Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (wheels, lug nuts, original-equipment tires, TPMS).
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 rear axle on my vehicle snapped while I was driving causing me to lose control and leave the roadway. I contacted Ford who told me there was a recall for the rear axle of my vehicle and that I would have no out of pocket expenses for the repairs and the towing of the vehicle to the service center. After they set up the towing I received a message saying I had to pay $381 for the towing before they would dispatch the tow truck. I called Ford customer service and they told me that now they can't find in their notes where they told me towing was covered. After asking to speak with a supervisor and being told they're not going to transfer me because they know their supervisor can't do anything more then what they can do I was placed on hold for an hour just to be told they can't find it in their notes and then I was hung up on. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the front passenger wheel separated from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was informed that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 11V030000 (structure). The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was confirmed that the failure was included in the recall; however, the dealer refused to perform the repair due to the manufacturer's refusal to perform the repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 119,863. Updated 10/18/16
My rear wheel hub assembly, where it attaches to the axle beam reinforcing flange cracked while I was turning left from a stop light. I found out that there was a recall for the rear axle reinforcement brackets, so I took my van to a Ford dealership in knox, indiana (best Ford). After a few days, they said that Ford would not cover the damage done to the rear axle. They said that it was previously repaired, however, I see on this website that a recall for my vehicle is incomplete and that Ford had an additional recall for the same issue.
The rear axle broke, which there was a recall for. The recall added support brackets to the rear axle. My van had the support brackets installed. However the rear axle broke directly under the support brackets. The dealer told me the recall was still open and to have it towed. I got it towed to the dealer only for them to tell me that the it isn't covered by the recall because the brackets were installed. Now it is costing me $900 to get it fixed when Ford clearly admitted to the rear axle problem.
I learned of a front axle recall and when I called the dealership to schedule repairs, they informed me of a rear axle recall, so "repairs" were made to both front and rear axles at the same time. However, this morning on my way to work (luckily traveling at 25 MPH vs 75 on the interstate last night) the rear axle broke midway between where the bracket, which was supposed to reinforce the axle, was attached.
Sidewall split on Bridgestone insignia se 200, size 215x70r15, dot # wbm3 e20 0210. Mileage on tire 39K, still good tread depth. I still have tire if any agency would like to inspect. Didn't take it back to Bridgestone b/c from what I have read, they would do nothing about it.
The rear wheel on the driver's side collapsed on the body, breaking off from the axle. I was traveling between 30-35 miles an hour when it occurred. I was able to stop the car on the side of the road.
Hello I was driving my 2003 Ford Windstar minivan. I purchased around March 2016 I was taking my kids to school when the rear axel broke. I looked under and it looks like Ford put enforcement brackets on it but it is broke at one of the brackets . Thankfully I was able to keep control of my vehicle. 20 minutes later I would've been on the freeway. One man has already lost his life from the same thing with this vehicle. I have a lady from Ford offering to give me any information she has because it is not right and there is things she has that I cannot find. I looked up my year on the vehicle and what was wrong and realized there are thousands of people with the same problem. Not only that there has been three recalls since 2010 for the same thing. Ford put brackets on to fix the first problem instead of just fixing the problem. That explains my brackets. …
Purchased a 2003 Ford Windstar on 10/14/13,drove vehicle to south carolina from new jersey on 10/15/13,about halfway there noticed a loud clunking while braking, or turning vehicle left or right.had vehicle looked at by mechanic on 10/24/13.it was diagnosed as having a completely rotted subframe and motor mounts.I looked into recalls on the vehicle and found one for the subframe ,number 11s16.I called Ford motor corporation on oct30,and 31st about the recall.I was told it was repaired back in apr18,2011.repairs done were an inspection of subframe,and all looked well.subframe was never replaced ,now 2 years later,Ford has wiped it's hands clean of the recall saying it was satisfied on apr18,2011,by a mechanic claiming the subframe looked OK at the time.how does a faulty part that could cause a major accident,become OK because it looked good at the time of inspection?I am appalled and …
I understand there is a recall on certain Ford Windstar models in the northern states due to a defective rear axle. I have a 2003 Ford Windstar van VIN: [redacted] which we purchased used in July 2004. From what we were told when we bought it, the vehicle came from ohio. On 12/28/10, I called a local Ford dealer who ran my VIN through their database and I was told my vehicle is not part of the recall. I was told it would cost $95 for their service dept. To check my rear axle for the defect since it isn't under the recall. I want to make sure my vehicle is or is not part of the recall. I saw a abc news report on dec. 20th which makes it sound like the recall May be extended to certain vehicles. If my vehicle originated in ohio, it should be part of the recall. Please help me with this situation. Thanks!
Wheel & Tire complaints in other Windstar years
Frequently asked questions
How common are wheel & tire problems on the 2003 Ford Windstar?
NHTSA has 29 complaints about the wheels & tires of the 2003 Ford Windstar, 2% of the model year's 1,510 complaints. The component named most often is pressure monitoring and regulating systems (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Ford Windstar wheel & tire problems?
No. NHTSA lists no wheels & tires recall for the 2003 Ford Windstar, though it has 8 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2003 Ford Windstar wheel & tire problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 93,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to wheels & tires 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.