general problems of the 2003 Ford Windstar

The contact’s son owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 11v030000 (structure). The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the exhaust pipe was punctured. The contact was advised that the front subframe was severely corroded; however, the dealer informed the contact that the vehicle would not be repaired due to the corrosion. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact parked the vehicle and the vehicle was no longer driven due to the safety concerns. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

The contact’s son owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated while her son was driving at 10 mph and making a turn into a parking lot, the vehicle stopped as the rear tires caved in. The contact was able to park the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the rear axle was fractured. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that they would cover the repair. However, the dealer informed the contact that they could not repair the vehicle as the subframe was severely corroded. The dealer also informed the contact that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 11v030000 (structure) in 2011. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was towed to the contact’s residence. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000. 0.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. While driving 65 mph, the vehicle independently veered to the left. The contact was able to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the subframe was corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 129,000.

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 MA.

Ford Windstar was recalled for rear axles. I had that repaired. I got another recall for the front axels. Dealer says parts not available and van "should be okay" until parts are avaible. "should be okay" is not acceptable!! if there is a recall, the part should be available at the time of the recall, not weeks or months later.

While accelerating from a stop light, steering control was completely lost at approximately 35mph. The vehicle turned to the left, then right, and ran off the right side of the road. It would not move in either forward or reverse. Front wheels were pointed in different directions. The right front lower control arm had broken away from the frame, and the right front half-shaft had pulled out of the transaxle. The vehicle was towed to a nearby Ford dealer. As of December 6, the dealer has not yet investigated the vehicle.

Our Ford Windstar van that was manufactured in may 2003 was making a loud noise from the rear. When we took it to the dealer they said the rear axle was cracked in two places and had rust/corrosion holes in it. They said we could not drive it because it was unsafe and they could not get a replacement part until April 2011. We later find out that Ford Windstar vans from 1999 thru February 2003 have been recalled for this exact problem. Because our van was manufactured may 2003 (two months outside the recall time) they will not cover it. We now have a car we can't drive because of safety hazard and even if we wanted to pay to fix it, which we should not have to, the part is not available for seven more months leaving us without a vehicle.

I own a 2003 Ford Windstar van, for a couple weeks I occasionally heard a creaking noise when I turned a sharp corner. Then one day while driving, thankfully not at a very high speed my van started to go all over the road every time it went over the slightest bump in the road. It felt as if the tires were going to fall off the van. When my husband looked under the van you could see the back axel completely broke in half. We travel a long distance every few months to take my daughter to a children's hospital, god was really watching out for my family and I, that the axel didn't go while we were on those long stretches of highway.

I have a 2003 Ford Windstar. In April 2010 my rear axle suddenly broke. I paid a small fortune to tow and fix the problem. In July my front axle suddenly broke leaving me with another large towing and repair charge. And now the car just doesn't drive nice and my traction and brake warnings have been lighting up on my dashboard.

My ciggarette lighter pops out onto the floor every time it is pushed in. The distraction of a possible fire can cause a wreck.

Excessive wind noise in front seat area at 65 mph or faster. The dealer was unable to repair. Cannot locate problem but recognizes that it exists.

The reflection of the dashboard onto the windshield when the sun shined over head caused a glare. The glare drastically reduced visibility through the windshield.