2003 FORD WINDSTAR Structureframe And Members Problems

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.

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 NHTSA 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.

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.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUB-FRAME EXHIBITED A HOLE DUE TO RUST AND CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE SUB-FRAME. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO THEN ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE SUB-FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO FILED A COMPLAINT FOR THE CONTACT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,379.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS RECENTLY REPAIRED UNDER THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V030000 (STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS: UNDERBODY SHIELDS. THE REMEDY REPAIR CONSISTED OF ATTACHING A BRACKET TO THE REAR SUBFRAME. AFTER THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE EXCESSIVELY AND THE BRACKET PROTRUDED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND CAUSED A HOLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE FURTHER ASSISTANCE PERTAINING TO THE REPAIR. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.

2003 FORD WINDSTAR, INSPECTED FOR REAR AXLE CORROSION RECALL, PASSED AND PARTS ADDED IN MAR 2011. AT THE SAME TIME THE REAR AXLE WAS FIXED THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED FOR FRONT SUBFRAME RECALL AND PASSED. AUG 18-2011 THE PASSENGER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE WHILE DRIVING AT APPROX 20MPH. NO LETTER WAS EVER RECEIVED FROM FORD TO ADD PARTS TO FRONT SUBFRAME (CONFIRMED BY A PHONECALL TO FORD CANADA) HOW DID THEY PASS THIS AS IT FAILED 1500 KMS LATER. NOT FEELING SAFE TO DRIVE IT AGAIN (FORD IS GOING TO FIX IT!) *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS: 10V385000( SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY) AND 11V030000 (STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS). THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WHEN THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE BRACKETS THAT WERE INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE FROM THE RECALL WERE NOT STEADY AND UNSAFE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 82,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

SAFETY RECALLS CONCERNS: 09V399000, 10V38500, 11V030000. RECALL ON # 10V385000 WAS REPAIRED BUT STILL HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE REPAIR HAVE TAKEN BACK THREE TIMES THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING, BUT THERE IS STILL A PROBLEM IT MAKES A POPPING NOISE WHEN VEHICLE SHIFTS. RECALL ON #11V030000 WAS NOT REPAIRED, TOOK IN FOR INSPECTION TO FORD THEY SAID AS LONG AS I WAS IN ALABAMA I NOTHING TO BE CONCERN ABOUT, THE RECALL NOTICE STATED IF THE VEHICLE PASSED INSPECTION THE DEALER IS AUTHORIZED TO COMPLETE REINFORCEMENT, MY VEHICLE PASSED INSPECTION BUT NO REPAIR WAS MADE.RECALL ON 09V399000 I HAVE TALK WITH THEM SEVERAL TIMES THEY INFORMED ME THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE FOR THAT RECALL . *TR

HAVE 2003 FORD WINDSTAR NO DEALERS ARE WILLING TO TAKE THIS VEHICLE IN TRADE BECAUSE OF FRAME RECALL,DEALERS DO NOT HAVE PARTS TO FIX FRAME YET.FORD SHOULD BUY BACK ALL FORD WINDSTAR .THESE VANS ARE NOT SAFE,TRANSMISSIONS ARE BAD,ELECTRIC WINDOWS DO NOT WORK HALF THE TIME. REAR AXLE RECALL FRONT FRAME RECALL. DO NOT BUY ONE OF THESE VANS THEY ARE JUNK. *TR

MY 2003 FORD WINDSTAR LIMITED EDITION HAS MAJOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE HAZZARD LIGHTS WILL NOT GO OFF THEREFORE DRAINING MY BATTERY. I HAVE TO DISCONNECT IT WHENEVER I SHUT IT OFF. IT IS CURRENTLY AT BAY RIDGE FORD FOR THE RECALL INVOLVING THE REAR AXLE. HOWEVER IT HAS FAILED EMISSIONS FOR CODE 171 AND 174. I BELIEVE THERE IS A MAJOR FLAW IN THE DESIGN OF THE WINDSTAR VAN. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A LOUD POP FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SPRING HAD FRACTURED YET THE PLATE IN WHICH THE SPRING WAS ATTACHED WAS STILL IN PLACE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V030000 (STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS) AND CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED BEFORE DETERMINING IF THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE RECALL AND IF THE REPAIRS WOULD BE COVERED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED BECAUSE THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SPRING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEED, A LOUD BANG WAS HEARD AND ALL STEERING CONTROL WAS LOST. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS: 10V385000 (SUSPENSION: REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY) AND 11V030000 (STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS: UNDERBODY SHIELDS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT PROPERLY INSPECTING OR HANDLING THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 200,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

BROUGHT MY 2003 FORD WINDSTAR IN TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP BECAUSE IT FAILED STATE SAFETY INSPECTION AS THE ABS LIGHT WAS ON. FORD TOOK THE VEHICLE AND INSPECTED IT BASED UPON A RECALL ON THE REAR AXLE AND SAID THAT IT FAILED. THEY PROVIDED ME WITH A RENTAL. THE NEXT DAY, I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND ASKED THEM TO CHECK THE ABS RIGHT AWAY ANYWAY AS IF THEY WERE ABLE TO REPAIR THE AXLE ISSUE SOON, I WOULD STILL NOT BE ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE OFF THEIR LOT AS IT WASN'T SAFE. AT THE TIME, THE SERVICE MANAGER AGREED. I WAITED FOR A CALL BACK AND RECEIVED NONE. A MONTH LATER, I PLACED ANOTHER CALL AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS GOING TO BE ANOTHER RECALL FOR THE FRONT SUBFRAME AND THAT FORD WAS GOING TO BUYBACK VEHICLES THAT WERE ALREADY IN WITH BOTH ISSUES SO I SHOULD...

I WENT TO THE SERVICE STATION FOR RECALL THEY FIRST TOLD ME MY CAR WASN'T ABLE TO BE FIXED THEN THEY TELL ME IT IS ABLE TO BE FIX I HAVE TO BE I LITTLE SKEPTICAL WHEN THERE FLIP FLOP LIKE ESPECIALLY WHEN MY FAMILY LIFE AT STAKE. *TR

DURING OIL CHANGE A VISUAL INSPECTION OF SURROUNDING AREAS REVEALED A FRACTURE OF RIGHT REAR SUBFRAME MOUNT. #1 LONG TERM A/C USE, #2 RUSTING OF RIGHT SUBFRAME AT REAR MOUNT CAUSING FRACTURE OF SUBFRAME,#3 SUBFRAME ON ORDER. VAN HAS BEEN IN FLORIDA SINCE SOLD NEW IN 2003. *TR

2003 FORD WINDSTAR REAR AXLE COMPLAINT AND TRANSMISSION. FIRST OF ALL, I WAS LEFT STRANDED WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT ON CHRISTMAS EVE. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ME FROM FORD. FORD WANTS $3800 TO REPLACE IT. THE VAN IS ONLY WORTH THAT. THEN I FIND OUT THAT FORD HAS HAD MANY COMPLAINTS AND FAILURES WITH THE TRANSMISSION. WHY DO I HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS. I TAKE CARE OF AND MAINTAIN MY VEHICLES AND I GET THIS HANDED TO ME. THEN THE DEALER TELLS ME THAT THE AXLE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND IT MIGHT BE 6 WEEKS BEFORE THE PART EVEN COMES IN. THEY WILL NOT BUY THE VAN BACK BECAUSE IT IS A 2003. I THINK THEY SHOULD. THEY ARE THE ONES WHO SOLD ME THIS VEHICLE AND NOW I HAVE TO DEAL WITH IT. BUY THE TIME THEY PAY FOR MY RENTAL AND FIX THE AXLE, IT WOULD...

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS FOR RECALL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V385000 COMPONENT: SUSPENSION: REAR: AXLE: NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY) WHEN THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE FRONT SUBFRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND THERE WAS A HOLE IN FRONT OF THE BOLT THAT HELD UP THE SUBFRAME. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS AN OPEN INVESTIGATION ON THAT COMPONENT (NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA10007 COMPONENT(S): STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE RECALL BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE SUB FRAME. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,100. /UPDATED 3/7/11*CN UPDATED 12/7/11 *CN

SUB FRAME RUSTED. *TR

MY 2003 FORD WINDSTAR WAS RECALLED FOR REAR AXLE THE DEALER KEPT THE VEHICLE BECAUSE CRACK WAS FOUND, I SPOKE TO THIRD PARTY MECHANIC WHO SPOKE ABOUT FRONT SUB FRAME AS WELL THE THIRD PARTY MECHANIC THEN SHOWED ME THE CRACK IN MY WINDSTAR FRONT SUB FRAME AND INFORMED ME THAT IT COULD BREAK OFF AT ANY TIME . I THEN BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF THE FORD DEALER WHO THEN RESPONDED SAYING ITS NOT PART OF THE RECALL AND REFEREED ME TO FORD CANADA PUBLIC RELATIONS WHO ALSO SAID ITS NOT PART OF THE RECALL AND THAT I SHOULD HAVE IT FIXED AT MY EXPENSE. *TR

I OWN A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR SE THAT HAS SERIOUS CORROSION WHERE THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT CONTROL ARM BOLTS INTO THE FRAME. IT HAS NOT FAILED COMPLETELY, BUT I FEEL I SHOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF THIS REPAIR. *TR

2003 FORD WINDSTAR SUBFRAME DEFECT. *TR

MOUNTING BRACKET FOR THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ON THE SUBFRAME RUSTED AND BROKE, MAKING TIRE CHANGE DIRECTION WHILE MY WIFE WAS PULLING INTO THE DRIVEWAY. THE AXLE SLID OUT. SUBFRAME HAS TO BE REPLACED. DEALERSHIP QUOTED ABOUT $1500 TO REPAIR. REAR AXLE IS INVOLVE IN RECALL. I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD ALSO BE RECALLED AT IS A SAFETY CONCERN THAT SHOULD NOT HAPPEN TO A VEHICLE ONLY 8 YEARS OLD. *TR

REAR AXLE BROKE IN HALF WHILE DRIVING ON AUGUST 30, 2010. *TR

I HAVE A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR WITH 94,000 ON IT. BOUGHT IT SECOND OWNER WITH 18,000 MILES ONLY ON IT AND A 75,000 MILE WARRANTY. MY ENTIRE FRAME IS RUSTING FROM THE DOOR PANELS TO THE UNDER FRAME, SUPPORTS. HECK I HAVE A HOLE THAT DEVELOPED THE SIZE OF MY FIST IN THE SIDE FRAME NEAR THE PASSENGER SLIDING DOOR IN THE REAR. MY HITCH WONT EVEN HOLD CAUSE THE METAL JUST BENDS INWARDS. THERE ARE CARS ON THE ROAD WITH 150,000 THAT DO NOT HAVE THE RUST MY CAR DOES. WHY DO I HAVE TO PAY FOR THE CHEAP METAL THEY USED DURING THIS PROCESS. NOW I HAVE TO BUY A NEW CAR THAT I CANNOT AFFORD AT THIS TIME. I WAS HOPING TO KEEP MY CAR FOR AT LEAST A COUPLE MORE YEARS BUT NOW I CANNOT, ITS DANGEROUS. THEY EVEN TOLD ME MY REAR AXLE IS BENDING....

THE RIGHT FRONT SUB FRAME ON MY 2003 WINDSTAR CORRODED CAUSING THE LOWER CONTROL ARM TO SEPARATE AND WHEEL TO PULL OUT. LOST STEERING. ALSO AXLES SHAFT PULLED FROM TRANSMISSION AND FLUID RAN OUT. FORTUNATELY AT SLOW SPEED SO NO ACCIDENT, BUT WHAT IF I WERE ON A FREEWAY RUNNING FAST? *TR

DEFECT IDENTIFIED BEFORE AN INCIDENT OCCURRED. THE DESIGN/MANUFACTURING DEFECT IS AS FOLLOWS: 2003 FORD WINDSTAR FRAME/ENGINE CRADLE RUSTED THROUGH WHERE THE FRONT SWAY BAR ATTACHES TO THE FRAME ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. INITIALLY IDENTIFIED BY OWNER BECAUSE OF A DISTURBING BANGING SOUND OF THE SWAY BAR WHEN DRIVING; AND CONFIRMED BY VISUAL INSPECTION BY OWNER AND A SERVICE MECHANIC. THE FRAME/ENGINE CRADLE CARRIES ALL OF THE LOWER SUSPENSION AND DRIVE TRAIN COMPONENTS/LOADS. IF THIS WERE NOT REPAIRED WHEN IT WAS, A CATASTROPHIC FRONT END FAILURE WOULD HAVE OCCURRED. IF FAILURE OCCURRED AT HIGH SPEEDS OR IN A TURN A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT (& DEATHS) COULD HAVE OCCURRED. I WOULD CONSIDER THIS DEFECT A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN. *TR

2003 FORD WINDSTAR LX SPORT WITH APPROX 102000 MILES - REAR AXLE SNAPPED WHILE ON I-95. PULLED OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD BECAUSE I NOTICED AN ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE. NOTICED CRACKED REAR AXLE WHILE ON FLATBED OF TOW TRUCK. IT APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN RUSTED THROUGH FROM THE INSIDE, AS THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF RUSTING ON THE EXTERIOR OF THE REAR AXLE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME FOR THE FRONT SUSPENSION ROTTED UNDER THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING AT 20MPH THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE AND THEN HE COULD NOT STEER THE VEHICLE. HE STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE WAS TURNED TO THE LEFT AND THE PASSENGER FRONT TIRE WAS TURN TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC REPAIR SHOP WHERE HE WAS TOLD THE STEERING MECHANISM WAS TORN FROM THE FRAME AND ROTTED FROM THE BODY. THE CONTACT HAD TO REPLACE THE FRAME AT HIS OWN EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY STATED THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THERE WAS NO RECALL OR WARRANTY FOR THIS FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 131,000.

REAR AXLE SNAPPED AND BROKE APART. *TR

2003 FORD WINDSTAR REAR AXLE/CARRIER CRACKED 120,000 MILES VIN NOT AVAILABLE - CAR IN SHOP BEING REPAIRED. *TR

I AM ENTERING THIS INFO ON BEHALF OF MY BROTHER, DANIEL CULLEN OF MEADVILLE PENNSYLVANIA. DAN DOES NOT REGULARLY USE THE INTERNET. HIS 2003 MODEL YEAR FORD WINDSTAR HAS THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL ASSEMBLY FALL OFF DUE TO RUST. THE CAR ONLY HAD 95,802 MILES AND WAS LESS THAN 6 YEARS OLD. THE RUSTED PART IS CALLED AN ENGINE CRADLE. OTHER INSTANCES CAN BE FOUND ON THE WEB GOING BACK SEVERAL YEARS. A FORD DEALER FIXED THE CAR AT OWNER EXPENSE. THE DEALER REPORTED THAT AN AIR CONDITIONING HOSE DRIPPED ON THE RUSTED PART CONTRIBUTING TO THE FAILURE. I REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO FORD CORPORATE HOTLINE AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD NOT HELP MY BROTHER FINANCIALLY OR TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION TO CORRECT THIS OBVIOUS SAFETY DEFECT. MY BROTHER WAS SCHEDULED TO DRIVE THE CAR NEXT DAY 400 MILES. IF THIS FAILURE HAD OCCURRED AT HIGHWAY SPEED DEATH AND INJURY COULD...