Suspension complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the front axle fractured. The vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 12V194000 (suspension). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 169,784. The VIN was not available. The consumer stated there was a loud noise coming from the front side by the tire. The vehicle was inspected and it was determined the sway bar in the front was broken and the subframe was rusted. Ford stated they met the recall requirements in 2011 and there was nothing they could do for the consumer. Updated 12/23/15.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Ford Windstar. The contact was driving approximately 55 MPH when the rear of the vehicle began to wobble excessively. The vehicle was taken to a local repair shop for an alignment where the technicians advised that the rear axle was twisted and causing the failure. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer where the technician confirmed the failure. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with the failure (NHTSA campaign id number: 10V385000 -suspension:rear:axle:non-powered axle assembly) because there were no signs of corrosion or fractures on the axle. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the repair did not fall under the recall for the rear axle. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 124,000.
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 2002 Ford Windstar. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 11V030000 (STRUCTURE) and 15V608000 (SUSPENSION). The contact stated that while approaching a traffic signal and driving slowly, the vehicle shook, and the engine shifted. The contact stated that the engine shifted to the right. In addition, the contact lost control of the steering wheel. The contact stated that the RPMs became elevated. The contact pulled over into a parking lot and turned off the vehicle. The contact exited the vehicle, and upon inspection, became aware that the subframe had detached and was dragging. The contact believed that the motor mounts were fractured. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic, and the vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle remained at the tow yard unrepaired. …
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 55 MPH, the contact pulled over and noticed that the tire was not straight inside the wheel well. While hoisting the vehicle on a lift at the residence, the contact noticed that the tire was rubbing on the inside of the wheel well and that the rear axle had fractured. The contact stated that the failure occurred at the site of the repair on the patch. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was informed about a recall. The contact called the local dealer and was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V385000 (Suspension). The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, there was a loud abnormal sound coming from the rear passenger's side of the vehicle with black smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact parked in a parking lot and saw that the rear passenger's side tire was leaning towards the inside of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to her residence and then the dealer. The contact stated that the dealer diagnosed the vehicle with a fractured rear axle that needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V608000 (Suspension) in April of 2011. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000.
The contact owns a 2001 Ford Windstar. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH and crossing railroad tracks that were flush with the road surface, the contact heard the passenger's side rear tire making a loud screeching noise. The contact could hear rubbing or friction and then noticed that smoke was coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled off the road safely and inspected the vehicle and saw that the wheel was tilted into the wheel well and was rubbing the top and inside of the tire against the wheel well. The contact had the vehicle towed back to his residence. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V608000 (Suspension). …
Related recalls (5)
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 › 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 › 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 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.
Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil springs
On certain minivans originally sold in or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, and wisconsin, and in the district of…
Remedy: Dealers will install protective shields around the front coil springs. Owner notification began September 6, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive…
NHTSA investigations
Suspension coil spring breakage
There is no summary currently available
Suspension coil spring breakage
There is no summary currently available
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…
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Windstar years have suspension problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2001 (416), 2000 (356), 2002 (279), 2003 (254) and 1998 (229) model years. Suspension complaints make up 25% of all complaints for the 2001.
Is there a recall for Ford Windstar suspension problems?
Yes — 5 recalls, including 15V-608 (non-powered axle assembly, Sep 29, 2015); 12V-195 (non-powered axle assembly, May 3, 2012); 12V-194 (control arm, May 3, 2012). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ford Windstar suspension problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 125,000 miles; 3% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the rear (559 mentions), followed by the front › springs › coil springs (288).
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.