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.
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.
The rear axle on our 2003 Ford Windstar cracked while my daughter was driving it. Thank goodness it did not result in an accident and she was able to pull into a nearby lot. We purchased this vehicle new and it has been rusting from the inside out and now the axle. We did have the recall "brackets" placed on the vehicle, however, it appears they did not work! Ford needs to take care of this issue with its customers and needs to understand a vehicle purchase is a difficult expense for most individuals. Not only do most of us expect the vehicle to last, but we do not expect to be in danger because of negligence and cost-cutting measures that save them money, while screwing the consumer financially. This is completely unacceptable and I can only hope for the sake of all the consumers that have been affected by this negligence, there is serious consideration given to the litigation of this issue on behalf of hard-working people.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. While at the local dealer for a recall repair, the technician diagnosed that the rear axle was corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V608000 (suspension). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 187,000. Update 01/15/16
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. While the vehicle was being serviced for NHTSA campaign number: 15V608000(suspension), the technician informed the contact that the rear axle corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the axle replacement not being included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact was informed that the recall only covered the bracket and only the ends of the axle were covered under the recall. The failure mileage was 141,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for inspection. The contact was informed that the front subframe was severely corroded. The contact was informed that the vehicle could not be inspected because it was unsafe to use a lift to inspect underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 11V030000 (structure). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000.
- West Chazy, NY, USA
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I was driving down the road. In muncie Indiana. The rear end on the right side went down all most caused me to wreck. Found O ut that day when I got it to the auto garage that the rear end had rusted threw. At 66,000 miles. How can a company put out crap like this that might have coast me my life ? it would have if I was not a semi driver when I was working. And new how to handle a van in case of a problem like this U have me to thank that no one was killed. I think Ford needs to fix this problem for me.
I have a 2003 Windstar Ford mini van. About 2 1/2 years ago they put a patch fix on the rear axle that was so when the axle breaks instead of the wheels separating it holds it together. Well recently I was on my way to a major highway I thought my brakes locked up, but in actuality the patch fix broke and so did my axle. So a big thankyou for almost killing my 2 children in the back seat, does Ford motors care? no they don't! because when I called the dealership they said Ford is aware of this ongoing problem with numerous complaints and will not fix it again. But I can buy another part for $800. If they are aware of the problem and the patch was not a safe fix then why bother at all! I feel this company should put their children in the back seat and then maybe they would actually care to find a safe fix.
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.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while reversing at unknown speeds, he heard an abnormal noise. Upon inspection, it was found that the rear axle was fractured and the front sub frame was completely rusted. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign id numbers: 11V030000 (structure) and 12V195000 (suspension). The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failures were confirmed. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 160,000.
Rear axle completely snapped in two. Also, the van has the ABS and brake lights are on took in for a code read and nothing. The electrical acts very strange music and lights fade in and out and the cruise control is very jerky.
The rear drivers side automatic sliding door does not always shut all the way. It also does not usually open without pulling the lock at the same time as trying to open it.
Ford safety recall 11S16 was to reinforce or replace rear axle to ensure vehicle safety. Ford installed brackets that were either ineffective, improperly installed, or axle was already cracked when installed. When owner was informed of possible cracks in rear axle April 2013 Ford was immediately notified and Ford response is that there are no factory warranties or programs in effect to assist with this issue. This vehicle currently has 110200 miles on it. It has been driven 12,000 miles since the recall. At the time of the safety recall 11S16 repairs the owner had requested that Ford replace the axle instead of installing brackets, and was willing to contribute towards the additional repair costs. Ford refused to replace the axle, installing the brackets instead. Subsequently, Ford repairs were ineffective and resulted in cracks in the rear axle. As of this date, Ford has taken the position that the repairs to the vehicle are the responsibility of the owner. The owner disagrees and is requesting that Ford be required to live up to their agreement under the safety recall 11S16, to ensure that the rear axle of said vehicle meets or exceeds safety requirements.
There was a safety recall initiated by Ford for corrosion of the engine cradle - 2003 Ford Windstar structure: Frame and members:underbody shields NHTSA campaign #11V030000. Ford repaired the left side only, leaving the right side rusted and now several significant rust holes have appeared on the right side. Ford disclaims any responsibility saying that they made the repair properly but I claim they made the repair inadequately. Bad metal is bad metal and regardless of the fact that the holes were discovered over a year later is inapplicable as good metal does not rust through to the point of creating a safety hazard. If the engine cradle fails, the engine will fall from the vehicle, potentially while moving. Gas will spew across the road and a fireball will ignite. Other drivers will either hit the engine, swerve to miss it and hit other vehicles, and/or get caught in the inferno which will cause significant damage, human harm and needless deaths. Ford initiated this safety recall because there was this safety issue and the issue remains. Safety was not improved by simply repairing one side of the engine cradle allowing the other side to corrode to the point of sizeable rust holes being created in a short period of time following the initial inadequate repair. Once a safety recall is initiated, it is in the best interests of the public to ensure that the repair is properly and completely made and therefore that the safety issue is fully resolved.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign id number: 11V030000 (structure: Frame and members:underbody shields). The contact took the vehicle to the dealer for recall repairs to the front passenger side sub frame and the rear axle. The vehicle was repaired however, the sub frame failed a few months later. The contact went to have an alignment performed on the vehicle and was advised that she needed to take the vehicle to the dealer because the sub frame was rusted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they advised that there was a hole in the sub frame and the vehicle was no longer safe to drive. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 75,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. While parked, the contact noticed the rear driver and passenger doors would not open from the interior. The contact exited the vehicle and opened the doors from the exterior so the passengers could exit the vehicle. The same failure occurred to the rear lift gate. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 117,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that NHTSA campaign id number: 11V030000 structure: Frame and members: Underbody shields repair was performed, but the failure was not corrected. The front subframe developed a new crack due to corrosion, and the rear passenger side subframe was severely corroded within the suspension attachment which developed a crack and a hole. The vehicle did not pass stated inspection and was deemed unsafe to drive. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 107,694 and the current mileage was 129,399.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the vehicle was serviced under NHTSA campaign id number: 11V030000 (structure: Frame and members: Under-body shields) however, the dealer recommended that the sub-frame also be replaced, due to corrosion. The manufacturer was made aware of the dealer 's recommendation to replace the sub-frame, but the manufacturer denied any assistance with the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 70,000.
Recently issued recall of 2004 Ford co. Minivans for input shaft failure, all Ford Windstar including 2003 models have the same issue. Freestar van is nothing but a name change for the same poor unsafe vehicle. Along with the many safety issues, owners should be compensated for the repairs made on substandard vehicle. Including the frame issues, brakes issue, electrical and engine quality.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing numerous failures with the ABS, brake light illumination, slow gear shifting and power windows and door lock failures. The manufacturer was contacted and advised that there were no recalls for the vehicle. The manufacturer denied any assistance with repairs to the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 101,000 and the current mileage was 104,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the automatic doors would open and close without anyone operating the control buttons. The dealer was notified of the failure and advised that there were no recalls for the failure. The manufacturer was notified and confirmed that there were no recalls and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 119,000.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Lagrange, OH, USA