AXLE CRACKED, AND I CAN NO LONGER DRIVE THE VAN. UPON CALLING FORD AND SPEAKING WITH CUSTOMER SERVICE, I WAS INFORMED THEY DID THEIR PART BY PLACING BRACKETS IN 2010 AND EVEN THOUGH THE AXLE CRACKED ANYWAY IT IS NOW AT MY COST. THANKFULLY THIS DID NOT HAPPEN WHILE I WAS DRIVING WITH MY CHILDREN, BUT I AM VERY UPSET FORD KNOWS THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE REAR AXLE, AND CHOSE TO PLACE BRACKETS THAT DID NOT "FIX" THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID

10505830

Incident

Apr 9, 2013

Mileage

130,000 mi

AFTER IT WAS PUT INTO REVERSE AND I WENT TO PARK THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE AND I COULDN'T MOVE THE VAN. GOT OUT AND LOOK AT IT AND SAW IT WAS THE REAR AXEL COMPLETELY BROKEN. *TR

NHTSA ID

10476850

Incident

Sep 24, 2012

Mileage

152,307 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PERFORMING A ROUTINE MAINTENANCE CHECK UP ON THE VEHICLE, THE DEALER FOUND THE MIDDLE OF THE REAR AXLE WAS CRACKED DUE TO CORROSION ND RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY HAVING THE REAR AXLE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V385000 (SUSPENSION: REAR: AXLE: NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY) HOWEVER THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED UNDER THE RECALL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,139.

NHTSA ID

10471308

Incident

Aug 11, 2012

Mileage

130,139 mi

REAR AXLE BEAM CRACK. *TR

NHTSA ID

10470887

Incident

Aug 11, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER HAVING REPAIRS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V385000 (SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY), THE VEHICLE WOULD START JERKING VIOLENTLY FROM THE REAR TO THE FRONT WHEN DRIVING AT SPEEDS ABOVE 60 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BALL JOINTS, BUSHING, INTAKE GASKETS, SPARK PLUGS, AND LOWER CONTROLS ARMS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE ALREADY PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,131 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 127,000.

NHTSA ID

10455127

Incident

Jul 6, 2011

Mileage

126,131 mi

FRONT SUB FRAME COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. FORD HAS SUB FRAME RECALL FOR THE 1999-2003 BUT NOT THE 1998. *KB

NHTSA ID

10452395

Incident

Mar 20, 2012

Mileage

95,600 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, SHE HEARD A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE AXLE WAS FRACTURED IN HALF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO VERIFIED THE FAILURE BUT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ID

10449563

Incident

Feb 24, 2012

Mileage

100,000 mi

I WENT TO FORD DEALERSHIP IN DEC 09 RECEIVED INSPECTION ON RECALL # O9S09 AND 09SO9H ONLY. NOW HERE IN FEB. 2012 THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH SUSPENSION,RIGHT FRONT TIRE WHEEL MAKES ALTO OF NOISE POWER STEERING FLUID IS LEAKING STRANGE NOISE IS HEARD WHEN MAKING RIGHT TURNS,FORD SAID MY VEHICLE HAS HAD ALL SERVICE IT IS DUE . I BELIEVE THEY ARE WRONG ALL THE SAME PROBLEMS THE RECALLS REPORTED ARE MY PROBLEMS I HAVE PAPER WORK PROVIDING THEY ONLY RAN TEST ON RECALL #O9S09 AND 09S09H MY CAR IS IN SERIOUS WEATHER CONDITIONS HERE IN ILLINOIS.UNDER THE ORIGINAL OWNER FORD STATED THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY FURTHER REPAIR. FORD DEALERSHIP ROBERTS MOTORS 4350 ALBY ALTON IL 62002. *TR

NHTSA ID

10449558

Incident

Dec 3, 2009

WHILE DRIVING MY 1998 WINDSTAR @ 45MPH, I LOST TOTAL STEERING CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE AND MY VEHICLE VEERED INTO THE ONCOMING LANE OF A TWO LANE HIGHWAY. I WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL AFTER TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL APPROX 360 DEGREES TO THE RIGHT AND MANAGED TO STOP SAFELY. AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM BRACKET THAT IS WELDED TO THE SUBFRAME BROKE AWAY FROM THE SUBFRAME DUE TO A RUSTED OUT SUBFRAME. I'VE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR THE PAST 8 YEARS AND NEVER RECEIVED ANY INFORMATION FROM FORD REGARDING THIS SAFETY ISSUE AS NOTED IN THE 1999-2003 FORD WINDSTAR RECALL WHICH HAS THE SAME ISSUE AS MY VEHICLE. ALTHOUGH FORD IS NOT GOING TO HONOR A SUBFRAME RECALL FOR MY YEAR VEHICLE, FORD SHOULD AT LEAST SEND A NOTIFICATION LETTER TO INFORM OWNERS OF THIS DANGEROUS ISSUE. BOTH MY WIFE AND KIDS DRIVE THIS VEHICLE, BUT HAD I AT LEAST KNOWN THERE WAS A DANGEROUS ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE, I WOULD HAVE PARKED IT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10449361

Incident

Feb 4, 2012

Mileage

54,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 60MPH, I LOST CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE AND IT STARTED TO FISHTAIL AND SWERVE INTO THE NEXT LANE AS I TRIED TO REGAIN CONTROL IT SPUN AROUND AND FLIPPED OVER UPSIDE DOWN ON TOP OF THE GUARD RAIL AND LANDED FACING TRAFFIC. I RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES AND MY THREE CHILDREN WERE NOT INJURED. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR AXLE SNAPPED IN HALF ON MY VEHICLE AND THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS PART. I NEVER RECEIVED A NOTICE IN REGARDS TO THIS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10441183

Incident

Dec 23, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION OF THE SUB FRAME WHEN THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE ALSO FOUND TO BE CORRODED. THE BRAKE LINES WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE SUB FRAME FAILURE AND DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR. THE SUB FRAME WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 114,000. THE TIE RODS, FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS AND BATTERY HAD TO BE REPLACED WITHIN ONE YEAR OF OWNING THE VEHICLE. THE WHEEL CYLINDERS, BRAKE ADJUSTERS, SPRING KIT, DRUMS, ROTORS, SHOES, AND PADS ALL HAD TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, THE TURN SIGNAL LEVEL STOPPED WORKING FOR THE LEFT SIDE. WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED, IT WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THEN PULSATED BACK UP, AND THEN THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. UPDATED 02/01/12

NHTSA ID

10439715

Incident

Dec 7, 2011

Mileage

114,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD CLANKING NOISE OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE AND IMMEDIATELY THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE REAR AXLE WAS COMPLETELY FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED HIM THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V385000 (SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY). THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THE VEHICLE WAS INELIGIBLE FOR THE RECALL REPAIR DUE TO THE DATE RANGE MENTIONED IN THE RECALL SUMMARY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 194,000.

NHTSA ID

10435452

Incident

Nov 12, 2011

Mileage

194,000 mi

THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A LEAKING HOSE. WHILE BEING INSPECTED THE FORD MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT SUBFRAME WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE AND WOULD NOT REPAIR IT. THERE IS A RECALL ON 1999-2003 WINDSTARS FOR THIS REASON. THE 1998 AND EARLIER ARE NOT INCLUDED AS THE SUBFRAME ON THE 1999-2003 IS "TUBULAR" AND THE 1998 AND OLDER IS "STAMPED". WHILE THE CONSTRUCTION IS DIFFERENT, THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE THE SAME AS I WAS ADVISED BY THE FORD MECHANIC THAT THE STAMPED SUBFRAME RUSTS OUT FREQUENTLY TOO. MY FATHER-IN-LAW WAS THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE AND HE WILLED IT TO ME UPON HIS DEATH. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED AND ALWAYS BEEN AN "INDIANA" VEHICLE. THE SUBFRAME ON THE OTHER SIDE IS FINE AND STILL HAS PAINT ON IT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10435046

Incident

Nov 9, 2011

Mileage

140,000 mi

UPON INSPECTION OF VEHICLE FOR INSPECTION, IT WAS DETERMIND VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE OF BADLY CORRODED SUBFRAME ON PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE. ALSO, COIL SPRING ON PASSENGER SIDE WAS BROKEN POSING A DRIVING HAZARD. VEHICLE HAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000 MILES. *TT

NHTSA ID

10433040

Incident

Mar 17, 2010

Mileage

80,000 mi