Model year
2003 Ford Windstar
NHTSA lists 8 recalls and 1,510 complaints for the 2003 Ford Windstar (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are SERVICE BRAKES (296), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (262), SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC (209). NHTSA lists 6 investigations. NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 18 mpg combined (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $3,700, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
Recalls
15V608000 · Sep 29, 2015
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…
12V195000 · May 3, 2012
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.
12V194000 · May 3, 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.
12V193000 · May 3, 2012
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
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.…
11V030000 · Jan 26, 2011
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
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…
10V385000 · Aug 26, 2010
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,…
09V399000 · Oct 13, 2009
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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…
03V459000 · Nov 6, 2003
SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY
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…
Complaints
1,510 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 33, fire flag on 27, injury field 35, deaths field 1. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE08035 | ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING; VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | May 13, 2008 | Sep 17, 2008 |
| EA08021 | ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED… | Sep 17, 2008 | Oct 14, 2009 |
| PE10016 | Rear Axle Cracking · SUSPENSION | May 13, 2010 | Sep 22, 2010 |
| PE10026 | Front Subframe Corrosion Failures · STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS; SUSPENSION | Jul 20, 2010 | Dec 20, 2010 |
| DP10005 | Rear Axle Fracture Recall Scope · SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY | Dec 15, 2010 | Dec 21, 2010 |
| EA10007 | Front Subframe Corrosion Failures · STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS; SUSPENSION | Dec 20, 2010 | Mar 17, 2011 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windstar FWD Cargo Van · 3.8L · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 16 | 22 | 18 | — | — | $3,700 |
| Windstar FWD Wagon · 3.8L · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 16 | 22 | 18 | — | — | $3,700 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2003 Ford Windstar at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.