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 the federal safety agency 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.
2003 Ford Windstar suspension problems
254 complaints (17% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 135,000. 4 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 254
- of this car's complaints
- 17%
- typical mileage
- 135,000
- crashes
- 4
- recalls
- 4
Which part fails
- Rear48
- Rear: axle: non-powered axle assembly10
- Front10
- Front: springs: coil springs4
- Front: control arm1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Ford Windstar suspension problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 Ford Windstar suspension
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Suspension: rear: axle: non-powered axle assembly
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 1998-2003 Windstar vehicles manufactured September 2, 1997, to July 3, 2003. The affected vehicles were previously remedied to safeguard against the rear axle cracking from corrosion, however, the remedy brackets may have been misinstalled. The incorrect bracket installations may limit the effectiveness of the service repair for the federal safety agency recalls 10V‑385, 12V‑193, and 12V‑195.
- Risk
- If the brackets were not installed properly, the rear axle may fracture, affecting the vehicle handling and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brackets to verify their proper installation. If a bracket is found to have been misinstalled, the rear axle will be replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The began on October 21, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S27.
Recall number 15V608000 · Recall details
Suspension: front: control arm
- What is wrong
- Ford is recalling certain model year 1999-2003 windstar vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the state of virginia. Corrosion-related fractures of the front lower control arm rear attaching brackets and body mount attachments may occur.
- Risk
- A separation of a front lower control arm rear attaching bracket may result in a lower control arm separation. A separation of both front subframe rear body mounts may result in separation of the steering intermediate shaft. Either condition could result in significant loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect both front lower control arm rear attaching brackets and both body mount attachments at the rear of the front subframe and make the necessary repairs free of charge. The recall began on june 18, 2012. Owners may contact ford at 1‑866‑436‑7332.
Recall number 12V194000 · Recall details
Suspension: rear: axle: non-powered axle assembly
- What is wrong
- Ford is recalling certain model year 1998-2003 windstar vehicles manufactured from september 1, 1997, through july 3, 2003, registered in puerto rico. Due to increased stresses caused by high cycles of torsional loading, specific to this market, the rear axle can crack.
- Risk
- A fractured axle may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and install a reinforcement bracket on the rear axle or replace the axles, as necessary. This service will be provided free of charge. The recall began on june 1, 2012. Owners may contact the ford motor company customer relationship center at 1‑866‑436‑7332.
Recall number 12V195000 · Recall details
Suspension: rear: axle: non-powered axle assembly
- What is wrong
- Ford is recalling certain model year 1998-2003 windstar vehicles manufactured from september 1, 1997 through february 28, 2003 and currently registered or originally sold in connecticut, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, iowa, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, and wisconsin. After many years of vehicle service in these areas, corrosion can weaken the rear axle, making it susceptible to torsional stress. Corrosion and stress can lead to cracks which if undetected can propagate and result in a complete fracture of the axle.
- Risk
- A fractured axle can affect vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- As parts become available, dealers will inspect and if necessary install the rear axle reinforcement brackets free of charge. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on october 20, 2010. Owners may contact ford at 1‑866‑436‑7332.
Recall number 10V385000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Rear Axle Fracture Recall Scope
On November 5, 2010, the federal safety agency received a Defect Petition from the owner of a MY 2003 Ford Windstar vehicle registered in the state of New York requesting that the scope of Recall 10V‑385 be expanded to include additional MY 2003 vehicles experiencing the defect condition.The petitioner initially filed a complaint (VOQ 10345125) with ODI on July 25, 2010, two days after the axle failure.The complaint was subsequently amended and the petition filed after the consumer was denied compensation and repair under the recall.ODI has identified a total of five complaints from owners of MY 2003 Ford Windstar vehicles in Salt Belt states that were built after February 28, 2003, Ford's original cutoff date for 10V‑385.On November 30, 2010, Ford submitted a letter supplementing recall 10V‑385 (Ford 10S13) to add certain vehicles to the program.Ford's analysis of parts and information from the field showed: 1) that the revised heat treated axle introduced in production on February 28, 2003, may still have the potential for cracks due to corrosion related stress; and 2) that vehicles operated in Utah may be exposed to the same combination of environmental factors that can make them susceptible to cracks from stress related corrosion.Based on this analysis, Ford expanded the scope of 10V‑385 to include MY 2003 vehicles built after February 28, 2003 and sold or currently registered in Salt Belt states and MY 1998 through 2003 vehicles sold or currently registered in Utah.Ford estimated that approximately 29,900 vehicles in the expanded scope may currently remain in service.Based on the above amended defect report submission, the petition has become moot and is therefore denied.
DP10005
Rear Axle Cracking
In a letter dated August 26, 2010, Ford Motor Company (Ford) submitted a Defect Information Report notifying the federal safety agency that it will conduct a safety recall (the federal safety agency Recall No. 10V‑385) to address a rear axle defect in model year (MY) 1998 through 2003 Ford Windstar vehicles built at the Oakville assembly plant from September 1, 1997 through February 28, 2003 and either sold or currently registered in high corrosion (Salt-Belt) states where the use of salt and other corrosive chemicals may be used to treat snow/ice covered roads.The following states are included in Ford's recall:Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia and Wisconsin. The subject vehicles utilize a Stamped/Formed axle assembly manufactured by Benteler automotive Corporation of Galesburg, MI.According to Ford, after many years of vehicle service in the Salt-Belt states, corrosion can weaken the rear axle, making it susceptible to torsional stress.There is a risk that the combined effects of corrosion and stress can lead to cracks which, if undetected, can propagate and result in a complete fracture of the axle.A completely fractured axle can affect vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash.To correct the safety defect, Ford will initially inspect all of the subject vehicles brought into Ford/Lincoln-Mercury dealerships for possible cracked axles.Owners of vehicles without cracked axles will be notified when to return for the installation of reinforcement brackets to extend the axle durability in the presence of corrosion.Owners who have vehicles with cracked axles will either be offered a repair or alternative transportation until parts become available. On May 13, 2010, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE10-016 to investigate complaints of rear axle cracking in MY 1999 through 2003 Ford Windstar minivans.Combining ODI and Ford complaint data, ODI is aware of a total 891 complaints alleging rear axle cracking in the subject vehicles.Over a third of the complaints (334) allege that the cracking progressed to a complete fracture of the rear axle, including 8 allegations of crashes resulting in 3 injuries. Approximately 57 percent of the subject vehicles (524,661) were sold in Salt-Belt states covered by Ford's recall and Ford estimates that approximately 463,000 of these remain in service.Ninety-six percent of the complaints (858) and all of the complaints alleging complete fracture were from the recall region.The action taken by Ford is sufficient to resolve the issues raised by this investigation.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.
PE10016
What 2003 Ford Windstar owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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 the federal safety agency 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 federal safety agency 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 the federal safety agency 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 federal safety agency 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, 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 the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 10V385000 (Suspension); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency 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 the federal safety agency 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 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 federal safety agency 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.
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 the federal safety agency 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 the federal safety agency 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 the federal safety agency 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’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 the federal safety agency 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.
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 the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 10V385000 (Suspension). The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 136,000.
Questions about the 2003 Ford Windstar suspension
Does the 2003 Ford Windstar have suspension problems?
Owners have filed 254 complaints about the suspension of the 2003 Ford Windstar, 17% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2003 Ford Windstar suspension problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 135,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2003 Ford Windstar suspension?
Yes, 4 recalls: 15V608000, 12V194000, 12V195000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Ford Windstar have bad suspension?
The Ford Windstar model years with the most suspension complaints are 2001 (416 complaints), 2000 (356 complaints) and 2002 (279 complaints).
Other 2003 Ford Windstar problems
Brakes 655Electrical 280Transmission 225Body 127Acceleration 85Engine 69Lights 54Steering 40Driver assistance 33Locks 33Airbags 30Wheels 20Visibility 19Tires 10Fuel system 8Seat belts 7Seats 7
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