2003 FORD WINDSTAR

2055 complaints filed with NHTSA.

2055
Complaints
54
Crashes
31
Fires
49
Injuries
1
Deaths

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SERVICE BRAKES296
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM262
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC209
SUSPENSION183
POWER TRAIN112
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION94
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL75
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC69
SUSPENSION:REAR48
STRUCTURE:BODY45
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT36
UNKNOWN OR OTHER36
STEERING34
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING32
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS32

Recalls (9)

15V60800029/09/2015

SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 1998-2003 Windstar vehicles manufactured September 2, 1997, to July 3, 2003. The affected vehicles were previously remedied to safeguard against the rear axle cracking from corrosion, however, the remedy brackets may have been misinstalled.

10V38500026/08/2010

SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1998-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 1997 THROUGH FEBRUARY 28, 2003 AND CURRENTLY REGISTERED OR ORIGINALLY SOLD IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINN

11V03000026/01/2011

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, N

09V39900013/10/2009

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS

06E05600013/06/2006

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE

03V45900006/11/2003

SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY

CERTAIN MINIVANS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEM." DURING TESTING, A THIRD ROW BENCH FLOOR-TO-SEAT LATCH RELEASED BEFORE THE STRENGTH REQUIREMENT WAS MET. IDENTICAL LATCHES ARE USED IN THE SECOND ROW OF SEATS

12V19500003/05/2012

SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1998-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 1997, THROUGH JULY 3, 2003, REGISTERED IN PUERTO RICO. DUE TO INCREASED STRESSES CAUSED BY HIGH CYCLES OF TORSIONAL LOADING, SPECIFIC TO THIS MARKET, THE REAR AXLE CAN CRACK.

12V19300003/05/2012

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1998-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 1997, THROUGH JULY 3, 2003, AND CURRENTLY REGISTERED OR ORIGINALLY SOLD IN VIRGINIA. OVER TIME, CORROSION CAN WEAKEN THE REAR AXLE MAKING IT SUSCEPTIBLE TO TORSIONAL STRESS. CORROSION AND STRESS CAN LEAD

12V19400003/05/2012

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATE OF VIRGINIA. CORROSION-RELATED FRACTURES OF THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM REAR ATTACHING BRACKETS AND BODY MOUNT ATTACHMENTS MAY OCCUR.

Recent Complaints

20230615CrashSTEERING

The rear axle on my vehicle snapped while I was driving causing me to lose control and leave the roadway. I contacted Ford who told me there was a recall for the rear axle of my vehicle and that I would have no out of pocket expenses for the repairs and the towing of the vehicle to the service center. After they set up the towing I received a message saying I had to pay $381 for the towing before they would dispatch the tow truck. I called Ford customer service and they told me that now they can

20230615CrashSTRUCTURE:BODY

The rear axle on my vehicle snapped while I was driving causing me to lose control and leave the roadway. I contacted Ford who told me there was a recall for the rear axle of my vehicle and that I would have no out of pocket expenses for the repairs and the towing of the vehicle to the service center. After they set up the towing I received a message saying I had to pay $381 for the towing before they would dispatch the tow truck. I called Ford customer service and they told me that now they can

20230615CrashWHEELS

The rear axle on my vehicle snapped while I was driving causing me to lose control and leave the roadway. I contacted Ford who told me there was a recall for the rear axle of my vehicle and that I would have no out of pocket expenses for the repairs and the towing of the vehicle to the service center. After they set up the towing I received a message saying I had to pay $381 for the towing before they would dispatch the tow truck. I called Ford customer service and they told me that now they can

20200622FireSUSPENSION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF THE DRIVER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, AN ODOR OF BURNING RUBBER WAS PRESENT. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL AND TIRE WAS RUBBING AGAINST THE WHEEL WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR AXLE HAD FAILED. THE MECHANIC ALSO INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED ON A P

Mileage: 110,000

20200512CrashELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

IT HAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. NEEDS WIRING HARNESS, NEEDS FRONT AND REAL AXLE REPLACEMENT. DANGEROUS. ALARM GOES OFF AT RANDOM. WON'T HOLD CHARGE. STEERING WHEEL BEARINGS ARE SHOT. *TR

Mileage: 103,000

20200512CrashELECTRICAL SYSTEM

IT HAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. NEEDS WIRING HARNESS, NEEDS FRONT AND REAL AXLE REPLACEMENT. DANGEROUS. ALARM GOES OFF AT RANDOM. WON'T HOLD CHARGE. STEERING WHEEL BEARINGS ARE SHOT. *TR

Mileage: 103,000

20200512CrashSUSPENSION

IT HAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. NEEDS WIRING HARNESS, NEEDS FRONT AND REAL AXLE REPLACEMENT. DANGEROUS. ALARM GOES OFF AT RANDOM. WON'T HOLD CHARGE. STEERING WHEEL BEARINGS ARE SHOT. *TR

Mileage: 103,000

20191007FireENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE, WHITE SMOKE EMERGED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND THEN IT BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED

Mileage: 182,000

20190315CrashSTRUCTURE:BODY

THIS IS DUE TO A RECALL. THE REAR AXLE AND SUBFRAME SNAPPED AND FORD IS NOT HONORING FIXING IT EVEN THOUGH IT HAPPENED AT THE REPAIR SITE OF RECALL.

Mileage: 160,000

20190315CrashSUSPENSION

THIS IS DUE TO A RECALL. THE REAR AXLE AND SUBFRAME SNAPPED AND FORD IS NOT HONORING FIXING IT EVEN THOUGH IT HAPPENED AT THE REPAIR SITE OF RECALL.

Mileage: 160,000

20190211FireSUSPENSION:REAR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE REAR AXLE FRACTURED AND THE CONTACT SMELLED SMOKE. SUDDENLY, THE CONTACT REALIZED THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WAS SMOKING. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER, EXITED THE VEHICLE, AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR AXLE WAS COLLAPSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT A NEW REAR AXLE NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS

Mileage: 120,000

20180815CrashSTRUCTURE:BODY

WAS ON THE STREET DRIVING, LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING ON DASHBOARD VAN SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET BATTERY, ALTERNATOR, BLEW OUT, WAS DRIVING AGAIN VAN WAS ILDE UP REALLY BAD AND WHILE MY FEET WAS ON THE BRAKES IT STARTED MOVING ON ITS OWN AND RAN INTO SOMEONE ELSE VEHICLE, AND ALSO VAN WAS ON THE ROAD STARTED RUNNING BAD BROKE DOWN ON A BUSY STREET ONCE I WAS PUSHED TO A SAFE LOCATION ALL MY FLUIDS WERE ON THE GROUND AND THE VAN WAS SMOKING REALLY BAD AND LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD WERE FLASHING

Mileage: 100,000

20180815CrashENGINE

WAS ON THE STREET DRIVING, LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING ON DASHBOARD VAN SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET BATTERY, ALTERNATOR, BLEW OUT, WAS DRIVING AGAIN VAN WAS ILDE UP REALLY BAD AND WHILE MY FEET WAS ON THE BRAKES IT STARTED MOVING ON ITS OWN AND RAN INTO SOMEONE ELSE VEHICLE, AND ALSO VAN WAS ON THE ROAD STARTED RUNNING BAD BROKE DOWN ON A BUSY STREET ONCE I WAS PUSHED TO A SAFE LOCATION ALL MY FLUIDS WERE ON THE GROUND AND THE VAN WAS SMOKING REALLY BAD AND LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD WERE FLASHING

Mileage: 100,000

20180815CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

WAS ON THE STREET DRIVING, LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING ON DASHBOARD VAN SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET BATTERY, ALTERNATOR, BLEW OUT, WAS DRIVING AGAIN VAN WAS ILDE UP REALLY BAD AND WHILE MY FEET WAS ON THE BRAKES IT STARTED MOVING ON ITS OWN AND RAN INTO SOMEONE ELSE VEHICLE, AND ALSO VAN WAS ON THE ROAD STARTED RUNNING BAD BROKE DOWN ON A BUSY STREET ONCE I WAS PUSHED TO A SAFE LOCATION ALL MY FLUIDS WERE ON THE GROUND AND THE VAN WAS SMOKING REALLY BAD AND LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD WERE FLASHING

Mileage: 100,000

20170913FireSUSPENSION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 8 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THE ODOR OF BURNING RUBBER WAS PRESENT. ALSO, THE CONTACT LOST STEERING ABILITY. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR WHEELS WERE NOT LINED UP AND THE AXLE HAD FRACTURED IN THE AREA WHERE BRACKETS HAD BEEN INSTALLED BY BAY VALLEY FORD IN SAGINAW MICHIGAN APPROXIMATELY 1 AND 1/2 YEARS AGO. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HAGAN'S FORD IN

Mileage: 250,000

20160711CrashAIR BAGS

ON MAY 24 WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY I WAS A PASSENGER IN MY SONS CAR WHEN IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT A TREMENDOUS RATE OF SPEED AND WITH A LOUD NOISE AND CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT, WHICH WAS PUSHED INTO OUR SHED. I SUSTAINED INJURIES OF 6 BROKEN RIBS, BRUISED LUNG AND CONTUSIONS TO MY CHEST. IF NOT FOR THE CAR AND SHED IN FRONT WE WOULD HAVE ENDED AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL BEHIND OUR HOME. THE INSURANCE COMPANY, 21ST CENTURY, DID NOT SEND A CLAIM FORM AND IS FIGHTING PAYING FOR

Mileage: 85,000

20160711CrashELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

ON MAY 24 WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY I WAS A PASSENGER IN MY SONS CAR WHEN IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT A TREMENDOUS RATE OF SPEED AND WITH A LOUD NOISE AND CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT, WHICH WAS PUSHED INTO OUR SHED. I SUSTAINED INJURIES OF 6 BROKEN RIBS, BRUISED LUNG AND CONTUSIONS TO MY CHEST. IF NOT FOR THE CAR AND SHED IN FRONT WE WOULD HAVE ENDED AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL BEHIND OUR HOME. THE INSURANCE COMPANY, 21ST CENTURY, DID NOT SEND A CLAIM FORM AND IS FIGHTING PAYING FOR

Mileage: 85,000

20160711CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

ON MAY 24 WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY I WAS A PASSENGER IN MY SONS CAR WHEN IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT A TREMENDOUS RATE OF SPEED AND WITH A LOUD NOISE AND CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT, WHICH WAS PUSHED INTO OUR SHED. I SUSTAINED INJURIES OF 6 BROKEN RIBS, BRUISED LUNG AND CONTUSIONS TO MY CHEST. IF NOT FOR THE CAR AND SHED IN FRONT WE WOULD HAVE ENDED AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL BEHIND OUR HOME. THE INSURANCE COMPANY, 21ST CENTURY, DID NOT SEND A CLAIM FORM AND IS FIGHTING PAYING FOR

Mileage: 85,000

20160404FireUNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE FORD DEALER JUST SERVICED TWO SAFETY RECALLS, I.E. THE ENGINE SUBFRAME FRACTURE AND REAR AXLE ON THE WEEK ON 3/7/2016. I IMMEDIATELY FEEL THE CAR SWAY SLIGHTLY AT HIGH SPEED. I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE ALIGNMENT ISSUE, SO DIDN'T PAY TOO MUCH ATTENTION. ON 3/29/16, THE CAR SWAY BADLY ESPECIALLY WHEN I BRAKE, THEN I REALIZE SOMETHING SERIOUS WRONG. I TOOK A LOOK OF SUBFRAME AND FOUND OUT ONE MOUNTING SCREW IS MISSING, AND A SWAY BAR NUT IS MISSING AND LEAVING THE BOLT HANGING THERE. I BROUGHT THE C

Mileage: 101,760

20160114FireSUSPENSION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED A BURNT RUBBER ODOR AND THEN AN UNKNOWN REAR TIRE BLEW OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR AXLE, TIRE LINE, AND THE REAR TIRE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V385000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 220,000.

Mileage: 220,000