Ford Windstar
Registered from 1996 to 2003.
About this model
The Ford Windstar is a minivan that was produced and sold by Ford from the 1995 to 2007 model years. The second minivan line designed by Ford, the Windstar moved closer in line to the design of the Chrysler minivans. The successor of the Ford Aerostar, the model line adopted front-wheel drive and a "two-box" body design. Three generations of the model line were produced, with the final generation taking on the Ford Freestar nameplate.
From the Wikipedia article Ford Windstar, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Crash test
| Stability control | Optional |
| Forward collision warning | No |
| Lane departure warning | No |
Crash-tested by NHTSA, the American road safety agency.
Specification
| Year | Measured |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 1765 kg · 3070 mm wheelbase · 13.1 L/100km (EPA) · 14.7 L/100km city · 10.7 motorway |
| 2002 | 1765 kg · 3070 mm wheelbase · 13.1 L/100km (EPA) · 14.7 L/100km city · 11.2 motorway |
| 2001 | 1692 kg · 3070 mm wheelbase · 13.1 L/100km (EPA) · 14.7 L/100km city · 10.7 motorway |
| 2000 | 1693 kg · 3070 mm wheelbase · 13.8 L/100km (EPA) · 15.7 L/100km city · 11.2 motorway |
| 1999 | 1693 kg · 3070 mm wheelbase · 13.8 L/100km (EPA) · 15.7 L/100km city · 11.2 motorway |
| 1998 | 1692 kg · 3070 mm wheelbase · 13.1 L/100km (EPA) · 14.7 L/100km city · 10.7 motorway |
| 1997 | 1581 kg · 3070 mm wheelbase · 13.8 L/100km (EPA) · 15.7 L/100km city · 11.2 motorway |
| 1996 | 1693 kg · 3070 mm wheelbase · 13.1 L/100km (EPA) · 15.7 L/100km city · 10.7 motorway |
Regulator investigations
Opened by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. An investigation is a question the regulator asked about a possible defect, not a fault it found — most end without a recall.
Front Subframe Corrosion Failures
Engineering analysis, opened December 2010, closed March 2011.
Rear Axle Fracture Recall Scope
Defect petition, opened December 2010, closed December 2010.
Front Subframe Corrosion Failures
Preliminary evaluation, opened July 2010, closed December 2010.
Rear Axle Cracking
Preliminary evaluation, opened May 2010, closed September 2010.
Engine compartment fires
Engineering analysis, opened September 2008, closed October 2009.
Engine compartment fires
Preliminary evaluation, opened May 2008, closed September 2008.
Front seat belt buckle assembly
Engineering analysis, opened February 2005, closed July 2005.
Front seat belt buckle assembly
Recall query, opened October 2004, closed February 2005.
Hydraulic brake line failure
Recall query, opened May 2004, closed October 2004.
Power sliding door opening
Preliminary evaluation, opened March 2004, closed July 2004.
Wheel stud fracture
Engineering analysis, opened April 2003, closed August 2004.
Wheel stud fracture
Preliminary evaluation, opened November 2002, closed April 2003.
Fuel tank fatigue cracking
Recall query, opened August 2002, closed March 2003.
Suspension coil spring breakage
Engineering analysis, opened December 2000, closed July 2001.
Suspension coil spring breakage
Preliminary evaluation, opened June 2000, closed December 2000.
Fuel tank cracks
Engineering analysis, opened July 1999, closed December 1999.
Overhead console loose or hangs down
Investigation SQ, opened January 1999, still open.
Rear axle trailing arm
Preliminary evaluation, opened October 1998, closed February 1999.
Missing/loose front brake
Engineering analysis, opened April 1998, closed June 1998.
Missing/loose front brake caliper anchor
Preliminary evaluation, opened November 1997, closed April 1998.
Outer hood panel detachment
Engineering analysis, opened September 1997, closed October 1997.
Outer hood panel detachment
Preliminary evaluation, opened March 1997, closed September 1997.
Brake pedal fade/extended stop distance
Engineering analysis, opened October 1996, closed February 2000.
Brake pedal fade/extended stopping
Preliminary evaluation, opened June 1996, closed October 1996.
Failure of auto trans park lock system
Preliminary evaluation, opened February 1996, closed May 1996.
What the maker told its dealers
Service bulletins are the manufacturer's own repair guidance to dealers, filed with NHTSA. A bulletin is not a defect finding; the count rises with how many things a maker writes down, not only with how many go wrong.
Ford filed 68 bulletins about the 2003 Windstar.
- Electrical system: 14
- Structure: 9
- Suspension: 9
- Engine and engine cooling: 7
- Visibility: 6
- Power train: 5
- Equipment: 3
- Seats: 3
- Service brakes, hydraulic: 3
- Seat belts: 2
- Other: 7
- Safety recall 10S13 - Rear axle corrosion - requests for recall service action · December 2021
- Safety recall 11s16 - LCA rear attaching flanges or rear subframe body mount corrosion - requests for recall service action · December 2021
- For 1998-2003 Windstar vehicles Safety Recall 10S13 has been issued for vehicles that are operated in high corrosion areas for an extended period, where the rear axle could potentially fracture. If… · December 2020
- For 1999-2003 Windstar vehicles Safety Recall 11S16 has been issued for vehicles that are operated in high corrosion areas for an extended period, where a front subframe lower control arm (LCA) rear… · December 2020
- Summary to be provided on a future date. · June 2016
- Ford: safety recall on front subframe lower control arm (lca) rear attaching flange or rear body mount that can separate from subframe if vehicle is operated, for extended period, in high corrosion… · August 2015
- Ford: safety recall concerning rear axle fracturing if vehicle is operated in high corrosion areas for and extended period. model 1998-03 windstar. *pe · August 2015
- Ford: on some minivans, rear axle will fracture, in high corrosion area, after operating for an extended time period, and vehicle handling ability will be affected. model 1998-2003 windstar. *pe · January 2015
60 more.
Grouped by NHTSA's top-level system; a bulletin filed under a sub-heading counts toward its system.