Problems · by component

2003 Ford Windstar steering problems

40 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2003 Ford Windstar cite steering, 3% of all 1,510 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
40
3% of all complaints
Crashes
4
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the steering

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 15, 2023Steering, Structure, WheelsCrash reportedODI 11527143
“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'…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 7, 2022Steering, Suspension, Service brakesODI 11446673
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 12, 2021Steering, Suspension, StructureODI 11387689
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD WINDSTAR. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH DOWN A HILL, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED, BUT WAS STIFF AND FAILED TO RESPOND. ALSO, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING PULLED TOWARDS THE LEFT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: CAS14205849. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 103,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 26, 2018Steering, Service brakesODI 11075071
“APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS AGO I NOTICED FLUID LEAKING UNDER THE VEHICLE I LOOKED AT IT AND THOUGHT IT WAS OIL I CHECKED THE OIL IT WAS FINE, A FRIEND MENTIONED RACK AND PINION SO I LOOKED THERE AND THAT'S WHERE THE LEAKING CAME FROM. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A GARAGE FOR PROFESSIONAL OPINION WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY$1.200 TO REPAIR, HE ALSO FOUND A BAD MOTOR MOUNT. I DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY AT THIS TIME TO INVEST INTO THE NEEDED REPAIRS. PLEASE CONTACT ME ABOUT ANY RECALLS THAT RELATE TO THIS PROBLEM.THANK YOU”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 29, 2017SteeringODI 11040946
“I REPLACED THE CONTROL ARMS ABOUT 25,000 MILES AGO AND THEY ARE SHOCKED ALREADY AND I ONLY DRIVE ON THE ROAD NO OFFROAD AND THAT WILL BE THE THIRD SET WE PUT IN TO THIS VAN SINCE WE HAD IT AT 108,000 MILES BRAND NEW PARTS WERE PUT IN IF YOU GUYS DON'T DO ANYTHING OF A FREE REPLACEMENT ON IT MY WIFE AND I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD AGAIN YOU COULD HEAR THE BALL JOINT ON AT ONE IN THE GO”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 29, 2017SteeringODI 11020453

Showing 6 of 40 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.