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.
2003 Ford Windstar body complaints
Page 2 of 5: complaints 11 to 40 of 127, newest first, as owners wrote them.
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.
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.
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. The federal safety agency campaign number: 15v608000 (suspension) was referenced. The failure mileage was 147,131.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford windstar. The contact stated that the subframe on the rear passenger sliding door was rusted and became stuck when attempting to be opened. The contact had to lift up the door and put it back on the door track so that it could close. The vehicle was taken to fair oaks ford lincoln (1351 e ogden ave, naperville, il, (630) 357-7100) where it was diagnosed that the door had a rusted hole through the frame. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 12,595.
Was on the street driving, lights started flashing on dashboard van shut off in the middle of the street battery, alternator, blew out, was driving again van was ilde up really bad and while my feet was on the brakes it started moving on its own and ran into someone else vehicle, and also van was on the road started running bad broke down on a busy street once I was pushed to a safe location all my fluids were on the ground and the van was smoking really bad and lights on dashboard were flashing.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford windstar. While inspecting the vehicle, it was discovered that the subframe had rusted and a hole was present located behind the front driver side wheel. The hole was approximately 1.5 inches in diameter. Also, the instrument cluster would randomly stop operating. The failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The local dealer (dick brantmeier ford in sheboycan, wi) was notified along with the manufacturer, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 150,000.
Hello I was driving my 2003 ford windstar minivan. I purchased around march 2016 I was taking my kids to school when the rear axel broke. I looked under and it looks like ford put enforcement brackets on it but it is broke at one of the brackets . Thankfully I was able to keep control of my vehicle. 20 minutes later I would've been on the freeway. One man has already lost his life from the same thing with this vehicle. I have a lady from ford offering to give me any information she has because it is not right and there is things she has that I cannot find. I looked up my year on the vehicle and what was wrong and realized there are thousands of people with the same problem. Not only that there has been three recalls since 2010 for the same thing. Ford put brackets on to fix the first problem instead of just fixing the problem. That explains my brackets. Ford realized the brackets wasn't working so in 2015 offered to replace them for 300 dollars. Even though it was there fault. But that expired in dec 2015. I purchased the car around february march 2016. The problem is if its happening with so many windstar's why not fix the problem in the beginning instead of patching it and taking the easy way out. I'm sure the mans family and kids that lost there loved ones wish this would've been taken care of the right way. I was on the phone all day thursday with ford there not offering to help at all. There telling me it will be over 1,000 dollars to fix it. So we almost lost our lives someone could've died thankfully were okay. We have no vehicle the stress of getting kids to school and work and what we are going to do. I have 5 children plus 2 I have taken legal custody of from children services there is no way I can pay that. All because ford didn't want to fix it right and just replace it the first time around. How does a safety recall ever expire.
The passenger side sub frame has rusted through. The dealer had done the recall repair and still right in the spot of the repair the sub frame cracked and split. Ford says there is nothing they can do even though this is a known issue and their repair didn't resolve the issue.
When I was pulling out of a parking lot onto a busy highway I could smell rubber burnig and I heard and felt a big loud bang,.then there was smoke all around van.it was the rear axle/ sub-frame fracture and yes there were recalls and work was done by ford dealer thank god me and my children were not hurt or killed this was very scary..
The rear axle on my vehicle cracked and caused my tires to rub against my vehicle, damaging brand new tires. When bringing the vehicle to the shop, was told that a patch had previously been made on the vehicle, but it was done badly and did not hold. Ford would do nothing to right this and denied that there was a recall on the vehicle. I was driving to school while this occurred on city streets.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford windstar. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle a clunking noise was present coming from under the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who discovered that the sub frame had cracked and separated due to rust and corrosion. The vehicle had previously been repaired under a related recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 236,000.
Our engine cradle recently broke and needs to be replaced. We just found out this falls under recall number 15v608 (ford recall # 15s27). We would like this to be resolved at little or no cost to us, but we are unsure how to start the process with a recall.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford windstar. While attempting to turn into the driveway, the contact heard a clunking noise and a snap. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic who stated that the subframe fractured and the tie rod snapped. The vehicle was not drivable. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was invalid. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford windstar. The contact stated that while in park, the steering wheel seized. As a result, the contact was unable to steer the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the engine cradle had corroded and needed to be replaced. The mechanic also stated that the cradle was previously glued. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 121,000.
Tl* 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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford windstar. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic for a routine inspection and it was noticed that the rear axle had extensive rust and corrosion. The part needed to be replaced. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 15v608000 (suspension), 12v195000 (suspension), 12v194000 (suspension), and 10v385000 (suspension). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided no solution. The failure mileage was not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford windstar. While driving various speeds, there was a noise underneath the vehicle. In addition, the steering wheel became loose and the contact had to steer the vehicle in excess to keep it in position. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the cradle fractured due to corrosion and the rack and pinion was protruding through the fractured site. The mechanic stated that the cradle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 273,000.
The rear axle on our 2003 ford windstar cracked while my daughter was driving it. Thank goodness it did not result in an accident and she was able to pull into a nearby lot. We purchased this vehicle new and it has been rusting from the inside out and now the axle. We did have the recall "brackets" placed on the vehicle, however, it appears they did not work! Ford needs to take care of this issue with its customers and needs to understand a vehicle purchase is a difficult expense for most individuals. Not only do most of us expect the vehicle to last, but we do not expect to be in danger because of negligence and cost-cutting measures that save them money, while screwing the consumer financially. This is completely unacceptable and I can only hope for the sake of all the consumers that have been affected by this negligence, there is serious consideration given to the litigation of this issue on behalf of hard-working people.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford windstar. While at the local dealer for a recall repair, the technician diagnosed that the rear axle was corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v608000 (suspension). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 187,000. Update 01/15/16 ma
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford windstar. While the vehicle was being serviced for the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v608000(suspension), the technician informed the contact that the rear axle corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the axle replacement not being included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact was informed that the recall only covered the bracket and only the ends of the axle were covered under the recall. The failure mileage was 141,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford windstar. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for inspection. The contact was informed that the front subframe was severely corroded. The contact was informed that the vehicle could not be inspected because it was unsafe to use a lift to inspect underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 11v030000 (structure). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000.
I was driving down the road . In muncie indiana . The rear end on the right side went down all most caused me to wreck . Found o ut that day when I got it to the auto garage that the rear end had rusted threw . At 66,000 miles . How can a company put out crap like this that might have coast me my life ? It would have if I was not a semi driver when I was working . And new how to handle a van in case of a problem like this u have me to thank that no one was killed . I think ford needs to fix this problem for me .
Tl* 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 the federal safety agency 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.
Vehicle on lift for oil change when mechanic noted that the sub-frame was rotted through on the driver side just above and in front of the wheel. He also noted that a repair bracket had been installed as part of the recall on the part of the frame behind the wheel. He said he would not drive the car too much longer without getting it repaired. He advised that I should take the vehicle to the dealer and advise ford which I did. Ford declined to offer any assistance since it was beyond the recall warranty period. The reinforcement bracket was obviously not sufficient to repair the corrosion damage to the complete sub-frame.
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 frame cracked on the rear frame underneath the bracket that was put on for the recall repair. The bracket didn't hold.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford windstar. The contact stated that while driving 2-3 MPH, the front passenger side wheel detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the wheel detached from the shaft and needed to be replaced. The independent mechanic made the contact aware of a manufacturer's recall for the sub frame. The vehicle was then towed to a dealer where it was confirmed that the sub frame needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the dealer refused to repair the sub frame due to safety hazards during the repairs. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
I have a 2003 windstar ford mini van. About 2 1/2 years ago they put a patch fix on the rear axle that was so when the axle breaks instead of the wheels separating it holds it together. Well recently I was on my way to a major highway I thought my brakes locked up, but in actuality the patch fix broke and so did my axle. So a big thankyou for almost killing my 2 children in the back seat, does ford motors care? No they don't! Because when I called the dealership they said ford is aware of this ongoing problem with numerous complaints and will not fix it again. But I can buy another part for $800.00. If they are aware of the problem and the patch was not a safe fix then why bother at all! I feel this company should put their children in the back seat and then maybe they would actually care to find a safe fix.
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