10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
111,448 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 wheels / hubs problems

wheels / hubs problem

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2003 Ford Windstar Owner Comments

problem #18

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 #17

Sep 272018

Windstar

  • 160,000 miles
My rear wheel hub assembly, where it attaches to the axle beam reinforcing flange cracked while I was turning left from a stop light. I found out that there was a recall for the rear axle reinforcement brackets, so I took my van to a Ford dealership in knox, Indiana (best Ford). After a few days, they said that Ford would not cover the damage done to the rear axle. They said that it was previously repaired, however, I see on this website that a recall for my vehicle is incomplete and that Ford had an additional recall for the same issue.

- Kouts, IN, USA

problem #16

May 172018

Windstar

  • 214,000 miles
The rear wheel on the driver's side collapsed on the body, breaking off from the axle. I was traveling between 30-35 miles an hour when it occurred. I was able to stop the car on the side of the road.

- Hampstead, NH, USA

problem #15

Feb 082018

Windstar

  • 195,000 miles

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

The rear axle broke, which there was a recall for. The recall added support brackets to the rear axle. My van had the support brackets installed. However the rear axle broke directly under the support brackets. The dealer told me the recall was still open and to have it towed. I got it towed to the dealer only for them to tell me that the it isn't covered by the recall because the brackets were installed. Now it is costing me $900 to get it fixed when Ford clearly admitted to the rear axle problem.

- Alto, MI, USA

problem #14

Nov 302017

Windstar

  • 133,000 miles
Hello I was driving my 2003 Ford Windstar minivan. I purchased around March 2016 I was taking my kids to school when the rear axel broke. I looked under and it looks like Ford put enforcement brackets on it but it is broke at one of the brackets. Thankfully I was able to keep control of my vehicle. 20 minutes later I would've been on the freeway. One man has already lost his life from the same thing with this vehicle. I have a lady from Ford offering to give me any information she has because it is not right and there is things she has that I cannot find. I looked up my year on the vehicle and what was wrong and realized there are thousands of people with the same problem. Not only that there has been three recalls since 2010 for the same thing. Ford put brackets on to fix the first problem instead of just fixing the problem. That explains my brackets. Ford realized the brackets wasn't working so in 2015 offered to replace them for 300 dollars. Even though it was there fault. But that expired in Dec 2015. I purchased the car around February March 2016. The problem is if its happening with so many Windstar's why not fix the problem in the beginning instead of patching it and taking the easy way out. I'm sure the mans family and kids that lost there loved ones wish this would've been taken care of the right way. I was on the phone all day Thursday with Ford there not offering to help at all. There telling me it will be over 1,000 dollars to fix it. So we almost lost our lives someone could've died thankfully were okay. We have no vehicle the stress of getting kids to school and work and what we are going to do. I have 5 children plus 2 I have taken legal custody of from children services there is no way I can pay that. All because Ford didn't want to fix it right and just replace it the first time around. How does a safety recall ever expire.

- Creola, OH, USA

problem #13

Oct 012017

Windstar

  • 20,000 miles
Rear axle beam is so badly cracked it bent the ball joint for 1 tire so bad it ate the tire

- Broken Bow, NE, USA

problem #12

Aug 292016

Windstar 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 119,863 miles

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

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the front passenger wheel separated from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was informed that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 11V030000 (structure). The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was confirmed that the failure was included in the recall; however, the dealer refused to perform the repair due to the manufacturer's refusal to perform the repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 119,863. Updated 10/18/16

- Grayslake, IL, USA

problem #11

May 042015

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 165,000 miles
I learned of a front axle recall and when I called the dealership to schedule repairs, they informed me of a rear axle recall, so "repairs" were made to both front and rear axles at the same time. However, this morning on my way to work (luckily traveling at 25 mph vs 75 on the interstate last night) the rear axle broke midway between where the bracket, which was supposed to reinforce the axle, was attached.

- Beloit, WI, USA

problem #10

Jul 192014

Windstar

  • 139,900 miles
Sidewall split on Bridgestone insignia SE 200, size 215X70R15, dot # wbm3 E20 0210. Mileage on tire 39K, still good tread depth. I still have tire if any Agency would like to inspect. Didn't take it back to Bridgestone B/C from what I have read, they would do nothing about it.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #9

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 #8

Oct 152013

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 49,593 miles

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

Purchased a 2003 Ford Windstar on 10/14/13, drove vehicle to South Carolina from New Jersey on 10/15/13, about halfway there noticed a loud clunking while braking, or turning vehicle left or right.had vehicle looked at by mechanic on 10/24/13.it was diagnosed as having a completely rotted subframe and motor mounts.I looked into recalls on the vehicle and found one for the subframe, number 11S16.I called Ford Motor Corporation on oct30, and 31st about the recall.I was told it was repaired back in apr18,2011.repairs done were an inspection of subframe, and all looked well.subframe was never replaced, now 2 years later, Ford has wiped it's hands clean of the recall saying it was satisfied on apr18,2011, by a mechanic claiming the subframe looked ok at the time.how does a faulty part that could cause a major accident, become ok because it looked good at the time of inspection"I am appalled and dishearten that a major corporation such as Ford would take the easy way out and say it's not responsible for a part that they recalled initially, and now say that because it was inspected, it now is fine.I thought a recall was in place for public safety, and if so, how does it expire"

- Cape May Court House, NJ, USA

problem #7

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 #6

Jun 112013

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 135,000 miles
I was starting to get a clunking noise from the rear end of my 2003 Windstar minivan which continued to become worse. I took the van into a reputable shop to have it checked. I witnessed the inspection and it was difficult to figure out what was wrong but it was discovered that corrosion caused cracks in the axel and it needed to be replaced. There was a recall on the axel but when I contacted Ford (both a dealer a Ford recall information line) I was told my it was not valid for my. The recall was for issued for states that use salt and I when I bought the van I lived in Ohio but moved to miami Florida in miami 2007 ( now in central fl) no road salt but still a salt environment. There repair was $663 and I believe that this recall should extend to all vans that have this type of risk with a refund due from Ford.

- Palm Bay , FL, USA

problem #5

Mar 102012

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 74,500 miles
Driving 45 mph when something snapped under front of the vehicle lost steering completely hit the curb got pushed back to the middle of the 4-line road and came to a stop very lucky. Later found out that lower subframe control arm broke of the frame due to rust and pulled out axle snapped sway bar and damaged ball joints, towed it to a dealer and they are willing to fix frame but want me to pay for all the other expense sway bar, ball joints, tires, steering arm totaling over a 1000 $. can not believe that Ford would not at least replace all needed part considering that I made it out alive and with out a crush. And all this after they have performed rear axle repair and checked the front and was informed that front was safe a year ago.about 10,000 miles and a year later I had this happened. The vehicle has 74,000 miles only.

- Hanover Park, IL, USA

problem #4

Jan 072010

Windstar 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. While driving approximately 35 mph the tire pressure illuminated on the dashboard. The contact pulled over to check the tire pressure and noticed that the pressure was low. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technicians stated that the rim was cracked and they needed to weld it together again or replace it. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000. Updated 02/23/11 the consumer stated a new rim was purchased and installed. Updated 03/08/11

- Whittier, CA, USA

problem #3

Dec 282010

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 93,000 miles
I understand there is a recall on certain Ford Windstar models in the northern states due to a defective rear axle. I have a 2003 Ford Windstar van VIN: [xxx] which we purchased used in July 2004. From what we were told when we bought it, the vehicle came from Ohio. On 12/28/10, I called a local Ford dealer who ran my VIN through their database and I was told my vehicle is not part of the recall. I was told it would cost $95 for their service dept. To check my rear axle for the defect since it isn't under the recall. I want to make sure my vehicle is or is not part of the recall. I saw a abc news report on Dec. 20th which makes it sound like the recall may be extended to certain vehicles. If my vehicle originated in Ohio, it should be part of the recall. Please help me with this situation. Thanks! information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Austell, GA, USA

problem #2

Oct 182010

Windstar

  • 170,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. While driving approximately 65 mph she heard a rubbing noise and the vehicle began to lose control. The vehicle was pulled over and shut off. She noticed that the front passenger side wheel had fractured from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer where she was informed that the lug nuts sheered off of the wheel. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 170,000. The current mileage was 171,000.

- Hershey, PA, USA

problem #1

May 232010

Windstar 6-cyl

  • 190,000 miles
2003 Ford Windstar driving on highway approximately 65mph. Loud bang and immediately car started to sway and pull to the side. Had trouble maintaining control of the vehicle until I was able to slow down and pull off to the shoulder. Had axle repaired (welded) - couldn't afford new axle (~$1000).

- Glen Rock, NJ, USA

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