9 recalls and 1,399 owner complaints on record for this model year.
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Decode a VINAlmost all of this describes the model year, not the individual car. Nothing here can tell you about this vehicle’s mileage, accidents or ownership — no identifier encodes those.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE CONNECTION MAY BELIEVE THAT THE QUICK CONNECTOR IS FULLY ATTACHED.
Remedy: UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.
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.
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.
Published by model year, not by VIN — may not apply to this vehicle, or may already have been done. Confirm with a dealer.
TRANSMISSION IN OUR 2002 FORD WINDSTAR MINI VAN MADE ABNORMAL NOISES FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP OF PURCHASE FOR INSPECTION, AND THEY ATTRIBUTED THE PROBLEM TO TIRE AND WHEEL ALIGNMENT. ALL FOUR TIRES WERE REPLACED WITH ALIGNMENT. ALSO, TRANSMISSION NOISE PERSISTED,AND VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO DEALERSHIP. AGAIN NOTHING WA S FOUND WRONG ON INSPECTION WITH INSTRUCTIONS TO RETURN LATER FOR MORE COMPLETE EXAMINATION. ON FEBRUARY 10, 2005 TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED ACCELERATING THE ENGINE TO 3200 RPMS WITH A SPEED OF 70 MPH. VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL AND VEERED TO THE LEFT INTO A LEFT TURN LANE, RESULTING IN A COLLISION WITH AN ILLEGALLY PARKED TRUCK AND TRAILER. SUBSEQUENT INVESTIGATIONS REVEALED THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY BRAKING. THE DRIVER, MY SON , WAS TRAPPED IN THE WINDSTAR MINI VAN DUE TO A COMPLETE COLLAPSE OF THE FRONT FRAME. AFTER A DIFFICULT EXTRACTION BY THE CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT MY SON WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT.*AK
LOCKS ON ALL FOUR PINCH AND IT HURTS. AFTER THE FIRST TIME YOU CAN DEAL WITH IT. AFTER THE FIFTH AND SIXTH TIME IT HURTS. ALSO OTHER PEOPLE HAVE GOTTEN IN THE VEHICLE AND HAVE BEEN PITCHED. OTHER FORD DRIVERS SAY THAT THEY ALSO HAVE GOTTEN PINCHED. EVERYONE KNOWS THAT COFFEE IS HOT. EVERYONE KNOWS THAT A HAND IN A DOOR WHEN THE DOOR IS CLOSING WILL HURT. IT IS NOT A KNOWN FACT THAT A LOCK WILL PINCH WHEN YOU PUT YOUR ARM UP TO REST AND ACCIDENTALLY LOCK THE DOOR WITH YOUR ARM OR THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK KICKS IN. I JUST HOPE SOMEONE WILL FIX THIS. I DON'T LIKE THIS ADDED FEATURE TO MY VAN. I CARRY MY KIDS AND OTHER KIDS IN MY CAR. PLEASE TAKE A LOOK AT THIS. THANKS. *JB *****DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS****769330
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT FLASHED ON AND OFF. THE DEALERSHIP SERVICED VEHICLE BUT FOUND NO PROBLEM. VEHICLE WAS IN A SEVERE FRONTAL COLLISION WHILE DRIVING AT 30/35 MPH. THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. *PH DEALERSHIP AND FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE WERE NOTIFIED. NO ONE FROM FORD WOULD SEND SOMEONE OUT TO COLLECT INFORMATION FROM THE COLLISION BOX. THEY STATED FOR THE CONSUMER TO BRING IN THE VEHICLE AFTER IT WAS REPAIRED SO THEY COULD CHECK THE AIR BAGS AGAIN. VEHICLE SUSTAINED OVER $10,000. WORTH OF FRONT END DAMAGE. *PH *NLM
CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH RECENTLY REPLACED BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING MAY HAVE FAULTY SWITCH OR MASTER CYLINDER DAMAGED DURING INSTALLATION CAUSING FLUID LEAK THAT IS HIGHLY FLAMMABLE CAUSING FIRE OR SMOKE FROM 2002 WINDSTAR MASTER CYLINDER AND BRAKE BOOSTER WERE FAULTY. *TR
2002 FORD WINDSTAR STRUCK BROADSIDE BY A OLD CIERA ON RIGHT SIDE. RIGHT SIDE OF CAR WAS LIFTED UP, THEN CAR CAME BACK DOWN. EITHER COLLISION OR NEAR-OVERTURNING POPPED THE LEFT CENTER SEAT (CAPTAIN STYLE SEAT) LOOSE FROM FLOOR. INJURIES IN CRASH WERE NOT RELATED TO SEAT FAILURE. SEAT WAS NOT OCCUPIED.
WITH THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF MY FORD WINDSTAR TOTALLY DESTROYED, IT IS AMAZING TO ME, AN ALL WHO HAVE SEEN THE VEHICLE, THAT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. WHAT IS EVEN MORE AMAZING TO ME IS THE LACK OF CONCERN AND COMPLETE INDIFFERENCE FORD HAS DISPLAYED WITH THIS INCIDENT. MY HUSBAND HAS CONTACTED FORD CUSTERMOR RELATIONS AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND INITIALLY TOLD THAT IT WAS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO HAVE THE AIRBAG SENSORS TESTED FOR FAILURE, BUT, SUBSEQUENTLY, THEY SAID THEY WOULD HAVE SOMEONE COME TO THE BODY SHOP AND INVESTIGATE. NO ONE FROM FORD EVER SHOWED UP AND THE BODY SHOP HAS BEGUN REPAIRS. ALSO, THE BODY SHOP WAS TOLD BY PREMIER FORD (DEALER IN FLINT, MI), THAT FORD WOULD NOT COME OUT AND INVESTIGATE. THAT FACT THAT FORD FEELS NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR DETERMINING WHY THIS FAILURE ACCURED IS BESIDE ME. I NOW SUFFER FROM EXTREME ANXIETY OVER OPERATING ANY VEHICLE AND HAVE GRAVE CONCERN OVER THE INTEGRITY OF AIRBAGS AS A SAFETY RESTRAINT SYSTEM. ALL OF THIS AT NO FOULT OF MY OWN, HELP ME TO UNDERSTAND.*AK
WINDSTAR FORD 2002 TIRES THEY JUST KEEP GOING DOWN VERY QUICK NO HOLES HAD A BLOW OUT AN WRECKED INTO A TREE WITH THESE TIRES BAD TIRES ENDED UP SEAT BELT CUT MY NECK AN SEAT BELT CUT MY 1 YEAR OLDS TESTACLES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED CAUSING THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A FIRE HYDRANT AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK AND SHOULDER INJURIES BUT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED WRIST INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. UPDATED 02/12/16*LJ UPDATED 05/14/18*JB *CN
REAR AXLE BROKE IN HALF AS I WAS TURNING A CORNER AT VERY LOW SPEED, CAUSING TO LOOSE CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND RUN OFF ROAD. *TR
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, I AM SERIOUSLY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS VEHICLE AND THE WAY I AM TREATED BY FORD MOTORS. THE CAR SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND ALMOST FLIPPED. THANK GOD THAT INJURIES WERE NOT THAT SERIOUS BUT THE CAR IS NOW TOTAL LOSS. AFTER TAKING THE CAR TO PRIVATE MECHANICS, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT SUBFRAME BROKE AND THE AXLES, CONTROL ARMS ALL BROKE. IT WAS THEN DISCOVERED THAT THIS WAS PART OF A RECALL. CAR WAS TOWED TO FORD MOTORS DEALERSHIP. A REQUEST HAS BEEN MADE TO PROVIDE ME WITH SAFETY REPORT ON THE VEHICLE. FORD AND ITS DEALERSHIP FORCED ME OUT OF THEIR DEALERSHIP AND KICKED ME OUT. THE CAR IS THEIR FOR MONTHS AND I HAVE BEEN SENDING FORD ONLINE MESSAGES VIA EMAIL AND PHONE BUT THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO BUY THE CAR OR GIVE ME ITS VALUE NOR FIX THE CAR. I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT A CAR FOR MORE THAN 4 MONTHS NOW AND FORD IS NOT DOING THE LEAST TO EVEN TRADE THE CAR FOR ANOTHER ONE. I AM SERIOUSLY DISAPPOINTED. *TR
WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH VEHICLE DRIFTED OFF TO THE MEDIAN. AS A RESULT, CONSUMER OVER CORRECTED , WHICH RESULTED IN VEHICLE ROLLING OVER 6 TIMES AND IMPACTING A GUARD RAIL. UPON IMPACT, NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. *AK WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH VEHICLE VEERED INTO MEDIAN ON THE INTERSTATE. DRIVER OVERCORRECTED CAUSING VEHICLE TO ROLL OVER SIX TIMES WHERE IT CRASHED INTO THE GUARD RAIL. THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED BUT THE OTHER THREE AIR BAGS DID NOT. TWO PERSONS INJURIED IN ROLLOVER ACCIDENT.*MR
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT COLLISION WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH. THE FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, WHO TOLD THE CONSUMER TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER. MANUFACTURER TOLD THE CONSUMER TO GET A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK WITH THE DEALER AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. *AK
2002 FORD WINDSTAR MINI VAN. CONSUMER STATES AFTER FILLING UP THE TANK AND TURNING ON THE IGNITION, FLAMES FLEW UP AND AFTER PUTTING WATER ON IT THERE WAS A FLASH FIRE AND EXPLOSION *TGW
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A TRAFFIC LIGHT, AN ABNORMAL SOUND EMITTED FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE KEPT GAINING FORWARD MOMENTUM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING ALSO FAILED TO OPERATE AS INTENDED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE JUMPED THE SIDEWALK AND STRUCK TWO SMALL TREES. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY TURNING THE IGNITION TO THE OFF POSITION. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED WHIPLASH AND MUSCLE SPASMS, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SUBFRAME FRACTURED, WHICH CAUSED THE THROTTLE TO SEIZE IN THE OPEN POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 11V030000 (STRUCTURE) AND 15V608000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,064.
DRIVING ON HWY 49 DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WHEN I LOST CONTROL WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR. LUCKILY WE CAME TO A STOP OFF THE HWY. I COULD SEE MY TIRE WAS ALMOST SIDEWAYS AND BLOWN. MY FINANCE PICKED US UP AND SAID THE AXLE HAD SNAPPED AND TOOK A PICTURE. IT IS SATURDAY AND I'M WITHOUT A CAR. I FOUND OUT THIS WAS RECALLED. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE FORD WILL FIX THE ISSUE AND IN A TIMELY MANNER SINCE I HAVE NO OTHER CAR.
Filed by owners of this model year and unverified by NHTSA — one person’s account, not an established fact.