NHTSA expands Ford Windstar corrosion probe to front subframes

[71chevmal]

My fronts were good but have you checked out the "fix" for the rear axle? Two honking big band clamps, a bucket of tar and some spray foam shot into the axle.

Looks like something I'd do if I was trying to rig a repair on the side of the road.

[phil-l]

When I dropped off my van at the dealer for the inspection, the service adviser commented that the rear axle fix was pretty ugly looking! And my adviser was very familiar with the situation: He had a Windstar that was bad enough that it qualified for the buy-back.

Has anyone seen what the front subframe repair parts look like yet?

[kevink1955]

Originally Posted by phil-l

If you're curious, here are some pictures of my front subframe's mount points. The corrosion on the right-rear mount point is bad enough that that dealer took it off the road:

http://community.webshots.com/album/580053878yDkyvG

Are they kidding, that does not look that bad. Shoud have seen my sons 67 mustang, they should have recalled that one.

My 96 looks worse than that, will have to take a close look this weekend. No recall involved on that one.

[phil-l]

Originally Posted by kevink1955

Are they kidding, that does not look that bad. Shoud have seen my sons 67 mustang, they should have recalled that one.

You're right - and Ford's response on the Windstar is a realistic view of how far consumer law has come, as well as expectations of modern vehicles. When I was a kid, a 10 year old car likely had a number of rust holes, if not worse (my family had a '76 Vega - so I know just how bad unibody rust can get). Problems like the Windstar's rear axle and front subframe wouldn't have been unexpected for a decade-old car in that era.

[kevink1955]

Vega, the car that rusted in the showroom. I put a 350/370horse engine in 1 during the late 70's. Was 1 of the quickest cars in my area till I twisted the unibody so bad that the windshield broke and the drive shaft fell out on the road. There was not 1 weld left that was not ready to break if it had not already broken.

[tebo77]

Originally Posted by phil-l

Has anyone seen what the front subframe repair parts look like yet?

I saw pictures, they are pieces that kind of sandwich the rear part where it connects to the body, and the front parts where the control arms connect, they are kind of like brackets that fit where the old bracket-type was (or what's left of it)...if that makes sense lol. The service advisor showed them to me on the computer, so I don't have them to share. They look safe. Much better than the rear axle fix looks.
If it is cracked in any places besides these two, that is when they buy them back, or if it has been non-factory welded.
As far as I know the front subframe "fix" pieces are still not available yet though. I am definitely finishing my bodywork before my car goes in and sits for the summer lol. Of course with my last Windstar, I put all that time into it all summer and fall only to sell it to Ford...hmmm.

[Off_Timing]

Can someone please tell me how the buy-back works.

Is the buy-back option offered to Windstar owners (affected by the subframe/axle recalls) regardless whether or not the axle and subframe are ok?

Or will Ford only offer the buy back IF the axle or subframe are unsafe?

If you choose to get a rental, can you change your mind and decide to go with the buy-back BEFORE they fix the Windstar?

We have a 2000 Windstar LX (3.0L V6). It passed axle inspection. It goes back to the dealer in 2 weeks for the axle brace and inspection of the subframe.

I checked the subframe. There's rust, but no cracks. It could still go either way (pass/fail). I'd like to get an idea ahead of time whether I should start looking for another vehicle or not.

Thanks.

[Brandynr]

OffTiming, they will not always offer a buyback, even if one of the recalls fails. My Windstar failed the rear axle recall; I was in a rental for about 2 months. They checked the front subframe at the time they were installing the rear axle, it passed. Not sure if they would have given me a buyback offer had it failed also. AFAIK, the buyback offer will come before they fix anything, and if you're already in a rental, they may still offer to buy it back.

[Off_Timing]

Thanks Brandynr. I guess I'll have to wait and see. Part of me wants to keep the winnie. I really love it as a highway cruiser. But part of me wishes they'd buy it back....easy way to sell it.

[eroosa]

Here is a link with some recent Q&A with a Ford Rep. http://usedcars.about.com/od/avoidin...re-Elusive.htm
I don't really like some of his answers. I also question how brackets will be a safe answer. I don't trust the structural integrity of the entire subframe, not just at the mounting points. 2002 windstar with 72 K miles will probably be too costly to be offered a buy out. Got the rental car first week in March and the lot above Feduke Ford is full of vans parked in tightly. There are over 40 vans there now. Sort of hard to believe the vans are getting started and moved around for preventative maintenance. Just wait till the people start fighting with the dealers over bad tires, dead batteries or rodent damage to all the vans that are sitting around.

[olopezm]

Originally Posted by eroosa

Here is a link with some recent Q&A with a Ford Rep. http://usedcars.about.com/od/avoidin...re-Elusive.htm

Ha, just like talking to a machine or a bot, same answer again and again...

[tebo77]

Any front brackets in yet, anyone heard?

[phil-l]

To my surprise, Ford finished my van a couple days ago. They had it for about two weeks - after claiming it would take 1 to 2 months to get the parts. Someone at Ford was under a lot of pressure to get those parts.

I took some quick pictures of both the front subframe fix, as well as the rear axle reinforcement:

http://good-times.webshots.com/album/580053878yDkyvG

I'm actually pretty impressed with the front subframe fix: They've added quite a bit of metal.

The rear axle reinforcement isn't much to look at. Thankfully, I knew my axle was in pretty good shape, so I'm not very concerned.

[MARZBX157]

Great pics Phil! Thanks.

[Off_Timing]

WOW. That's a lot of iron. Thanks Phil.

My wife's 2000 Windstar goes in tomorrow (Tuesday). Now I know what to expect.