Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Ford Windstar owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the passenger's side rear wheel. The traction control warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that later while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the rear suspension and the contact almost lost control of the vehicle but was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway. The contact stated that upon a visual inspection there was excessive corrosion around the rear axle and the axle was detached. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the rear axle. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact's son owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while her son was driving 10 MPH and making a turn into a parking lot, the vehicle stopped as the rear tires collapsed inside the wheel well. The contact was able to park the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the rear axle had fractured. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they would cover the repair; however, the dealer informed the contact that they could not repair the vehicle as the subframe was severely corroded. The dealer also informed the contact that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V030000 (Structure) in 2011. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was towed back to the residence. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated while attempting to reverse, the contact heard a loud sound coming from the front of the vehicle. The contact stated that steering wheel became difficult to turn. A local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was inspected, and the contact was informed that there was no recall related to the VIN for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V194000 (SUSPENSION); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 160,263.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving at 15 MPH, there was an abnormal rumbling sound coming from an undisclosed location of the vehicle. The contact veered off the roadway. The contact notified a tow truck company and inspected the vehicle and noticed that the rear axle was fractured. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact referenced the NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V385000 (Suspension). The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal odor circulating inside the cabin of the vehicle. The contact stated the vehicle started losing motive power, and he was able to pull the vehicle to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed a failure with the rear axle. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V385000 (Suspension); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to the dealer for routine maintenance, the contact noticed that the rear axle was severely corroded. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the mechanic failed to fix the failure. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V608000 (Suspension) as a possible solution to the failure however, the VIN was not included. The contact was concerned for his safety while driving the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000. The VIN was not available.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the contact started losing control of the vehicle. The contact was able to pull over and had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic. The independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and stated that the vehicle was experiencing the failure listed in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V608000 (Suspension) and advised the contact to contact the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V608000 (Suspension). No further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 160,000.
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 NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V385000 (Suspension). The failure mileage was approximately 207,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the ABS warning light and brake warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact then took the vehicle to a dealer where she was informed that the rear axle was severely corroded and at risk of fracturing. The dealer informed her of NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V385000 (Suspension) however, the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and offered no assistance. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000. The VIN was invalid.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving at 20 mph, there was a loud noise heard then the vehicle collapsed. The contact steered the steering wheel to move the vehicle off the road and heard metal screeching coming from the ground. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and diagnosed that the rear axle had fractured into two parts. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact to take the vehicle to a dealer. The failure mileage was 158,000.
Related recalls
Suspension › Rear › Axle › Non-powered axle assembly
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.
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.
Suspension › Front › Control arm
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.
Suspension › Rear › Axle › Non-powered axle assembly
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.
Suspension › Rear › Axle › Non-powered axle assembly
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…
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.
NHTSA investigations
Rear Axle Cracking
In a letter dated August 26, 2010, Ford Motor Company (Ford) submitted a Defect Information Report notifying NHTSA that it will conduct a safety recall (NHTSA Recall No. 10V-385) to address a rear axle defect in model year (MY) 1998 through 2003 Ford Windstar vehicles built at the Oakville assembly plant from September 1, 1997 through February 28, 2003 and either sold or currently registered in high corrosion…
Rear Axle Fracture Recall Scope
On November 5, 2010, NHTSA received a Defect Petition from the owner of a MY 2003 Ford Windstar vehicle registered in the state of New York requesting that the scope of Recall 10V-385 be expanded to include additional MY 2003 vehicles experiencing the defect condition.The petitioner initially filed a complaint (VOQ 10345125) with ODI on July 25, 2010, two days after the axle failure.The complaint was subsequently…
Suspension complaints in other Windstar years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2003 Ford Windstar?
NHTSA has 254 complaints about the suspension of the 2003 Ford Windstar, 17% of the model year's 1,510 complaints. The component named most often is rear (48 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Ford Windstar suspension problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 15V-608 (non-powered axle assembly, Sep 29, 2015); NHTSA recall 12V-194 (control arm, May 3, 2012); NHTSA recall 12V-195 (non-powered axle assembly, May 3, 2012). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2003 Ford Windstar suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 135,000 miles, and 1% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 4 fires and 0 injuries to suspension problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.