10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
81,304 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2003 Ford Windstar steering problems

steering problem

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2003 Ford Windstar Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #34

Jun 142023

Windstar

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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

- Reelsville, IN, USA

problem #33

Jan 072021

Windstar

  • miles
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 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.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #32

Aug 292021

Windstar

  • miles
Driver was stalking a pedestrian.

- Port Orchard, WA, USA

problem #31

Jan 092021

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 130,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I own a 2003 Ford Windstar LX. It was at the mechanic for some repairs and he pointed out the issue with my rear axle being cracked and corroded. Which its very dangerous to keep driving like this.

- Baytown, TX, USA

problem #30

Feb 232018

Windstar

  • 103,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. While driving 40 mph down a hill, the brake pedal was applied, but was stiff and failed to respond. Also, while attempting to make a right turn, the steering pulled towards the left. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified and opened case number: Cas14205849. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.

- Geneva, OH, USA

problem #29

Sep 152017

Windstar

  • 142,000 miles
Approximately two months ago I noticed fluid leaking under the vehicle I looked at it and thought it was oil I checked the oil it was fine, a friend mentioned rack and pinion so I looked there and that's where the leaking came from. I took the vehicle to a garage for professional opinion was told it would cost approximately$1.200 to repair, he also found a bad motor mount. I don't have that kind of money at this time to invest into the needed repairs. Please contact me about any recalls that relate to this problem.thank you

- Nicholasville, KY, USA

problem #28

Aug 292017

Windstar

  • 60,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I replaced the control arms about 25,000 miles ago and they are shocked already and I only drive on the road no offroad and that will be the third set we put in to this van since we had it at 108,000 miles brand new parts were put in if you guys don't do anything of a free replacement on it my wife and I will never buy another Ford again you could hear the ball joint on at one in the

- Merrill, WI, USA

problem #27

Dec 132016

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 189,300 miles
Takata recall uncontrollable driving with steering rear end fishtailing.

- Salem, OR, USA

problem #26

Jun 062016

Windstar

  • 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. While driving 20 mph, the power steering failed. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to a local garage and the mechanic stated that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The contact was seeking reimbursement for out of pocket expenses. The failure mileage was 130,000.

- Alleagny, NY, USA

problem #25

Jul 052016

Windstar

  • 121,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while in park, the steering wheel seized. As a result, the contact was unable to steer the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the engine cradle had corroded and needed to be replaced. The mechanic also stated that the cradle was previously glued. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 121,000.

- Allegany, NY, USA

problem #24

Jul 282016

Windstar

  • 273,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. While driving various speeds, there was a noise underneath the vehicle. In addition, the steering wheel became loose and the contact had to steer the vehicle in excess to keep it in position. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the cradle fractured due to corrosion and the rack and pinion was protruding through the fractured site. The mechanic stated that the cradle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 273,000.

- Lagrange, OH, USA

problem #23

Jan 022015

Windstar

  • 62,000 miles
Steering column locked up while traveling 50mph.

- Austin, MN, USA

problem #22

Nov 032014

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 200,000 miles
On this date, I was driving my vehicle at speed when the sub frame failed. This caused the steering to drop out, leaving me with no control of the vehicle. I narrowly missed an 18 wheeler doing a turn and got stopped. Ford had my vehicle for over 2 weeks, and didn't provide a rental vehicle for 10 days. Ford refused to cover the steering mechanism, even though it plainly says on they're website that would be a consequence of sub frame failure. I have made over 30 phone calls to the dealer and Ford Motor Company's customer service hotline, and now the dealer is telling me my vehicle is fixed, but I have to pay for the parts put on, and a repair I did not pre-authorize.I am a disabled veteran, and I want someone to explain to me how a vehicle that was perfectible drivable before this happened is now being held hostage by a dealer until I come up with $140, because the mfgr part failed and almost caused me to be killed. The Ford case number is [xxx].thanks for your time and attention information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Waverly, OH, USA

problem #21

Aug 122014

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 131,000 miles
Van started making a loud metal banging noise while on vacation. Took to a local shop where I was shown that the subframe ( where the ac water leaks down) was completely rotted thru and broken, making the van unsafe to drive/ the van already had brackets on the subframe and rear axle installed by Ford just weeks earlier, but this was not repaired or addressed.

- Lewiston , NY, USA

problem #20

Mar 202014

Windstar

  • 147,000 miles
Failed Ford sub frame recall noise in front end going over bumps took in for service. I was told front sub frame was rusting apart. Ford Windstar had sub frame recall 3 years ago large brackets placed around sub frame(in Michigan). Called Ford dealer(in Florida wear vehicle resides) and they agreed to inspect and said they thought the other dealer may have place bracket around a rotten sub frame. Dealer also said Ford would not replace the sub frame and I would have to pay $3000 for that repair. My Windstar has been in Florida since the recall was performed in Michigan so it has not been in T.he "salt belt" how is it possible that the sub frame went from being safe to its current unsafe condition if the recall was done properly?

- Shelby Twp, MI, USA

problem #19

Jan 282014

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 10,000 miles
Ford came out and tool my car to [xxx] cunningham to fix my call on a safety recall dated 2/28/2014 then refuse to fix my car state Ford refuse to pay home for the recall repair he said I have to pay out of pocket. All repair are free of charge my car still at the shop at the shop because the front wheel cause by the power train axle assembly NHTSA 12V193000 and 11V030000 11S16 and 10S13 3/11/2014. Can I get a copy of these recall mail to me thanks my car is still at [xxx] for 3 weeks now please help no renter was given to me as part of the recall. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Decatur , GA, USA

problem #18

Nov 232013

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 97,332 miles
Mini van steering started making clunking noise while turning. Then I notice steering wheel is not straight when car is driving straight and something was wrong with alignment. Automechanic told me passenger side sub-frame rotted out and minivan is unsafe to drive. I investigated potential recall of Windstar minivans - I am very upset that this could have caused me to crash on the highway. Only a very thin piece of metal remains holding the frame in place. Minivan is undrivable and need to replace subframe.

- Tabernacle, NJ, USA

problem #17

Oct 182013

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 47,200 miles
My 2003 Ford Windstar was taken in for the rear axle recall and was repaired. The axle has cracked again we took it to the dealer who said that they contacted Ford about the problem and were told they would not repair or replace the axle the van only has 47000 miles on it we would like to have it repaired or replaced at Ford expense.

- Oak Lawn, IL, USA

problem #16

Mar 012012

Windstar 6-cyl

  • miles
About March of 2012 my 2003 Ford wind star's lower control arm separated from the sub frame "engine cradle". I took my van to dealer. They did do a repair to sub frame, which I did not find satisfactory, Ford Corp. Had them cut off what was left of any damaged brackets and clamp steel brackets onto a sub frame that is already damaged due to heavy rust and corrosion. Now about one year later "March of 2013" the sway bar mount, which is part of the sub frame has rusted out. Making driving very unsafe and unstable. This problem should have been rectified when the recall was done in 2012. I took van back to the dealer. They sent pictures to Ford Corp. Ford did not approve any repairs to sub frame stating that it was not part of original recall. Now how is that possible if the sub frame and sway bar mount are all one component. It's all one welded piece of steel. There is no fix at this time but to replace the sub frame. Now if the sub frame is under recall and the sway bar mount is part of the sub frame, then I feel Ford should rectify the problem. I plan on keeping my Ford wind star for a while. I feel this is a serious safety issue and really needs to be dealt with. Ford should cover this component or they get away with an unsatisfactory fix and I still have to pay for a new sub frame, which was the whole issue to begin with.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #15

May 012006

Windstar

  • 50,000 miles
ABS module does not work, and shows a constant alarm light. Cost to repair is $2K door locks failed and have to be opened manually. Cost to repair is $500/lock power steering unit constantly noisy, hard to steer vehicle. No repair cost known. Door open light constantly on. No repair cost known. Interior lights do not come on when doors are opened. No repair cost known.

- Glen Ridge, NJ, USA

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