Carrier/rack problems of the 2003 Ford Windstar

The rear axle or metal brackets on my vehicle snapped while I braked for another vehicle approaching. I had the metal on my axle welded to fix the problem temporarily that is because it is currently broke again. I believe there is a recall for this specific problem.

The rear axle on my father-in-law's minivan snapped in half, even though the brackets for the first recall were installed and the brackets were then inspected and signed off on during the second recall. Both recalls were signed off as completed and safe but while driving 45 mph, with four small children in the car, the axle snapped in half. We've reached out to both Ford directly and the dealerships and no one will assist. Clearly the brackets were not an acceptable fix for this highly dangerous issue. Four children could have been hurt or even killed due to Ford's negligence to properly address this issue. Ford failed to properly correct the issue with the first recall and apparently didn't correct it with the second either.

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.

Driving home from work when my rear axle cracked. Almost lost control of the vehicle but was able to pull over.

Takata recall, received safety recall notice 15s27 from Ford motor company, stating that rear axle reinforcement brackets may have been installed improperly and may result in complete rear axle fracture and an increased risk of crash. I have taken my Windstar in for the inspection and they are telling me the rear axle does need replaced but it will cost me $300, my concern with this is if it is a "safety recall" why should I have to pay out of my pocket.

Our Windstar was recalled 3 times under Ford's safety recall # 15s27/NHTSA recall # 15v-608 for the rear axle. The first recall was to check for cracks and if none found, the axle was painted. The second recall was to check again for cracks and if none found, the Ford dealership attached 2 brackets that were not painted. The first two recalls were free. Then the third recall came to again to check for cracks and this time they found 2 cracks in our axle and it had to be replaced. The dealership, park Ford in mahopac, NY 10541, per Ford corporate, charged me $300 plus $25. 13 for tax. They call the charge a "discounted replacement". I have experienced many recalls in my life time and this is the first time that I have been charged for a recall for a defective part. How is this possible? are you aware that Ford is charging owners for this recall? is this legal for Ford to do? fyi I also complained to Ford's customer service and was told via email that I had to pay to replace the axle. This was a defective axle and not my fault. The vehicle only had 84,520 miles.

This is in regards to the rear axle cracking. During my recent state vehicle inspection, the rear axle was found to be cracked. The rear axle was reinforced per recall notice in 2011, but where the reinforcement is at, is where axle is cracked. Ford will not cover the replacement of the axle due to the recall already being performed and is outside the 12 months/12,000 mile warranty. The reinforcement that they provided does not fix the issue, it only pushes the issue out. I have seen many other people having this exact issue happening.

Rear axle is cracked and has to be replaced. Ford recall in 2011 for issues with the rear axle - dealer installed additional support brackets in lieu of replacing the axle with a new axle of current design. If they would have done the replacement with the current axle design and not added a temporary fix to prolong the life of a defective axle, today I would not be responsible for the financial replacement. I am very fortunate to have noticed an issue and brought this to the attention of my dealer who discovered the crack. I do have a concern though with the Ford dealer - they know about the axle issues, failures and recall. They recently inspected the vehicle, replaced various parts, etc. At a cost of $2,800 including brakes, drums, etc. They saw the condition of the axle - they had to know if was due to fail sooner than later - very concerning. Ford is not taking responsibility for their design flaw and lack luster recall which amounted to adding some brackets to cause the axle to break in a certain area to reduce the possibility of a complete failure / fatal accident.

While driving I heard a loud crack noise and seen smoke in rear view mirror. When I got out tire was tilted completely in the rear. Come to find out my rear axel completely cracked while I was driving! called Ford they said the recall was fixed in 2011 and there was another recall fixed in 2013. Since it was already " fixed" they will not cover the work. I now have to pay 600 to get this fixed out of pocket and there is no reason the axel should have broke in half like it did! very upsetting to know I could've had my children in the car with me and this could have definitely caused an accident !! I know this problem was not fixed correctly in the first place it was just a bandaid for Ford!.

Rear axle recall was inspected in 2/17/2011 by the dealer and was noted no cracks and just put some brackets. Today 3/23/2015 went for a state inspection to the same dealer and failed due to crack in the rear axle(that was once recalled). Now dealer/Ford states that the recall was once managed, and no longer responsible for further issues. . . If an item was recalled, it should be fixed without cost. Please address this with Ford. Thank you.

The rear axle on my 2003 Windstar cracked and split about 10 inches from where it attaches to the wheel on the drivers side of the van. While looking into how much it would cost to fix, I discovered that there was a recall for that exact problem. I called my local Ford dealer and they said it would have to be looked at and could take about a week. I had it towed in and waited for a response. A week went by and when I called, the receptionist told me they would let me know as soon as possible. I waited a few more days and called again but this time I ended up speaking to the service manager. He said the van had actually been "repaired" once before through a previous owner/recall and that the original servicing dealership did not perform the work properly. The first time it was fixed, they somehow reinforced the axle but apparently did not put the "reinforcement" in the right place. That being the case, he said that the current damage now defaulted back to the dealer where it was originally serviced. He also said that the front of the van was rusted underneath but I do not see anything excessive and I am not convinced that this is unusual for a 12 year old vehicle. This is not a high mileage vehicle and it is in really nice condition otherwise. Considering the fact that this is an documented defect, I simply want it fixed properly and quickly.

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!!!.

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 .

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 delt 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.