Windstar subframe recall performed - now rusted through pic attached.

has 267000 kilometers on it year 2002.

Taking to dealer tomorrow but does not sound promising and looks like I will end up with no car.

What recourse do I have available?

Already called ford canada and was told to work with the dealer.

pic didn't attach..

man.. that is nasty. I'd for sure be looking at repair or replacement of that section. If the metal around the area is solid I suppose there's a case for cutting out the rusted part and welding on new, although that may throw the geometry of that area off and a misaligned subframe would likely cause a lot of alignment problems.

I'd be pushing Ford really hard on this. They've already identified a problem with this part of the subframe.. clearly your rust issue is related.

so dealer asks best he could do is get me repair done for 200 plus tax that i would have to pay.

unfortunately guy fixing it says is all rusted out so looking for new vehicle...what is best mini van for gas mileage?

I bought a sub-frame a few years back because the one under the vehicle was getting pretty bent-up ... but no rust... we don't do that down here in the South! I put several coats of Rustoleum on the sub-fame ... leaned it up against the garage wall, and there it sits ... still air-drying for years. I'm gonna install it some day.

Just called Ford, they have approx. 850 of these things left in Detroit ....3F2Z5C145CA....$1500 - $2000, depending on how you wrangle. Might be the best for you ...

But if your car is rusted "all over" ... you might be best to walk away.

Yeah, a new subframe isn't going to help you with a rusted-out mount point - and, apparently, lots of other rust waiting to cause further grief.

Overall, I've been pleased with my Windstar. if I were to replace it with another van, my current budget would lean me toward a used Freestar, which is basically an updated Windstar design, with some notable improvements; produced '04-'07.

That said, I can't say it'd be the highest gas mileage van out there.

In the world of minivans and mileage, the highest figures I've seen are for Honda Odyssey models that include cylinder deactivation. I know of people who regularly hit the high 20's per gallon. If you're willing to look at vehicles smaller than traditional minivans, there are more high-mileage options, including the interesting Ford C-Max hybrid.

Which raises an interesting question: Why have minivans been ignored in the hybrid world? It seems to be an ideal application for the technology.

unfortunately with the amount of money i feel I have had to dump into the windstar can't see my self buying the freestar.

odyssey would be good but expensive...i'm going to try to get some quotes on dodge grandcaravan, ford escape and perhaps other small SUVs..C-max again would be nice but too much $$

windstar was reliable but a lot of major repairs:
- the isolator bolts
- the recalls - frame, axle
- badly rusting body
- electrical issues

12 ounce - i'm actually right next to detroit but thanks to the rust can't consider buying the subframe. being in the south definitely good move as hopefully you van keeps going for many years to come. what did you pay for the subframe? shipping?

....12 ounce - i'm actually right next to detroit but thanks to the rust can't consider buying the subframe. being in the south definitely good move as hopefully you van keeps going for many years to come. what did you pay for the subframe? shipping?.....

I bought it from my local dealer, whom I do a lot of business with ... shipping included ... I think I paid $1200, it was a few years ago before they got scarce... and I "intended" to replace it as soon as the extra paint dried. My '99 is pushing 375K miles ...and the front edge of the sub-frame has taken a number of "whacks".

I bought it from my local dealer, whom I do a lot of business with ... shipping included ... I think I paid $1200, it was a few years ago before they got scarce... and I "intended" to replace it as soon as the extra paint dried. My '99 is pushing 375K miles ...and the front edge of the sub-frame has taken a number of "whacks".

375K is up there. Have you heard of others that have gone that far? My 96 has 255K miles and going strong.