99 windstar engine cradle rusted broken due to air conditioner drip

windh20 · 07-31-2007, 04:44 PM

The engine cradle on the passenger side of my 99 windstar has rusted to the point that it has completely broken due to the air conditioning drain dripping on it. All other mounts look like new. It is undrivable. I can not believe an eight year old vehicle should have frame trouble. Anyone else having similar problems? Please look at your cradle mounts to see if you have the same problem. It is an accident waiting to happen.

mark v · 08-01-2007, 10:45 AM

I never heard of this before.

My 1998 is in perfect condition.

Do you run your A/C 24/7?

windh20 · 08-01-2007, 03:59 PM

My wife drives it (drove it). St. Louis area (hot humid) lots of trips to Fla. I would say a.c. was on alot but the frame mount is actually busted in two. 1999 was first year for hydro formed engine cradles by dana for windstar. I just wondered if this is an isolated incident or if there are others out there like mine?

Milan · 08-01-2007, 08:43 PM

What's Ford's rust-through warranty? Is it not 10 years by law?

windh20 · 08-03-2007, 04:12 PM

Hi, thanks for the response. My warranty booklet says holes in sheet metal 5 years. Is there a hidden warranty i do not know about? I hate to spend more on the van than what it is worth. Engine cradles are $325+ and it would involve a lot of labor!! Thanks again.

Flyingjackal456 · 08-07-2007, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Milan

What's Ford's rust-through warranty? Is it not 10 years by law?

Not necessarily, it might depend on the state and it's lemon law, i might suggest google-ing the state laws...try searching for

Quote:

<State Name> automobile anti rust through law

you might want to consider grabbing the engine cradle from a junkyard and DIY or get somebody to put it in.

¿¿¿also consider welding it back together from scrap WS frame parts???

Spice26_99 · 08-18-2007, 01:23 PM

I have a 99 windstar van that has the same problem, We didn't know what was going on with it and kept hearing noises under my feet on the passageers side of van. Than finally my husband was driving and heard a great big noise, the steering wheel went crazy , than we had it checked out by a moter vehicle company, that is when we was told it had broken into and it was unsafe to drive. So it is sitting in our driveway. We purchased them vehicle in 2004 .

mark v · 08-18-2007, 01:27 PM

Sounds like a safety recall might start to happen.

windh20 · 08-23-2007, 08:40 AM

I Am Going To Contact Ford About My Problem Again And Suggest Anyone Else With This Problem Do The Same. Maybe If Enough People Complain They Will Have A Recall? I PURCHASED MY WINDSTAR NEW IN 1999. IT WAS NOT ABUSED!

windh20 · 08-23-2007, 08:26 PM

Spice26, What Did Your Ford Dealer Say? I Called Ford Corporate Today And They Said I Had To Take It To A Ford Dealer And Have Them Look At It And Then The Dealer Would Report Back To Corporate. I Am Afraid To Drive The Van. It Is Very Unsafe. I Am Sorry To Hear You Have The Same Problem But Glad Because I Thought I Was The Only One With This Problem. 1999 Was The First Year For That Type Of Frame Cradle So This Might Be Just The Start Of This Problem Showing Up.