2001 Ford Windstar Suspension Problems

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH, the rear axle fractured. There was no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed back to the residence. The vehicle had been diagnosed by an independent mechanic. The contact was informed that the failure was due to a stress crack caused by excessive corrosion. The vehicle had not been repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and determined that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

NHTSA ID

11554891

Incident

Nov 10, 2023

Mileage

105,000 mi

Rear axle cracked where bracket that was installed during previous recall. Van is not drivable and could have been a bad accident.

NHTSA ID

11514177

Incident

Mar 26, 2023

Rear axle cracked in multiple locations causes car to sway and tires to turn inward and bald

NHTSA ID

11506431

Incident

Feb 9, 2023

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while his son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently came to a complete stop. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that the rear wheels were crooked and rubbing against the inner fender well. The vehicle was towed to the residence and then later to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the rear axle was fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000. The contact noted that the failure speed was 55 mph. The axle was previously repaired due to the recall while the vehicle was under warranty. When the contact took the vehicle for repair, they were told that the vehicle was no longer under warranty or the recall.

NHTSA ID

11503400

Incident

Dec 1, 2022

Mileage

180,000 mi

The contact's girlfriend owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the rear axle was previously replaced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V608000 (Suspension). The contact stated that while his girlfriend was driving approximately 10 MPH and making a left turn, a loud bang was heard from the rear of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact's girlfriend was able to veer to the side of the road and became aware that both the rear driver’s and passenger’s side tires were tilted inward, and the rear axle was fractured. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the rear axle needed to be replaced. The vehicle remained with the mechanic awaiting the repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 159,000.

NHTSA ID

11502841

Incident

Jan 18, 2023

Mileage

159,000 mi

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH and crossing railroad tracks that were flush with the road surface, the contact heard the passenger’s side rear tire making a loud screeching noise. The contact could hear rubbing or friction and then noticed that smoke was coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled off the road safely and inspected the vehicle and saw that the wheel was tilted into the wheel well and was rubbing the top and inside of the tire against the wheel well. The contact had the vehicle towed back to his residence. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V608000 (Suspension). The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 132,000.

NHTSA ID

11495529

Incident

Nov 30, 2022

Mileage

132,000 mi

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 ID

11485676

Incident

Aug 29, 2022

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH, there was an abnormal sound, and the vehicle felt as if it had a flat tire. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that the rear driver's side tire was tilted inward and the rear axle was fractured. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The mechanic related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V608000 (Suspension). The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that in 2016, per the recall, the brackets were inspected to verify their proper installation however, the recall repair was not performed. The vehicle was not repaired and remained with the independent mechanic. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 159,000.

NHTSA ID

11445099

Incident

Dec 9, 2021

Mileage

159,000 mi

ABS light, brake light came on. The seatbelt unhooks while I’m driving, I was told I had a cracked axle, the wheel bearing was very noisy, I’ve paid a lot of money to get things fixed. The labor was at a ridiculous amount on $25 parts. I’m wondering if I’ve paid to have parts fixed that were under recall. I fix one thing and then there’s another issue. Oil is leaking under the hood and I’m afraid it will catch fire so I’m scared to drive.

NHTSA ID

11442670

Incident

Oct 29, 2021

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed when they heard a loud popping sound coming from the vehicle. The driver looked out the rear-view mirror and saw smoke coming from the vehicle. The driver pulled over to the side of the roadway. The driver called the contact to come to where the vehicle was pulled over to inspect the vehicle. The contact became aware that the driver’s side rear axle was fractured. The contact had the vehicle towed to his residence. The contact had the vehicle towed to the local dealer to be inspected. The mechanic confirmed that the driver’s side rear axle was fractured. The vehicle was not repaired because the manufacturer denied that the rear axle bracket matched the measurement for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage 136,397.

NHTSA ID

11422981

Incident

May 2, 2021

Mileage

136,397 mi

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, there was a loud abnormal sound coming from the rear passenger’s side of the vehicle with black smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact parked in a parking lot and saw that the rear passenger’s side tire was leaning towards the inside of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to her residence and then the dealer. The contact stated that the dealer diagnosed the vehicle with a fractured rear axle that needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V608000 (Suspension) in April of 2011. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000.

NHTSA ID

11419340

Incident

May 28, 2021

Mileage

138,000 mi

REAR AXLE BROKE WHEN DRIVING SLOWLY PULLING INTO OUR DRIVEWAY ON STREET.

NHTSA ID

11406350

Incident

Apr 4, 2021

Mileage

166,185 mi

ON MY 2001 FORD WINDSTAR FORD INSTALLED THESE BRACKETS ON REAR SUSPENSION SUBFRAME AND ALMOST 2 YEARS LATER MY AXLE HAS SPLIT FROM ONE SIDE ALL THE WAY AROUND TO THE OTHER AND ANY TINY BUMP YOU HIT THE VAN JUMPS ALL OVER THE ROADWAY. THEY WON'T REPAIR THE AXLE BECAUSE THE "BRACKETS " WERE INSTALLED "PROPERLY".

NHTSA ID

11388306

Incident

Jan 5, 2021

Mileage

170,100 mi

WHILE TRAVELING AT 60 M.P.H. , THE REAR AXLE BROKE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHERE THE AXLE IS WELDED, RECALL NUMBER 10S13 WAS COMPLETED ON THE VEHICLE, WHERE THEY INSTALLED THE SUPPORT BRACKETS SO THE AXLE WOULDN'T BREAK, THE AXLE BROKE AN INCH AWAY FROM WHERE THE SUPPORT BRACKET WAS INSTALLED, THERE WASN'T AN ACCIDENT WITH THE VEHICLE AND NO ONE WAS HURT, BUT THIS COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN AN ACCIDENT,

NHTSA ID

11386303

Incident

Jan 1, 2021

Mileage

150,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE REAR AXLE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT RENTED A TRUCK AND TOWED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V608000 (SUSPENSION) REGARDING THE REAR AXLE HOWEVER, THE FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. JORDAN FORD (609 E JEFFERSON BLVD, MISHAWAKA, IN 46545; (574) 259-1981) WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE REAR AXLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED HOWEVER, THE REPAIR WAS NO LONGER COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND CONFIRMED WHAT THE DEALER STATED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 164,952.

NHTSA ID

11360699

Incident

Sep 12, 2020

Mileage

164,952 mi

THE REAR AXLE SPLIT/BROKE WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH TURNING ONTO A STREET. BOTH WHEELS ARE NOW RUBBING AGAINST THE FRAME.

NHTSA ID

11342044

Incident

Jul 29, 2020

Mileage

126,000 mi

REAR AXLE SNAPPED WHILE DRIVING, RECALL REPAIR WAS DONE LESS THAN 5 YEARS AGO (10/2015). FORD WILL NOT FIX IT. AN AXLE SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE, NOT JUST 4 1/2 YEARS. *TR

NHTSA ID

11330887

Incident

Jun 19, 2020

Mileage

172,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 51 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED A BURNING ODOR ENTERING THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT AND PASSENGERS HEADS WAS HITTING TOWARDS THE WINDOWS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE WAS BENT IN AND NOTICED THAT THE AXLE WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS HOLES AND CRACKS IN AXLE CAUSING THE AXLE TO BE FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CONTACTED EVANSVILLE FORD 428 N UNION RD, EVANSVILLE, WI 53536 WHERE THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE HOLE AND CRACKS BUT UNABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT A YEAR AGO THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V608000 (SUSPENSION). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,000.

NHTSA ID

11308316

Incident

Jan 30, 2020

Mileage

143,000 mi

THE AXLE WAS PART OF RECALL #11S16. AS PART OF THE RECALL THE AXLE WAS PATCHED, BUT THE AXLE IS NOW BROKEN BECAUSE THE "REPAIR" DID NOT CORRECT THE STRUCTURAL FLAWS IN THE AXLE.

NHTSA ID

11299013

Incident

Jan 13, 2020

Mileage

165,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE AND THE REAR AXLE CRACK I WAS DRIVING ON A ON A CITY STREET AND WAS SCARED MY TIRES WAS RUBBING AND SMOKING.

NHTSA ID

11270486

Incident

Oct 22, 2019

Mileage

154,000 mi

THE REAR AXLE BROKE WHERE FORD REPAIRED IT IN 2011. THEY ARE SAYING THAT MY VAN IS OUT OF WARRANTY ON THE RECALL BECAUSE IT IS OVER 150000 MILES. IF THEY HAD REPLACED MY REAR AXLE IN 2011 INSTEAD OF A BAD PATCH JOB ON THAT RECALL I WOULDN'T BE HAVING THIS TROUBLE. I FEEL THAT SINCE FORD HAD IT UNDER RECALL IN 2011 THEY SHOULD HAVE FIXED IT RIGHT AT THAT TIME. I WENT INTO TOWN ON MONDAY 10/14/19 AND WHEN I CAME OUT OF THE STORE I NOTICED THAT THE REAR WHEELS WERE LEANING IN AGAINST THE BODY.

NHTSA ID

11268994

Incident

Oct 14, 2019

Mileage

155,000 mi

MOST IMPORTANT IS THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN CHANGED AND CHECKED. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE BRAKES HAVE JUST FAILED AND I WOULD PUMP THEM ENOUGH JUST TO GET IN A SAFE LOCATION. AAA HAS HAD TO PICK ME UP AND WHEN THE BRAKES WHERE CHECKED THEY WERE FIND AND THE FLUID FULL. ALSO THE REAR JUST FELL BUT I HAD THAT REPAIRED BY A LOCAL REPUTABLE SHOP ON CANDLER RD, DECATUR/ THERE IS A RESIDUE ALL AROUND WHERE I PUT THE GAS IN. I'VE HAD THE SAME MECHANIC FOR ALMOST 30 YEARS AND HE SAYS THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES MAY BE FAULTY. THE BRAKE AND ENGINE LIGHT WILL NOT GO OUT EVEN WHEN REPAIRS ARE MADE ACCORDING TO THE CODES THAT COME UP. THE SCARIEST TIME WAS WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON UNIVERSITY AVE IN ATLANTA AND THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP AT THE LIGHT AT A NORMALLY BUSY INTERSECTION. I BEGAN BLOWING THE HORN AND THANK GOODNESS NO ONE WAS AHEAD OF ME. AAA TOOK THEIR SWEET TIME COMING AND BY THE TIME THEY GOT THERE THE PEDAL WAS BACK UP BUT I HAD THEM TO TOW ME HOME ANYWAYS. MY MECHANIC CHECKED IT AND ALL WAS FIND BUT HE WAS CONCERNED AND SO WAS I. I DID NOT CONTACT FORD BUT IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN AS I STARTED IT YESTERDAY MORNING AND THE BRAKES WERE ON THE FLOOR. THIS IS JUST TOO DANGEROUS. I TOLD MY MECHANIC NOT TO COME CHECK IT BEFORE CONTACTING FORD.

NHTSA ID

11257697

Incident

Sep 23, 2019

FORD AXLE RECALL IN CERTAIN STATES. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP APPROXIMMENTLY 5 MONTHS AGO. THEY SAID BRACKETS WERE OK. AXLE BROKE 08/26/2019 MILEAGE ON VEHICLE 100607. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, VAN ALMOST FLIP. TIRES ARE ANGLED OUT AND RUINED.

NHTSA ID

11246452

Incident

Aug 26, 2019

Mileage

100,607 mi

FORD=FIX OR REPAIR DAILY!!!!!!!!!!! I AM WRITING TO TRY AND GET FORD TO DO THE RIGHT THING. MY MOTHER'S EX-HUSBAND TOLD ME TO NEVER BUY A FORD AND I DID NOT LISTEN. I BOUGHT A WINDSTAR 2001. I TOOK IT IN FOR THE RECALL ON THE AXLE. THEY INSPECTED AND TOLD ME IT WAS FINE. I WAS UNAWARE THAT THEY DID ANYTHING TO IT. THREE WEEKS AGO, I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM THE GYM WHEN MY CAR STARTED SOUNDING ODD. I... PULLED OVER AND NOTICED MY TIRES WERE LEANING IN. MY AXLE HAD SNAPPED. I CALLED THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD INDEED FIX IT DUE TO THE RECALL. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP IN TAYLOR. THAT NEXT MONDAY WAS MEMORIAL DAY SO I DID NOT HEAR ANYTHING FROM THEM UNTIL THEY CALLED ON TUESDAY AND STATED THEY WILL NOT FIX IT BECAUSE THEY HAD PLACED BRACKETS ON IT 2 YEAR AGO. THEY SAID THEY HAD COMPLIED WITH THE RECALL AND THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS REPAIR. WHAT I DO NOT UNDERSTAND IS HOW THEY BELIEVE THIS IS ACCEPTABLE. IF FORD HAD FIXED THE PROBLEM IN THE FIRST PLACE THIS WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN AN ISSUE. I COULD HAVE BEEN DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY OR MY KIDS COULD HAVE BEEN IN THE CAR. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD AND ASKED FOR THEM TO RECONSIDER THIS TO NO AVAIL. THANK YOU *JS

NHTSA ID

11242575

Incident

May 31, 2013

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