Model year record

2003 Ford Windstar

8 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 2,061 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 15V608000

Suspension: rear: axle: non-powered axle assembly

Component: Suspension: rear: axle: non-powered axle assembly
Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Vehicles affected: 283,413
Reported to NHTSA: 2015-09-29
Owners notified: 2015-10-21

Defect description

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 NHTSA recalls 10V-385, 12V-193, and 12V-195.

Safety risk

If the brackets were not installed properly, the rear axle may fracture, affecting the vehicle handling and increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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 campaignNHTSA 12V193000

Power train: axle assembly

Component: Power train: axle assembly
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected: 27,000
Reported to NHTSA: 2012-05-03
Owners notified: 2012-06-19

Defect description

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1998-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 1997, THROUGH JULY 3, 2003, AND CURRENTLY REGISTERED OR ORIGINALLY SOLD IN VIRGINIA. OVER TIME, CORROSION CAN WEAKEN THE REAR AXLE MAKING IT SUSCEPTIBLE TO TORSIONAL STRESS. CORROSION AND STRESS CAN LEAD TO CRACKS WHICH, IF UNDETECTED, CAN INCREASE AND RESULT IN A COMPLETE FRACTURE OF THE AXLE.

Safety risk

A FRACTURED AXLE CAN AFFECT VEHICLE HANDLING AND INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND INSTALL REAR AXLE REINFORCEMENT BRACKETS, OR REPLACE THE AXLES, AS NECESSARY. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 19, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.

Recall campaignNHTSA 12V194000

Suspension: front: control arm

Component: Suspension: front: control arm
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected: 23,000
Reported to NHTSA: 2012-05-03
Owners notified: 2012-06-18

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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 campaignNHTSA 12V195000

Suspension: rear: axle: non-powered axle assembly

Component: Suspension: rear: axle: non-powered axle assembly
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected: 9,192
Reported to NHTSA: 2012-05-03
Owners notified: 2012-06-01

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

A FRACTURED AXLE MAY RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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 campaignNHTSA 11V030000

Structure: frame and members: underbody shields

Component: Structure: frame and members: underbody shields
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected: 425,288
Reported to NHTSA: 2011-01-26
Owners notified: 2011-02-21

Defect description

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, UTAH, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, AND WISCONSIN. 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.

Safety risk

THIS COULD RESULT IN REDUCED STEERING CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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. IF REPAIRS CANNOT BE MADE TO A VEHICLE, FORD WILL OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE VEHICLE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE FEBRUARY 21, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.

Recall campaignNHTSA 10V385000

Suspension: rear: axle: non-powered axle assembly

Component: Suspension: rear: axle: non-powered axle assembly
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected: 492,650
Reported to NHTSA: 2010-08-26
Owners notified: 2010-10-20

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

A FRACTURED AXLE CAN AFFECT VEHICLE HANDLING AND INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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 campaignNHTSA 09V399000

Vehicle speed control

Component: Vehicle speed control
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected: 4,500,000
Reported to NHTSA: 2009-10-13
Owners notified: 2009-10-27

Defect description

FORD IS RECALLING MODEL YEARS 1995-2003 WINDSTAR, 2000-2003 EXCURSION DIESEL, 1993-1997 AND 1999-2003 F-250 SD THROUGH F-550 SD DIESEL, 1992-2003 E-150 THROUGH E-550, 1995-2002 EXPLORER, 1997 AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER, 1995-1997 AND 2001-2003 RANGER, AND 1994 F53 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH (SCDS). THE SCDS MAY LEAK INTERNALLY AND THEN OVERHEAT, SMOKE, OR BURN.

Safety risk

A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.

Manufacturer remedy

FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS THAT DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED WIRING HARNESS IN LINE WITH THE SCDS. ON 1999-2003 WINDSTAR VEHICLES WITH A LEAKING SCDS, DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE CONNECTOR AND REPAIR AS NECESSARY. REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-888-222-2751.

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V459000

Seats: mid/rear assembly

Component: Seats: mid/rear assembly
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected: 257,119
Reported to NHTSA: 2003-11-06
Owners notified: 2003-11-21

Defect description

CERTAIN MINIVANS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEM." DURING TESTING, A THIRD ROW BENCH FLOOR-TO-SEAT LATCH RELEASED BEFORE THE STRENGTH REQUIREMENT WAS MET. IDENTICAL LATCHES ARE USED IN THE SECOND ROW OF SEATS.

Safety risk

IF THE LATCHES ON TH4E SECOND OR THIRD ROW SEATS OF THE VEHICLE RELEASE IN A CRASH, THE POTENTIAL FOR OCCUPANT INJURY IS INCREASED.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SEAT-TO-FLOOR LATCHES ON THE SECOND AND THIRD ROW OF SEATS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 21, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

Component	Complaints	Median mileage
Service brakes	296	105,000 mi
Electrical system	262	100,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic	209	80,000 mi
Suspension	186	141,000 mi
Power train	112	110,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission	94	88,000 mi
Vehicle speed control	75	97,000 mi
Service brakes, electric	69	81,000 mi
Suspension: rear	48	111,000 mi
Structure: body	45	121,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light	36	70,000 mi
Unknown or other	36	112,979 mi
Steering	34	103,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling	32	75,000 mi
Structure: frame and members	32	105,100 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	27	85,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)	25	96,270 mi
Exterior lighting	24	101,500 mi
Interior lighting	24	75,000 mi
Air bags	22	118,000 mi
Engine	22	105,700 mi
Structure	20	92,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages	18	50,000 mi
Parking brake	18	90,000 mi
Wheels	18	133,000 mi
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields	17	122,850 mi
Structure: body: door	16	45,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch	15	20,000 mi
Power train: axle assembly	15	83,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module	12	75,000 mi
Suspension: front	10	95,802 mi
Suspension: rear: axle: non-powered axle assembly	10	110,306 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel	9	67,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine	9	51,756 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal	9	1,000 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights	7	28,500 mi
Traction control system	7	85,000 mi
Equipment	6	80,000 mi
Visibility	6	70,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls	6	113,279 mi
Air bags: side/window	5	107,001 mi
Fuel system, gasoline	5	120,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter	5	83,727 mi
Seat belts	5	146,000 mi
Seats	5	450 mi
Tires	5	103,000 mi
Air bags: frontal	4	60,114 mi
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers	4	68,000 mi
Parking brake: indicator light	4	45,000 mi
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs	4	66,600 mi
Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems	4	7,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery	3	53,200 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	3	90,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages	3	100 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump	3	56,999 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear	3	118,328 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator	2	38,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring	2	73,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash	2	37,000 mi
Electronic stability control: automatic (ASC)	2	2,400 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system	2	38,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline	2	37,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control	2	42,400 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch	2	45,000 mi
Seats: mid/rear assembly	2	—
Service brakes, air	2	96,000 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock: ABS warning light	2	75,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder	2	47,750 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system	2	—
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module	1	12,000 mi
Back over prevention: warnings	1	—
Child seat	1	—
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module	1	—
Equipment adaptive/mobility	1	110,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner	1	56,999 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.	1	—
Equipment: mechanical: accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift	1	—
Exterior lighting: headlights	1	—
Exterior lighting: turn signal	1	55,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission	1	70,100 mi
Seat belts: front	1	50 mi
Seat belts: front: retractor	1	55,600 mi
Seats: front assembly: power adjust	1	450 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock: interconnecting assembly(wiring)	1	75,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: brake fluid low warning: lamp	1	75,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components	1	6,066 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads	1	1,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: wheel cylinders	1	90,925 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist	1	25,255 mi
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device	1	1,500 mi
Steering: electric power assist system	1	25,255 mi
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly	1	160,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm	1	105,000 mi
Tires: tread/belt	1	52,900 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control	1	150,000 mi
Visibility/wiper	1	120,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element	1	45,000 mi
Wheels: hub	1	81,000 mi
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs	1	50,035 mi
Wheels: rim	1	90,000 mi

The 2002 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 2004 model has 62 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.