2001 Ford Windstar Powertrain (other) Problems

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

NHTSA ID

11403458

Incident

Mar 15, 2021

Mileage

160,000 mi

MY VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED IN 2001. THERE WAS A RECALL PUT OUT FOR THE SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY. IN 2011, ACCORDING TO SUNSET FORD DEALERSHIP (WHERE I TOOK IT FOR AXLE REPAIR AND WAS DENIED) THE RECALL WAS REMEDIED IN 2011. HOWEVER, AS STATED ALONG WITH THE RECALL NOTICE, THE TIME THAT THE BRACKETS WERE MIS INSTALLED CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE REAR AXLE, CORROSION AND FRACTURING. THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT IS HAPPENING TO MY VEHICLE RIGHT NOW AND THE DEALERSHIP ALONG WITH FORD CORPORATE IS SAYING THIS AXLE REPAIR WILL BE FULLY AT MY COST. ACCORDING TO THEIR AUTOMATED RECALL PHONE INFORMATION, UP UNTIL 2016 THEY WERE OFFERING TO REPLACE THE AXLE FOR $300 ( A DISCOUNTED RATE) FOR CUSTOMERS AFFECTED. I DO NOT AT ALL FEEL I SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS REPAIR. I CONTACTED FORD CORPORATE A FEW TIMES NOW AND HAVE BEEN TOLD NO ITS NOT THEIR FAULT. I WAS ALSO TOLD BY SUNSET FORD, THAT I WOULD NEED TO PAY THEM $140 AN HOUR FOR THEM TO DIAGNOSE IT AND TELL ME SPECIFICALLY WHAT IS WRONG. IT HAS ALREADY BEEN THERE ONCE TO CHECK THE RECALL WHERE THEY TOOK PICTURES ( INCLUDED) AND SENT THEM TO FORD CORPORATE WHERE I WAS TOLD NO THEY WILL NOT FIX IT UNLESS I PAY FOR IT. THIS REPAIR SHOULD BE FULLY COVERED AND I NEED HELP GETTING FORD TO AGREE.

NHTSA ID

11241531

Incident

Aug 1, 2001

DRIVING HOME I HEARD A THUD AND MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR SPUN OFF THE ROAD. TURNS OUT THE AXLE CRACKED IN HALF AND ALMOST KILLED ME. TOWED THE CAR INTO THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND EVEN THOUGH THERE IS AN OPEN SAFETY RECALL ON MY WINDSTAR AND FORD KNOWS OF THOUSAND OF AXLE PROBLEMS THEY SAID THAT IT IS NOT COVERED. FORD'S WAY OF GETTING PUT OF IT EVEN THOUGH MY BROTHERS 2003 WINDSTAR AXLE FAILED AND YET FORD COVERED THAT ONE. THIS IS NOT RIGHT. THEY KNOW THERE AXLES ARE BAD AND HAVE HAD THREE SAFETY RECALLS ON THESE AXLES.

NHTSA ID

11088419

Incident

Apr 13, 2018

Mileage

177,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF AN UNKNOWN RECALL REGARDING THE REAR AXLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BLACKWELL FORD INC (41001 PLYMOUTH RD, PLYMOUTH, MI 48170; 734-453-1100) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT A REPAIR WAS NOT NEEDED. THE RECALL WAS DEEMED COMPLETED. APPROXIMATELY TWO YEARS AFTER THE RECALL, THE VEHICLE UNDERWENT ROUTINE INSPECTION AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR AXLE FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT, DUE TO THE VEHICLE PASSING INSPECTION FOR THE RECALL, THEY WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE THE REPAIR. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,628.

NHTSA ID

11043680

Incident

Oct 19, 2017

Mileage

113,628 mi

REAR AXLE BROKE WHILE DRIVING EVEN THOUGH RECALL BRACKETS WERE PROPERLY REPLACED. THIS ISSUE COULD CAUSE DEATH OR SEVERE INJURY. LUCKILY FOR US, WE WERE JUST TURNING A CORNER ON THE WAY TO THE STORE. FORD WILL NOT HELP WITH FINANCIAL COSTS DUE "EXTENDED WARRANTY HAVING EXPIRED IN OCT OF 2016". PEOPLE STILL DRIVING THESE VEHICLES SHOULD BE MADE AWARE THAT UNLESS YOU'VE HAD THIS COMPLETELY REPLACED, AND REALLY THAT'S NO GUARANTEE, THIS COULD STILL OCCUR WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING.

NHTSA ID

10985836

Incident

May 14, 2017

Mileage

120,000 mi

REAR AXLE CRACKED WHILE DRIVING, THIS IS THE SECOND AXLE THAT BROKE FOR THIS VAN

NHTSA ID

10968297

Incident

Mar 24, 2017

Mileage

168,450 mi

WHILE DRIVING AXLE BROKE ON VAN WHILE GOING DOWN ALLEY. CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY END RESULT THEY SAY REINIKE FORD A DEALERSHIP IN LIMA, OHIO REPLACED THE FAULTY SUPPORT BRACKETS IN 2011. WHICH WAS A RECALL ON VAN. WHILE ALL ALONG DEALERSHIP WASN'T TELLING ME THEY DID THE RECALL WORK. I FEEL THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE SOMEONE LOSSES THERE LIFE. WHICH THERE WERE DRIVERS THAT HAVE LOST THERE LIFE AND MANY SERIOUSLY HURT BECAUSE OF THE SAME ISSUE. FORD HAS PUT THERE RECALL OUT. BUT SOMETHING NEEDS DONE WITH THE DEALER. *TR

NHTSA ID

10948742

Incident

Jan 26, 2017

Mileage

166,960 mi

REAR AXLE THE REAR AXLE ON MY WINDSTAR BROKE YESTERDAY ON THE LEFT SIDE OUTSIDE OF THE SUPPORT BRACKET INSTALLED BY THE DEALER FOR THE 2011 RECALL. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WHEN I NOTICED THE TIRE RUBBING ON THE FRAME. I GOT THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP (BETTEN FORD IN GRAND RAPIDS, MI) WHO ADVISED THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE CAR UNLESS I PAID FOR THE REPAIR AS THE BRACKET HELD AND THE AXLE BROKE IN A DIFFERENT LOCATION. FORD CUSTOMER SUPPORT ADVISED THE SAME THING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10936489

Incident

Dec 19, 2016

Mileage

183,000 mi

RECALL REAR AXLE CRACKS. I TOOK MY FORD 2001 WINDSTAR FOR 3RD RECALL AND LEARNED THAT I HAVE CRACKS IN MY AXLE. FORD DEALER AND CUSTOMER SERVICES SAID THAT THE OFFER F DISCOUNTED REPLACEMENT EXPIRED ON OCTOBER 30TH 2016 WHERE I NEED TO PAY FULL PRICE TO FIX IT. WE CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY AND WHY IS CONSUMER PAYING FOR DEFECTIVE PARTS WHICH WAS THE ORIGINAL RECALL WHERE DEATHS OCCURRED? INSTEAD OF REPLACING THE PARTS, FORD WAS ALLOWED TO PUT BRACKETS TO HOLD UP THE AXLE. THE DEFECT IS STILL THERE AND NOW CONSUMER ARE DRIVING UNSAFE AND WHEN REALIZED OF SITUATION, A SUBSTANTIAL COST BY THE CONSUMER TO CORRECT FORD'S NEGLIGENCE. WHY IT IS ALLOW AND WHAT CAN BE DONE FOR WORKING FOLKS WHO CANNOT REPLACE NEW CARS. WE TOOK A LOT OF CARE OF OUR CAR SO WE CAN HAVE A CAR. WHY IS FORD NOT RESPONSIBLE TO CORRECT THEIR PROBLEM AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER? *TR

NHTSA ID

10928274

Incident

Nov 28, 2016

Mileage

150,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING WITH MY THREE SMALL CHILDREN, THE REAR AXLE OF MY VAN BROKE. I WAS GOING AT A MINIMAL RATE OF SPEED AND WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER WITHOUT INJURY. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN SUBJECT TO NUMEROUS RECALLS, SEVERAL OF WHICH HAVE INCLUDED CORROSION OF THE SUBFRAME AND AXLE. OUR LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP IS TELLING ME THAT I MAY BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYMENT FOR REPAIR OF THE RECALLED PRODUCT. HOWEVER, I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE ANYMORE. THEY HAVE STATED THAT THEY WILL REPAIR THE DAMAGED PART WITH THE SAME REAR AXLE THAT HAS BEEN RECALLED NUMEROUS TIMES. THIS IS NOT A REMEDY. I AM TRYING TO GET THEM TO CONSIDER A TRADE-IN OR PRODUCT BUY-BACK. IF THEY WILL NOT, I WILL BE LEAVING A SIGNED STATEMENT WITH NEW SOUTH FORD (MERIDIAN, MS) STATING THAT I DO NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE DRIVING THE VEHICLE OFF THE LOT DUE TO THE RISK OF REAR AXLE CORROSION/FAILURE.

NHTSA ID

10908286

Incident

Sep 18, 2016

Mileage

99,500 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE WAS CROOKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR AXLE CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE AXLE WAS REPLACED FROM A PREVIOUS RECALL, NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V1930000 (POWER TRAIN); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 194,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10896564

Incident

Aug 13, 2016

Mileage

194,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, I HEARD A CRUNCHING SOUND IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE THEN BEGAN TO SWAY ON THE ROAD. I HAD TO SLOW MY SPEEDS AND PULL OVER AT A SAFE SPOT, WHICH WAS A PARKING LOT TO INSPECT WHAT THE ISSUE WAS. AFTER INSPECTION, I NOTED THE PASSENGER REAR TIRE WAS AT AN ANGLE WITH THE TOP OF THE TIRE INWARD TOUCHING THE FRAME. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE CLOSEST REPAIR SHOP WHERE I FOUND FROM THEIR INSPECTION THAT THE AXLE WAS BROKE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVEABLE. MY VEHICLE WAS PART OF THE FORD WINDSTAR AXLE RECALL, WHICH WAS SERVICED BY THE LOCAL FORD DEALER IN 2012. THIS VEHICLE HAD THE REINFORCEMENTS ADDED TO THE AXLE IN 2012. THE AXLE BROKE BETWEEN THE REINFORCED PLATES WELDED TO THE AXLE DURING THE RECALL CHECK. NOW AFTER TOWING THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER FOR INSPECTION, I FIND OUT THAT FORD WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THE ISSUE AND NOT REPAIR OR REPLACE THE AXLE DUE TO THE LENGTH OF TIME FROM THE RECALL. I FEEL LUCKY THAT I WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE AXLE BROKE.

NHTSA ID

10767590

Incident

Sep 11, 2015

Mileage

135,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STAY IN POSITION. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE TILTED INWARDS. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REVERSE AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE AXLE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V193000 (POWER TRAIN ) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,361.

NHTSA ID

10746526

Incident

Aug 4, 2015

Mileage

140,361 mi

REAR AXLE BROKE IN HALF WHILE DRIVING CAUSING A ROLL OVER ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10706613

Incident

Apr 18, 2015

Mileage

140,000 mi

THE FRONT RIGHT AXEL BROKE, I DIDN'T HAVE AN ACCIDENT NOR DID I RUN IT INTO A DITCH. THE FRAME HAS CRACKED, ITS WHERE THE AXLE AND THE FRAME MEET. IT'S A 2001 AND YES, IT'S AN OLD VEHICLE, BUT ITS THE ONLY TRANSPORTATION I CAN AFFORD RIGHT NOW. IF I CAN TAKE IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP TO BE REPAIRED I WOULD. SOME HOW, I BELIEVE THEIR IS A GOD.

NHTSA ID

10653726

Incident

Feb 3, 2014

Mileage

194,321 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND FAILED TO PICK UP SPEED. THE CONTACT MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED IT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, BUT THE SPEED WOULD NOT INCREASE PAST 5 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.

NHTSA ID

10643179

Incident

Sep 24, 2014

Mileage

136,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACTED STATED WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE REAR WHEELS SEIZED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SLIDE SIDE TO SIDE ERRATICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRACTION SENSOR AND REAR AXLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V385000 (SUSPENSION).THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 162,000.

NHTSA ID

10630730

Incident

Mar 30, 2014

Mileage

162,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A THUMPING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,011.

NHTSA ID

10597141

Incident

Jun 8, 2014

Mileage

155,011 mi

HAD THE 2011 REAR AXLE RECALL PERFORMED BY FORD IN 2011. THEY INSPECTED THE REAR AXLE AND INSTALLED THE SUPPORT BRACKETS. NOW MY REAR AXLE IS CRACKED. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I HAD THE RECALL PERFORMED WHO CONFIRMED THEY HAD PERFORMED THE RECALL BUT DENIED ANY FURTHER RESPONSIBILITY AND TOLD ME TO CONTACT FORD. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD AND SPOKE WITH BOTH A CUSTOMER SERVICE REP AND HER SUPERVISOR WHO BOTH ADVISED FORD IS ONLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FIRST 12 MONTHS OR 12,000 MILES SINCE THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED. I FEEL THE REPAIR WAS NOT SUFFICIENT TO PREVENT ADDITIONAL CRACKING OF THE AXLE AND THEY SHOULD FIX/REPLACE THE AXLE. *TT

NHTSA ID

10583108

Incident

Apr 15, 2014

Mileage

165,000 mi

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE WINDSTAR AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH WHEN SHE HEARD A NOISE AND FELT SOMETHING BREAK AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE AND SHE WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE STOPPED. SHE EXITED THE VEHICLE TO SEE IF SHE COULD SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. SHE NOTICED BOTH FRONT WHEELS WERE POINTING IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS. THIS VEHICLE WAS RECALLED IN 2011 TO HAVE BRACKETS PLACED TO SUPPORT THE SUBFRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL GARAGE. UPON INSPECTION IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE PASSENGERS SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM HAD PULLED OUT OF THE SUBFRAME. *TR

NHTSA ID

10547685

Incident

Oct 7, 2013

CPSC#I1360214A. 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. CONSUMER STATED SHE TOOK HER CAR IN FOR A RECALL ON THE AXLE AND WAS TOLD EVERYTHING WAS FINE. THREE WEEKS LATER SHE WAS DRIVING AND THE CAR STARTED SOUNDING ODD. CONSUMER PULLED OVER AN HER TIRE WAS LEANING IN, BECAUSE THE AXLE HAD SNAPPED. *LN THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNDER THE RECALL, BECAUSE THEY PLACED ON BRACKETS ON THE AXLE, TWO YEARS PRIOR. THE DEALER STATED THEY HAD COMPLIED WITH THE RECALL.

NHTSA ID

10525469

Incident

May 31, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V193000 (POWER TRAIN). THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WAS ADDITIONAL RUST ON THE TRANSMISSION MOUNT AND THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE CORNER OF THE UNDER CARRIAGE. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000. *TR

NHTSA ID

10524173

Incident

Jul 10, 2013

Mileage

96,000 mi

HAD RECALL WORK DONE10/30/11 PREVENTATIVE REPAIRS FAILED. REAR AXLE SPLIT WHILE DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10513733

Incident

May 21, 2013

Mileage

145,000 mi

THIS 2001 FORD WINDSTAR MINIVAN WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE FOR UNRELATED MALFUNCTION (OVERHEATING). MECHANIC TOLD US THAT THE REAR AXLE HAD A HOLE IN IT AND WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THIS MINIVAN HAD BEEN SERVICED AT A FORD DEALERSHIP FOR A RECALL FOR A POSSIBLE CRACK IN THE REAR AXLE AND RECHECKED SHORTLY BEFORE THIS INCIDENT. OBVIOUSLY THE RECALL DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM THIS WAS THE SECOND MINIVAN TO WHICH WE HAD THIS HAPPEN. THE OTHER WAS A 1998 FORD WINDSTAR. WE WERE TOLD IN JANUARY 2013 THAT THIS REAR AXLE WAS CRACKED AND UNDRIVEABLE. THIS VEHICLE TOO HAD BEEN RECALLED AND TAKEN IN. WE HAD THE 2001 MINIVAN CHECKED IN JANUARY BECAUSE OF THE PROBLEM WITH THE 1998 AND IT WAS STILL FOUND TO BE CRACKED IN MARCH. *TR

NHTSA ID

10509802

Incident

Mar 31, 2013

Mileage

90,000 mi

STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN, PRESSED THE GAS AND NOTHING HAPPENED AS IF THE VAN HAD BEEN PUT IN NEUTRAL. THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED. NONE OF THE GEARS WILL ENGAGE. THROUGH MY OWN RESEARCH I'VE FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS WITH THE FORD WINDSTAR TRANSMISSION AND STILL NO RECALL. THE COMPANY SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. THEY WILL FIX A SMALL INEXPENSIVE CENSOR BUT NOT THE TRANSMISSION. *TR

NHTSA ID

10507063

Incident

Mar 25, 2013

Mileage

145,000 mi