I have a windstar my bake axle is fractured and my structure frame and meembers: underbody shield is broke in the front. For as much that ford is paying in rentals a month for us-$7000.00 they should just buy the cars back. I feel its wrong and a great incoveince. I still have to pay my carpayment and i’m in a small car, this is rediculous. Plus there is a recall on the cruise control..it is causing the van to catch on fire while driving the van or it being parked and off. I have children and an 8 month old, i’m worried this might happen to me. A 4 year old alredy died. something must be done!

purchased my vechicle 2003 ford windstar in 2005 with 20, 000 miles on it, with 82,000 miles, 3 days after christmas, my Husband and disabled son broke down on high way , THE TRANSMISSION WENT. it cost over 2,000 then 3 months later had problems with the upper intake gasket, that was 500.00. The abs brake light and emergency brakes light keeps coming on,had brakes done, that was a few hundred, Then the cluster gage stopped working, brought it into ford, when we found out about the recall with the axle, which we failed, ford had my vechicle for 4 MONTHS, ONLY BEING STARTED 1 a MONTH, Tried calling head quarters for 4 months. THE ONLY RESPONSE FROM THEM IS STRESS and a CELL PHONE BILL. I have My van back now, Had to pay for the cluster gage, That was 750,00, and still having problems, BRAKES making a funny noise, All they did was replace the battery, WHAT rights do we have regarding lot rot on our vechicles,and the sad part I still have 2 car payments left, FORD IS NO HELP, and I have a disabled son that I have to transport. FORD SHOULD BE ASHAMED, I DEFINETLY HAVE A LEMON!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHO CARES ABOUT THE RENTAL THEY PUT US IN. MY VAN IS RUNNING ROUGH, THE BRAKES MAKE A NOISE WHEN YOU STEP ON THEM, NOT ALL THE TIME, MOSTLY WHEN IT RAINS THEY EVEN BROKE MY KEY FAB,AND DIDN’T EVEN TELL ME ABOUT IT, VAN IS GOING BACK IN TO SHOP NEXT WEEK, I HOPE THEY DON’T TELL ME ,IT IS GOING TO COST THIS MUCH, I WILL FLIP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. I SHOULD’NT BE CHARGED ANYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!

Well got the good news and bad news end of last week. Good news was they had my reae axle in, bad news the subframe failed. Was then told that they would have to contact Ford Motors to find out what next course of action would be. Ford made me a buy back offer not sure if that amount was worth all the hassle. Was put in a beat up 2002 Pontiac Montana (because that was all they could find that was comparible to the passenger rating of the windstar) and have had to take it back to rental place 3 times for different problems. Threw a fit with service manager about this piss of crap that ford put out but then had to hold back and apologized because it wasn’t his falt. All in all ford has lost me my kids and my future grandkids as customers.Bad thing is was a proud owner of 4 other fords. Thanks for nothing Ford Motors.

We recieved notiification of the axle. We brought it in for inspection 12.21.2010 and received a call the next day that our 1999 windstar was eligible for the buy back. My husband went the same day and accepted the offer of $2990. We have JUST got notified that somehow Ford Motor corp was not buying back the vehicle because they didn’t recieve the paper work on time. The dealership said that the first time they faxed it, the fax on the other end did not pick. The service manager called and was told to e-mail. It is our understanding that this occured. In the mean time there is yet another recall. We called Ford Corp customer service only to recieve many differing stories as to why this is happenning. I don’t understand, they made the offer and we accepted…yet they are renigging on ther offer. There are at least 4 others in our area that this is happening to. Some one dropped the ball and we are penalized,. We do not want this vehicle back..don’t feel safe in it and t here is a multitude of other issues do to design ….etc.

The begining of December we had our windstar looked at, we were told that the parts would not be available until 2011. Our van was not bad enough to need a rental car, so we drove it home. Since then we have received a second type of recall (so we’ll be in again soon) However since taking the van in I hear a thump thump over bumps. The sound seems to be coming from the Rear driver side area. I checked to see that I had the rear seats we in, and that I didn’t have anythingloose… Does this sound like anything that you all noticed? My husband thinks he should drive the van instead of me and the kids, joking, he said he would wear his helmet (lol) while driving.

Well this recall has spread to UT now. The local dealership has had our 2003 Windstar since Dec.10,2010. I have been to the dealer several times, since it is just around the corner, and they told me that in early Jan, the parts would be in, but they still have the car because the parts aren’t in, when I called about the front end problem, they acted like I was annoying them, HELLO you have my car, shouldn’t you treat me well. We were offered a buy out of $1400, we owe more than that on the darn thing, and couldn’t get another car. I have looked for a class action suit but can’t find one. Every time I see a Windstar now I ask if they know about the recall, since it is so important. I hope Ford fixes this, but I have looked somewhere, I believe a food website and it said the parts wouldn’t be in until May where I live. They did provide a rental that is really nicer than our car, but it isn’t the same as having my own car.

Got my van back, front subframe is fine. I will get the supports when they come in. The new axle looks good. It was clean and I hope to get another year out of it. They paid Enterprise in full, no out of pocket to me. My wife drove a 2011 Chev Silverado during the worst part of the winter. It was down from Nov til today.

My heart goes out to any of you who experienced a loss of a loved one or injury due to this recall. FORD should step up, forget the bottom line and realize there are lives at stake here. The fair thing to do here is (1) compensate us consumers for any repairs we have already made and (2) provide a fair, above blue book value amount of $6500 (I did the math and this is very fair). I’m sure if you have one of your accountants do the math the cost to do this would be far less than buying all those replacement parts, the labor for installing all those replacement parts, rental vehicle fees and GOD FORBID have to pay damages to a family due to death or injury. Luckily we do routine maintainence on our vehicles and when we took our van in for a realignment. The mechanic was shocked that the frame had not already separated from the axle. We immediately had it soldered and reinforced for $500. Our van has been at the dealership since Nov. 2010. Our dealer has provided us with great service and has always been available to answer our questions. The Enterprise rental company we have been dealing with has been wonderful! The dealers have their hands tied and really aren’t the decision makers. The dealerships are being required to buy back scrap metal and/or lemons OR they are repairing only the vehicles they think they may have the potential to resell. This doesn’t make sense to me. I hope that someone at FORD puts on their common sense hat and chooses to do the right thing by the consumer, its dealerships and its employees who are bearing the brunt of all our frustrations.

Well Ford gave me the larger car for my family of (5) but when I was at the dealer dropping of compact rental I seen about 30-40 vans waiting to be repaired. Then I found mine next to a snow bank with flat tires. I always took care of my van to the highest standard coming from a mechincal back ground. This tells me that since I dropped it off to them on 10-21-10 it has never been moved which tells me there will be alot more damage. If I treated there rental this way they would bill me a crazy amount of money more then what the car cost. Ford should be ashamed the way they are treating their customers and especialy the way people are having hard enough times as is.

Why would anyone want there van back after this.To be put into a 2010 Explorer with 3rd row seat loaded was fine with me since Nov.Especially with the harsh winter this yr the 4wheel drive has been a blessing!Even though its not the time for anyone to take on a car payment how much longer would these vans last anyway.For saftey reasons and personaly knowing the family of the fatal accident back in oct.I wouldn’t think of putting my family back into it.I told my ford dealer to leave my van at the back of the line(out of the 200 they have ill gladly be 199)I’m buying time saving towards a new vehicle(not a ford)!and getting a great rental out of the deal!

Just picked up my 1999 Windstar with 164,000 miles on it. Ford was billed $5,500 from Enterprise. I would have taken that amount for my van. Have a nice new rear axle – which is worth more than my van. I looked up the vans value on Edmunds and as a trade it is worth $149

Now going on month 5!!!!!! I spoke to Ford Corp. last night and still no answer on when I will get my van back . They did tell me that the dealers are given an alotment to maintain the vans. They are suppose to call me today to get me out of my compact car because of the hardship of not being able to transport my family of 5 but we will see!!!! I think this has turned into a huge nightmare for Ford I mean Toyota.

well we all know there is problems with every vehicle out there but yes alot of people who have a van carry around child like i do i have three with one on the way and yes it was hard to find out there was something wrong with our family van but ford has been really good about helping us out with another car until my is fixed which is very nice of them and yes it would be nice to have this problem fixed and over but this is life and we all need to understand and from what i get out of my letter ford does help by putting you in another car if needed and they are trying to fix the problem asap and even after all this mess i would still get another ford they are very help full during a problem with there vehicals thanks everyone but give them time it will be over soon

Well I still have one at the dealer waiting for another axle, but that does not bother me. What bothers me is this new recall for the subframe. I talked to the dealer today and was told that the kits will not be in until end of March or April 2011. The real bad news is that if you have the cracks in the subframe it will have to be replaced. I was told that they (Ford Dealer) was not sure where the subframes are going to come from. Thats right Ford might have to reproduce new subframes and that means we as owners might be put into another rental car for months..

I took my 2001 Windstar in at the end of December and recd a 2011 ford escape, totally free. Told them I neede something bigger and got a crappy rental and took it back and now am driving a 2011 Toyota Sienna. Got a call from Enterprise today that my recallplacement is on a recall!! How ironic. Its not only ford but all manufacturers seem to slacking. I dont care how long it takes this van is nice and hopefully we can take it on vacation this year to beach instead of the windstar. Also stopped insurance on Windstar all but comprehensive and am only payaing 50 for 6 months since i am under ford insurance now

I dropped 1999 SEL off at my Ford dealer in early Oct. 2010. I picked up my Windstar on February 10, 2011 with a peplaced rear axle. The front engine cradle was inspected, and passed. The Van was detailed, all tires properly inflated, and started right up. Two weeks later, the Van is like it was prior to the recall. All that was wrong before Ford grabbed it, is still wrong. The electrical system is filled with Gremlins. I drove a 2010 Chrysler Town and Country for 4 months, and it was not unpleasureable. But driving my Windstar again was like putting on an old pair of slippers. It felt comfortable.

I have a 1999 Winstar SEL. In December I was picking my kids up at school and my rear axle broke in half. Very thankful it broke in the parking lot and not the highway. It was towed to my local garage and then to the dealer. It has been sitting there ever since. I was never notified of any recalls before this. I was lucky enough to get a 2011 Dodge Caravan at Enterprise at not cost to me. The other day I switched out the Caravan for a Kia Sportage. I guess the Caravan had too many miles (33,000) and is going to be pulled of the rental racket and put up for sale. Oh well, anyway I got a phone call today(first one ever) that they are going to offer me a buy out. They offered us $5453!!! Really… I paid $6000 in 2005. I’m jumping on the offer but hate to give up the very nice rental.

I turned in my windstar in early December. Ford offered to buy me out for $2710. That seemed really low, since the book is $3580. I’m driving an 09 Corolla at Ford’s expense until they fix my beloved van, or make me a decent offer.

‘@terry, i had been told that they cannot release my car to me which seems like the policy “we are not responsible for any damage incurred” would not be in effect since they have given us no option or decision power as to whether we want our vehicle on their lot or not? as far as i am concerned.

My 2001 Windstar has been at a dealer since 9/10/2010. Went there today to check on my van, and guess what my plates were stolen and my new tires were flat. The service mgr. when I said that the dealer would have to replace them looked at me like I was nuts! I told him that I was told that my van would be safe in their lot. Also, I told him to fix or replace my tires since I was told that they would also maintain my van! He told me our lot is fenced in, it is safe! Apparently it is not!! When I got home I called Ford Corp. and was told that dealers were compinsated for maintaining our vans. I then called the general Mgr. of the dealer and was told that we were responsible for maintaining our own vans and that they were not responsible for damages or maintaining and that Ford customer service lied to me!! I see a law suit in my future. Anybody else?

What is plan of Ford? Are they really undecided at this point as what to do with all these recalls? NO COMMON SENSE. Here we all are with these rentals, never knowing if we will ever see our own vehicles again. I never liked NOT KNOWING WHAT I AM DOING. They are supposed to be professional business. This whole thing is not being handled in a professional, above board fashion. When Ford offered less than Blue Book Value then that alone tells me that they are dishonest. How would they like being treated like that.? DEAR FOR: IF YOU ARE READING THIS, YOU NEED TO TURN YOURSELVES AROUND AND DO THE RIGHT THING. Quit trying to buy these out cheap. That is no way to handle this. You got parts made in CHINA and now they failed. ALL YOU CAR MANUFACTURERS NEED TO COME BACK TO THE U.S.A. AND GET OUR PARTS MADE HERE. YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR. Now I will say that with the Ford Product, you get what you pay for. Ford is not the only manufacturer who cut corners and went to CHINA for parts. Lots of car mfg. did and do. This just needs to be addressed now. The sub frames are compromised now along with so many other things. Just do the right thing Ford.

My dealer is telling me that Ford is once again buying out the 1998-2000 models which ended 12/31/10. The dealer is not very happy either, they are stuck with these Windstars and are afraid that all the parts are going to show up when they are getting ready for the busy season. He told me that they wish Ford has do a buyout right from the start. But they are getting the same BS information from Ford as the consumers.

Ohh boy! I am really scared!! I just dropped my 2000 windstar off at the dealer yesterday, and i got the call today that there is cracks in the axels and will set me up with a rental. At first I thought how nice of them but now I am scared I will not get my van back and if I do with the other recalls do I want it back. Naturally I was put in a hyundai accent, really? There is a reason I own a minivan and not a compact car, but I guess just being able to get to work is good enough. I had no idea this was such a big deal and affected so many people! My thoughts about ford have surely changed and not for the better!!

My husband and I were contacted tonight, Feb. 10, 2011 by the service rep. at Pundmann Ford here in St Charles, MO. He is telling us that we can either take a buy out of $4,200 which he says is 1.5 x’s the blue book or we can have the rear axle fixed and they will not fix the Front Sub Frame. As soon as my husband got off the phone we filed a complaint with the MO Attorney General’s Office. Ford should not be able to dictact this recall since it was their defective workmanship. They have given me a Focus for a rental that doesn’t accomodate my family. I am outraged at Ford and I hope everyone else contacts their Attorney General & left them know what Ford is pulling.

Went to check on my 2003 Windstar today to find out what was going on with it.The dealership told me that they still have not received parts.they also informed me that there was ather recall on the front axle that Ford hasn’t released to the owners yet.According to the service dept. guy if the front is bad they are not supposed to replace either axle and that they were talking about buying those vans back.My question is that if they do buy them back what are they going topay? I payed 16,900 for it a little over three years ago,which according to Kelly Bluebook was what it was worth.I checked it now and it dropped to almost nothing.I owe more than itsworth.So it looks like trading it off on something else is out of the question unless i take a major loss.I thought that I was buying a safe reliable car for my wife and kids but all I get done doing is putting more money in it.I am not someone who just goes out and buys something.i did my homework on this van when I bought it and there was no recalls on anything.I even took my father along when I purchased it{who is a mechanic}.I hope it is fixed right when I get it back . I am already looking for a safer replacement for my wife and this time it will not be a Ford .

I got a call out of the blue from the dealership that my ’99 Windstar was fixed and that I could return the rental car and pick up the minivan. First thing I’ve heard since Nov. and I’m supposed to scramble to pick it up? Bad news since I didn’t want it back and was hoping for the buyout. However, several calls into the dealership asking whether or not they’ve inspected for the new recall haven’t been returned. Hopefully not, but I’m not returning the rental until they do. Not a single word about incentives to purchase a Ford or anything else from their lot. Just a “return the rental and pick up your van.” Now I don’t want to drive the van and there’s no way I’ll be able to unload it and I have to scramble to find something this weekend without any buyout money to put towards something else. Great.

I also brought my windstar in for the recall and the axel was cracked, and they would not release it to me, I have to say when I went to enterprise they gave me a new grand cherokee jeep it only had 3000 miles on it with all the bells and whistles, I hope they never fix my car, I dont want to go back to that piece of junk especially after driving such a nice car. But I to wonder what will happen? I do think its crazy ford is spending all this money on rentals. But I will take it as long as I can.

• I have loaned my ’99 Ford Windstar Van to my 72 year old father, who has been helping my elderly aunt move. My neighbor called me last week upon hearing a news report on the 2 recalls on my van! Now Dad is keeping the van at his house and loaned me his VW. I am now looking for a dealership in my area to take it to. I am scared to death about the whole thing. • I went to the Ford home site–and there is no information on recalls “at a glance”. You have to enter your vin number then you will be directed-well don’t have my vin number handy! Now after reading all these blogs–I feel a bit more informed–but still scared. I do hear little pops and cracking from the front underside.. Who knows what will be found when I take it in.

Benn, I got my new axle and van back last Monday Jan 24. I’m not handicapped and not a taxi. My van sat since Sept 4, 2010 when my axle broke in 2 on the Interstate 80 in heavy traffic with my children in it over 100 miles away from home. My first week’s rental (put on my credit card) from enterprise was not fully reiumbursed by ford (they shorted me $72.00). After almost 5 months on the lot waiting for axle, My husband insisted that Ford drive it to my house and pick up their rental because we didn’t trust it with lot rot. He didn’t want me stranded again on a Sunday night, that’s when they wanted me to pick it up. Ford drove it to my house over 100 miles on 3 flat tires, which are now ruined. They didn’t even put the spare back under. NO appologies or anything. Not to mention, all the garbage was still in the van from our 2000 mile round trip last sept when the axle broke. FORD doesn’t care.

Just talked to one of my friends that is a commercial ford mechanic for my local dealer, he says rumor in the shop is axles are coming in slowly first to get them are taxis and handicapped transport vehicles then it is first come first serve. But then there is the front sub frame recall now.

I have a ’99 Windstar that’s been in since before Thanksgiving. I figured I’d get a buyout but my friend at a dealership says no more buyouts. I’m not going to be driving it again so they’ll be fixing it for nothing. Another dealer told me that Enterprise keeps calling them looking payment of over $90K but Ford hasn’t given them the money. Plus Ford isn’t paying them for all the time it takes to fix them. Not to mention that my van is under 3 feet of snow and isn’t being cleaned off or started. What a mess. It will be interesting to find out how this works out. They should have just given me the money two months ago.

So after almost 5 months of my van sitting on the lot to have axle replaced, my husband insists on Ford to deliver the van to my house over 100 miles away and pick up their rental. I was afraid what would happen since it sat never turned on for almost 5 months. Gabus Ford wanted me to pick the van up on my way home Sunday night when everything was closed, all by myself with my kids (over 100 miles away). So Gabus Ford in Des Moines, Iowa, where the van was, drove it to my house on 3 flat tires, ruined them. They didn’t even put spare tire back where it belonged. They didn’t refund all my rental money. They called to let me know my battery was dead, but they would put it on charger all night. Never mind them not changing the oil that sat for 5 months on the lot. Remember, my axle broke in 2 pieces while I was on the interstate doing 65 mph with all my children in van. Gabus Ford didn’t even flinch or say sorry. They have rotten customer service. I want the world to know that my family was almost killed, by the Grace of God saving us, we are all ok. But Ford does not care. Now the subframe is under recall. Is that why I hear bad cracking sounds coming from the front? SHAME ON YOU FORD!

I just gave my van to the dealer the rental place said there is a long waiting list to fix the van anyone here know about how long it can take?

I just dropped my van off yesterday, 99′ 180,000 miles, I bought the van a year ago with a bad transmission for $500, sunk $3000 into it total in parts as i did all the work except transmission($1800). I wont even consider a offer less than $6000 as mine KBB’s at $4500. Rory the receipt my dealer gave me says the inspections cost $12 thats what they are charging ford to look at our cars. The reason there are no axles is the company that made them is out of business. Ford is trying to round up all the tooling and/or make new tooling to produce new axles. I am a Tool and Die maker and know this just takes time, then they have to set up an assembly line, then they have to test to make sure this wont happen again to satisfy the goverment, this all takes time, and we should all just be thankful they are doing anything on an 8-12 year old vehicle that should of been part of the cash for clunkers program last year. For all those who didn’t get a van as a rental that is your fault, sorry, they tried to give me a compact, I said hell no. Then they tried to give me a four door car, told them I have a van because I need a van not because its COOL. Hertz then said they dont have any vans left, and I can take the four door and when they get a van they will call. I said NO if they cant give me a van take me home and call me when they get one!!! Suddenly they have a 2010 Chevy Traverse in the lot and gave it to me, I got four kids. It is all protocall to stick you with the cheapest thing in the lot. What I dont understand is it is costing ford on average $1100 a month for the rentals, some people have been in these since October or even longer, thats $3300. Why not give people $5000 for their POS windstar, and if you put it towards a new ford another $5000 plus a special financing offer like 0% for 72 months, since most of this demographic doesnt want or cant afford a new car that is why we all have 8-12 yr old windstars. But instead Ford would rather pay Hertz and Enterprise $10000 per rental??? Which is not even a FORD?????? I myself am very impressed with my CHEVY rental, drives great, comfy, seats 7, looks good, hell they can keep my windstar as long as they want i might buy this chevy from Hertz when i get my van back from ford in 8 months. Hahahahahaha

I live in Omaha, NE we are not on the recall list. I live 14 miles from the border of Iowa. We get just as much snow and just as much salt dumped on the roads as any other state on the recall list. I just heard about the recall on the local news today and am worried. I am going to be calling the Ford dealership tomorrow and see if they are going to check out my windstar and see if there are any problems with it. I live directly between 2 states that are in the recall list I don’t understand why we would not be on it. I would not get rid of my van for a settlement as there is only 55,000 miles on my 02. What I cannot understand is there are so many people unemployed right now and how it can take up to six months for Ford to get the axles. Why not hire people and make the axles to keep all families safe in these vehicles. The recall should be across the board on all windstars that have the problem not select states. I would think Ford would want to keep their customers happy and safe if they want someone to buy another Ford product.

I received a call today that my van was fixed from the rear axle recall. They have had my van since early October. I was also informed that the battery was dead and needed a new one. I told them that battery was not that old and this is not my fault that they had the car sitting for four months. I was told the battery had nothing to do with the recall and I would have to pay to have a new one. I informed that I would not pay them anything so dont touch my battery. I was told I better get it towed. I went down had the car jumped (which was hard because they had the car so close to the other cars you could not open the doors, I had to crawl throught he back) and took it to my mechanic because of the warrenty still on my battery. The battery did not even need replaced it just needed to be charged.

If u live in the salt belt u should get these things check out when u have ur vehicle serviced most of the people affected have vehicle that are ten or more years old things rust. Toyota was having problems with new cars. Not the same thing and also this is less likely to result in death

I own a 2003 ford wind star that the axle broke in half while my husband was going to work in June of 2010,we fixed it but that axle is cracked too my van is at Ford garage since Nov,10,2010 still not fixed & now they have a new recall for 1999 to 2003 wind star for hardware brackets to hold sub frame & ect.go to NECN.COM for info..

More information on the subframe recall. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41290763/ns/business-autos/

i owned a 1998 ford windstar we got the recall letter in october2010 i took my van to the dealership and my axle was broke .i had to sink alot of money into my van before this we had to replace the rack and pinion and the struts and we had to have major brake work done besides that we already had 3 recalls that we took in and had done it was the wiper motor the brake cable and the heat motor and we only got offered 2355 for our van which i feel we should of gotten more for it and we had just put brand new tires on it that was a good 600. 00 itself i feel that we should of gotten a better deal than what we were offered they just wanted to get us out of there and be done with us. the only reason we settled for the money they offered was because we would not of had no transportation for monthes i mean yes we did get arental for a few weeks but we still needed some way to get around

In case you have not gotten the news – another Windstar recall today Jan 27, 2011 for front end problems.

Well now they have finally issued a recall on the front subframes. Notices should be going out soon. So that will be another problem for them to look at but suppossedly they parts are availble for that. So now I’ll have to wait for the axle still to come in. But I’m still in my rental and not so sure I want to give it up. I’ve enjoyed driving a 2010 van but I just want this all settled once and for all!

So…I go to the “Windstar Graveyard” where my car is being stored until they can figure out a solution. I wanted to make sure everything was out of the car (Ford has had it since October due to the massive recall…cracked axles). Supposedly they are starting them on a regular basis. Well, that is just a bunch of bull! My car battery was sooo dead that it didn’t even have enough juice to lock the doors with the power locks. Some of the vans had broken out windows, flat tires, etc. And that is only what we can SEE! Who knows what else is wrong with these cars now?!?! I wanted to get my car started to see what it sounded like after sitting for almost 4 months now! Well, I have video footage and photos if I need them 😉

I have a 1998 Ford Windstar. It seems this vehicle was a lemon from the start. First all my interior lights began to fail – so to remedy it, after taking it to a mechanic who could find the problem, I took out all the fuses that controlled the lights inside my van, other than in the dash board itself. Then I get a recall notice on some part dealing with a break issue and Ford repaired that with no problem. After my front springs went out, I received a notice to take my van in to see if my vehicle was among those recalled for front spring failure and I was told it did not … FUNNY THING TO ME IS THAT BOTH FRONT ENDS SPRINGS BROKE BUT THEY ARE NOT UNDER THAT RECALL. Then I received word that the rear axle has a recall on it. Called to find out if my vehicle was under that recall. As you would guess – it wasn’t. So just like the front end springs that broke – but not included in the recall – I am wondering now if the rear axle also is going to break – and it’s not under the recall notice as well. Since this vehichle is unsafe with so many recalls, maybe the Ford Motor Company needs to recall all their Windstar vehicles and reimburse the owners, not only for the cost of their repair bills, but also for all the stress this vehicle has brought upon them.

1995 ford winstar lx was visiting a relative at the hospital while exiting the parking garage the right rear bracketcompletely broke into dropping the right rear of frame resting on tire

Our rear axle broke while my husband was driving our 2002 Windstar. The van has been sitting at the dealership since the beginning of September. I got a phone call from the dealership that they got one axle and since we were first in line we got it. We picked up our van yesterday (1/20/11). While it was there the inspection ran out. They offered to see what all it was going to need. I got a LIST and they charged me for going over the vehicle!!! When the van was taken in there was 1 light that needed replaced. Now over half of the lights on it do not work which we are praying they are just bulbs or fuses because who knows what the cost will be if it’s in the wiring. Our driver’s side window will not function. It never gave us a problem before it was taken. And the smell inside the vehicle is putrid from sitting in temps from 0 – 80 degrees and not being aired out. And we had just purchased a battery 2-4 months prior to it being taken in and it now reads as poor performance. The dealer said the only thing that Ford is responsible for is the axle. The other things have nothing to do with the recall. I called Ford and was told that we have to take the van in to be diagnosed and than get a cost and call them back and we would have to apply for financial assistance but that in all likelyhood we would be denied because, as the dealership stated, Ford’s liability is strictly the axle. This was our 4th and LAST Ford vehicle. I am so disappointed with this whole experience. To top it all off we’re still making payments on this death trap!!! From this experience I’ve learned that Ford doesn’t care about the people just the sales. How sad.

As of today, 1/20, I called my local Ford dealer here in MN just for an update and was told that they do not have parts yet. Now they have been told they should have parts in late Feb or early March. Originally they were told middle of January. He also told me that they were offering buyouts earlier but are not anymore because there are too many of them that need fixing. I’m still in a 5 passenger car and there have been a few times I have had no choice and have to double up two of my kids in the back seat. Guess Ford doesn’t care about that though.

Date of Occurence: 12 October 2010 The axel on my Ford Windstar broke in two parts while I was passing commuter traffic at a rate of approximately 60-65 mph on Interstate highway I-95 in the Washington DC area. There was a sound similar to an explosion, which made me think that I had a blowout! There was a great deal of smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle, with associated noise! Very frightening indeed! Thank God that there was not an 18 -Wheeler immediately behind me!!! I immediately turned on my hazard lights and proceeded, as best I could, to cross two traffic lanes to the shoulder. Fortunately, for us the people behind us were very alert and supproted are efforts to remove my vehicle, which seemed about ready to explode, to the shoulder where I was able to safely stop. Two good Samaritans, one who I thought was a NY Giants Linebacker; the other, a Wrecker Operator ( employed by the State of Maryland, I believe) came to offer their assistance, for which I always will be graterfull!). My damaged vehicale was subsequently towed to ” Ford Sheehy Auto Stores. There I was, for the first time, notified that a recall notice was in effect for my vehiclle! I must state that the people at the Ford Dealership were very friendly, courteous and professional in my dealings with them! I was given a rental car to use for approximately 90 days, after which I had hoped to have everything settled! 13 October 2010: I wrote a letter to “Ford Motor Company, Customer Relationship Center” describing what had happened, with a request that the situation be rectified as soon as possible, in that I had the need of the van! 19 October 2010 ( US Mail Envelope date): Received Official Recall Notice from Ford Motor Company, dated October 2010. A few days later, I received a letter from” Ford Customer Service Division’, providing me with “Case # 1571672940” , with an invitation to discuss the matter in further detail. On 5 November 2010, via telecon, I found out that that the situation would not be resolved until about March 2011. 08 November 2011: Based upon Ford Customer Notice, I had to extend my rental car agreement accordingly. Considering the impracticality of renewing my rental agreement with “Enterprise-Marlow Heights, MD”. I was able to extend the rental agreement with “Enterprise- Ridgewood, NJ-closer to my home in Ramsey, NJ. (NB: Ford Motor Company has been understanding and generous; thus far, in paying the rental fees and insurance for the rental vehicle! With March 2011 fast approaching, I would hope that this will continue until the matter is closed with mutual staisfaction! Aftrer saying all this, I would hope that glutonous profit seeking was not at the bottom of all this and that we can all once again be proud to say ” BUY AMERICAN!”

We got the call today to tell us that our van is fixed!. We have a 1999 Windstar. Our axle broke at the end of August. We have to return the rental car and pick up the van in 24 hours. I asked the dealership if they just reinforced the broken axle or did they replace it. He stated it was a new axle. I am just wondering how my van is running after sitting in the lot after 5 months in Chicago weather.

If anyone is defending Ford, saying it takes years for rust to develop, I have to speak up on that: we NOTIFIED FORD via certified letter back in 2008, about this. We even sent photos of our broken axle, and still NO response. And the dealership’s attitude was worse. We sited cases we found online, etc and asked if they had a moral obligation to pursue this, and the dealership’s answer was: it’s not our job. BY THE WAY, YES, our SECOND axle was cracked as well. Two rear axles we went through. I have been in my rental for 3 months, and friends we know in the same situation told us they were told us we could be in these rentals for 7 months. I can only imagine how much this is costing Ford. Can’t wait to get a Honda!