Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2003 Ford Windstar
NHTSA data on file today
The 2003 Ford Windstar has 9 NHTSA recall campaigns and 1,510 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #15V608000 Axle Recall Remedy may been Performed Improperly NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #12V195000 REAR AXLE CRACKING PUERTO RICO NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #12V193000 REAR AXLE CRACKING-VIRGINIA VEHICLES NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #12V194000 CORROSION FRACTURES OF FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #11V030000 CORROSION FRACTURES OF FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #10V385000 REAR AXLE CRACKING NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #09V399000 SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH/OVERHEATS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #06E056000 FUEL LEAK/FIRE NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #03V459000 FORD/FMVSS 225/FLOOR TO SEAT LATCH NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Service Brakes 296 complaints
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic 282 complaints
- Electrical System 280 complaints
- Suspension 254 complaints
- Power Train 225 complaints
- Structure 127 complaints
Of the 1,510 complaints on file, 33 report a crash and 27 a fire; across all 1,510 complaints, owners report 35 injuries and 1 death (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $6,000–$10,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2003 Ford Windstar is rated below-average due to its high number of recalls and complaints about the suspension, brakes, and electrical systems, indicating frequent and costly repairs.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| rear axle | 60,000–90,000 miles | $800–$1,500 | very common |
| braking system | 70,000–100,000 miles | $250–$600 | common |
| electrical system | 80,000–120,000 miles | $400–$1,200 | common |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil change every 5,000 miles
- Transmission fluid every 30,000 miles
- Brake inspection every 10,000 miles
- Coolant replacement every 60,000 miles
- Tire rotation every 7,500 miles
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Unusual brake noises
- Check Engine light on
- Electrical issues like flickering lights
- Rough or delayed gear shifts
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2003 Ford Windstar at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.