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 rear axle cracked and brocked in the midle made the back driver side tire to hit the back of the fender and I was unable to drive the car there was a recall but Ford insisted in saying that there wasnt any thing they can do about that.
This vehicle was serviced approx. 2.5 years ago for a recall on the rear axle. At that time I was advised of no concerns of a compromised axle. They reassured me that they placed brackets on the axle should there be a problem in the future. Thank goodness the axle fractured while traveling on a quiet country road. We drove over a low point in the road (not a pot hole) and that is when the axle let go along with the brackets that were placed to support the axle! this axle should have been replaced at the time of the recall!! I am very thankful that the axle didn't let go while I was with my family on the highway. The outcome certainly would have been much different and quite possibly tragic! I am very disappointed with Ford in how they handled this matter. They stated they would not be held responsible for a recall past 12 months of the service date. They would not take responsibility for the mishandling of this recall!!!
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while inspecting the vehicle, he noticed that the rear axle was corroded and fractured. The contact mentioned that the vehicle had been previously repaired under recall NHTSA campaign number: 12V195000 (suspension). The dealer was contacted and advised the contact to bring the vehicle in for further inspection. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact that the prior recall had expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 223,000.
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 driving 60 mph, one of the axles fractured. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 12V194000 (suspension). The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 133,000.
- Green Bay, WI, USA
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The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated while having an inspection performed, the technician notified her there was a crack in the axle wheel. The vehicle was previously repaired under recall 10V385000 (suspension). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 128,000 and the current mileage was 129,151.
My wife driving to work Thursday 40 mph and rear axle broke. Left rear tire forced against wheel well causing significant smoke and tire damage. Passing car flag my wife down and got her to pull over. When I checked it out later in the day found that rear axle was broke and not drivable. Cost to fix at my total expense $1030 plus tax plus new tire. Recall was performed in 2011 at kistler Ford to install some kind of rear axle supports and also something done to reinforce front subframe. Axle in back looks like it broke inside the reinforcements on or near the left side. Kistler Ford service manager stated he has seen this happen a few times after recall repair and Ford not willing to take care of additional issues after the recall. That does not seem acceptable to me. Seems their recall repair not sufficient. Kistler Ford service manager nor myself a(54yr old) have ever heard of axles failing under normal circumstances ever. This should never happen. This will kill and injure additional people. What if my wife driving 70mph down the highway when this happened? we were planning on taking my family of 5 to the smokey mountains end of this month. This could have been a terrible disaster. We bought this car new in 2003 keeping it well maintained with intention of passing it down to our 20,19 and 16 year old. There are reports of accidents and at least 1 death as the result of this defect. Something needs to be done. I also recommended they examine the front subframe since there may be issues with that repair from reports seen on the internet. Do not want to fix the rear and have that go bad also. Sounds like they need to take these vehicles off the road. I have some pictures of the rear axle.
There was a recall on rear axles of Ford Windstar. I noticed my rear axle was cracked, so I called the Ford Motor Company and was told my van was not included in the recall. I was told to take my van to the local dealer and see if they could make a special exemption and have my rear axle replaced. Ford Motor Company said no, they would not fox my rear axle with 3 cracks in it, it wasn't covered in the recall. The local dealer did not want to release my van for me to drive because it was very serious and dangerous. This is the only way to get myself and my 2 young children to school, work, ballgames, etc.. the recall was for vans originally sold or currently registered in certain states that use road salt. My state (tn) does use salt. One of the states listed was Virginia. I live 5 mins from the va state line and have family that live there, so we do travel in va often. Also, the previous state on my title is va! I believe Ford should issue a mass recall on the rear axle from all the complaints I have read. I was told to keep my receipts when I have it fixed in case they issue a recall I may be reimbursed. I do not have the funds to have this fixed but it is my only way to get where I need to be. I do believe Ford Motor Company is in the wrong and something should be done.
The rear axle assy. Cracked and the tires where tipping in toward the body. Took it to preston, in burton, Ohio and they said the recall had been done on 04/30/2011. It was exactly 2 years to the day that it cracked right beside the bracket on the passenger side. Preston said it was out of warranty for fixing it and it will cost ust to fix it. We don't think it should be our responsibility since it was exactly 2 years to the day that it was fixed with the recall. If it was done correctly the first time and check the way it should have been then why did it break. My son is a mechanic and he said that it probably had a hair line crack in it when the did the recall fix and they didn't see it. The dealership is giving us a hard time about fixing it, because we don't have $1600 to do it and they won;T work with is to make payments or anything so far. We really think that Ford should have to pay for it or at least offer to pay for the rear axle. I would appreciate hearing from you on this matter asap. Thank you
The "repair" they made did not hold up.this is the 2nd time it has almost killed us. Waiting on a reply from legal counsel at Ford. It is definitely totaled with the damage. I guess enough people haven't died yet to do a mass recall. Even if you had the recall done, it obviously doesn't work. How many families traveling 70 mph down the highway with this faulty vehicle need to die" thanks Ford for making our cars death traps. Ford Windstar. I hope many see this post and start demanding their cars be replaced before they kill someone.the sub frame was replaced and they even used the old hardware to save money. My brand new sub frame is held together with my rusty old bolts. I fear for the next accident hopefully my children won't be in the car this time. So no we are in round three of this death trap of a van. The customer service representative asked me. "what would you like Ford to do"" I want a car that is not continually falling apart. I wanted a buy back option in the beginning. I feel that a significant percentage above blue book is required at dealer price levels. I kept the van after the first repairs because I could not afford another vehicle and I could not bring myself to sleep at night worrying about the person and their family I sold it to. I see no reason why the buy back option should not be available to me and others out there with these repairs that are faulty. I guess enough people haven't died for the corporate people to lose sleep and bring back the vehicles that can kill others because of manufacturer defects. Please share the images on facebook and with family and friends that you love. This will kill someone if it hasn't already.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal noise was present from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the front lower control arm rear attaching bracket was fractured due to rust and corrosion. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and no solution was offered. The failure mileage was 80,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 10V385000 (suspension) and recently discovered that the rear axle was fractured. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure was confirmed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage and VIN was not available.
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?
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 mph, the front axle fractured and resulted in the detachment of the front driver's side wheel. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. There was a recall related to the defect under NHTSA campaign id number 12V194000 (suspension). The dealer was contacted but refused to repair the vehicle for an unknown reason. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was unavailable. Updated 04/22/14
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"
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.
I have a 2003 Ford Windstar that has been owned by my family since it left the line. I was notified of a recall to the control arms in 2011 and took my vehicle to the dealer. In June 2012 I was driving home from work and had just turned on my street when I heard a loud bang and my car would barely more. When it happened I thought that my engine had hit the ground. I luckily was one house away from home( I had just gotten off the expressway traveling 70 miles an hour.) as I limped my way into the drive way I thought that maybe I had a flat the way that my car was driving. However when I got out of the car my entire drivers side of the car was less than an inch from the ground. After having it towed to a shop I was told that my strut (spring) had jumped off the mount. I was told there was nothing wrong with the strut (spring) but that it had jumped the mount. Needless to say when Ford was contacted I was told that they were not responsible. This is very wrong given there was extentsive damage done to the control arm and it pulled the tie-rod end out of the passenger side. There were no issues with the front end and I feel that the brackets that were installed due to the recall may have shifted the strut and caused the damage. But Ford would not have anything to do with the matter.
We drove to the store and realized that our rear tires were tilted. We were looking at it and a guy that worked at the garage next door climbed under and told us what it was. He said that the rear axle was broken, he also said that there had been a recall on the vehicle. I contacted our local Ford dealer and the person I spoke to told me that I was covered by the recall and that they would send out a tow truck and the would fix it. The tow truck came and a few hours later the Ford dealer called and said that I was not covered and the I would have to pay for the tow and I would have to tow it off of their lot. This happened after he already told me that I was covered. I eventually had to get a loan to pay for it and I couldn't even afford a new axle I had to get someone to weld it back together and now every couple of months it breaks again. I am now on my third fix. I was doing research on this on the internet and I found something that said that puerto rico was now covered in that recall. I was told that it was just cold weather states. I live in cleveland, Ohio. Just because my car was not made here doesn't mean that I shouldn't be covered. I have already had the control arm recall kit put on and now I found out that there was another recall on the electrical equipment all of my ABS lights and break lights are on. I really need this to be fixed please change the recalls to include other vehicles too.
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.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Columbus, OH, USA