2000 Ford Windstar Suspension Problems

The rear axle broke for the second time on a Ford Windstar, after already breaking prior to a recall in 2010. It appears to have broken where a clamp was attached. This caused the rear wheels to fall into, and grind against the wheel well. This happened on a side street near my house. Had it happened at highway speeds, the rear wheels could have locked up or perhaps broken free causing loss of control. The axle problem has been known to Ford, but it is concerning that this is the second one to fail. I have not yet contacted ford or a a repair facility to evaluate. There were no warning lamps or other indication. The axle simply broke abruptly. I thought it was a tire blow out until I saw the wheels tilted in. The vehicle is older, but I maintain it well.

NHTSA ID

11590976

Incident

May 24, 2024

The contact owns a 2000 Ford Windstar. The contact stated while reversing at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal booming sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the front spring had fractured and punctured the passenger’s side front tire. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

NHTSA ID

11537073

Incident

Aug 4, 2023

Mileage

75,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25-35 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING A SQUEALING NOISE AND THEN STARTED TO SMELL LIKE BURNING RUBBER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO COVER-JONES MOTOR (403 W. 3RD ST, ALLIANCE, NE 69301, (800) 344-9288) WHO STATED THAT THE REAR AXLE HAD FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE AXLE HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN REPLACED UNDER RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 176,481.

NHTSA ID

11403234

Incident

Mar 12, 2021

Mileage

176,481 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND AN UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DRIVE HOME AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WAS LEANING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 866-436-7332 AND ADVISED THEM THAT SHE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR MANUFACTURER NUMBER: 15S27 (SUSPENSION) ON THE REAR AXLE. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A FORD DEALER AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 21985359. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

NHTSA ID

11240275

Incident

Jul 18, 2019

Mileage

200,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH OVER A SPEED BUMP, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND WAS ABLE TO PARK THE VEHICLE IN A NEARBY PARKING LOT. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WAS BENT INWARD TOWARDS THE VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V608000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME AND THEN TOWED TO SUPERIOR FORD OF PLYMOUTH (9700 56TH AVE N, PLYMOUTH, MN 55442, (877) 735-4755). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT QUALIFY TO BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 173,000.

NHTSA ID

11233330

Incident

Jul 15, 2019

Mileage

173,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR AXLE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V194000 (SUSPENSION). THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000.

NHTSA ID

11230089

Incident

Jul 5, 2019

Mileage

123,000 mi

I STARTED HEARING A SOUND FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNING. I INSPECTED UNDER THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND FOUND A SIGNIFICANT CRACK IN THE REAR AXLE. I DISCOVERED THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE WITH MY MAKE AND MODEL AND YEAR; HOWEVER, MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I HAVE PARKED THE VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE AND AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. *JS

NHTSA ID

11193145

Incident

Mar 23, 2019

Mileage

158,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR AXLE AND FRAME ASSOCIATED WITH THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE HAD EXTENSIVE RUST AND CORROSION. THERE WAS ALSO A CRACK THAT EXTENDED FROM THE REAR AXLE WHEN THE CONTACT INSPECTED UNDER THE VEHICLE. AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD. LANCE CUNNINGHAM FORD (4101 EAST CLINTON HWY, KNOXVILLE, TN 37912, 1-(866) 591-3943) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE SAFELY DRIVEN DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 158,000.

NHTSA ID

11191306

Incident

Mar 21, 2019

Mileage

158,000 mi

MY REAR AXLE BROKE WHILE I WAS DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS ON A CITY STREET. I TWICE GOT THE PREVIOUS RECALL WORK DONE ON THE AXLE (THE "BRACKET FIX" AND THE SUBSEQUENT INSPECTION OF THE "FIX"). I WAS TOLD MY THE DEALER THAT THE AXLE LOOKED GOOD AND I DIDN'T NEED TO REPLACE THE AXLE FOR THE DISCOUNTED $300 PRICE. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THE NHTSA ALLOWED FORD TO CHARGE MONEY FOR AN ACTUAL FIX AND ONLY OFFER A STOP GAP FIX THAT WOULD EVENTUALLY FAIL ANYWAY AS A SOLUTION. IN MY ATTACHED PICTURE, YOU CAN SEE WHERE THE AXLE FAILED UNDER THE RECALL REPAIR BRACKET. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ON A CITY STREET AND ABLE TO QUICKLY GET MY VAN INTO A PARKING PLACE. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE RESULT COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE. I AM WRITING MAINLY TO IMPLORE YOUR AGENCY TO NEVER AGAIN ALLOW A PIECEMEAL RECALL LIKE THIS AGAIN. I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION MY AXLE WAS FIXED BY THE PREVIOUS RECALL.

NHTSA ID

11176240

Incident

Feb 8, 2019

Mileage

109,000 mi

WENT TO "CREDIT KARMA" AND WAS INFORMED THAT MY VEHICLE WAS THE SUBJECT OF A FORD NHTSA RECALL. FORD FAILED TO NOTIFY ME OF RECALL ON MY VEHICLE. RECALL ID # 233939 DATED 10/21/2015. PLEASE HELP RESOLVE THIS AS I DON'T WANT TO BE DRIVING AN UNSAFE VEHICLE

NHTSA ID

11155439

Incident

Dec 2, 2018

Mileage

92,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE REAR AXLE RUSTED OUT AND FRACTURED WITHOUT WARNING. PHIL LONG FORD OF MOTOR CITY IN COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE DUE TO ITS LOCATION IN A DRY STATE VERSUS THOSE THAT WERE ONLY BEING COVERED IN HUMID STATES. THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE OF THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN INFORMATION FOR THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.

NHTSA ID

11099078

Incident

Apr 1, 2018

Mileage

136,000 mi

BROKEN REAR AXLE

NHTSA ID

11083834

Incident

Feb 15, 2018

Mileage

125,400 mi

REAR AXLE OF VEHICLE BROKE WHILE DRIVING. REAR AXLE HAD BEEN 'PATCHED' WITH REINFORCEMENT BRACKETS UNDER FORD SAFETY RECALL 10S13 AND INSPECTED UNDER FORD SAFETY RECALL 15S27, BUT AXLE STILL BROKE. FIRST SYMPTOMS WERE POOR STEERING RESPONSE (LIKE TIRE PRESSURE IS LOW) AT HIGHWAY AND CITY SPEEDS, AND THEN TIRE BURNING SMELL AS THE TIRE CANTED/TILTED AND RUBBED AGAINST BODY. REINFORCEMENT BRACKETS PREVENTED SUDDEN SEPARATION OF THE AXLE, BUT STILL RESULTED IN UN-DRIVABLE VEHICLE. FORD INDICATES FAILURE IS NOT COVERED BY RECALL WARRANTY. PICTURES ATTACHED.

NHTSA ID

11057642

Incident

Dec 27, 2017

Mileage

113,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE REAR AXLE ON THE DRIVER SIDE FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION LETTER IN SEPTEMBER OF 2016 FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V608000 (SUSPENSION). ON OCTOBER 28, 2016, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (HUTCH FORD LINCOLN, 213 S MAYO TRAIL, PAINTSVILLE, KY, 41240) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE REMEDY DID NOT NEED TO BE APPLIED. THE CONTACT WENT TO AN UNKNOWN LOCAL DEALER IN PIKEVILLE, KY FOR A SECOND OPINION AND TO NOTIFY THEM THAT SHE OBSERVED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BOUNCED AND MADE AN ABNORMAL SQUEAKING SOUND. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT BECAUSE THE FIRST DEALER MARKED THE VEHICLE OFF FROM THE RECALL LIST, THAT THEY COULD NOT INSPECT THE VEHICLE FREE OF CHARGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED DUE TO THE FEE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 153,000.

NHTSA ID

11020154

Incident

Aug 28, 2017

Mileage

153,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND THE ABS SENSOR INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE PROPERLY. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING ROUTINE SERVICE, THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ALSO DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE CONTROL ARM WAS DAMAGED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200,000.

NHTSA ID

11013430

Incident

Jul 1, 2017

Mileage

200,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND WAS DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE REAR AXLE FRACTURED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER (BENNA FORD ROUSH SUPERIOR LOCATED AT 3022 TOWER AVE, SUPERIOR, WI 54880; (715) 394-8669) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR AXLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT 800-392-3673 AND STATED THAT THE RECALL WAS REPAIRED IN MAY OF 2016 AND WAS CLOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: CAS-12795007. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

11010774

Incident

Jul 24, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TOWN AND COUNTRY FORD IN LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V385000 (SUSPENSION). THE MECHANIC NOTICED SEVERE RUST ON THE AXLE AREA OF THE REAR SUSPENSION. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON OCCURRENCE AND THE CO-PAY RECALL WAS NOT PERFORMED BECAUSE IT EXPIRED IN OCTOBER OF 2016. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,116.

NHTSA ID

11004096

Incident

Jul 6, 2017

Mileage

137,116 mi

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 ID

11002599

Incident

Jun 6, 2017

Mileage

167,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE SUDDENLY SHREDDED. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE REAR AXLE SEVERED AND MADE CONTACT WITH THE TIRE, WHICH CAUSED IT TO FLATTEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LIBERTY FORD IN PARMA, OHIO WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR AXLE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED IN 2011 PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V385000 (SUSPENSION); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 199,000.

NHTSA ID

11000608

Incident

Jun 15, 2017

Mileage

199,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE SUDDENLY SHREDDED. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE REAR AXLE SEVERED AND MADE CONTACT WITH THE TIRE, WHICH CAUSED IT TO FLATTEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LIBERTY FORD OF PARMA, OHIO WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR AXLE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED IN 2011 PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V385000 (SUSPENSION); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE STILL REMAINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 199,000.

NHTSA ID

11000486

Incident

Jun 15, 2017

Mileage

199,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. ACCORDING TO THE PREVIOUS OWNER OF THE VEHICLE, THE DEALER STATED THAT A MANUFACTURER RECALL WAS COMPLETED BY A DEALER THAT WAS NO LONGER IN BUSINESS (JACK SAFRO FORD DEALER). THE PREVIOUS OWNER REINFORCED THE BRACKET, BUT DID NOT REPLACE THE REAR BRACKETS. SHORTLY AFTER DRIVING OVER RAILROAD TRACKS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED AND THE REAR WHEELS FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN AND WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR AXLE CRACKED FROM THE REINFORCEMENT BRACKETS AND PARTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDED THAT THE VEHICLE BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER (NAPLETON LINCOLN BLUE ISLAND, 2950 W 127TH ST, BLUE ISLAND, IL 60406, (708) 385-4500) FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

11000364

Incident

Mar 1, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V608000 (SUSPENSION), THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS FRACTURED AND RUSTED THROUGH. THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY WATER SEEPING INTO THE REAR AXLE. THE REAR AXLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 158,000.

NHTSA ID

10991159

Incident

May 23, 2017

Mileage

158,000 mi

THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE REAR AXLE, FORD MADE IT SO THAT THEY DIDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR IT BY PUTTING IT UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY PROGRAM. THIS CAUSED A HARDSHIP FOR ME AND I WAS UNABLE TO HAVE IT FIXED. NOW THE REAR AXLE BROKE WHILE I WAS DRIVING.

NHTSA ID

10970011

Incident

Mar 6, 2017

Mileage

183,500 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF A STRUCTURE RECALL FOR THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WOULD ONLY INSPECT THE FRAME. THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE THE PARTS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE RECALL NOTIFICATION. THE DEALER STATED THAT DUE TO THE CONDITION OF THE VEHICLE, THE FRAME AND REAR AXLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFUSED TO PROVIDE A SOLUTION. THE VIN, NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10969097

Incident

Jan 9, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WHEEL. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE AXLE HAD FRACTURED. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE REAR DRIVER SIDE AXLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.

NHTSA ID

10967746

Incident

Mar 20, 2017

Mileage

190,000 mi