2003 FORD WINDSTAR Recalls, Complaints & Safety

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’s son owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V030000 (Structure). The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the exhaust pipe was punctured. The contact was advised that the front subframe was severely corroded; however, the dealer informed the contact that the vehicle would not be repaired due to the corrosion. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact parked the vehicle and the vehicle was no longer driven due to the safety concerns. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

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. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V608000 (Suspension); but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 135,000.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the ABS and Brake warning lights remained illuminated. Additionally, there was smoke, and a burning odor coming from the engine compartment. The contact also stated that the ABS fluid had leaked from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that fluid had leaked from the Speed Control Deactivations Switch causing damage to the ABS Control Module connector. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V399000 (Vehicle Speed Control). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 250,000.

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 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 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 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. I shouldn't have to pay almost $400 to have my vehicle that just had a catastrophic failure causing me to wreck towed for servic after I was lied to about the towing being covered

Crash 1 injured

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. I shouldn't have to pay almost $400 to have my vehicle that just had a catastrophic failure causing me to wreck towed for servic after I was lied to about the towing being covered

Crash 1 injured

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. I shouldn't have to pay almost $400 to have my vehicle that just had a catastrophic failure causing me to wreck towed for servic after I was lied to about the towing being covered

Crash 1 injured

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 had taken her vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that the rear axle had cracked due to severe corrosion. The mechanic informed her that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The contact was also informed that the vehicle might be included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V385000 (Suspension). The dealer and manufacturer were contacted, and the contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 147,000.

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 driving 25 MPH, the vehicle was wobbling. Once the contact arrived at her residence, her husband noticed that the rear of the subframe was fracture. The dealer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V385000 (Suspension). The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 136,000.

My family and I went to pull out of an entersection when the 03 Ford Windstar I purchased suddenly stopped pulling .almost getting rearended

On May 23rd 2022 I was driving on interstate 45 the speed limit through where I was driving was 75 all of a sudden with no warning no engine light on my transmission stopped working and I could not break I was able to safely get over thank goodness but there is a recall on my transmission which almost killed me that needs to be replaced

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Windstar. The contact stated while his wife was exiting the vehicle, she noticed that the rear driver’s side wheel was leaning in towards the frame of the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that the axle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

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 it. I've put a lot of money into repairs. In addition to purchasing this vehicle, I've spent well over $2,000 in repairs. Once I learned of the recall and viewed the risks (Video) of the dangers I became grossly disturbed by what I am facing at the thought of driving. I have contacted 4 Ford Service Centers and none of them contacted back regarding fixing my 'recall'. I NEED HELP!! I have a disability and now I don't have transportation besides this car. How come no one is returning my calls? I am stranded at my home knowing that my safety is at risk. I would like to get my issue remedied with a $4,999.00 Reimbursement for this vehicle ASAP so I may invest in getting a safer one. Please give me a dealership address here in Los Angeles so I can have the vehicle towed there and be done with it. I no longer want a vehicle that I can not drive nor can get my 'recalls' remedied. Your attention to this matter is greatly appreciated.

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.

Driver was stalking a pedestrian.

The rear wheel well is corroded and the corrosion is into the structure that the seat belt is mounted to and it ruined the REM(rear electronic module) there is supposed to be a recall on it but all the ford garages say its been done but it hasn't and now I have no way to work or to take my kids anywhere and the van only has 96000 miles and we just bought it

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.

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.

I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET GOING ABOUT 30 MILES AN HOUR THE VAN FILLED WITH SMOKE WHEN I CAME TO A STOP I LOOKED UNDER THE CAR AND THE BACK AXLE WAS BROKE I HAD IT TOWED TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT WOULD COST $3200 TO FIX IT THEY SAID IT DIDN'T FALL UNDER THE RECALL THEY HAD FOR THE BACK AXLE BREAKING

THE REAR AXLE OR METAL BRACKETS ON MY VEHICLE SNAPPED WHILE I BRAKED FOR ANOTHER VEHICLE APPROACHING. I HAD THE METAL ON MY AXLE WELDED TO FIX THE PROBLEM TEMPORARILY THAT IS BECAUSE IT IS CURRENTLY BROKE AGAIN. I BELIEVE THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS SPECIFIC PROBLEM.

MY BACK AXLE ITS RUSTED AND ITS CRACKED.THE MECHANIC MENTION THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS IF IT BREAKS WHILE DRIVING.WHILE THE MECHANIC REPLACED MY FUEL PUMP HE NOTICED THIS ISSUE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTOR, FILTER, AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 172,000.

I OWN A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR LX. IT WAS AT THE MECHANIC FOR SOME REPAIRS AND HE POINTED OUT THE ISSUE WITH MY REAR AXLE BEING CRACKED AND CORRODED. WHICH ITS VERY DANGEROUS TO KEEP DRIVING LIKE THIS. *LN*JB

PURCHASED USED 2003 FORD WINDSTAR..IN 2005 ..WITH 30,000 MILES ..NOW HAS 107,000 MILES...AROUND TOWN DRIVING...GOT RECALLS..BROUGHT VEHICLE IN TO DEALER FOR REAR AXLE FIX.INSPECTED TWICE..AFTER ......BRACKETS INSTALLED TO STABILIZE AXLE WERE INITIALLY INSTALLED TOLD IF AXLE WAS BAD , FORD WOULD REPLACE..DID NOT REPLACE. BENTELER AXLE WHOLE PROBLEM FROM START.WEAK METAL SUBJECT TO FATIGUE .BRACKETS WERE A BAND-AID.ACTUALLY MAY HAVE MADE PROBLEM WORSE.......AXLE SNAPPED WHILE DRIVING AST LOW SPEED..AND WHILE TURNING........

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, AN ABNORMAL SOUND WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO TAYLOR FORD LOCATED AT 13500 TELEGRAPH RD, TAYLOR, MI 48180, TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SUSPENSION BRACKET WAS RUSTED AND FRACTURED FROM THE AXLE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V608000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT, PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200,000.

I CONTACTED THIS AGENCY PREVIOUSLY REGARDING THE FAILURE OF THE REAR AXLE IN DETAIL. THIS NOTE IS SENT TO FURTHER EXPLAIN THE FAILURE OF FORD, GARLITCH FORD, AND THE NHTSA TO PROPERLY ASSURE ME THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ADEQUATELY. IT WAS NOT. I REMOVED THE USELESS BRACKETS GARLITCH FORD INSTALLED UNDER YOUR AND FORD'S DIRECTION, AND THE RECALL 10S13 WAS NOT PERFORMED PROPERLY. I HAVE THE EVIDENCE. I'D LIKE TO KNOW WHAT IS THE POINT IN A RECALL WHEN ABSOLUTELY NOBODY WILL STAND BEHIND IT? WE MAY AS WELL JUST IGNORE THEM ALL IN THAT CASE. SO TO EXPLAIN THE PROBLEM, PER THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE RECALL THE TECHNICIAN WAS SUPPOSED TO REMOVE ALL UNDERCOAT/PAINT/E-COAT FROM AREAS SPECIFIED TO THE BASE METAL IN ORDER TO INSPECT THE AXLE FOR CRACKS. THIS WAS NOT DONE. ORIGINAL E-COAT IS CLEARLY VISIBLE IN THE PHOTOS. SO THE INSPECTION OF THE AXLE WAS NOT DONE PROPERLY. I CANT SAY I AM SURPRISED. THEN, SINCE THE AXLE PASSED THE IMPROPERLY PERFORMED INSPECTION, THEY INSTALLED THE ATROCIOUSLY "DESIGNED" BRACKETS TO THE AXLE. AGAIN, THE INSTRUCTIONS SAY TO REMOVE ALL PAINT, UNDERCOATING, OR E-COAT FROM THE AXLE TO BARE METAL, AS THE EPOXY OR ADHESIVE OR WHATEVER IT IS WILL NOT ADHERE TO ANYTHING BUT BARE METAL. THIS WAS NOT DONE EITHER, OBVIOUSLY. I DID NOT TAKE THIS IN FOR RECALL 15S27 AS THERE WAS NO POINT. THE ONLY CONCERN OF THAT RECALL WAS TO MAKE SURE THE SPACING FROM THE AXLE WELD TO THE BRACKET WAS WITHIN SPECIFICATION, AND IT WAS. AUTONATION FORD OF TUSTIN CONFIRMED THAT. HOWEVER, THIS RECALL DOES NOT TELL ANYONE IF THE ORIGINAL RECALL WAS DONE PROPERLY AND IF THESE WERE ACTUALLY SUPPOSED TO ADD STRUCTURAL STRENGTH TO THE AXLE THEY COULD NOT HAVE IN MY CASE AND WOULD HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO ITS ULTIMATE FAILURE GIVEN THAT THEY WERE NOT PROPERLY ATTACHED. STEP UP AND GET FORD TO COVER THIS FAILURE. FORD IS BLAMING THE "INDEPENDENTLY OWNED" DEALER. WHAT A JOKE.

MY AXEL CRACKED ON LEFT SIDE, NOISE ALERTED ME TO THE DANGER. CAREER MECHANIC, NEVER SEEN A RUSTED OUT OR CRACKED REAR AXLE. I ALSO WORKED OUT OF MY HOME ON CARS RUNNING MY OWN SHOP FOR DECADES. AGAIN I HAVE NEVER CHANGED A CRACKED REAR AXLE. THE FIRST RECALL WAS IN MY OPINION ONLY A POOR ATTEMPT AT POSTPONING THE INEVITABLE AXEL FAILURE TO A LATER DATE. NOT A NORMAL FAILURE FOR A SUPPOSED NAME BRAND LEADING AUTOMOTIVE MAKER. FORD'S LATEST AD ON TV SAID SOMETHING LIKE THEY CARE ABOUT THEIR CUSTOMERS AT THE END OF THE AD, WHAT A JOKE, FALSE ADVERTISING OR SHOULD MY CLAIM FOR $1,420.28 BE PAID AND SHOW THEY CARE? THE ORIGINAL AXEL WAS IN MY OPINION A BIT THIN AND I READ THAT THE METAL WAS NOT THE BEST ON A FEW WEB SITES. ALSO FILLING THE HOLLOW AREAS FOR THE AXLE ASSEMBLY WITH FOAM ONLY RETAINED WATER AND ACCELERATED RUSTING WHICH OF COURSE ONLY WEAKENS A BAD AXEL DESIGN. THE NEW DESIGN REAR AXLE IS DEFINITELY HEAVIER, NO FOAM AND HAS NO OPEN AREAS TO HOLD WATER. THE NEW DESIGN SEEMS TO HAVE ADDRESSED ALL THE ORIGINAL AXLE'S DESIGN FLAWS. WHICH SHOWS FORD DID KNOW THERE WERE DESIGN FLAWS. JANNELL FORD OF HANOVER MASS (781-982-4500) CONTACTED FORD WITH MY SHOCK THAT AXEL WOULD NOT BE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY EVEN AFTER SEEING THE SUPPORTING PICTURES; FORD WOULD NOT REPAIR THE AXEL ON SECOND RECALL EVEN THOUGH SEVERELY CRACKED! THEY SAID THE FIRST RECALL BRACKETS WERE INSTALLED CORRECTLY. JANNELL FORD SERVICE MANAGEMENT AGREED THAT OUR VAN WAS IN PRISTINE SHAPE, RUST FREE AND WELL CARED FOR. PLEASE SEE REMAINDER OF MY LETTER IN DOWNLOAD FILES. THANK YOU!

ALTHOUGH MY VAN HAS BEEN THROUGH ALL RECALL REPAIRS/INSPECTIONS AS I PULLED INTO MY LOCAL GAS STATION TODAY MY REAR AXLE BROKE.*DT VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CLOSEST DEALERSHIP (DAVE KNAPP FORD LINCOLN) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD PASSED INSPECTION DURING THE RECALL. AS VEHICLE WAS BEING TOWED CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE LEFT BRACKET APPEARED TO BE PLACED INCORRECTLY. *DL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF THE DRIVER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, AN ODOR OF BURNING RUBBER WAS PRESENT. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL AND TIRE WAS RUBBING AGAINST THE WHEEL WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR AXLE HAD FAILED. THE MECHANIC ALSO INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED ON A PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V193000 (POWER TRAIN). THE LOCAL DEALER KRAPOHL FORD & LINCOLN (1415 E PICKARD RD, MT PLEASANT, MI 48858) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT YET CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

Fire

IT HAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. NEEDS WIRING HARNESS, NEEDS FRONT AND REAL AXLE REPLACEMENT. DANGEROUS. ALARM GOES OFF AT RANDOM. WON'T HOLD CHARGE. STEERING WHEEL BEARINGS ARE SHOT. *TR

Crash

IT HAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. NEEDS WIRING HARNESS, NEEDS FRONT AND REAL AXLE REPLACEMENT. DANGEROUS. ALARM GOES OFF AT RANDOM. WON'T HOLD CHARGE. STEERING WHEEL BEARINGS ARE SHOT. *TR

Crash

IT HAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. NEEDS WIRING HARNESS, NEEDS FRONT AND REAL AXLE REPLACEMENT. DANGEROUS. ALARM GOES OFF AT RANDOM. WON'T HOLD CHARGE. STEERING WHEEL BEARINGS ARE SHOT. *TR

Crash

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ON A CITY STREET AT 35 MPH AND THE REAR AXLE BROKE ON THE DRIVER SIDE UNDERNEATH THE RECALL BRACKET INSTALLED BY FORD. RECALL 10S13 WAS PERFORMED ON THIS VEHICLE IN 2008 OR 2009. THE BRACKETS WERE INSTALLED AS SPECIFIED BY FORD AND OBVIOUSLY WERE INADEQUATE TO FIX OR PREVENT THE PROBLEM FROM THE ORIGINAL RECALL. FORD SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN ALLOWED TO GET AWAY WITH THIS POORLY DESIGNED AND EXECUTED REPAIR TO THE AXLE. THE VEHICLE WAS RECENTLY AT A FORD DEALER THAT VERIFIED THAT THE BRACKETS WERE INSTALLED CORRECTLY PER 15S27 AND FORD DENIED COVERING ANY OF THE REPAIR COST. I HAVE BACKGROUND STUDY AS A STRUCTURAL ENGINEER (I'M A LICENSED CIVIL ENGINEER) AND I USED TO WORK IN AN AUTOMOTIVE PARTS AND MACHINE SHOP. GIVEN MY EXPERIENCE, IF YOU REFER TO 10S13 THERE IS A LOCATION ON THE AXLE REFERRED TO AS A "TOOLING HOLE" ON PAGE 18 THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN USED IF FORD EVER INTENDED THESE REPAIR BRACKETS TO DO ANYTHING USEFUL. I CANT IMAGINE ANY ENGINEER DESIGNED THESE THINGS AND DISREGARDED THE OBVIOUS, TYING THE LOAD TO THIS HOLE. I HAVE THE VEHICLE BACK AND I'VE USED THIS HOLE ON BOTH SIDES TO PULL THE AXLE BACK TOGETHER AND MAKE IT AT LEAST MOVABLE UNTIL THE NEW PART ARRIVES, SO NOT ONLY DOES IT MAKE SENSE STRUCTURALLY, BUT IT WORKS PHYSICALLY AS WELL. WHY THE NHTSA WOULD ALLOW FORD TO CALL THIS A FIX AND MAKE THESE VEHICLES ACCEPTABLE TO DRIVE IS BEYOND ME. THE AXLE ALSO HAS A HORIZONTAL CRACK IN THE MIDDLE, ITS BEEN THERE SINCE THE BRACKETS WERE INSTALLED. I DO NOT BELIEVE FORD HAS BEEN HONEST OR USEFUL IN TAKING CARE OF THIS PROBLEM ON THESE VEHICLES, AND IT APPEARS THE NHTSA IS BACKING THEM ON IT. CURIOUS HOW A RECALL FOR A CRACKING PROBLEM IS NOT RESOLVED BUT ITS NOT THEIR RESPONSIBILITY? I WOULD SAY AT THIS POINT IN TIME, THERE WAS NO POINT IN ANY OF THE RECALL WORK AS NOTHING WAS FIXED. FAILURE IS IDENTICAL TO PRE-RECALL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY INCLUDED IN A RECALL REGARDING THE CRADLE SUB FRAME ASSEMBLY, FOR WHICH THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHORTLY AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR, WHILE IDLE AND DURING ACCELERATION THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD VIBRATE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC AND AFTER EXAMINING THE VEHICLE, THE MECHANIC BECAME AWARE THAT THE REAR AXLE AND SUB FRAME WAS RUSTED WHICH CAUSED THE TRACTION CONTRAIL TO FAIL. THE CONTACT CONTACTED OTHER CERTIFIED MECHANICS WHO CONFIRMED THE SUB FRAME AND REAR AXEL HOUSING ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

THE REAR AXLE ON MY FATHER-IN-LAW'S MINIVAN SNAPPED IN HALF, EVEN THOUGH THE BRACKETS FOR THE FIRST RECALL WERE INSTALLED AND THE BRACKETS WERE THEN INSPECTED AND SIGNED OFF ON DURING THE SECOND RECALL. BOTH RECALLS WERE SIGNED OFF AS COMPLETED AND SAFE BUT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, WITH FOUR SMALL CHILDREN IN THE CAR, THE AXLE SNAPPED IN HALF. WE'VE REACHED OUT TO BOTH FORD DIRECTLY AND THE DEALERSHIPS AND NO ONE WILL ASSIST. CLEARLY THE BRACKETS WERE NOT AN ACCEPTABLE FIX FOR THIS HIGHLY DANGEROUS ISSUE. FOUR CHILDREN COULD HAVE BEEN HURT OR EVEN KILLED DUE TO FORD'S NEGLIGENCE TO PROPERLY ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. FORD FAILED TO PROPERLY CORRECT THE ISSUE WITH THE FIRST RECALL AND APPARENTLY DIDN'T CORRECT IT WITH THE SECOND EITHER.

THE REAR AXLE HAS CRACKED IN THE MIDDLE AND I CANNOT DRIVE IT NOW. THIS WAS INSPECTED TWICE UNDER FORD RECALL. THE FIRST TIME THEY PUT BRACKETS ON THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS, AND THE REAR AXLE. THE SECOND TIME THEY RECALLED IT BACK TO REINSPECT THE WORK THAT HAD BEEN DONE SINCE THEY HAD MANY THAT WERE NOT PROPERLY INSPECTED THE FIRST TIME. SO , THIS IS TWICE THEY HAD IT INSPECTED, AND FAILED TO SEE IT WAS DEFECTIVE. THUS PUTTING MY LIFE AND THAT IF MY FAMILY AT RISK FOR DEATH. THANKS FORD! AFTER THE 2ND INSPECTION, THEY SAID IT WAS SAFE, BUT OFFERED TO REPLACE THE AXLE IF I WANTED TO PAY ABOUT $500 ON MY OWN. THAT WAS SUSPICIOUS IN ITSELF.