Frame And Members problems of the 2003 Ford Windstar

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for an unrelated issue and they discovered that the rear frame exhibited cracks. In 2011, the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 12v195000 (suspension); however, at the time of the repair the contact had not experienced a failure. The vehicle was not repaired for most recent failure. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 231,000.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the sub-frame exhibited a hole due to rust and corrosion. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection where the contact was advised that there was a hole in the sub-frame. The dealer was notified of the failure who then advised that there were no recalls for the sub-frame. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure who filed a complaint for the contact. The failure mileage was 139,379.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated the vehicle was recently repaired under the NHTSA campaign id number 11v030000 (structure: frame and members: underbody shields. The remedy repair consisted of attaching a bracket to the rear subframe. After the repair was performed, the vehicle began to vibrate excessively and the bracket protruded into the transmission and caused a hole. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the defect and they were unable to provide further assistance pertaining to the repair. The approximate failure mileage was 103,000.

2003 Ford Windstar, inspected for rear axle corrosion recall, passed and parts added in Mar 2011. At the same time the rear axle was fixed the vehicle was inspected for front subframe recall and passed. Aug 18-2011 the passenger side lower control arm broke while driving at approx 20mph. No letter was ever received from Ford to add parts to front subframe (confirmed by a phonecall to Ford canada) how did they pass this as it failed 1500 kms later. Not feeling safe to drive it again (Ford is going to fix it!).

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign id numbers: 10v385000( suspension:rear:axle:non-powered axle assembly) and 11v030000 (structure: frame and members:underbody shields). The vehicle was later taken for routine maintenance when the technician advised that the brackets that were installed on the vehicle from the recall were not steady and unsafe. The manufacturer was not contacted nor was the vehicle further repaired. The failure and current mileage was approximately 82,000. The VIN was unavailable.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the vehicle exhibited a loud pop from the front passenger side while the vehicle was parked. The contact noticed that the spring had fractured yet the plate in which the spring was attached was still in place. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign id number: 11v030000 (structure: frame and members:underbody shields) and contacted the manufacturer. The manufacturer advised that the vehicle would need a diagnostic performed before determining if the failure was related to the recall and if the repairs would be covered. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired because the front driver side spring failed. The vehicle was not further repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.

While driving at low speed, a loud bang was heard and all steering control was lost.

I went to the service station for recall they first told me my car was'nt abled to be fixed then they tell me it is able to be fix I have to be I little sckeptical when there flip flop like especially when my family life at stake.

Saftey recalls concerns: 09v399000, 10v38500, 11v030000. Recall on # 10v385000 was repaired but still having a problem with the repair have taken bak three times they couldnt find anything, but there is still a problem it makes a popping noise when vehicle shifts. Recall on #11v030000 was not reparied, took in for inspection to Ford they said as long as I was in alabama I nothing to be concern about, the recall notice stated if the vehicle passed inspection the dealer is authorized to complete reinforcment, my vehicle passed inspection but no repair was made. Recall on 09v399000 I have talk with them several times they informed me there was no recall for this vehicle for that recall .

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign id numbers: 10v385000 (suspension: rear:axle:non-powered axle assembly) and 11v030000 (structure: frame and members: underbody shields). The contact stated that the manufacturer and dealer were not properly inspecting or handling the recall repairs. The contact had not experienced a failure. The current mileage was 200,000. The VIN was unavailable.

During oil change a visual inspection of surrounding areas revealed a fracture of right rear subframe mount. #1 long term a/c use, #2 rusting of right subframe at rear mount causing fracture of subframe,#3 subframe on order. Van has been in florida since sold new in 2003.

Brought my 2003 Ford Windstar in to my local Ford dealership because it failed state safety inspection as the abs light was on. Ford took the vehicle and inspected it based upon a recall on the rear axle and said that it failed. They provided me with a rental. The next day, I called the dealership and asked them to check the abs right away anyway as if they were able to repair the axle issue soon, I would still not be able to drive the vehicle off their lot as it wasn't safe. At the time, the service manager agreed. I waited for a call back and received none. A month later, I placed another call and was told that there was going to be another recall for the front subframe and that Ford was going to buyback vehicles that were already in with both issues so I should wait for the recall to become officially in progress. I waited another couple of weeks and when I heard nothing, I called back and inquired about the status. I was told that virtually no cars were failing the inspection for the front subframe, so I would have to wait until an axle was available for me to get my van back. I have still not heard the cost to repair my abs issue, so my question is, am I going to hear anything about this before they repair my axle, as I am going to be past the 60 days that I am allowed to repair the abs issue before massachusetts has the right to revoke my registration for not re-inspecting my vehicle. I am going to call my insurance company tomorrow to find out what I should be doing next, but in the meantime, I am left unknowing what is going to happen. As it stands, I will not have a safe vehicle to drive once they repair the axle as they are unwilling to do any work on the vehicle until they repair the axle.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for repairs for recall (NHTSA campaign id number: 10v385000 component: suspension: rear: axle: non-powered axle assembly) when the technician stated the front subframe was severely corroded and there was a hole in front of the bolt that held up the subframe. The contact stated there was an open investigation on that component (NHTSA action number: ea10007 component(s): structure: frame and members suspension). The vehicle was repaired for the recall but was not repaired for the sub frame. The approximate failure mileage was 105,100. Updated 3/7/11.

I own a 2003 Ford Windstar se that has serious corrosion where the passenger side front control arm bolts into the frame. It has not failed completely, but I feel I should not be responsible for the cost of this repair.

2003 Ford Windstar subframe defect.

My 2003 Ford Windstar was recalled for rear axle the dealer kept the vehicle because crack was found, I spoke to third party mechanic who spoke about front sub frame as well the third party mechanic then showed me the crack in my Windstar front sub frame and informed me that it could break off at any time . I then brought this to the attention of the Ford dealer who then responded saying its not part of the recall and refereed me to Ford canada public relations who also said its not part of the recall and that I should have it fixed at my expense.

Rear axle broke in half while driving on August 30, 2010.

Defect identified before an incident occurred. The design/manufacturing defect is as follows: 2003 Ford Windstar frame/engine cradle rusted through where the front sway bar attaches to the frame on the right side of the vehicle. Initially identified by owner because of a disturbing banging sound of the sway bar when driving; and confirmed by visual inspection by owner and a service mechanic. The frame/engine cradle carries all of the lower suspension and drive train components/loads. If this were not repaired when it was, a catastrophic front end failure would have occurred. If failure occurred at high speeds or in a turn a terrible accident (& deaths) could have occurred. I would consider this defect a huge safety concern.

2003 Ford Windstar lx sport with approx 102000 miles - rear axle snapped while on I-95. Pulled over to side of road because I noticed an issue with the vehicle. Noticed cracked rear axle while on flatbed of tow truck. It appeared to have been rusted through from the inside, as there was no evidence of rusting on the exterior of the rear axle.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the frame for the front suspension rotted under the vehicle. While driving at 20mph there was a loud noise and then he could not steer the vehicle. He stopped the vehicle and noticed the driver side front tire was turned to the left and the passenger front tire was turn to the right. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic repair shop where he was told the steering mechanism was torn from the frame and rotted from the body. The contact had to replace the frame at his own expense. The manufacturer was contacted and they stated they have never heard of the failure and offered no assistance. There was no recall or warranty for this failure. The failure and current mileage was 131,000.

Rear axle snapped and broke apart.

2003 Ford Windstar rear axle/carrier cracked 120,000 miles VIN not available - car in shop being repaired.

I am entering this info on behalf of my brother, daniel cullen of meadville pennsylvania. Dan does not regularly use the internet. His 2003 model year Ford Windstar has the right front wheel assembly fall off due to rust. The car only had 95,802 miles and was less than 6 years old. The rusted part is called an engine cradle. Other instances can be found on the web going back several years. A Ford dealer fixed the car at owner expense. The dealer reported that an air conditioning hose dripped on the rusted part contributing to the failure. I reported the problem to Ford corporate hotline and they said they would not help my brother financially or take immediate action to correct this obvious safety defect. My brother was scheduled to drive the car next day 400 miles. If this failure had occurred at highway speed death and injury could easily have resulted. Please see to it that these vehicles are recalled ASAP. A recall can be achieved at reasonable cost: first inspect cars and if no rust is present at least reroute the a/c drip line. If rust is present, change the engine cradle for a few hundred dollars. Note that the web shows incidents going back several years, yet still these cars are out there turning into ticking time bombs in only 5 years of use!.

Have 2003 Ford Windstar no dealers are willing to take this vechicle in trade becase of frame recall,dealers do not have parts to fix frame yet. Ford should buy back all Ford winstar . These vans are not safe,transmissions are bad,electric windows do not work half the time. Rear axle recall front frame recall. Do not buy one of these vans they are junk.