99 windstar engine cradle rusted broken due to air conditioner drip

[s_kuzak@yahoo.com]

My 1999 Windstar also has the rusted cradle problem but hasn't broken off "yet".
I contacted Ford and that was a huge waste of time.
Ford has ALWAYS been extremely uncooperative with safety issues going back as far as I can remember which included the exploding gas tanks on their Ford Pinto and overdrive cut-out switches catching vehicles on fire. I've owned 5 Fords and I'm NEVER buying a Ford again.
One suggestion that I do have that may shake their bushes, is to file a complaint with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA). That's what I did and I included the web-site where to fill out the complaint form below. If there are enough formal complaints to NHTSA, which are forwarded to Ford, it may make them fix their design problem. Mileage and warranty shouldn't have anything to do with an obvious design problem that may cause someone to die. There are vehicles in the junk yard that are 30 years old with good frames.
Remember, "squeaky wheel gets the grease", so start squeaking !

Everyone should file a formal complaint here;

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq

Good luck !!!

[mark v]

Ford isnt the only one who does this, every Auto maker did this.

If you think Ford is bad dont buy a GM product, they let 6,000,000 (Six Million) unsafe vehicles on the road, far less than Ford did with the Pinto, at least Ford did fix the Pinto.

GM thought it was cheaper to pay Lawsuits over Deaths than fix a problem that was less than a few dollars to repair.

Ford has always fixed their issues.

Read here.
GM Pickup Truck Lawsuit and Side Gas | Fuel Tank Fires and Explosions - Free Case Review

You might want to buy a bicycle instead of a Car because if you have another big issue with your Automobile chances are it will not get fixed unless the Government steps in.

[GraybeardAv]

Walk, don't ride a bicycle. Per mile they are the most dangerous way to travel. My wife is still recovering from a bike accident almost a month ago.

Thanks for the heads up on the rust. My Calif Windy shouldn't have a problem with rust, but this could be the exception. I'll have to take a look.

GB

[mark v]

I live in Wisconsin and we use Salt on the roads in the Winter, my Cradle is perfect on my 1998.

[vee]

I have a 2000 sel, I was wondering where to check, any photos?

[mark v]

I am guessing at the frame attachment points on the rear passenger side.

[s_kuzak@yahoo.com]

Originally Posted by vee

I have a 2000 sel, I was wondering where to check, any photos?

The engine/transmission cradle is shaped like a large horseshoe with it's ends facing to the rear. There are 2 mounting points that bolt it to the body at the back side, one under the driver seat and one under the passenger seat. There is also a large round rubber shock absorber on each. The rust is around that large rubber shock absorbers on both of the cradle ends.
I don't understand the comments made about the air conditioning causing it?
I rarely use the air cond. and both my cradle ends are rusted real bad ?

EVERYONE NEEDS TO FILE A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRANSPORTATION SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) IF YOU HAVE THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSES BY DRAGGING FORD SCREAMING AND KICKING. HERE'S WHERE TO FILE A COMPLAINT::

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq

Note:: I was personally instrumental in the Windstar cruise control switch catching on fire problem after filing a complaint. NHTSA called me and requested the bad switch along with pictures that I took as evidence. Six months later there was a recall.

Also, the older smaller Toyota Tacoma's ( 1995-2003) have a major problem with frame rust thru. They are buying back all the affected vehicles from 1995 up. I know, because I had a 2001 that they bought back at full retail+. That's what a "responsible" company does and that's why I'm buying foreign from now on.

Sorry Ford, GM, Chrysler but you made your bed, now sleep in it !!!

[Togs]

My wifes 01' Sport w/118K (or about 70K-75K miles??) kms has just suffered the same fate where the rear mount for the right front control arm has torn off of the subframe/engine cradle due to extensive corrosion.
I have contacted the Ministry of Transport (Canadian Version of NHTSA) as well as NHTSA and logged complaints as these vehicles are found all over NA.
I thought it would have been a ball joint or bearing that failed, the ball joints are in my tool box waiting to get installed. Imagine my amazement when I put the car on the hoist to find the rear mount severed from the subframe. I looked into this and it would seem this is not an isolated problem. While I was at work (Volvo mechanic) the MoT called my house today, they want to see the van and perform an inspection themselves.

Anyone who has this problem needs to hit the Ministry of Transport or NHTSA site and log a complaint.

[windh20]

Transmission finally went out. Sold the p.o.s. to pick and pull for $181. That was one of the best days of my life!

[tbirddmnd]

Count me in too - wife's 2001 Windstar SE van had the engine cradle bust yesterday evening on the passenger side just like the original poster. I'm going to get it fixed but wonder if I should contact Ford, the NHTSA or my insurance company to file a claim? My wife and 3 little girls were in the van when it happened and LUCKILY it happened leaving a shopping center instead of on the freeway at 75 mph! However it let loose right in the middle of a busy light and traffic was tied up for 45 minutes on a Friday afternoon!

Any thoughts? We can't be the only ones! PLEASE CHECK under your vans!!!

Here's what a new Windstar engine cradle looks like from the dana.com website: