general problems of the 2003 Ford Windstar - part 1

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving over a railroad track at 40 mph, the rear axle snapped. The wheel hub to the axle was barely connected. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number:15v608000 (suspension); however, the contact had not received the recall notification. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 237,000.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated while attempting to reverse, the contact heard a loud sound coming from the front of the vehicle. The contact stated that steering wheel became difficult to turn. A local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was inspected, and the contact was informed that there was no recall related to the VIN for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 12v194000 (suspension); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact was referred to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 160,263.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the passenger’s side rear wheel. The traction control warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that later while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the rear suspension and the contact almost lost control of the vehicle but was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway. The contact stated that upon a visual inspection there was excessive corrosion around the rear axle and the axle was detached. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the rear axle. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 15v608000 (suspension); but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 135,000.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, he noticed an unknown smell circulating inside the cabin of the vehicle. The contact stated the vehicle started losing motive power, and he was able to pull the vehicle to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed a failure with the rear axle. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure with the NHTSA camping number: 10v385000 (suspension); however, the vehicle was not included. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and was advised to contact the NHTSA hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving from the driveway, the front driver's side control arm detached from the vehicle. The vehicle made an abnormal scraping sound. While making a turn, an abnormal clicking noise was heard. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified about the failure. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA campaign number: 10v385000 (suspension). The failure mileage was approximately 207,000.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving at 15mph when he heard a rumbling sound at an undisclosed location of the vehicle and veered of the road. The contact notified the tow that inspected the vehicle and noticed that the rear axle had fractured. The vehicle was towed to the contacts residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact referenced the NHTSA campaign number 10v385000 (suspension). The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The manufacture was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated while driving 45 mph, the contact started losing control of the vehicle. The contact was able to pull over and had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic. The independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and stated that the vehicle was experiencing the failure listed in NHTSA campaign number: 15v608000 (suspension) and advised the contact to contact the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 15v608000 (suspension). No further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 160,000.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact had taken her vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that the rear axle had cracked due to severe corrosion. The mechanic informed her that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The contact was also informed that the vehicle might be included in NHTSA campaign number: 10v385000 (suspension). The dealer and manufacturer were contacted, and the contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 147,000.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated while driving at 25 mph the contact felt the vehicle wobbling. Once the contact reached her home her husband noticed that the rear of the frame was fracture. The dealer was contacted, and they stated that the vehicle was not under recall NHTSA campaign number: 10v385000 (suspension). The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 136,000.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated while his wife was exiting the vehicle, she noticed that the rear driver’s side wheel was leaning in towards the frame of the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that the axle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the abs warning light and brake warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact then took the vehicle to a dealer where she was informed that the rear axle was severely corroded and at risk of fracturing. The dealer informed her of NHTSA campaign number: 10v385000 (suspension) however, the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and offered no assistance. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000. The VIN was invalid.

I was driving on a city street going about 30 miles an hour the van filled with smoke when I came to a stop I looked under the car and the back axle was broke I had it towed to the Ford dealership and they said it would cost $3200 to fix it they said it didn't fall under the recall they had for the back axle breaking.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to the dealer for routine maintenance, the contact noticed that the rear axle was severely corroded. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the mechanic failed to fix the failure. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 15v608000 (suspension) as a possible solution to the failure however, the VIN was not included. The contact was concerned for his safety while driving the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000. The VIN was not available.

I own a 2003 Ford Windstar lx. It was at the mechanic for some repairs and he pointed out the issue with my rear axle being cracked and corroded. Which its very dangerous to keep driving like this.

When driving my muffler broke loose and was dragging on the ground. My axel creaks when I stop or sit idle at a light. When several miles from home my ignition cylinder came out. I couldn't start or turn the ignition on nor operate the steering. I'm now afraid to drive my vehicle. Since acquiring it. I've put a lot of money into repairs. In addition to purchasing this vehicle, I've spent well over $2,000 in repairs. Once I learned of the recall and viewed the risks (video) of the dangers I became grossly disturbed by what I am facing at the thought of driving. I have contacted 4 Ford service centers and none of them contacted back regarding fixing my 'recall'. I need help!! I have a disability and now I don't have transportation besides this car. How come no one is returning my calls? I am stranded at my home knowing that my safety is at risk. I would like to get my issue remedied with a $4,999. 00 reimbursement for this vehicle ASAP so I may invest in getting a safer one. Please give me a dealership address here in los angeles so I can have the vehicle towed there and be done with it. I no longer want a vehicle that I can not drive nor can get my 'recalls' remedied. Your attention to this matter is greatly appreciated.

My back axle its rusted and its cracked. The mechanic mention this is very dangerous if it breaks while driving. While the mechanic replaced my fuel pump he noticed this issue.

Although my van has been through all recall repairs/inspections as I pulled into my local gas station today my rear axle broke!.

Tl- the contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 mph the odor of burning rubber was present. After stopping the vehicle it was discovered the rear passenger side wheel and tire was rubbing against wheel well. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the passenger side rear axle had failed. The mechanic also indicated that the failure had occurred on a previously repaired recall remedy NHTSA recall 12v193000(power train). The local dealer krapohle Ford mt. Pleasant 1415 e pickard rd, mt pleasant, mi 48858 was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 110,000. Jft.

I was driving down the road on a city street at 35 mph and the rear axle broke on the driver side underneath the recall bracket installed by Ford. Recall 10s13 was performed on this vehicle in 2008 or 2009. The brackets were installed as specified by Ford and obviously were inadequate to fix or prevent the problem from the original recall. Ford should never have been allowed to get away with this poorly designed and executed repair to the axle. The vehicle was recently at a Ford dealer that verified that the brackets were installed correctly per 15s27 and Ford denied covering any of the repair cost. I have background study as a structural engineer (I'm a licensed civil engineer) and I used to work in an automotive parts and machine shop. Given my experience, if you refer to 10s13 there is a location on the axle referred to as a "tooling hole" on page 18 that should have been used if Ford ever intended these repair brackets to do anything useful. I cant imagine any engineer designed these things and disregarded the obvious, tying the load to this hole. I have the vehicle back and I've used this hole on both sides to pull the axle back together and make it at least moveable until the new part arrives, so not only does it make sense structurally, but it works physically as well. Why the NHTSA would allow Ford to call this a fix and make these vehicles acceptable to drive is beyond me. The axle also has a horizontal crack in the middle, its been there since the brackets were installed. I do not believe Ford has been honest or useful in taking care of this problem on these vehicles, and it appears the NHTSA is backing them on it. Curious how a recall for a cracking problem is not resolved but its not their responsibility? I would say at this point in time, there was no point in any of the recall work as nothing was fixed. Failure is identical to pre-recall.

I contacted this agency previously regarding the failure of the rear axle in detail. This note is sent to further explain the failure of Ford, garlitch Ford, and the NHTSA to properly assure me that the vehicle was repaired adequately. It was not. I removed the useless brackets garlitch Ford installed under your and Ford's direction, and the recall 10s13 was not performed properly. I have the evidence. I'd like to know what is the point in a recall when absolutely nobody will stand behind it? we may as well just ignore them all in that case. So to explain the problem, per the instructions for the recall the technician was supposed to remove all undercoat/paint/e-coat from areas specified to the base metal in order to inspect the axle for cracks. This was not done. Original e-coat is clearly visible in the photos. So the inspection of the axle was not done properly. I cant say I am surprised. Then, since the axle passed the improperly performed inspection, they installed the atrociously "designed" brackets to the axle. Again, the instructions say to remove all paint, undercoating, or e-coat from the axle to bare metal, as the epoxy or adhesive or whatever it is will not adhere to anything but bare metal. This was not done either, obviously. I did not take this in for recall 15s27 as there was no point. The only concern of that recall was to make sure the spacing from the axle weld to the bracket was within specification, and it was. Autonation Ford of tustin confirmed that. However, this recall does not tell anyone if the original recall was done properly and if these were actually supposed to add structural strength to the axle they could not have in my case and would have contributed to its ultimate failure given that they were not properly attached. Step up and get Ford to cover this failure. Ford is blaming the "independently owned" dealer. What a joke.

Driving in town and rear axle busted in half next to Ford's so called bracket fix.

I was driving on the interstate at about 60 mph changing lanes to the right I could hear tires squealing and the van felt like it was going to roll over to the left. I regained control, then I heard some creaking metal noise, then I heard a rubbing noise and saw a lot of smoke coming from the rear. I was able to pull over and inspect, what I found was the rear axle was broken and driver side tire rubbing inside the wheel well. I was very fortunate to have somewhere to pull over, otherwise to continue driving could rupture the tire and/or I would be left stranded in highway speed traffic.

My axel cracked on left side, noise alerted me to the danger. Career mechanic, never seen a rusted out or cracked rear axle. I also worked out of my home on cars running my own shop for decades. Again I have never changed a cracked rear axle. The first recall was in my opinion only a poor attempt at postponing the inevitable axel failure to a later date. Not a normal failure for a supposed name brand leading automotive maker. Ford's latest ad on tv said something like they care about their customers at the end of the ad, what a joke, false advertising or should my claim for $1,420. 28 be paid and show they care? the original axel was in my opinion a bit thin and I read that the metal was not the best on a few web sites. Also filling the hollow areas for the axle assembly with foam only retained water and accelerated rusting which of course only weakens a bad axel design. The new design rear axle is definitely heavier, no foam and has no open areas to hold water. The new design seems to have addressed all the original axle's design flaws. Which shows Ford did know there were design flaws. Jannell Ford of hanover mass (781-982-4500) contacted Ford with my shock that axel would not be replaced under warranty even after seeing the supporting pictures; Ford would not repair the axel on second recall even though severely cracked! they said the first recall brackets were installed correctly. Jannell Ford service management agreed that our van was in pristine shape, rust free and well cared for. Please see remainder of my letter in download files. Thank you!.

Tl-the contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving the contact heard a pop and the rear left tire went flat. The vehicle was towed back to the contact's home. The contact had an independent mechanic diagnose the issue as being the rear axle bending inwards from rust or corrosion. This caused the tire to shred and deflate. The vehicle did have a NHTSA recall number: 15v-608000 (suspension). The vehicle was taken to the dealer germain Ford of beavercreek 2356 heller dr, beavercreek, OH 45434 (937) 429-1300 and they stated that the rear axle was installed correctly when the recall stated that it was not installed correctly. The contact wanted to know if that was the case why was the vehicle included in a recall. The dealer refused to honor the NHTSA recall with a free repair. The manufacturer had not been contacted yet. The failure mileage was 178,000. Tf.

While driving, I made a left-hand turn, and the rear axle cracked in half on the right-hand side.

Vehicle in motion with family 70-75mph on interstate. Rear left tire began rubbing the inside wheel well. Pulled off from interstate to a nearby exit. Jacked van in a parking lot to see rear left subframe (axle) had fractured. Bracket installed by Ford per rear subframe/axle recall had failed - missing fasteners - rusted away. Luckily family is alive, but vehicle was towed and presently in garage. Will Ford repair it or buy it back?.

While driving experienced loss of control and rear wheel canted inward and rubbing on wheel well. Rear axle was completely cracked in half on one side and 3/4 on the other side. This is 2 yrs after the Ford recall that was supposed to prevent this from happening.

Tl the contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. While the vehicle was undergoing routine maintenance, the mechanic discovered that the rear axle was cracked and needed to be replaced. The failure occurred due to corrosion. The vehicle was taken to olathe Ford(205 s fir st, olathe, KS) where it was confirmed that the rear axle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 138,000.

Rear axle broke under the bracket Ford put on the axle for the axle recall. I was pulling out of a parking lot with my husband, 4 kids and myself when all of a sudden I heard a loud noise and my tire rubbing the wheel well. Pulled over immediately and looked under the rear end of my van and I could see the brake. Had it towed home. Called Ford and towed my van to the dealership. Paid $300 between towing bill's and a service charge just to hear Ford tell me they won't do anything to help me and make this right.

Rear axle broke under bracket that was put on by Ford for the axle recall. I was pulling out of a parking lot with my husband and 4 kids in the van when all of a sudden there was a load noise and the tire was rubbing the wheel well. I immediately pulled over, looked under the rear end and could see the brake. Had my van towed to my house. Called Ford on Monday morning and towed van to dealership. $300 between tow bill's and a Ford service charge just to have Ford tell me they won't do anything to fix my van and make this right.

Axle broke under bracket that was put on by Ford for the axle recall. I was pulling out of a parking lot with my husband and 4 kids in the van when all of a sudden there was a load noise and the tire was rubbing the wheel well. I immediately pulled over, looked under the rear end and could see the brake. Had my van towed to my house. Called Ford on Monday morning and towed van to dealership. $300 between tow bill's and a Ford service charge just to have Ford tell me they won't do anything to fix my van and make this right.

My 2003 Ford Windstar rear axle had reinforcement brackets installed for the recall 10s13. My rear axle beam still fractured under the bracket while I was driving. After paying over $300 in towing and service fees Ford told me there is nothing they can do. I was driving with my husband and 4 children in the van. We are lucky it happened on a back road and going slow.

Tl the contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact took the vehicle to a aaa repair facility for inspection. The mechanic placed the vehicle on a lift and found rust and corrosion on the axles and subframe. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and found the same rust and corrosion. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not made aware of the failure. Nhtsa campaign number: 15v608000 (suspension) was referenced. The failure mileage was 147,131.

While driving my vehicle I noticed a rubbing sound. I inspected the tires and saw that the right reartop of tire was leaning in towards the van. I took the van to the shop and was told that the cradle was defective and I would need a new one.

This is due to a recall. The rear axle and subframe snapped and Ford is not honoring fixing it even though it happened at the repair site of recall.