10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 3 / 3
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 127,248 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal odor 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 to NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V385000 (Suspension); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
- Rochester, MN, USA
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.
- Lucama, NC, USA
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving at 15 MPH, there was an abnormal rumbling sound coming from an undisclosed location of the vehicle. The contact veered off the roadway. The contact notified a tow truck company and inspected the vehicle and noticed that the rear axle was fractured. The vehicle was towed to the 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 manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.
- New Egypt, NJ, USA
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.
- Somerdale, NJ, USA
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.
- Kansas City, KS, USA
The contact-??s son owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while her son was driving 10 MPH and making a turn into a parking lot, the vehicle stopped as the rear tires collapsed inside the wheel well. The contact was able to park the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the rear axle had fractured. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed 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 back to the residence. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
- Oshkosh, WI, USA
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle was wobbling. Once the contact arrived at her residence, her husband noticed that the rear of the subframe was fracture. The dealer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V385000 (Suspension). The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 136,000.
- Belton, MO, USA
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.
- Port Matilda, PA, USA
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 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.
- Los Angeles, CA, USA
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.
- Verona, IL, USA
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.
- Denver, CO, USA
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
- Akron, OH, USA
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.
- Baytown, TX, USA
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.
- Baytown, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 mph, an abnormal sound was heard coming from the passenger's side rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to taylor Ford located at 13500 telegraph rd, taylor, mi 48180, to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the suspension bracket was rusted and fractured from the axle. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not covered under NHTSA campaign number: 15V608000 (suspension). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but, provided no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
- Allen Park, MI, USA
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.
- Tustin, CA, USA
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!
- Scituate, MA, USA
Although my van has been through all recall repairs/inspections as I pulled into my local gas station today my rear axle broke. Vehicle was towed to closest dealership (dave knapp Ford Lincoln) where it was determined that the vehicle had passed inspection during the recall. As vehicle was being towed consumer noticed that the left bracket appeared to be placed incorrectly.
- Ansonia, OH, USA
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact called on behalf of the driver. The contact stated that while the driver was driving approximately 45 mph, an odor of burning rubber was present. After stopping the vehicle it was discovered that the rear passenger side wheel and tire was rubbing against the 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 NHTSA campaign number: 12V193000 (power train). The local dealer krapohl Ford & Lincoln (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.
- Lake, MI, USA
- Bellmore, NY, USA