repaired · 2017 Q1
Axle: non-powered axle assembly
Risk. If the brackets were not installed properly, the rear axle may fracture, affecting the vehicle handling and increasing the risk of a crash.
2003 Ford WindstarProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 1,510 owner complaints about the 2003 Ford Windstar, most often about the service brakes. It is covered by 8 safety recalls, and for recall 15V-608 the manufacturer reports only 23% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 27, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: SsmIntrigue, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2003 Ford Windstar has problems
1,510 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
296Service brakes5 crash/fire/injury
282Service brakes, hydraulic7 crash/fire/injury
280Electrical system13 crash/fire/injury
254Suspension8 crash/fire/injury
225Power train7 crash/fire/injury
127Structure5 crash/fire/injury
85Vehicle speed control
69Service brakes, electric
47Engine and engine cooling
32723 other systems34 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 296 | 5 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 282 | 7 |
| Electrical system | 280 | 13 |
| Suspension | 254 | 8 |
| Power train | 225 | 7 |
| Structure | 127 | 5 |
| Vehicle speed control | 85 | 11 |
| Service brakes, electric | 69 | 0 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 47 | 6 |
| 23 other systems | 327 | 34 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
8 recalls
2003 Ford Windstar recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
Power train: axle assembly
Risk. A FRACTURED AXLE CAN AFFECT VEHICLE HANDLING AND INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
no report yet
Front: control arm
Risk. A SEPARATION OF A FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM REAR ATTACHING BRACKET MAY RESULT IN A LOWER CONTROL ARM SEPARATION.
no report yet
Axle: non-powered axle assembly
Risk. A FRACTURED AXLE MAY RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Show 4 more recalls
no report yet
Frame and members: underbody shields
Risk. THIS COULD RESULT IN REDUCED STEERING CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
no report yet
Axle: non-powered axle assembly
Risk. A FRACTURED AXLE CAN AFFECT VEHICLE HANDLING AND INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
no report yet
Vehicle speed control
Risk. A VEHICLE FIRE COULD OCCUR WITH OR WITHOUT THE ENGINE RUNNING.
no report yet
Seats: mid/rear assembly
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.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ford.
Mileage at failure
When do service brakes problems start?
105kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 258 service brakes complaints. 43% were reported before 100,000 miles.
5under 30k miles111under 100k miles147100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Service brakes, hydraulic
29 owners mentioned a cost$1,000median
Middle half: $650 – $1,400
Electrical system
16 owners mentioned a cost$800median
Middle half: $575 – $1,050
Service brakes
16 owners mentioned a cost$1,012median
Middle half: $800 – $2,000
Power train
15 owners mentioned a cost$2,000median
Middle half: $1,250 – $2,400
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
2003 vs. every other Windstar year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Windstar median. How we score
'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2003 Ford Windstar safety ratings
2003 Ford Windstar in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Side barrierNot rated
- Stability control: Optional
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
6 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2003 Ford Windstar, and the recalls they led to.
- Rear Axle Fracture Recall ScopeNo recall
- ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESLed to recall 09V-399
- Front Subframe Corrosion FailuresLed to recall 11V-030
- ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESNo recall
- Rear Axle CrackingLed to recall 10V-385
- Front Subframe Corrosion FailuresLed to recall 11V-030
In owners' words
What Windstar owners report
Recent service brakes complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
When driving my muffler broke loose and was dragging on the ground. My axel creaks when I stop or sit idle at a light. When several miles from home my ignition cylinder came out. I couldn't start or turn the ignition on nor operate the steering. I'm now afraid to drive my vehicle. Since acquiring…
WHEN TRAVELING 15 MPH ON BRICK ROAD I PRESSED BRAKES TO STOP THEN LOUD NOISE AND CAR STILL ROLLED FORWARD - SCARY AND UNSAFE. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE UNDER DIFFERENT CONDITIONS - THE ABS LIGHT IS ON IN MY VEHICLE
THE PARK AND BRAKE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON, LOOKED UP AND IT SAID THE ABS SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING LIKE IT SHOULD. THIS HAPPENS WHEN I'M DRIVING IN CITY, HIGHWAYS, NOT MOVING.
Own a 2003 Windstar?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.