2003 Ford Windstar: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed May 6, 2024 · Suspension · 207,000 miles · NC

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.

Filed Nov 17, 2019 · Suspension · MD

The rear axle has cracked in the middle and I cannot drive it now. This was inspected twice under ford recall. The first time they put brackets on the front lower control arms, and the rear axle. The second time they recalled it back to reinspect the work that had been done since they had many that were not properly inspected the first time. So , this is twice they had it inspected, and failed to see it was defective. Thus putting my life and that if my family at risk for death. Thanks ford! After the 2nd inspection, they said it was safe, but offered to replace the axle if I wanted to pay about $500 on my own. That was suspicious in itself.

Filed Oct 2, 2017 · Wheels · 20,000 miles · NE

Rear axle beam is so badly cracked it bent the ball joint for 1 tire so bad it ate the tire

Filed Aug 29, 2017 · Steering · 60,000 miles · WI

I replaced the control arms about 25,000 miles ago and they are shocked already and I only drive on the road no offroad and that will be the third set we put in to this van since we had it at 108,000 miles brand new parts were put in if you guys don't do anything of a free replacement on it my wife and I will never buy another ford again you could hear the ball joint on at one in the go

Filed Dec 9, 2016 · Body, Steering · 160,000 miles · MI

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.

Filed Oct 26, 2014 · Brakes, Transmission · 137,000 miles · VA

April, noticed that cruise control not working 100% of time - not engaging and not disengaging!! Opted not to use it anymore. July, ABS and brake light on and didn't shut off while in home garage. Shut van off, restarted it, lights off. August, lights seem to be coming on with more frequency. Doesn't seem to be speed related. September, ABS and brake light coming on more frequently. Seems to reset (for short time) after shut van off. October, had brake system checked. Disc rotor - r&r; control arm w/ ball joint - lower - front suspension; rear brakes serviced; brake fluid flush. Thought that would have "fixed" everything however less than 10 days later, the ABS and brake lights are coming on again while driving. Turn van off, turn back on - lights reset - until next time I drive it!! After reading through, realize that the two might be related. Safety is a must!!

Filed Oct 8, 2014 · Suspension · 120,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford windstar. While the vehicle was being serviced, the mechanic discovered that the rear axle was fractured and the subframe lower control arm was corroded. The mechanic stated that the rear axle and subframe lower control arm needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 12v195000 (suspension) and the federal safety agency campaign number: 12v194000 (suspension). The failure mileage was 120,000.

Filed Apr 9, 2014 · Suspension · 80,000 miles · ME

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford windstar. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal noise was present from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the front lower control arm rear attaching bracket was fractured due to rust and corrosion. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and no solution was offered. The failure mileage was 80,000.

Filed Feb 18, 2014 · Brakes, Transmission · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford windstar. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle exhibited an abnormal noise. The contact noticed that the rear drivers side wheel was abnormally tilted inward. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the axle was fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that the vehicle was previously repaired under the federal safety agency campaign id number: 12v193000 (power train). The approximate failure and current mileage was unknown. Updated 03/26/14*lj the consumer stated cracks in the rear axle, were not visible and re-enforcement repairs were done, to the rear axle and front subframe lower control arm. However, the repair failed, while the consumers husband was driving. Ford wouldn't pay for the repairs. They stated they had already full-filled their obligations, when they made the re-enforcement. Also, the anti-lock brakes did not work. Updated 03/27/14

Filed Sep 22, 2013 · Suspension · 130,000 miles · MI

I have a 2003 ford windstar that has been owned by my family since it left the line. I was notified of a recall to the control arms in 2011 and took my vehicle to the dealer. In june 2012 I was driving home from work and had just turned on my street when I heard a loud bang and my car would barely more. When it happened I thought that my engine had hit the ground. I luckily was one house away from home( I had just gotten off the expressway traveling 70 miles an hour.) as I limped my way into the drive way I thought that maybe I had a flat the way that my car was driving. However when I got out of the car my entire drivers side of the car was less than an inch from the ground. After having it towed to a shop I was told that my strut (spring) had jumped off the mount. I was told there was nothing wrong with the strut (spring) but that it had jumped the mount. Needless to say when ford was contacted I was told that they were not responsible. This is very wrong given there was extentsive damage done to the control arm and it pulled the tie-rod end out of the passenger side. There were no issues with the front end and I feel that the brackets that were installed due to the recall may have shifted the strut and caused the damage. But ford would not have anything to do with the matter .

Filed Sep 14, 2013 · Brakes, Suspension · OH

We drove to the store and realized that our rear tires were tilted. We were looking at it and a guy that worked at the garage next door climbed under and told us what it was. He said that the rear axle was broken, he also said that there had been a recall on the vehicle. I contacted our local ford dealer and the person I spoke to told me that I was covered by the recall and that they would send out a tow truck and the would fix it. The tow truck came and a few hours later the ford dealer called and said that I was not covered and the I would have to pay for the tow and I would have to tow it off of their lot. This happened after he already told me that I was covered. I eventually had to get a loan to pay for it and I couldn't even afford a new axle I had to get someone to weld it back together and now every couple of months it breaks again. I am now on my third fix. I was doing research on this on the internet and I found something that said that puerto rico was now covered in that recall. I was told that it was just cold weather states. I live in cleveland, ohio. Just because my car was not made here doesn't mean that I shouldn't be covered. I have already had the control arm recall kit put on and now I found out that there was another recall on the electrical equipment all of my ABS lights and break lights are on. I really need this to be fixed please change the recalls to include other vehicles too.

Filed Jul 15, 2013 · Brakes, Electrical · 38,381 miles · IN

Bought the 2003 windstar in 04/26/ 2004 it was a certified program car from a dealer and had mileage of 013335 we have had several problems with it. First the rear doors will close and then reopen the dealer replaced the sensors in the doors still have that problem, second the ball joints need replaced, third the passenger window would not roll up or down intermittently, fourth lift gate door ajar light keeps coming on you get out and shut it and it still is on next time you open and close maybe a day or two later it will go off, fifth the ABS and brake lights on dash come on and sixth the passenger door ajar light comes on and won't go off. The side doors and the window was noticed before the warranty went out so we bought the extended warranty.