2003 Ford Windstar Owner Complaints

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10-20 MPH, the steering wheel was shaking abnormally. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V030000 (Structure). The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that after the recall repair was performed the procedure was that the dealer would inspect the vehicle and escalate the findings to the special support center. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the warranty on the repair had expired. The failure mileage was approximately 132,000.

NHTSA ID

11753134

Incident

Jul 20, 2026

Mileage

132,000 mi

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving over a railroad track at 40 MPH, the rear axle snapped. The wheel hub to the axle was barely connected. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number:15V608000 (SUSPENSION); however, the contact had not received the recall notification. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 237,000.

NHTSA ID

11729112

Incident

Apr 3, 2026

Mileage

237,000 mi

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated while attempting to reverse, the contact heard a loud sound coming from the front of the vehicle. The contact stated that steering wheel became difficult to turn. A local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was inspected, and the contact was informed that there was no recall related to the VIN for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V194000 (SUSPENSION); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 160,263.

NHTSA ID

11670538

Incident

Jun 17, 2025

Mileage

160,263 mi

The contact’s son owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V030000 (Structure). The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the exhaust pipe was punctured. The contact was advised that the front subframe was severely corroded; however, the dealer informed the contact that the vehicle would not be repaired due to the corrosion. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact parked the vehicle and the vehicle was no longer driven due to the safety concerns. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11653439

Incident

Apr 4, 2025

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the passenger’s side rear wheel. The traction control warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that later while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the rear suspension and the contact almost lost control of the vehicle but was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway. The contact stated that upon a visual inspection there was excessive corrosion around the rear axle and the axle was detached. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the rear axle. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V608000 (Suspension); but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 135,000.

NHTSA ID

11630134

Incident

Oct 22, 2024

Mileage

135,000 mi

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the ABS and Brake warning lights remained illuminated. Additionally, there was smoke, and a burning odor coming from the engine compartment. The contact also stated that the ABS fluid had leaked from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that fluid had leaked from the Speed Control Deactivations Switch causing damage to the ABS Control Module connector. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V399000 (Vehicle Speed Control). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 250,000.

NHTSA ID

11599271

Incident

Nov 1, 2019

Mileage

250,000 mi

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal odor circulating inside the cabin of the vehicle. The contact stated the vehicle started losing motive power, and he was able to pull the vehicle to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed a failure with the rear axle. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V385000 (Suspension); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

NHTSA ID

11592905

Incident

May 27, 2024

Mileage

160,000 mi

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving from the driveway, the front driver's side control arm detached from the vehicle. The vehicle made an abnormal scraping sound. While making a turn, an abnormal clicking noise was heard. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified about the failure. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V385000 (Suspension). The failure mileage was approximately 207,000.

NHTSA ID

11587147

Incident

May 6, 2024

Mileage

207,000 mi

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving at 15 MPH, there was an abnormal rumbling sound coming from an undisclosed location of the vehicle. The contact veered off the roadway. The contact notified a tow truck company and inspected the vehicle and noticed that the rear axle was fractured. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact referenced the NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V385000 (Suspension). The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

NHTSA ID

11536864

Incident

Aug 1, 2023

Mileage

180,000 mi

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't find in their notes where they told me towing was covered. After asking to speak with a supervisor and being told they're not going to transfer me because they know their supervisor can't do anything more then what they can do I was placed on hold for an hour just to be told they can't find it in their notes and then I was hung up on. I shouldn't have to pay almost $400 to have my vehicle that just had a catastrophic failure causing me to wreck towed for servic after I was lied to about the towing being covered

NHTSA ID

11527143

Incident

Jun 14, 2023

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the contact started losing control of the vehicle. The contact was able to pull over and had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic. The independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and stated that the vehicle was experiencing the failure listed in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V608000 (Suspension) and advised the contact to contact the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V608000 (Suspension). No further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 160,000.

NHTSA ID

11507842

Incident

Feb 10, 2023

Mileage

160,000 mi

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact had taken her vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that the rear axle had cracked due to severe corrosion. The mechanic informed her that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The contact was also informed that the vehicle might be included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V385000 (Suspension). The dealer and manufacturer were contacted, and the contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 147,000.

NHTSA ID

11500143

Incident

Jan 3, 2023

Mileage

147,000 mi

The contact’s son owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while her son was driving 10 MPH and making a turn into a parking lot, the vehicle stopped as the rear tires collapsed inside the wheel well. The contact was able to park the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the rear axle had fractured. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they would cover the repair; however, the dealer informed the contact that they could not repair the vehicle as the subframe was severely corroded. The dealer also informed the contact that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V030000 (Structure) in 2011. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was towed back to the residence. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

NHTSA ID

11491221

Incident

Oct 13, 2022

Mileage

150,000 mi

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle was wobbling. Once the contact arrived at her residence, her husband noticed that the rear of the subframe was fracture. The dealer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V385000 (Suspension). The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 136,000.

NHTSA ID

11491046

Incident

Oct 23, 2022

Mileage

136,000 mi

My family and I went to pull out of an entersection when the 03 Ford Windstar I purchased suddenly stopped pulling .almost getting rearended

NHTSA ID

11487707

Incident

Oct 3, 2022

On May 23rd 2022 I was driving on interstate 45 the speed limit through where I was driving was 75 all of a sudden with no warning no engine light on my transmission stopped working and I could not break I was able to safely get over thank goodness but there is a recall on my transmission which almost killed me that needs to be replaced

NHTSA ID

11465824

Incident

May 22, 2022

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated while his wife was exiting the vehicle, she noticed that the rear driver’s side wheel was leaning in towards the frame of the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that the axle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

NHTSA ID

11464458

Incident

May 10, 2022

Mileage

160,000 mi

When driving my muffler broke loose and was dragging on the ground. My axel creaks when I stop or sit idle at a light. When several miles from home my ignition cylinder came out. I couldn't start or turn the ignition on nor operate the steering. I'm now afraid to drive my vehicle. Since acquiring it. I've put a lot of money into repairs. In addition to purchasing this vehicle, I've spent well over $2,000 in repairs. Once I learned of the recall and viewed the risks (Video) of the dangers I became grossly disturbed by what I am facing at the thought of driving. I have contacted 4 Ford Service Centers and none of them contacted back regarding fixing my 'recall'. I NEED HELP!! I have a disability and now I don't have transportation besides this car. How come no one is returning my calls? I am stranded at my home knowing that my safety is at risk. I would like to get my issue remedied with a $4,999.00 Reimbursement for this vehicle ASAP so I may invest in getting a safer one. Please give me a dealership address here in Los Angeles so I can have the vehicle towed there and be done with it. I no longer want a vehicle that I can not drive nor can get my 'recalls' remedied. Your attention to this matter is greatly appreciated.

NHTSA ID

11446673

Incident

Jan 7, 2021

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the ABS warning light and brake warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact then took the vehicle to a dealer where she was informed that the rear axle was severely corroded and at risk of fracturing. The dealer informed her of NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V385000 (Suspension) however, the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and offered no assistance. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000. The VIN was invalid.

NHTSA ID

11432912

Incident

Sep 10, 2021

Mileage

87,000 mi

Driver was stalking a pedestrian.

NHTSA ID

11430964

Incident

Aug 29, 2021

The rear wheel well is corroded and the corrosion is into the structure that the seat belt is mounted to and it ruined the REM(rear electronic module) there is supposed to be a recall on it but all the ford garages say its been done but it hasn't and now I have no way to work or to take my kids anywhere and the van only has 96000 miles and we just bought it

NHTSA ID

11429900

Incident

Mar 1, 2020

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving at 20 mph, there was a loud noise heard then the vehicle collapsed. The contact steered the steering wheel to move the vehicle off the road and heard metal screeching coming from the ground. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and diagnosed that the rear axle had fractured into two parts. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact to take the vehicle to a dealer. The failure mileage was 158,000.

NHTSA ID

11425784

Incident

Jul 16, 2021

Mileage

158,000 mi

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to the dealer for routine maintenance, the contact noticed that the rear axle was severely corroded. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the mechanic failed to fix the failure. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V608000 (Suspension) as a possible solution to the failure however, the VIN was not included. The contact was concerned for his safety while driving the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ID

11418923

Incident

Feb 10, 2021

Mileage

75,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET GOING ABOUT 30 MILES AN HOUR THE VAN FILLED WITH SMOKE WHEN I CAME TO A STOP I LOOKED UNDER THE CAR AND THE BACK AXLE WAS BROKE I HAD IT TOWED TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT WOULD COST $3200 TO FIX IT THEY SAID IT DIDN'T FALL UNDER THE RECALL THEY HAD FOR THE BACK AXLE BREAKING

NHTSA ID

11412778

Incident

Apr 8, 2021

Mileage

147,000 mi

MY BACK AXLE ITS RUSTED AND ITS CRACKED.THE MECHANIC MENTION THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS IF IT BREAKS WHILE DRIVING.WHILE THE MECHANIC REPLACED MY FUEL PUMP HE NOTICED THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

11403165

Incident

Jan 2, 2021

Mileage

100,000 mi